Fun things to do in Norfolk: 36 fun attractions and activities

Incredible experience. Completely free to visit and view ORIGINAL HISTORICAL ART. I cried many, many times. It was such a special, emotional experience. This was my first time having the opportunity to visit an art museum, and I was absolutely amazed. The staff was very kind, they open the door for you upon arrival and exit. They ask for your zip code at check-in, and give you a visitors guide. The staff are very helpful in answering questions as well. They have a beautiful piano played by some of the most memorable names in classical music, and we asked if someone could play it. They informed us that they have professional pianists come to play it to keep it in good condition. We are looking forward to coming back at a time when we can hear it.

This was a favorite part of our family trip to Virginia! The museum is free to enter and is a never-ending fun experience. There is so much to see! One of my favorite collections was of all the Tiffany Glass.

Love this museum. We were there for the native museum glass exhibit. Truly wonderful. Another reason I wanted to go was for their Nancy Camden Witt paintings which I have wanted to see in person for years. They were the last thing we found along side a Man Ray sculpture and Dali portrait. This review courtesy of artist David F. Heatwole.

Extremely pleasurable and beautiful location. It is shared with the glass museum next door and a rock garden that spans both. The art maintained within the museum is also priceless and worth a visit. Will definitely come back in the future for newer installations.

Loved this! First of all, it's free! So what's not to love? Great glass collection and other permanent items from around the world. Really really enjoyed the temporary exhibit on Native American glass art. Definitely something I knew nothing about. Nice gift shop. Restaurant food was good but you have to put your name on a list when it gets busy. If I had known, I would have put my name in earlier then hopped off to see something else.

We recently filmed Isabel & Keith's wedding at The Chrysler Museum of Art and, although it wasn't our first time filming there, it was one of the BEST times. We can't recommend it enough to potential future couples who are into art! If you're on the fence, we say, go for it! The venue coordinators are extremely nice, professional and so helpful. The entire staff of the museum is there to assist in any way needed, too. One of the most overlooked and undersold things about The Chrysler for couples getting married there is the opportunity to go into any of the galleries and have your photo and video team capture you there. If you're a fan of Baroque or Renaissance Art, or Modern, the world is your oyster. No matter where you look, it's stunning. The views surrounding the property are also just as majestic. You can also visit the nearby Freemason District for some more sort of "town" atmosphere, with its cobblestone streets. Or, walk down to The Hague bridge and get some great drone shots on there! We rank this as one of our favorite venues in Hampton Roads to film in and highly recommend it to everybody we meet that are still searching for the right venue for them, especially if you love art. If you'd like to see their film, you can find it on our website and Instagram for some inspiration!

One of the nicest museums I have ever been to and it is completely free to the public, though you can make donations. They have lots of community events and workshops. The first time I went I took my son and they had a printmaking workshop right in the middle of a limited exhibit featuring prints so people could appreciate and understand more about the process. My son really enjoyed it and wants to do more printmaking now. There are so few free spaces, it feels like you have to pay just to step outside your house these days, I am extremely grateful this beautiful place is one of them. Everytime I go I find something new.

Truly one of the best BG's in the country, I make every effort to visit in every one of my biannual trips to VA. From the diversity of habitats to the heart-filling colorful butterfly garden with a vast diversity of butterflies and other pollinators to the peaceful Japanese tea garden to the amazing exhibits and holiday light displays, it is top notch. Add to this the opp to be there this year during fall migration and was delighted to find many visiting songbirds including Palm Warblers and a Clay-colored Sparrow. And all of this is BEFORE the expansion that opens next Spring. My heartfelt thanks to those who have made this BG a reality. It is truly one of my happiest places and I tell every BG I visit all about it.

We had a 6 hour connection at the airport in Norfolk, VA and a really kind gentleman at the information desk recommmened this beautiful botanical garden which was just across the road from the Airport. We literally walked from the airport to garden. It was so beautiful with a rose garden voted #1 in the U.S., a Japanese bonsai garden, a butterfly sanctuary and a kids Adventure Garden. The best part is that there is a free guided trolley tour that takes you around the property every hour on the hour, and gives all the details of the garden. The staff is warm and friendly and are fully dedicated to taking care of the plants. If you love plants it's a MUST do!

Spent a lovely morning there with my mother. We got coffee at the food truck behind the visitor center and did a tram tour. The team tour was a great way to see a majority of the garden, plus get the history of the garden and some plants. We didn't have a ton of time to spend so we checked out the Japanese Garden and Sub tropical gardens afterward.

Phenomenal place to visit and explore whether you’re a resident of Virginia or just passing through. Would definitely recommend checking it out!! Bear in mind it’s of course much more vibrant and colorful in the spring/summertime. Not to mention they’re dog friendly on Sunday’s!

Beautiful garden. Easy to walk around. The tram is a nice addition to take a tour, or hop on/off while walking around. The rose garden is large. Butterfly area was a bit of a letdown. Would also have liked a better food option than just the coffee truck.

I've enjoyed the Botanical Garden many times since living here. It is always a fun trip no matter the season. Price increases are too be expected just wish it was more affordable for large families without buying a membership.

Beautiful Botanical Garden. We spent 5 hours in hot summer day and not even saw all parts of garden. Butterfly garden was interesting. Dogs allowed sundays, but not sure if you can go everywhere. Sure to come next time to revisit such a magnificent place

The BB Wisconsin was AMAZING!!! The 90 minute tour was well worth the ticket. Seeing the captains quarters and battle sections, a battle reenactment from Desert Storm, and walking were some of the bravest men ever to have lived was inspiring and humbling. The museum inside was incredible. Interactive lessons on sailing and games for kids. Would absolutely come back again.

This was a great adventure with the family. From the Nauticus interaction museum, the battle ship Wisconsin and the victory boat tour. Unfortunately we arrived on a Sunday and had to really run through everything to be able to experience it... but even then it was fun. USS Wisconsin was a blast to explore and see the history. The victory cruise was fun but the youngest, 7, lost interest pretty quickly. The interaction exhibits in Nauticus kept the kids and adults entertained the remainder of the time. Highly recommend and of these three experiences!

It was interesting to see. Couldn't go high in the tower or go inside the actual big gun turrets. Can't go to the engine room either. Basically you can't go to where you want to go. I went there when it was 100 degrees. I could only go there when it was hot. Anyways they have a nice little naval museum in the air conditioning.

Beautiful tour and an amazing place! We got to see battleships aircraft carriers and much more!! Dolphins all throughout the whole tour as well! It was super cool. Then there's a museum as well and you can go out and tour the Wisconsin! A very pleasant experience touring the battleship!!

First for reference let me start with I've been to all 4 of the Iowa class battleships after visiting the Wisconsin the other day. After seeing the Wisconsin, I've been left speechless for the way this great ship is being treated and exhibited. It's not even Halloween yet, and you can barely navigate her deck for the sheer massive amount of gaudy looking christmas decorations already being set up. I'm sure she will look amazing at night when it's all turned on. But let us eat our turkey, or at least have our candy before you start shoving that holiday down our throats. 1) the people in charge of maintaining this vesssel, should be ashamed of themselves for the utter lack of respect and care that shows in numerous locations. The neglect for a piece of history is abhorant. NONE of the other ships that I have visited have shown any signs like the photos I'm including. The decks are in terrible condition, not being cleaned and showing obvious signs of standing water that has dried. There are clogged drains allowing standing water to accumulate and soak in other locations. And the paint is peeling across most of the command structure. 2) the "tour" is terrible. Lack of proper signage indicating a flow through the vessel. It's pretty much a "roam wherever you want" type experience. While that can be appreciated by some, a more organized route through the vessel would be the best way to show how the crews lived and operated such a massive warship. The New Jersey had in my opinion the most accessible, and clearly marked path of all of these great ships. 3) blocking off the command structure from the public with standard tickets is downright rude. Making people pay extra to see both the command decks and the engine room is ridiculous. I've been on the bridge of all 3 of her sister ships, and in the engine room of the New Jersey, without paying extra for this privledge. While I understand those areas are part of a "guided tour" the other vessels also have upgrades for guided tours of various aspects of the vessel for an extra charge, but you're still allowed to visit these other areas. You just don't get the extra history lesson by not doing the tour. The Wisconsin is labled as the "last battleship" but if she is not taken better care of, she will be the first completed Iowa class to be scrapped. If the people in charge have no desire to take care of this vessel, give her to another state to watch over her in her retirement. Or let her join the others who have been immortilized as reefs to protect our waters and drive tourism for recreational divers. Norfolk: to be the historical first naval shipyard "city" for the U.S., as well as the largest naval station in the world. To be charged with the honor of caring one of the great battleships that protected our freedom for her 50 years of service is an honor that is not being fulfilled. Nauticus..........You can do better, and should.

This was fantastic. I loved the educational exhibits and the museum. I learned so much about the ship and it's significance. We did the self walk through and it was fun exploring all the areas of the ship, but gave a true reverence of how it must've been to serve on the ship. I truly earned respect for those that served. They truly sacrificed for our freedom and for that I'm greatful and honored to be free and walk among their experience. Thank you Nauticus for a wonderful experience and preserving our history.

We went with kids so the review is only about the 3rd floor. It was really pro-science and hands-on stuff for the kids, so if you're into that, it's great! I personally am not, so I was not well entertained. The under the sea themed playground type room was fun for the kids too.

We love the zoo. It was a really nice day and even though it seemed busy in the parking lot it really was busy inside. I’m docking a star because the food and pricing at the restaurant in the zoo was way overpriced and not that great but the zoo itself was really good to have a lot there. It’s a nice walk around lots of benches lots of shade. It’s just an enjoyable day. Pro Tip if you have a Norfolk botanical gardens membership until the end of September, you can get in the zoo for free.

Great zoo, been to a few in different states. Love their reptile exhibit, so many snakes and a cute crocodile. Its a small zoo, nice for s0ending all day or getting it done in 3-4 hours. Bring a lunch, their food isn't worth the cost.

A lot of fun to check out the animals which looked well cared for. The zoo had a great layout where everything connected back into the main pavilion which was nice and made it much easier to figure out what you had next. They also have a nice area to pet cows and goats for the kids.

My husband and I visited on a Wednesday, senior citizens can get tickets to enter free on Wednesdays. The zoo was laid out in a very convenient pattern. There was plenty of shade. The animals have ample living conditions. A very pleasant experience

Arrive early before 9:30 am to get a good parking spot near the gate and to beat the crowds. Tiger, lion and bear seem depressed. Tiger paces in a circle looks dazed. Some animals are not in exhibits. Friendly knowledgeable staff throughout the park. Restrooms do not have a working hand soap dispenser. Better food options would be great. The cow was mooing for over 30 minutes because it was hungry. Finally, someone came out and fed them. The cows did not have any drinking water in sight. Orangutan hair is matted. Bison is by itself and body is full of flies.

What a wonderful experience at the Virginia Zoo! I bought my tickets online—super convenient and easy to use. Once inside, everything was well-organized, clean, and inviting. I loved walking through the beautiful garden areas filled with colorful flowers—it really added to the peaceful vibe. Watching the animals up close was such a joy. Each exhibit was thoughtfully designed and gave a great view of the animals in a natural setting. One of the highlights was riding the zoo train for just $3—such a fun way to relax and take in the scenery. A perfect place for families, friends, or solo visitors. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a lovely day outdoors with nature and wildlife!

Had a great trip to the zoo! We were able to see everything in about two hours. They have a full reptile house, tons of different animals, and even a baby orangutan, which was such a highlight. The petting zoo was my favorite—you can actually walk into the goat area and pet them. Everything was very clean and well maintained.

I do love the little fountain and chairs positioned right in front of it. It's a nice park to enjoy your lunch or take a little stroll through. The giant Connect 4 is a fantastic touch.

Always a good time for the 4th of July. Plenty to eat. Music is always good. View of the fireworks of the Elizabeth River is always spectacular. 2025 fireworks show was the best at around 30 minutes. Easy to get in. Leaving the parking structures is a challenge. Definitely worth the wait.

Very well laid out park. Lots of walking trails, very well paved. Perfect for walkers and pet owners to come out in the mornings to get their steps in and enjoy the nice weather and the waterfront. Lots of benches available for folks to sit down, relax and get some fresh air. The water views and the marina are spectacular. Must visit place for adults and kids alike

Amazing place in Norfolk Downtown. the most of events happening there. 4th of July was really nice with amazing 30 minutes fireworks.

Attended the Norfolk Jazz Festival here!! Easy to maneuver and parking was seamless! Fun fact.. total sellout for 1st time in the 42 yr history!!

Great place to walk and get away. Have lunch. It's right there by the water side. Good restaurants. It's also a good place to get a nice workout time away from the hotel. If you don't want to spend time inside of the gym, I highly recommend that place getting some fresh air by the water. It's a good workout and you see a lot of good people there. Highly recommend places like this. You don't have many so enjoy them and it's free!

Town Point Park is a beautiful waterfront spot perfect for strolling, relaxing, or enjoying festivals. With stunning views of the Elizabeth River, open green spaces, and a lively atmosphere, it’s a true Norfolk gem.

Well worth the visit when in Norfolk. Great collection of memorabilia and historical stuff related the General MacArthur and various campaigns that he was involved with spanning decades and wars during his career. He definitely lived in interesting times and was involved with some major turning points through history. Very well maintained museum with brief video history of MacArthur’s lifetime and involvement in the military. Clean bathrooms, nice gift shop and friendly staff. Parking is available across the street at the MacArthur mall for $1.00 an hour. Expect to spend at least an hour for a quick tour or longer if you want to immerse yourself in the collection. Admission is free and there is lots to see in the downtown area. Highly recommended.

Really nice museum. Highly recommend for those who are interested in east Asia wars.

The MacArthur Memorial offers an unforgettable experience with its insightful tour that unveils untold stories. Exploring the memorial is a journey through history, and the guided tour brilliantly brings to light the often overlooked narratives. The depth of information and the engaging storytelling make this visit truly memorable. A must-see for anyone seeking a profound understanding of MacArthur's legacy and the untold tales that enrich our historical perspective.

A good memorial/ museum to learn about General Douglas MacArthur, a man who dedicated his entire life to serve the country and protect all American citizens. Cost $0 to get in and you can easily spend 1.5 hours in it so there is really no excuse for you to no go and learn about the history. Parking is available in the shopping mall, cost only $1 for the first 3 hours.

A must visit place for any WW2 enthusiasts. The memorial was beautiful and very well kept. The musuem had lots of personal items that belonged to General MacArthur. I am a huge history fanatic and I was in awe of seeing his corn cob pipe Raybans and hat in person.

So many awesome things to look at and they have a wonderful gift shop. Everyone working there was very nice and knowledgeable. We parked in the mall parking garage and spent three hours between the Museum and eating at the food court. It does cost to park in the garage, but we were there for 3 hours and it only cost us $1, not bad at all. We could have easily spent the whole day there if we took our time to look at everything. It really is a great place to go, and to top it off, it is all free for the public and so well kept. I am actually looking forward to going back for a showing about Iwo Jima they will be having in their theatre room.

As a Korean-American and also military fam, I will always be grateful to General Douglas Macarthur for saving South Korea from North Korea. Had he not intervened at the Battle of Incheon with his smart strategy, North Korea would’ve won and all of us would be under communist rule. I came to give my thanks to his gravesite and also viewed the museum with awe at this amazing and accomplished General, giving his life to duty with his masterminded war strategies. I am thankful to him both as an American citizen and as a Korean national. Most Korean people view Americans very favorably due to General Douglas Macarthur saving our country. Thank you. There is also a statue of him in Korea (Incheon) as well.

We are local and I’ve been on the sunset cruise before and knew I wanted to bring the family next time. It’s always a little nerve wracking taking our son to a new place not knowing how he will do and how accommodating the place will be. The crew was amazing with our son that has multiple disabilities and he loved sailing around. Thank you for making our experience as stress free as possible.

Enjoyed my Harborfest Fireworks cruise! The boat is comfortable, there is seating on deck and below. Bathrooms are very clean and nice. Snacks and drinks are very reasonably priced, too! Beautiful craft, and really delightful staff.

Had an amazing time!! I was glad I saw it was a harbor tour first, so I had a good understanding on what we were doing. Brought the kids (6, 7, 8) out for a sunset tour. The captain and staff were amazing people and the entertainment was great!! "Recommend doing" does not put enough weight on how much I would encourage the sunset tour for a great way to wind down!!

Sunset cruise on the American Rover at Waterside in Norfolk, VA. It was a truly amazing two hours around Norfolk and Portsmouth on the Elizabeth River. The crew were very engaging with passengers. They helped make this a very memorable event. Highly recommended this cruise.

Ample seating on deck and below. Below deck are restrooms, a gift shop, and a place for refreshments. It was a great time. The weather was nice. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Connor was absolutely amazing.

A full service cruise. The 1st hour is some history of the Norfolk Navy area. The ship pic is of a ship in the process of being built. The 2nd hour includes a singer/guitar player who will take song requests. He was excellent. The seating onboard is comfortable & not crowded. It was fun for all & reasonably priced. Bonus is a sunset view or full moon like in the pic.

What a wonderful experience spending time with our friends on the American Rover!! Beautiful weather and the crew was fantastic. The only downside was the musician. He was just okay.. The last couple of years the musician was so much better. But I would recommend the American Rover Sunset Cruise to all.

This was a very nice museum. The battleship is huge and is really a self-contained city. They have done an excellent job of capturing the history and the voice of the battleship. We particularly loved the video montage throughout the tour of previous service members telling their stories. Appointed docents were helpful at guiding us as well. It was very rainy today so we didnt get to tour above decks but its a good reason to return. Would love to see their big holiday winterfest light display.

Wow..a new perspective and respect for the Navy and those who choose that journey. Alot of walking and stepping through the doors to different rooms and sections. Very steep stairs that have railings to get to the different levels. Fascinating!

The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) museum in Norfolk, Virginia, is an absolute must-visit for anyone with even the slightest interest in naval history. This incredible battleship — one of the largest and last ever built by the U.S. Navy — has been beautifully preserved and transformed into an interactive, immersive museum experience that truly brings history to life. What makes the USS Wisconsin so special is just how much of the ship is open to explore. From the massive main deck and towering gun turrets to the inner corridors, crew quarters, and command areas, you can wander through and really get a sense of what life was like for the sailors who served aboard. The attention to detail is amazing — it feels like stepping back in time. You can easily spend an entire day navigating the decks, admiring the engineering, and soaking in the stories that made this ship such an important part of American naval power. The museum staff and volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, always ready to share fascinating facts or personal stories connected to the ship’s long service — from World War II to Operation Desert Storm. The exhibits and displays add depth to the experience, highlighting the Wisconsin’s evolution through decades of service and innovation. Overall, the USS Wisconsin BB-64 museum is a true gem — equal parts awe-inspiring, educational, and humbling. Whether you’re a history buff, a veteran, or just looking for an unforgettable experience, this legendary battleship is well worth the visit.

Came here while in town as my sons have an interest in aircraft carriers, battleships, and other similar things. There ship is connected to a museum which does an amazing job with their displays. All of the displays were clean, worked well, and had something for all ages. The ship was amazing. There was so much to see and do! I think I spent a few hours with my kids exploring the ship and learning. My kids wished they could go higher up into the ship and also explore lower too. Great for kids and adults alike.

Wisconsin did not disappoint. The gubment shut down had the nsval museum shuttered but the ship was well worth the $20 if that was the only thing you hot to see. Very informative when we tagged along with a tour guide. I could have spent hours in there.

Staying overnight on the Battleship Wisconsin was a once in a lifetime experience! My husband is a major military history hobbyist, and this was the perfect birthday gift for him. The overnight manager, Tammie, was incredibly patient with all my questions and responded quickly, making the process easy. For the night’s stay and tour, we had the fantastic Greg! He made this already special experience truly one for the books. Greg not only answered the dozens of questions my husband had, but also offered the detailed insight of a true professional. I would highly recommend this experience as a gift for yourself or for anyone with a love of history.

Great tour. Definitely take a guided tour and learn about the behind the scenes or areas that are not open to the public. Very worth your while and expense, which is nominal.

We had our small 10 person wedding here in the East Garden at the end of June and it was beautiful! Not only do they have a deal for their elopement package, but Heather Lindsay and her assistant Alexis were incredible to work with. Alexis even helped tie my shoe before I walked down the isle and kept me calm before the ceremony. Thank you Hermitage! We will keep coming back. (majority of these photos credit: Amanda Robbins Photography @amandarobbinsphoto

This place is gorgeous! The inside of the home is the depiction of an elegance we don’t see anymore. All the intricate wood carvings on the doors walls and ceiling were truly captivating. The acres of surrounding gardens are just as gorgeous and immaculately kept. My friends and I had so much fun exploring the house, gardens and various art installations. We were also able to take some pretty cute pictures!

Such a surprise! This place is beautiful, and that sculpture is awesome. Great trails, wonderful museum and beautiful scenery. Will definitely return.

The pictures I provided are from a showing by an artist so tickets were required. Otherwise, visiting the Hermitage is free and is absolutely gorgeous! I recommend it 100%.

An awesome museum in a beautiful location. It's hard to believe that admission is free. The grounds alone are worth a visit but the house is stunning with endless details. We came to see the Burden of the Beast art exhibit and it didn't disappoint.

Can't think of of better way to spend my Saturday afternoon. Even if the kids protest...take the. My 15 year old was anti the entire ride there - we pull up to see the Beast of Burden and a massive robot sculpture in the trees...he was engaged and interactive the rest of the visit. Do art. Be in nature. Or visit the Hermitage Museum and Gardens so you can connect with them both. I'm willing to bet most people are glad they did.

I was here for a wedding and the venue was gorgeous! I highly recommend it for this purpose. I enjoyed the outdoor areas, views, and wide variety of plants. I hope to return as a regular visitor someday.

This Museum in the heart of downtown Norfolk is well worth the visit and does not take too much of your time. The staff on hand are very knowledgeable in history of the house and the family who lived there. The Hunters were prominent bankers of the greater Norfolk area and made their own impact on the community through banking and medical practice. Sadly none of them had children to continue their legacy but instead made their home into a museum to educate the next generations of Norfolk.

Great lecture, helpful and knowledgeable staff. House is well maintained and full of a rotating display of amazing historical artifacts.

Great tour of a very well preserved Victorian-era home with TONS of authentic artifices owned by the family. Tour guide was very friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

This place is awesome. On my birthday the hunter house museum staff hosted me a nice tea party. The tour was amazing. They were very informal. My guess are talking about coming back if you have an event and you’re a Victorian era fan like me. Hosting a get together or a birthday is perfect at Hunter House Museum. The staff was friendly and catered to our needs.

We got a tour from a very kind and informative young woman named Katherine. It was just the two of us so we got her all to ourselves and we were not disappointed with the amount of knowledge shared about the time period. Everything was really different at that time and they do a wonderful job at telling that story.

The house & garden is beautiful, the people are friendly, engaging, & knowledgeable, and the Edgar Allen Poe night was perfect! Can’t wait to attend more events here.

It is amazing to see Victorian collections and many old books. Curators are very friendly and cooperative and it offers free guided tour

What a Great tour of our military vessels. The entire time they were giving information about each ship. Names, uses, history, stats everything you wanted to know. Plenty of time on each and every ship in the port, even 3 submarines. It was great. Didn't feel hurried and well described. It was definitely very informational. Clean boat. Friendly staff. One thing that caught my attention. They didn't ask for tips. Not even a bucket on your way out...we tipped of course because we enjoyed it and they accepted graciously but it wasn't begged for like other places do. Class act! We did not use the bar so can't rate that, but I'm sure it was great.

I participated in the 11:00 am tour on 7/18. It was the last day of my vacation. It turned out to be an enjoyable experience and very informative. The guide provided information about ships that I didn't know I wanted to know. The ride was smooth, the weather was perfect, and the crew was friendly. Excellent photo options to make memories. I even stood outside and recorded the sound of the waves to use as a sleep aid.

This one is totally worth. Highly recommended for everyone. Get to see the harbor with all the different ships and learn about their history. The staff are very courteous and the facilities are good. Their location is very convenient and easy to get to. Must plan to do this tour when in the area

A Special Birthday Voyage 🇺🇸⚓️ Yesterday was a day we won’t soon forget. My daughter and I traveled all the way from California to Virginia Beach to celebrate her 23rd birthday—and we did it in true Navy fashion aboard the Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise. As a proud member of the Navy, she wanted to spend her special day not just relaxing, but learning more about the history and strength behind the branch she serves. The cruise delivered exactly that—and so much more. Sailing along the waters of Norfolk, we had a front-row seat to the world’s largest naval base. We saw active ships, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and even submarines—all while hearing fascinating stories and historical insights from our guide. It was incredible to see my daughter light up with curiosity and pride, connecting what she’s learned in her service to the real-life operations and legacy of the Navy. The weather was perfect, the views were stunning, and the entire experience felt both meaningful and celebratory. Watching her soak it all in reminded me just how passionate and driven she is—and how much she loves what she does. This birthday wasn’t just a celebration of her 23 years—it was a tribute to her journey, her future, and the incredible community she’s a part of.

We took the two hour tour on 8/5/25 and it was just what we needed on an off beach morning. Just a quick drive from VA Beach it's worth your time to check out. I really enjoy history and it was pretty neat to float over the space where the Monitor fought the Merrimack and to see the commercial and Naval shipyards along the Elizabeth River. Would definitely do it again the next time we are in VA Beach and will have to tour the USS Wisconsin next time. Thanks for a great day Victory Rover!

Amazing tour, saw some amazing technology and history, captain Mark clearly knew his stuff. Crew were friendly. However chairs on the upper deck were uncomfortable for the long ride, water was very expensive and sometimes it was a little difficult to understand the narration with the speed at which he was speaking. All in all a good experience and would definitely recommend.

Amazing tour! Absolutely amazing! The captain was very knowledgeable. We learned so much! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone and everyone!!

One of the highlights of our vacation! My son loved all of the activities, and we would definitely come back in the future if in the area. I will say that it was hot upstairs and in the gift shop even with the fans on, and it was only in the 70s outside. The planetarium and planetarium manager were great. The manager was very knowledgeable and patient. Definitely in the right field, and we were very happy with our experience watching “Big.” The prices were fair, and we felt it was nicely organized and that the pictures online don’t do the museum justice. It was a great experience with a very walkable area around it with free parking as well. :)

The Children’s Museum in downtown Portsmouth (aka P-Town) is a great spot for kids to learn,play, and burn off some energy. There are tons of hands on exhibits and activities that can easily keep little ones entertained for hours. It’s a place where kids get to explore, create, and have fun while parents can enjoy watching them discover new things. The only downside during our visit was that the A/C seemed to be out so it was a bit uncomfortably warm but even with that, the kids still had a blast.

Great museum for kids and families! My favorites were the bubble room, music room, bodyworks, train room, planetarium show was nice and upstairs is a whole circus amusement park! 🤡 Ample parking, nice coffee shop across the street, we got in free with our membership!

Great children's museum. Had enough to do to last at least 2 hours if not more. Lots of hands on activities. The picture attached is a crane simulator for loading and unloading containers, it spoke to my logistics heart! Friendly staff. Though I do warm you the upstairs is HOT during the summer .

First time going here since I was a kid, and I was delighted to see all the updates that have happened while still preserving the things I remembered (big purple chair and the bubble room!). My 4 year old had a great time, we will definitely be back.

My 23 month old daughter had a ton of fun. The train room is truly epic, a wonderful train room. A huge diorama with many trains. Lots of buttons to press and tunnels to crawl in to get a closer inside view of the train set up. The city bus was great and so much fun for my daughter who loves busses. The bubble room was a hit, great spot. Neat art room upstairs as well as a STEM lab. I only gave it 4 stars because it could use some touch ups here and there. More books in the library, more grocery items, little grocery carts for the kids to push, more dress ups in the theater, new stuffed animals in the animal caring area (those things look ragged!). The kinesthetic room was too difficult for the kids to use on their own, it was still really cool. Overall though there was alot to do and my daughter and nephew had a really good time.

OMG, what an amazing place! Kids had so much fun, it's educational, plenty of things to do and learn, will recommend and come back again and again. Fantastic 😍😍😍😍

This one was fun. The money goes to upkeep and the history of the vessel, so that made it worth it. Lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Lots of little and tight spaces. Lors of ladders. Cell phone service doesn't work deep inside the ship. A must visit place. Inside the museum was good but for me the ship was the money spot!! Thank you to all the Navy guys on the ship, taking pics and helping with direction and questions.

I have always been wanted to Naval history up close. This was something I truly will rem. The museum was very extensive. I saw alot I had never seen before or knew. Being able to step foot on a real Battleship and tour it was mind blowing. I really think young and old would really enjoy this. Its not only a piece of History but a marvel of engineering.

Great museum. Not only the tour of the USS Wisconsin (Iowa Class) ship, but get tickets for the harbor tour to see many active Navy ships docked.

It’s an Iowa Class Battleship. I don’t think there is much to be said but it does do more than USS Iowa in LA where you can go quite below deck which is nice. Can’t go too high unlike her sister in LA.

Incredible history and structures on the USS Wisconsin. The tour guides were very helpful and explanatory for all questions and some of them even served on the ship. The bridge and command centers were very intriguing as well because they offered a real life reenactment of what the tomahawk missile missions were like in the gulf war. I recommend this ship and museum for any active or former military including everyone else for a chance to learn what life was like on a battle ship 🇺🇸

Great museum and it's free to the public. The $20 is to visit the battleship, which is well deserved as the maintenance costs must be exorbitant. Still, it's well worth a visit and definitely recommended for people interested in military history.

Spent a few hours at the museum today. Unique experience, I really liked that cultural and commercial aspects were covered as well as the rich military history. The icing on the cake was definitely the battleship Wisconsin. Thoroughly enjoyed the ship. Will be coming back soon.

It was so much fun. Staff was very helpful. Highly recommend it. Grab a friend and go make a mermaid

Great fun with 10yo granddaughter. Very helpful staff. Good time.

As a lover of all things mermaid, I was so excited to visit Mermaid Factory after a friend recommended this spot! Such a fun and creative environment. Anything you could ever want to add to your artwork is accesible. The options can get a little overwhelming and everyone who works here was so kind and helpful and leading us towards a direction we were happy with. I could spend hours here!

Jessica provided excellent customer service. She hosted a ladies night a few years ago for my friends and I. And gave me the best advise for my broken mermaid. Appreciate the hospitality and love Arts and crafts!! Planning the next ladies night as I post.

Spent the day with the ladies in my family and we had a really good time.. Received 2 Complimentary drinks and the ladies that helped us where very friendly and beyond helpful.. I will definitely come back again

Had a great time! I went for a corporate time building event... But this is a great date night idea, of you're looking to do something different.

I had a great time at the Mermaid factory. We had the shop pretty much to ourselves. The factory keeper of the day was helpful. My friend asked a lot of questions and she was able to help with everything. The complimentary wine is great! The mermaids start at $25 with all you can use paint and glitter. They have a lot of add ons which you can use to personalize or upgrade your mermaid. They can add up quick!

We loved our tour of the Myers House! We opted for a guided tour with Christine who was absolutely PHENOMENAL! She was a great story teller and knew so much about both the Myers family/house as well as Norfolk history in general. I would say to definitely utilize the awesome knowledge of the guides when you visit for a fun and interesting visit. MEYERS HOUSE IS A MUST SEE SPOT IN NORFOLK!!!

I recently visited the Moses Myers House and it was a memorable experience. Thanks to Taylor and Mary, I leaned the incredible history of the house. Truly fascinating. I’m grateful that places like this exist so I can get a glimpse into history. I’ll be back, but next time with my nieces and nephew. Thank you!

Very cool, historic house. Super knowledgeable and kind staff. I was surprised by how many of the items in the house were original to the house.

fantastic little museum- everything is so well kept and the stories of the people who lived here were fascinating. it was free to visit and the people working were extremely kind and helpful. a gem of a place!

Norfolk has several beautiful restored Federal-style town houses still standing. While they're all beautiful, this one is especially so, and you can tour it! The house is restored with period furniture to be absolutely authentic, and it shows. You're stepping back to the 1790s here, a period of exceptional growth and religious diversity in Norfolk.

09.13.25 very interesting. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. The story/history of the Myers was informative . We thoroughly enjoyed this visit. Loved looking at the old home and learning its history. Check it out!

The Myers House offered an amazing look into Norfolk history and the unique experiences of the Jewish American family of merchants. We had the luck to be helped by amazing guides who knew everything there was to know about the Myers and their connection to Norfolk history. Big shoutout to Mary, our incredibly knowledgeable guide! We definitely recommend this museum for everyone eager to explore local history, we are very glad that places like these are being preserved for people to learn.

Very nice walk, scenic, informative. If you go check out the shops and especially the military letters made in bronze scattered in the memorial area.

Nice lil Norfolk trail to get out and do a run or talk a walk. Super easy, peaceful vibes the entire way through. Waterfront views.

It's a pretty good trail for marathon training just the signs and direction could be a bit more visable and a bit less distant once you get further in. Its not a trail meant for those looking for trees, etc.

A nice trail surrounding the water and snakling the Ghent historic district. The only issue for first time users and visitors is that it needs better signage due to detours, so people might get lost. Otherwise perfect.

I have been walking this trail since it was created and I’m so happy that it is still being invested in by the community. There is always a new feature or event. The Weyanoke Bird & Wildflower Sanctuary is lovely and the Slover Library Story Trail with pages of picture books printed on canvas and affixed to the chain link fence each Summer are amazing.

Great waterfront walking trail when the weather is nice. Benches if you want to rest or just admire the view.

Nicest office building I’ve been in a long time. Nice architectural stop on the trail. Architect office in front left had great exhibit on hand press posters

I miss the old "mall". Glad to see that the ferry is still 2 bucks. If you are looking for excitement, come on any day other than Sunday. Everything closes. It's peaceful. If that's whatcha want, do come on Sundays

A great place to meet up with friends to have a few drinks and watch sports events. Several different eateries to suit anybody’s pallet and several bars to have you choosing from. They also offer several sit down restaurants. It can be rather loud so be prepared for that.

Waterside District has a few bars and one seafood restaurant. Unfortunately, most of the other small restaurants options are closed. There is a fudge and ice cream place but all others are gone. If you want a bar scene, this may be for you, but the charm of a shopping and eating center at Waterside is gone.

This is a wonderful little spot to go for a short walk to see the amazing ships and architecture, park and water. The marketplace is a giant open space with a few bat and grills inside like Blue Moon and Pbr and a place that sells sweets. It has a beautiful bar right in the center of all these where we had some drinks. It has a nice arcade and air hockey as well. We went during the early afternoon and it was not lound or too busy.

Came by for a NFL Sunday and it was a blast! Got some phenomenal wings and the beer variety at the Starr Hill Market is great too!

Had a amazing time visiting Virginia. Was my 1st, but not my last. Happy Holiday's Everyone 🎃 🦃 🎄 Blessings Always ❣️

We had the pleasure of being served by Chloe at the Blue Moon Taproom at Waterside District, and it felt almost serendipitous. Our family was gathered the evening before welcoming our sailor home from a long deployment, and as fate would have it, Chloe is a sailor herself. Despite the restaurant being noticeably understaffed that night, Chloe handled everything with grace, professionalism, and a warm smile. She took a few thoughtful moments to connect with us, share her own experiences, and genuinely added to the excitement and emotion of our special weekend. Her ability to stay composed, kind, and attentive—especially during a busy shift—was a clear reflection of her full-time service background. We’re incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with her and appreciate the extra layer of meaning she brought to our evening.

Ocean View Beach Park is a great beach to visit for adults and kids. It’s definitely less crowded than other beaches in the area. They also have decent parking available and you don’t have to get stuck in traffic getting here. Conveniently located and close to the highways. Kids love it. Waves are much calmer. Definitely deserves a visit

This is a beautiful, well kept park. The view was wonderful! It was quiet, relaxing and felt safe. We had a great time and the band, Runnin' Shine, was exceptional! We happened upon their Friday night event and we were so glad we did! The hot dog vendor was very friendly and reasonably priced. The BBQ vendor was extremely overpriced. The fish vendor need a more visible location or a banner. Edit to add that Ocean View Beach also has loaner life jackets.

Lots of trash and debris on way to the beach and on the beach. Limited access openings, seemed to be under construction with a new walkway. Was there on a Sunday morning and saw several baptisms being held. Good bit of seaweed and even saw jelly fish on beach. Has an area to rinse off and restrooms.

We've really been enjoying the music venues here, this summer! Food trucks are awesome, too, especially CupsUp... Wow! That brisket and ac & Cheese! Grateful Jed and The Tiki Bar Band put on awesome shows! Everyone is laid back and just there to enjoy the summer vibes and music! Kudos also to the staff that keeps everything clean and picked up at the park!

This was smashing the other day! We went out super early, like 7am. The beach was interesting, some people still having fun from the night before and early bird walkers and such. It was quiet, clean bathrooms, plenty of parking, lots of beach access points. The water was warm and wonderful. This is a really nice beach park. I will definitely be returning. Dogs are welcome, too.

Amazing place to go for a walk or enjoy one of the events put on by Fest Events. Their Friday night beach Pavillion parties are great for the whole family, tons of refreshments and vendors, grab a drink, get a fresh cannoli, and have fun at the beach!

Small but great beach, my pup loved it and so did I 😎🐾🌊

My friends hosted an engagement party at Smartmouth Virginia Beach and asked me to help out. Tori and her co-workers were friendly and most accommodating with any requests. They helped with the set up, refrigerated our desserts and put them out after the dinner. The facility has a great vibe and is a perfect space for a large party.

Convenient location with many flavorful takes on lagers, IPAs, other styles. The seasonal offerings are usually on-point and haven’t disappointed us yet. The atmosphere is congenial with a generational mix of folks. Missed their Alter Ego Saison, but the other beers are worth trying.

Great beer and other things on tap. Went for run club and for trivia night. So much fun and they always have events happening. Neat food truck outside too!

Smartmouth has awesome beers and a great atmosphere. They are taking the social distancing seriously with masks requires, hand sanitizer available and spaced out tables indoors and out with open air in the garage. The employees are super nice and very attentive to cleaning. Great location and easy to walk to if you are local. Pups are allowed as well. Same for the little ones. Definitely would recommend!

Cool place with great beer and a fun enviroment. Me and my brother won a best of three games series of foosball during my visit. A triumphant experience that we will never forget.

Stopped by for a beer while my family shopped nearby. I waited in a line behind 6 other patrons, the first took over 5 minutes to order a 4 beer flight, the next took 5+ minutes to order multiple items and eventually walked away with a slurpee of some sort. An employee walked by and I said “excuse me sir” to which he responded he was so busy that I would have to walk with him if I expected any kind of response. I declined and left….. I just wanted to grab a beer at a “brewery “ lol. I’ve had their stuff and it’s definitely not worth a wait. But add in the horrible hospitality and poor customer experience and I’ll pass on this place and recommend anyone reading this do the same. It’s not rocket science lol just pour beers to people willing to pay for it, this place is sub par. Pass on this one for sure

Easy to find, parking is a little tricky as the closest lots have scary signs, but we found nearby street parking even though it was busy. Inside space is somewhat limited but it feels cozy with a friendly atmosphere. Friendly staff tasty beer and a good selection. They had a food truck and live music as well.

It’s FREE admission! Let’s start there! I went for the Out of the Box A Barbie Doll Retrospective exhibit and I enjoyed it thoroughly. My favorite exhibit was the doll house that was converted from a liquor cabinet. It blew me away! The details and the craftsmanship of the furniture were REALLY top-notch! I love a good d.i.y. moment! Dolls have really came a long way and you get to see the journey from then to now for the most part. The staff were great and very informative. I appreciate that! Great exhibit!

My husband and I visited on a whim & we are VERY happy we did! This little museum is a hidden gem. It's free to enter and features 4 rooms of displays. Staff is friendly and the facility is beautiful. Take an afternoon & visit, it's fully worth it! The dollhouse was incredible btw - so detailed, it almost felt like I was looking into someone's house windows. Creepy but very cool :)

Surprisingly interesting university art museum! The first floor has some really unique collection glass artwork. Second floor has an interesting collection of doll and dollhouse, art collection related to boat, and some art-science art that were really interesting. Would need a good few hours to go through everything,

This museum has a superpower, throwing engaging outdoor events. First it was The Featival of the Moon with a massive replica of the moon taking up most of a city block as Indigenous people performed sacred ritual dances. More recently, Fantastic Planet with three enormous inflatable beings and a dance troupe performing in the street at night. If you ever see an event happening there GO. Do not hesitate. Both these events were free and open to the public. Suitable for all ages. Food trucks, glass blowing on special occasions. Once inside, the galleries are filled with treasures including a slightly creepy doll collection, fantastic glassworks and video games by student designers complete with VR experiences. Your kids will love it and so will your inner child.

Free admission. Free Parking. Open on a Sunday! Great place!! Staff was very welcoming and friendly. Spent about an hour here. Restrooms are clean. Fun art on display.. many beautiful and thought provoking pieces. A lot of glass. There’s a cute book nook upstairs to read and relax..a good number of glass and art books to flip through. Definitely a must see if you’re in Norfolk.

I fell in love with the exhibit Orchids: Attraction and deception! My tour guide was amazing! She knew a lot about the exhibits and the each individual artist and I love the way she explained what was on the mind ofeach artist at the time they made the piece.

Quaint little art museum, yet rich in art. Quiet so you can enjoy every piece individually and not have to run through any of the exhibitions. Free parking and free admittance. Convenient location to eateries. If you enjoy art, you will absolutely love the Barry Art Museum!!!

Went there to ' A Sherlock Carol ' both were awesome, the play and the theater. We sat in one of the box seats and it was quite the experiance. The venue is a throwback to an earlier time. It's quaint and clean (the restrooms were immaculate). Parking facilaties and dining establishments both are within easy walking distance. Overall it was a great time.

Must see! So much history in this place. Jeff, the Managing Director, gave us a private tour on short notice. It’s clear he knows and loves this theater and what it provides to the community. Big thanks to Sarah for helping to coordinate! We’ll be coming back to see some shows for sure!

I love visiting the Wells Theatre to see well thought out and engaging plays. The space for seats have enough room for your knees. Lots of resturants in walking distance.

Wow wow wow. Came here to see Little Shop of Horrors and was so blown away by the entire cast. There wasn’t a single cast member I wasn’t impressed with. We sat in the Mezzanine, row A and could easily see the stage almost the entire time (there were two parts where actors were on the sides and difficult to see). The restrooms were clean and the intermission was the perfect length. The bartender was a little abrupt (rudely yelling next repeatedly), but the other staff members were all friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be back and would recommend!!

It's a beautiful place to see a show. There's not a bad seat in the house. We bought box seats, and we're glad we did. It was nice to sit together and that we didn't need to bother anyone else if we needed to leave our seats for any reason, and the view of the stage was perfect. The acoustics were excellent as we could hear every word. The restrooms and lobby were clean, and the staff was very pleasant and helpful. I really enjoyed my visit. I'm looking forward to my next.

Amazing production of Fiddler on the Roof! The acting, the voices! Incredible! The Wells, with its beautiful 1912 Beaux Arts theatre architecture, is a real gem. We are so thrilled to have such a wonderful venue here in Tidewater! Bravo to all!

This is an excellent venue for live theater. This theater has a long history and plenty of character. It is very intimate, and there's probably not a bad view from anywhere in the house. I did have center first row seats in the mezzanine. The seats were comfortable enough and fairly close to one another. I was happy to get up and stretch during intermission. I did notice some broken seats thru out the back section of the mezzanine. Except for some needed minor repairs, the venue was clean and neat. The sound acoustics and lighting were well done. Everyone working here was friendly and helpful. There also is a concession area where you can buy drinks. The restrooms are clean and seem recently updated.

Big park with boat access to Western Branch Elizabeth River. Two playgrounds for the kiddos. A train for children that runs on Saturday and Sunday. Open grassy areas to bring your dog. While walking around I did notice a little trash littered throughout, but all in all it’s a great park for family gatherings. There’s also a golf course that has a pretty good rating.

Wonderful park, especially since they upgraded the playground equipment! My oldest daughter has a blast every time. The train is super quaint too. My only complaint is I have to walk alllllll the way around the railing by the road when I have the stroller in order to cross the street and get to the water or the small kiddie playground. It would br nice if the little railing had a gap by the playground so we could go through there instead of having to walk all the way to the end of the parking lot because it takes forever! Other than that, everything is wonderful!

This is an absolutely gorgeous place. The working train ride is the best. Kids with Autism will love to ride this train. I wish I'd known about this place sooner. City events here are off the chain!

The City of Portmouth treated the citizens to a delightful concert featuring the Virginia Symphony. Under the beautiful night sky in Portsmouth City Park (the most beautiful park in the 757 in my opnion 😊), the orchestra presented Stars and Stripes Symphonies with conductor, Chia-Hsuan Lin. What a phenomenal event.

They have a lot to do. There is a stage where people can perform. The bathrooms re nice and kept fairly clean. There is a boat launch and a beach where the kids can catch sand crabs and minnows.

Restrooms are always clean, and the picnic areas have some very lovely views of the water. The playground looks fun, but I'm a bit too old to have tried it out myself. There's also a very cute spot that can be reserved for weddings. I love going up to the park and just sitting and watching the water for a while

Nice little park. Took all my kids. And now my only baby. He approves as well. Great for kids. I have always enjoyed it.

The place was great! A bit deceptive from the pictures and the description... there is only one train with I think three cars of historic pieces about railroading... Due to time constraints my son and I only walked around the outside of the train and snapped a few pictures. Staff was great. Would come back if we were in the area.

Wanted to see the Navy Museum. It was closed. This was a serendipitous opportunity that popped up on maps. 4 Stars because it is a funded on a shoestring work in progress. Lovely history of rail in Tidewater and the USA. It is enclosed in partially restored rail cars on a siding next to the shipyard. Great volunteers. Lots of 19th and early 20th century artifacts and displays.

Absolutely loved this place. Went there a few weeks ago and it was amazing. The tour guide was excellent and one of the best tour guides we've ever encountered. He was very knowledgeable and taught us more than the past 3 mesuems had taught us. I would highly recommend this museum. It looks small when you pull up but it has so much to offer. Plus the great thing is they gave us 2 train books we will cherish for a long time. Thanks again, we can't wait to come back soon!

Took our 2 year old son here on a Saturday morning and had a wonderful time. Brian gave us a wonderful tour of the train that took about an hour. He was extremely knowledgable and personable. The rest of the volunteer staff were very sweet and did whatever they could to ensure my son enjoyed his visit. It was a fun experience for both him and for myself and my wife. We will definitely be coming back!

We were looking for a train museum to bring our son to during our vacation & found this online. What we didn't realize was the museum was an actual train! Our son is a train enthusiast & loved going into all the cars, the engine & the tender. He also enjoyed the model train layout. The staff was very friendly & knowledgeable. Toby the mascot dachshund was adorable & continued through the tour with us. They have train books, magazines & DVDs to take. My son chose a series of Lionel DVDs which was missing one & Diane very nicely offered to send it to him if she has it. We spent about an hour but the staff encouraged us to stay longer if we wanted. It was an interesting change of pace instead of the usual type of train museums.

Great place! We visited on a Saturday morning, we had the whole place to ourselves. The staff gave our kid a plush toy to take home with her, and the kids play area kept our little one entertained for awhile. There is ton of historical stuff displayed throughout the train, and there is a fabulous model train display.

Our party was given our own guide and he was very knowledgeable about the history of the train. However, it was small maybe spent an hour there. The kids loved it and were allowed to pick out a toy train before leaving. It was raining so we didn't spend much time seeing the restored engine.

Absolutely an outstanding performance! It was short but so worth it! I got front row seats and got to high five the people on stage. There were so many lights and performers from other countries. I will say it is 13 plus because they shot the guns, but overall great show.

The Tattoo will entertain you as well as inspire you! It will be April 28-May1, 2022 at Norfolk, VA. There is food,beer,music, dance, and drill performances. You can see the parade of nations Which will include 30 NATO Member Nations. Hundreds of performers from around the world. You will love the Military bands, Highland dancers, Pipes & Drums, and drill teams. You can come for a day or several days. You can be on a bus trip, or car. The main performance is in a Arena with steps. The parade is on the street. Enjoy the international festival at the Norfolk Waterfront. You can stay in Norfolk or Virginia Beach nearby. There are city garages to park your car. Norfolk also has a botanical gardens which is beautiful in the spring. There is a parade the next day with all the NATO units. The military groups will perform the night before outside the center to give you a taste of their military performance

The tattoo was well organized with a good variety of music. The visuals were beautiful! We went to the opening show and the line moved quickly. This is definitely a bucket list item!

Fantastic experience. Definitely recommended.

I have been 3 times and I am always blown away. One of the best shows that I have been to. Very patriotic, plus bands from around the world. Every year I want to come home and take everyone I know back to see it. I would rate it 10 stars if possible.

This is a bucket list event. People travel far to see this.

Amazing, performances were top tier

This beach does not have lifeguards. It does, however, have homeless people. There were several tents on the grassy area and also on the beach when we visited. I have to say it did create an uneasy atmosphere. We minded our own business, and we were fine. The area for picnics is shaded and has picnic tables. Parking is limited. The walk to the beach is fairly easy. Dogs are permitted before 10am and after 6pm.

A good area to just sit and relax....if you enjoy walking at a beach. I only walked there twice, and didn't explore any other part

8/3/25 - great spot, two different parking lots. Public restroom. Besides the bathroom there is a shaded tree area, lots of people were hanging out, some look to have grills in the spots too. Beach was nice, no lifeguards on duty but we did see rescue drive by once checking the waters while there. Definitely a nice spot.

Peaceful place, full of total serenity

Osiris Hotness Scale: 7/10 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Sarah Constant Beach Park is the perfect hidden gem for a quick break at the beach. 🌊 The park offers just the right balance of relaxation and convenience—easy to get to, with plenty of open space to sit back, enjoy the view, and reset for the day. What I loved most is how peaceful it feels compared to some of the busier beaches nearby. You can find your spot, kick back, and soak in the sound of the waves without feeling crowded. The sand is clean, the shoreline stretches nicely for a walk, and there’s just enough activity to feel alive without being overwhelming. 🏖️ It’s also a great stop if you don’t have time for a full beach day but still want that quick seaside vibe. Perfect for a morning coffee walk, a sunset pause, or simply to clear your head between errands or exploring the area. Families, couples, or solo travelers will all find it worth a visit. Not the flashiest beach, but that’s part of its charm—it’s authentic, simple, and accessible. For me, it’s a solid 7/10 on the Osiris Hotness Scale: relaxing, convenient, and refreshing, with plenty of reasons to come back.

I enjoyed the beach, its pretty clean and quiet. Then a couple let their dog poop nearby. They didn't clean it up, instead they opted to cover it in sand. Then a random family came over and played their music way too loud with a Bluetooth speaker. The people are the problem at this beautiful location.

This beach has calm waves and a sandbar so it stays shallow pretty far out. Parking is close to beach access, so it’s a short walk. What’s walking distance: Before you get to the beach there are shady spots under the trees, but it looked hard to find a spot. There’s also a restaurant on the nearby pier. As a heads up: There are officers on ATVs who make sure no dogs are on the beach.

It's interesting to see so much was preserved right in that location. It was free to access, and there was about 30 mins worth of stuff to see. All the building are locked but you can look in the windows. Only improvement I suggest is for there to be plaques to explain buildings and if there was anything significant happen. There were a few general plaques that did give some info though.

This old fort was built in Revolutionary War days and it was a really cool experience to see it! It's free to get in and totally self-guided. There are signs around that give you tidbits of history about the fort, and some cool water views at the edge and up on the fort wall. Don't get too close to the edge, though, as there is a big drop. But there are plenty of signs to warn you about that. Overall very cool experience!

website guidelines should be clarified- must have a Real ID or passport to enter. The website says you need a drivers license, but that was not accepted. just a heads up for others hoping to visit.

Free. Have id readily available and pull up to the gate where you will be guided in with free parking. Interesting that it’s on the same grounds as the Army Corps of Engineers. It’s nice to see the old remains along the waterfront a reminder of our history well maintained.

Free. Donations Welcomed. Guided Tours on Sunday, in the warm months and in the colder months the first Sunday of the month! Was thrilled to finally make it to this Historic Norfolk Landmark! To think this place was commissioned by George Washington right here on the Norfolk waterfront is just another reason Virginia is such a rich bed of our nation's history! I also got to meet Steve Forss (?) The researcher and historian of all things Fort Norfolk. His enthusiasm paired with his deep knowledge of Fort Norfolk is downright contagious! I was familiar with Fort Monroe, in Hampton, VA. (the only Fort in the US surrounded by a moat) but to discover Fort Norfolk was its predecessor came as a surprise! Our tour guide forgive me his name, was not only well-informed but was privy to the many changes that occurred with the Fort in the past 200-plus years. It was completed in 1812. He was also excited to share the future plans to come with the various rooms and buildings. Lots of info displayed and certainly to take notice of. Though there are several buildings only 2 of them were open to the public and both of them air-conditioned. Which was most welcomed on this hot August day. It's a beautiful sight and a lovely view of the Elizabeth River, the same river that sailed the head of Blackbeard the pirate on the mast of a ship from the outer banks of NC. To Norfolk proving his death. Upon entering the Fort stopforr a moment and notice theiron-cladd and wooden gates. It's something that I've only seen in movies. They are original!!! Like the gates to a castle! Located next them is a jail complete with iron bars. I am certain that Steve Forss in his research will uncover more mysteries to be solved, uncovered and answers revealed. You'll be lucky to happen upon him in his study which seems to be on the grounds of Fort Norfolk. I could easily see this be a film location for a big screen period movie. It's authentically period and a true testament to our history.

Much more interesting than I anticipated. Entrance is a bit more complex than I expected too. Definitely not the museum norm. But the history that awaits makes the little bit of extra effort worth it. Fort is tucked behind the apartment complex in my photo.

Fun experience. Went on a Sunday and got a awesome guided tour.

Cute and small hyper local history museum. I want to call it more of a local historical center with a bunch of artifacts, articles and art. The space is definitely too small for the mission and vision. Still, I'm grateful to the volunteers who run it. Definitely a wealth of interesting information.

This is a small museum in Pretlow library. There is not much info about it anywhere. But, it keeps the same hours as the library (though it is volunteer run and doesn't always open on time) and is to the right of the main entrance - so if you have 15-20 minutes and want to learn more about local history, this is a nice pit stop. Exhibits cover the naval history of the area, the theme park that used to define OV, some of the major storms from the past, the origins of Ocean View, and how it was affected by WWII, as well as local lore and school memorabilia. The main exhibits are a car and a boat from the defunct theme park. They do a lot with only a small space, but it feels maybe a little too cramped and the flow of information is a little convoluted as a result. Overall though, a stop any history buff in the 757 should make if they're at all familiar with Ocean View, Norfolk, or Willoughby Bay.

This is a very small museum packed with all the history of Ocean View. If you've ever wanted to know anything about this district I highly recommend you stop by for a visit. The curator, Charles is a very nice and knowledgeable man. He can answer any questions you may have. I will be going back from time to time get a bit more knowledge of Ocean View!

Small museum but packed with Ocean View history. The volunteer staff were very helpful and basically gave us a guided tour around the place. If you are an Ocean View native or just a history buff, this place is definitely worth a stop.

Warm memories are stimulated here!

If you have an hour to burn or if you would like to learn the history of Ocean View, I would HIGHLY recommend taking a trip to this free venue. The space is actually fairly small but is full of information. We were there for about an hour and looked at all the pictures, artworks, and historical information on display; but there is easily another few days worth of reading material and pictures available in books that are there to view. The complete history of Ocean View is actually fascinating and, as I said before, recommend this place entirely. The staff is always happy to answer any questions and offer even more information than what is available in the exhibits. They also have plenty of shirts and stickers available for sale.

VERY cool little bit of history lesson. Definetly worth a trip to see some of the past.

It's a little pricey, but this is a fun experience for date night or groups. The buffet dinner was Latin and theme for our cruise, which was appropriate for us. The food was well prepared and quite tasty and served hot, and there was plenty of it. The cruise down the Elizabeth river, past the naval station and turn around before entering the bay. If it's windy, you'll probably stay inside the boat for the whole trip. But if it's not raining, plan to spend at least a few minutes on the top deck looking at the passing sites. Very much an enjoyable evening.

Amazing dinner cruise experience. They are the best in the area. An experience to remember for a long time. They are very centrally located and walking distance from several Norfolk area attractions. Highly recommended if you haven’t taken one before. Customer service is excellent

Mixed reviews here. We were on a school trip and got delayed due to a crash on the highway and they were cool enough to wait. One of the crew was ex-navy and told me all about the ships we passed at dock... Also cool. The food was good, but unlabeled, so I can't tell you what I had behind salmon and plantains, and farro salad. Dont eat the dessert if you have food allergies because they don't know, but they make the rest of the dishes. Vegetarian options were plentiful. Drinks... I attached a picture of the soda we got. It supposed to be Coke or Pepsi. The music was SO LOUD. I was sitting across a table 2 ft from my wife and we could not have a conversation. It was all dance music, which is fine, kids want to have fun, but give us a chance to eat please! The view was inspiring... If your idea of inspiring is old derelict ships, shipping containers, and old dock. We did get to see some navy ships once we got to the bay, but not much else. The ship was nice, the crew was mostly friendly. They had games above board (garden Jenga on a boat? Who knew, but the kids loved it.) and dancing downstairs. The kids got to dress up and had lots of fun, so all and all a good time.

We booked a dinner to celebrate, it was an amazing experience 🤩 will go again .

Took the lunch cruise with teacher friends. We had a blast! The food was superb! Our attendant was great! The weather was perfect!

The Hampton High class of 1985 had a fabulous time on this Norfolk City Cruise! We were celebrating 40yrs! Food and music was fabulous!

I hadn’t been on a Spirit of Norfolk cruise in 20 years but remembered that my experience back then was amazing. From the singing wait staff, to the food, and not wanting to leave the dance floor because the DJ knew how to keep everyone alive. The experience we had on the cruise last night was underwhelming to say the least. I took the father of my kids out for his birthday because we had such a good experience 20 years ago….but I was so disappointed that the live singers are gone. It may have been the crowd but the DJ also played music that made me want to fall asleep. My date and I got up for awhile and danced but then he went back to playing old love music and it just didn’t capture the guests to continue to dance: for the price of the tickets and the drinks there should be much more to enjoy. It wasn’t worth it. I’m so disappointed. We made the best of it. Macy our server was awesome and Turk gave us great customer service. She may have talked us into coming to try the late night cruise one day…..but not soon. Please don’t just focus on making a buck and make it entertaining again:!

Very beautiful place. Was definitely built when people were smaller. Seating is very tight so if you are above 250 pounds or over 6'2"don't even think about it.

Great venue for medium to small acts. Interior is just OK looking. But excellent sight lines to the stage and very good acoustics. Not a bad seat in the house. Drinks and snacks available. Plentiful nearby parking. $5 cash parking for our show. Nice looking building from the outside. Seats were soft and fairly comfortable. Some wear. Good leg room. Above average seat width.

This place was a wonderful experience!!! Our friends got married here today!!! And Ms. Janet L. Was a phenomenal hostess!!! She was very professional and easy to talk to!!! She was a breathe of fresh air!!! She deserves recognition and a raise!!! I definitely will recommend this place to my coworkers, family and friends!!! Thank you!!!

Always love a night out at the Opera! The performances are always top-notch, the staff is very polite and I have yet to find a bad seat in the house. Do not over look a night at the Opera for your next special occasion. This is your chance to get dressed up and enjoy a night on the town!

Went to see Matt Mathews comedy tour. Had to wait to get in, no big deal. Nice place to see a show. Glad we took an Uber because parking was very limited. People said they waited in line 45 minutes to get in the parking lot.

I have never been here. Came to visit and booked tickets online for Peices of a Dream. It was great. Kinda loud, but music was super. Booked mezzanine seats right in the middle. A 1632 seat theatre makes viewing really nice. Sits at the corner of VA. Beach Blvd. And Granby Street. Parking available. Concession stand. Staff was friendly and professional. Thanks you guys for an enjoyable time.

I’m confused why this place has good reviews. Like I am happy Hampton roads has a production theater, but serious upgrades are needed. The worst is that the theater gets super stuffy. There is literally no air flow. Drinks are $10-12 for a beer. Seats are super old and feel like they are full of dust. Chair/seat markings and numbers are super hard to see and sometimes missing. This causes staff running around ruining the show. Let’s not forget every show that comes here is super over priced as well. Expect to pay $60 per ticket for bad seats. I don’t think I’ll be back unless I get free tickets. And fyi parking is not bad. There is street parking for free all around.

This is a Beautiful park. It's very clean.There are plenty of picnic shelters and benches. The fishing pier and boat ramp are really nice and spacious. The walking paths are paved. The playground area is Lovely.There are bathrooms and a little store. The view is scenic. This is definitely a hidden gem. I didn't know this park existed! I Love this place!☺👏🏆👍🔥❤

We came here to fish on Father's Day as we required wheelchair access to the fishing pier. It was awesome! The views of the Jordan Bridge are spectacular! They have educational monuments around the park area explaining different pieces they used in building the Jordan Bridge, very cool. There is a bait shop and nice, clean bathrooms. After setting the Dads up at the fishing spot, I took the kids to play at the park! We could see all the river traffic and my kids enjoyed watching the barges and tugboat as much as they enjoyed the park equipment. They even have a work out type area separate from the playground. This is a nice place to spend the afternoon outside fishing with the family!

A very neat spot along the water, this park is certainly worth a visit. Great views of the Navy ship building facility across the river, the bridge above, and other amenities such as a fishing and crabbing pier, playground and exercise equipment, trails around the park, pavilion with snack bar, and open fields for whatever else is there. It’s free, and didn’t seem to me like they closed at any certain hour, so whenever you’d like, you can visit. Cheers.

Beautiful area with playground, dog park, pier and you can walk the Jordan bridge. I saw the cutest little fox after my walk one day. I said hey foxy and it looked at me like "hi human" and chased a bird!

A hidden gem! Really interesting scenery, a park for the kids, nice covered picnic areas, dog park, snack shack, bathrooms, pier, and boat ramp. Parents and kids alike all had fun! We'll be coming back for sure!

Very nice and relaxing park. Nice views of the Elizabeth River. Has a dog fenced in area for your furbaby. Boat landing and a pier you can crab or fish on.

It's a little difficult to find but it's a nice park with a public boat ramp. It also has a Machine Pier period there are also multiple Pavilions for rent period

One of the best beaches in the area. It’s not as crowded and is perfect for families with kids. The waves are calm and is a perfect beach to relax and chill out. It’s one of the top beaches in the Norfolk metro area. The views are awesome. I would highly recommend this beach for a visit

We really enjoyed this beach. This happened to be the beach closest to our Airbnb so that’s how we ended up here. We went after 6pm every day and it was so quiet and relaxing! Our four year old loved it. The waves were not as strong as Virginia Beach so it was a nice change from hitting that beach. I would recommend checking this beach out for some relaxing and to get away from all the crowds! If you do get into the water, we ran into shells, rocks, and seaweed about 3-5 feet in. Past that, it was all clear and sandy.

Ocean View is a favorite from childhood. Always on the quiet side and a location appropriate for children and families. It was clean and parking was a big plus. Not too far from the beach area if you’re taking supplies.

Extremely peaceful. There weren't too many people, even on labor day, and even when there was a decent amout, there was still tons of personal space, which I loved.

Great beach, plenty of space for the whole family and overall fun

Parking was the easiest here (I went during the day in the middle of the day). There was a lady set up in the trunk of her small suv listening to music doing drugs, there was trash everywhere (alcohol and fast food) , in the parking lot alone. I didn't really feel comfortable leaving my car alone lol. Beach was nice but had alot of trash as well. I walked to the fishing pier but just to walk on the pier, not to fish or anything, you had to pay. I choose not to as I just wanted to enjoy the water and view, not spend unnecessary money. Restaurant looked nice but very expensive for the food options (plus nothing for people with food allergies besides salad...). Pier would have been free if I had bought a $20 salad lol. It is $2 to walk if you don't want to waste money on overpriced salad you can make at home for $5. It is really cool how you can buy a plaque for a loved one who passed who loved fishing for the pier. I enjoyed reading those while listening to the water. They also had benches to sit on. This beach was more of a touristy or kids beach. It was nice to see while I was exploring.

This is where I go if I want some beach time around here. It’s quite busy on weekends in the summertime though. At low tide, you can find tiny hermit crabs in the water. There are also ghost? fiddler? crabs that run around on the sand. We park in the neighborhood. There are garbage cans along the beach. No bathrooms, though… Oh, and my boyfriend and I got engaged here… so I think it will be my favorite beach for a while… 💕

NO DOG DOCK I came because the photos showed a dog dock. Cool little dog park with a great view of the bay however there is no longer a dog dock I guess they shut it down a few years ago. Not a bad park if you're local.

The dog park was quaint, clean with beautiful views. It was also FREE! No membership required. There are two sections, One for big dogs and one for the smaller ones. My dog is a 4lb Yorkie poo and she had a blast in the section for little dogs. She ran around with a 13lb dog and ran around sniffing all the smells and hopping through the grass like a gazell ☺️. There is even a small pool with a nearby hose for those hot days where the want to cool off with a nice dip. There are also stone benches on both sides of the gated park but we brought own lawn chairs just in case. We thoroughly enjoyed being able to let our dog run free untethered in a clean safe space. Definitely going back now that the weather is letting up off the heat bit. A hidden gem for sure 😃

Well, i got attacked today, 3.25 around 7 pm. We were walking on the opposite side of the park when a cream colored tall dog walked up to us and started barking. His eyes lookes territorial.. the owner called him, but the dog ignored her. So she walked up to her aggressive barking dog who refuses to go near her. With my small dog in my arms and still being polite, I asked her if her dog didn't like small dogs (mine is a cream maltipoo). Well, what comes out from her mouth truly baffles me. She said her dog doesn't like other humans. This got me scared because the dog won't stop barking at us and kept following. And what are they doing there if their dog hates humans? With our backs hunched and the mad dog behind us, her hubby comes close to us to correct them. I could hear the lady saying, "We'll, she's scared!" And so the dog was mad. I couldn't believe that she didn't get the whole thing. Her out of control dog was being aggressive at us. Then, they had the nerve to tell me to leave or move to another cage. I said i won't, so they ended up leaving furiosly. The rule states in any dog park that aggressive dogs must be removed. This happened today between 6:40 and 7:20 on 3.25.25. The owners speaking, thick accents appear to be a young Asian couple. The girl wearing all black clothing.

Love this dog park and not just because it's named for one of the Golden Girls! It's right on the water so it always seems to have a nice breeze an there is even a picnic covered area! If you have a friendly dog and want to make new friends this is the place for you! Beautiful

My dog Susie & I had the Best time at this dog park, so much fun ! We stayed for 2 hrs…gorgeous views, wonderful breeze, shaded garden porch area, shaded play pool area for the dogs, drinking fountain & Super nice people ! happy kind dogs, very little arguments or bad behavior at all. I counted at least 20 dogs and still no problems, lots of laughing and they had a blast !

This was a clean dog park. It was big and open to allow our dogs to run around. There were others friendly people and dogs, which made it a great experience.

This dog park is absolutely beautiful and has great places for pups to cool off and even has a ramp for them to swim in the river! It's nice to see a dog park that also caters to the humans who care for them by having a nice atmosphere that resembles a garden! There are also picnic tables under a beautiful pergola for shade and resting.

They put on The Little Shop of Horrors in conjunction w Norfolk State College. The actors were fantastic w the way they portrayed their characters both spoken lines and belting out songs. The puppeteer did a great job handling the oversized Audrey ll

Had an opportunity to join a private tour of the Wells with a Chamber group. The VSC Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly and provided a lot of insights into what goes on "behind the scenes" during a performance. I've seen several plays and other performances there but took on a whole new appreciation for this performance company that calls the Wells Theater home. They truly love their craft. A local treasure that's not appreciated as much as it deserves.

Charming old classic theatre! We have seen 3 productions so far, all 3 were excellent and completly different. I highly recommend checking them out!

Been members for several years. 6 shows a year, great performances and we save a few $$ by seeing the last dress rehearsals. Never been interrupted or disappointed by the performance.

Saw two plays this year and both have been outstanding. The theater is such a a beautiful venue, the staff professional and courteous and the acoustics are excellent.

amazing Christmas program The cast was fantastic and the theater is very nice I will definitely go to see another play there

We had a great time at Little Shop of Horrors - Wells Theater - last night

Come visit the revolutionary war Cannonball Church! On December 9, 1775, the last royal governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, in an act of desperation and anger, attacked Norfolk as he fled Virginia. As he drifted off to sea after being embarrassed at the Battle of Great Bridge, Dunmore shelled the city. It’s believed that the Liverpool, a ship in the Royal Navy, fired the cannonball that became lodged in the side of the church. By the 1830s, the cannonball was no longer in it’s resting place. It was later discovered in the nearby cemetery around ten years later. The cannonball was then returned to its original home on the side of the church. The cannonball is located at the southeast corner of the church, almost against St. Pauls Blvd, GPS coordinates 36.847566, -76.285226. This church is the only colonial-era building that survives to this day in Norfolk. The church has aggressive parking lot signs that imply they'll tow your car if you say longer than a few minutes.

Very cool place. Check out the organ upstairs. How often do you see a Revolutionary War cannonball in the wall of a church?

I love this beautiful old church. The grounds are so beautifully kept; it is a lovely place to sit and read a book. It is the sole remaining colonial-era building which has survived the various wars that Norfolk has witnessed. There is even a revolutionary war cannonball lodged in one of the exterior walls!

A lot of history here. The church itself is beautiful and the grounds are as well.

St. Paul's Episcopal is the sole surviving example of a colonial era building in Norfolk due to its various wars. The original church built in 1739 in the Georgian style. As Lord Dunmore retreated he attacked Norfolk from the sea. A cannon ball is still visible in the wall. Pic I added here is of a later early 1800 addition. The grounds have the graves of the founding Fathers in the area. A true Norfolk gem.

Traditional Episcopal services in a historic downtown church, a top notch music program, and a very welcoming atmosphere exudes a "come on in, we'd love to meet you" atmosphere and amplifies the spirit of worship.

If you enjoy history and old church Cemetaries you should visit this place. It would be an excellent filming location for a movie. The building as a date written on it in slightly different colored brink.

Lora (our tour guide) is rad, had a great time exploring the Lafayette River. Great views, great people, and good atmosphere. Can't recommend these guys enough. Go rent a kayak and enjoy norfolk from a different perspective!

We had such an incredible experience while kayaking with on the Lafayette River. The sunset was the perfect way to end the evening. Josh is a great tour guide. He allowed us to go at our own pace, was very knowledgeable about the river, and enjoyable to talk to! This is such a beautiful time of year. I highly recommend. Great for a date night, friend outing, or solo. You have to experience it for yourself!

I had an awesome experience with this whole process from booking to the actual event. Booking was simple online. Everything is straight forward. Due to unexpected weather (cloudy and after rain) , I got a call beforehand, asking my preference of proceeding or rescheduling, which was nice to have as an option. I took a chance and I went ahead with my original booking and when I got there everything is taken care of in terms of kayaks, lifejackets etc. you just show up, wait for your kayak and get right on the water. It’s not too hard of a kayak exercise in terms of the water flow and the distance. You can take your full time or do what you prefer. The guide is there as well but you don’t have to follow them necessarily Good for all ranges of kayak levels. It turned out to be a lovely night where we saw the sunset and the weather was perfect around the time of year I went, not too hot and not cold which was late September. You will get wet! Mainly your legs and some of your butt so dress accordingly and be prepared for that. I will definitely do this again.

Such a cool experience! Nice evening of kayaking with a friend and catching the sunset! Even if you have never kayaked before, you can do it!!! The people were great, friendly, helpful. 10/10 would recommend

My brother and I signed up for the Sunset Kayak Cruise and it was such a lovely experience! Lora and Gillian were excellent guides, the sunset was beautiful, and we saw lots of wildlife the entire route we took. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a relaxed paddle with great sights and great people. Definitely would go again!!

Great place to rent Kayaks, and the instructor is very patient and kind, we did the sunset tour and we loved it, we for sure are coming back to rent again.

Great experience! The staff was so helpful and kind. They even worked with us to find an equally good alternative date/time when our original scheduled timeslot got cancelled due to a thunderstorm.