Things to Do in Norfolk, VA - Norfolk Attractions
Things to Do in Norfolk
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Speciality Museums • Science Museums
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Historic Sites • Theaters
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What travelers are saying
- Ahme1987Glen Carbon, IL75 contributionsThere are many rooms on the battleship to explore but it is somewhat confusing to follow because there is not much signage onboard. There are guided tours but the times did not work out for us to take.Written October 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ISyzigiNew York City, NY146 contributionsThis museum is a real treasure. The structure, gardens, and surrounding sculptures are delightful. The atrium is bright and welcoming. I went to see the work of Guido Reni and I was not disappointed in him and the adjacent galleries. The free admission is the proverbial icing.Written September 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Hank HVirginia532 contributionsCame here for three hours on a sunny, cool afternoon with my wife, daughter, and infant in a stroller for a lazy stroll through the beautiful gardens. From a Japanese Garden to Hydrangeas, Camellias, Roses, and Rhododendrons - all framed by lakes, streams, and forests of hardwoods - this place has it all for nature lovers.
If we lived in the area and weren’t just passing through, we would have become members and planned to visit here often because of the all-season beauty, the many benches for quiet reading, and open areas to picnic.
TIP: Although Trip Advisor doesn’t say so, be aware that this place is NOT free (currently $16 pp).Written November 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ffletc2344443 contributionsHave never been aboard a battleship before. Touring the USS Wisconsin was great. I learned that you can even spend the night aboard it. Am tucking that away for a future trip. The museum was nicely done as well.Written October 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bob19512014Gulfport, FL11,045 contributionsWe were here to have family fun. And that we did. We enjoyed what we saw. 50 zoos under our belts. This one was very nice. Price was right. Best part of the day was seeing skinks and butterflies.Written September 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dbornak55 contributionsSpent time in town and discovered a lot of places to visit - for FREE. This place was a unexpected. We aren’t vastly knowledgeable about history but this is the one and only General MacArthur. Fantastic displays through an historical building showcasing his father’s military history and then his time through 3 American wars. Impressive cases of medals of honor at the end. Website will tell you park in the mall garage South entrance (MacArthur Center seems to be a large, emptying mall and the garage is city-run). The person at the desk of the museum will validate your parking ticket for up to 3 hours but this is a 1-2 hour location. It appears the city passenger train also stops close enough for a short walk, and there seems to be a bike trail close by along the river too. One of many historical points of interest.Written April 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MominOCOrange County, CA4,996 contributionsdidn't do the guided tour and wish that we did to get all the historical information. Mostly drove the base and marveled at the many awesome ships in port.Written July 26, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andrew SRichmond, VA11 contributionsI took the two-day Neon class last weekend.
Matt, the instructor, was great. The class began with a short safety briefing followed quickly by a short demonstration of heating and bending glass tubes. Very quickly myself and my three classmates were actively heating and bending the glass tubes ourselves. I loved how quickly we got to the hands-on, actually doing part!
With Matt’s help we sketched on paper our design ideas. If a design was too ambitious for a newbie neon glass worker, Matt gently offered suggestions, minor alterations really, that would lead to a doable project. He also went through each design and suggested an order to do the bends. For a newbie, this help was especially appreciated.
Then we got back to bending glass tubes! It’s not hard to put a bend in a glass tube. But to put a particular bend in a specific place of the tube IS! And as more bends are added to each tube it becomes harder and harder. Matt was great with advice, encouragement and knowledge . He also was quick to offer help. But he strongly encouraged us to try to do it while letting us know he could step in, but only if that was our choice.
I loved that we were able to struggle (and learn!) but that Matt was there to save us if needed!
After our projects were completed, they’re sent out to be filled with Neon gas and mounted on a back board. I’m eagerly awaiting the call letting me know my project is ready to be picked up.
I really had a good time. The two day class provided ample time to complete our projects and not be rushed.
I have some experience with glass blowing but working with neon tubes is a different thing, a different skill set. One thing I really like about Neon vs glass blowing, is how “cool” neon is, literally. While you’re using an open flame to bend the glass tubes, I never felt the heat like when I’ve worked next to a furnace full of molten glass.
There’s an hour lunch break each day. I stayed at the Hilton Norfolk The Main which is an easy 3/4 mile walk away. There are also plenty of restaurants between the Chrysler Museum and the hotel. Of course there’s also a restaurant at the museum too.
Very enjoyable experience. I’m thinking of taking this same class again.Written October 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Steven KVirginia Beach, VA86 contributionsThe Virginia Stage Company put on wonderful productions and the theater is beautiful! Every play we have seen there is very well done. We just saw their production of Fiddler on the Roof and it was a Broadway quality production, hands down!Written October 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rich_C313Hillsborough, NJ118 contributionsThe Hermitage Museum is a really interesting mansion with a variety of architectural stiles and a wonderful collection of antiques. Well worth an hour or so to wander through.Written September 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sheenah S1 contributionThe Battleship is a ' must see'. Lots of interesting history. You may want to time your visit when it's not too hot and not too cold. It's cramped quarters, which can get hot, but it's on the water, so the breeze can get pretty cold at times.Written October 31, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- zebraskyPittsburgh, PA206 contributionsWhen to Harbor Park for a Tides games. This is a nice little park. Parking was reasonable at $6. Tickets were a good price as well. Staff all seemed very friendly. They have many food and drink options. Prices were reasonable for a ball Park as well. I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house. Team shop was filled with lots of options. If you are in the area and have time to kill check of this ballpark.Written June 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kathleen L129 contributionsMy daughter and I came to Norfolk while my husband was attending a class for the week. We had to fill our days within walking distance of our hotel and found ourselves at the Slover library not once but twice. The library is open and spacious and the children's floor was spectacular. It as calm but not quiet- and I never felt like I needed to encourage my daughter to be quiet. There are activities set up all around -coloring, legos, a play kitchen,puzzles and of course reading nooks. This was a really great way to both occupy our time and get my daughter comfortable in a library without worrying about being a disruption.
Iwe also took some time to peek in the makers studio on the first floor of the library which was very cool. Glad to see a library keeping itself relevant in our age of technology!Written August 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TCBColorado866 contributionsI love this mall! It is an absolute splurge to go here! There are so many different stores, boutiques, and places that are not in any other mall in the area. Great food, and parking is very convenient!Written April 10, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- mrdo43Byram, NJ62 contributionsWent for a 3 day music festival. Well kept park right on the harbor. Several Navy ships were docked in the surrounding harbor. Regular marine traffic including a nearby cruise ship berth. Park was very clean and kept that way with a small army of workers keeping the place tidy.Written May 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Norfolk
- The top attractions to visit in Norfolk are:
- Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus
- Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Nauticus
- Virginia Zoo
- The best outdoor activities in Norfolk according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Virginia Zoo
- Town Point Park
- Pagoda & Oriental Garden
- Elizabeth River Trail
- The most popular things to do in Norfolk with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus
- Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Nauticus
- Virginia Zoo
Norfolk Attractions Information
Attractions | 157 |
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Attraction Reviews | 11,759 |
Attraction Photos | 8,155 |
Local Time | Tuesday 12:44 PM |