Situated in the southeastern corner of Virginia, Norfolk offers visitors a diverse array of attractions. Nicknamed “America’s Naval Capital,” this historic port city is home to the world’s largest naval station. Beyond its maritime heritage, Norfolk also boasts an array of museums, performing arts venues, botanical gardens, and dining options.

Attraction	Description
Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin	Naval-themed science center and maritime museum with interactive exhibits and WWII battleship tours.
Chrysler Museum of Art	Art museum with over 30,000 objects, including ancient and contemporary artworks.
Norfolk Botanical Garden	175-acre garden with diverse landscapes and butterfly house.
Hermitage Museum & Gardens	Gilded Age estate with Arts and Crafts-style mansion and ornamental gardens.
Virginia Zoo	Zoo with over 400 exotic animals and interactive exhibits.
Hunter House Victorian Museum	Restored 1874 home depicting Victorian era Norfolk with antique furnishings.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard Museum	Museum showcasing naval shipbuilding history and naval technology.
MacArthur Memorial	Museum dedicated to General Douglas MacArthur with extensive collection and exhibits.
Norfolk Waterfront	Vibrant waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and boat tours.
Chrysler Hall	Premier performing arts venue hosting a range of shows and concerts.
Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam	Online streaming of nesting bald eagles at the botanical garden.
Virginia Beach Oceanfront	Seaside area with beach activities, art district, and historical sites.

From battleship tours to art museums to waterfront shopping districts, there are many ways to experience Norfolk’s unique culture and charm. Here are the top 12 attractions that you don’t want to miss when visiting this coastal Virginia city.

Table of Content

Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin

Name and Location: Nauticus, 1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510

History and Significance: Nauticus is an interactive science and maritime museum. Next door is the historic WWII battleship USS Wisconsin.

What to Expect: Explore hands-on exhibits at Nauticus, then walk the decks of the massive retired battleship to glimpse naval life.

Visitor Information: Combo tickets $22 adults. Nauticus open daily 10am-5pm, Wisconsin open until 4pm.

For an in-depth look at Norfolk’s naval history, head to Nauticus and tour the legendary Battleship Wisconsin. This naval-themed science center and maritime museum located right on the downtown waterfront provides interactive exhibits detailing naval operations and underwater technology.

Highlights include a chance to pilot vessel simulators and view research submersibles. The main attraction is getting to explore the massive World War II battleship USS Wisconsin, one of the largest battleships ever built. With ship tours, naval displays, and sweeping waterfront views, Nauticus is a must-visit.

Chrysler Museum of Art

Name and Location: Chrysler Museum of Art, 1 Memorial Pl, Norfolk, VA 23510

History and Significance: This art museum houses an impressive collection from ancient to modern art. Opened in 1933.

What to Expect: View galleries featuring paintings, sculpture, glass, photographs and more. Don’t miss the Tiffany collection.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm. Free parking on-site.

Boasting an impressive collection of over 30,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of world history, the Chrysler Museum of Art is Norfolk’s top cultural institution. The diverse artwork on display includes pieces from ancient Egyptian tombs, European Old Master paintings, contemporary American photography, and much more.

Special rotating exhibits complement the permanent galleries. The museum also houses an extensive glass collection spotlighting blown glass as an art form. With free admission, the Chrysler Museum makes experiencing Norfolk’s vibrant arts scene easy and accessible.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Name and Location: Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518

History and Significance: These 175 acre gardens feature thousands of plant varieties and stunning seasonal displays. Open since 1938.

What to Expect: Discover themed gardens, nature trails, and one of the world’s largest azalea collections in peak bloom.

Visitor Information: Open daily 9am-7pm in summer. Admission $12 adults. Trams and cafe available.

Covering 175 acres, the Norfolk Botanical Garden is an oasis of beauty and tranquility. The diverse gardens include vibrant azalea gardens, formal rose gardens, whimsical children’s gardens, and serene Japanese gardens complete with ponds and waterfalls.

The World of Wonders butterfly house lets visitors walk among hundreds of colorful, fluttering butterflies from around the globe. Seasonal displays like gorgeous lights at Christmas provide changing experiences. The tram tour provides an informative overview of the sprawling gardens. For a dose of nature and beauty, Norfolk Botanical Garden is a stellar attraction.

Hermitage Museum & Gardens

Name and Location: Hermitage Museum & Gardens, 7637 North Shore Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518

History and Significance: This early 20th century home displays a fine art collection on 12 acres of Elizabethan gardens.

What to Expect: Tour the historic home and see artwork spanning centuries and genres. Stroll the scenic gardens.

Visitor Information: Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm. Admission $12 adults.

Once an early 20th-century estate, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens allows visitors to experience the ambiance of the Gilded Age. The museum housed in the restored 1907 Arts and Crafts-style mansion recreates the experience of a wealthy family’s home during that era.

The ornamental gardens provide beauty year-round, from spring bulbs to summer perennials to fall foliage. Special events, classes, and lectures add to the historic appeal. For a glimpse into old Norfolk’s extravagant lifestyles and architecture, the Hermitage Museum is a treat.

Virginia Zoo

Name and Location: Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504

History and Significance: Established in 1900, this 53-acre zoo cares for over 400 animals. It focuses on endangered species.

What to Expect: See elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, grizzly bears, gibbons and reptiles from around the world. Feed the giraffes.

Visitor Information: Open daily from 10am, closing times vary. Admission $15 adults. Free parking on-site.

Home to over 400 exotic animals representing 100 species, the Virginia Zoo makes for an exciting family outing. Crowd-pleasing exhibits include the coyote and vulture habitat, troop of endangered lemurs, proud lion pride, and interactive petting farm.

The gorilla and tiger habitats are highlights, getting visitors close to these magnificent yet endangered species. Guests can also observe teaching sessions with some animals. Special experiences like behind-the-scenes wildlife tours are also available. With its engaging exhibits and beautiful 53-acre setting, the Virginia Zoo entertains visitors of all ages.

Hunter House Victorian Museum

Name and Location: Hunter House Victorian Museum, 240 W Freemason St, Norfolk, VA 23510

History and Significance: This stately 1869 Victorian home offers a glimpse into upper class 19th-century life.

What to Expect: Tour period room settings, clothing fashions, and furnishings from 1830-1910. A window into Norfolk’s past.

Visitor Information: Open for guided tours Wed-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm. Admission $8 adults.

Step back in time to Victorian era Norfolk at the Hunter House Museum. This restored 1874 home turned museum authentically depicts upper middle class life during the late 1800s through its preserved decor and antique furnishings. Costumed tour guides provide insightful details on the home’s original occupants. Temporary exhibits showcase Victorian toys and fashion.

The parlor’s ornate fireplace mantle and carved staircase are standout architectural elements. For history buffs interested in daily life and culture during Norfolk’s prosperous Victorian period, touring Hunter House provides an illuminating glimpse.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Museum

Name and Location: Norfolk Naval Shipyard Museum, 2 Washington Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23708

History and Significance: Located on an active Navy base, this museum covers the shipyard’s 250 years of naval history since 1767.

What to Expect: Peruse exhibits of ship models, artifacts, paintings and photographs documenting the shipyard through wars and peace.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Open Mon-Sat 10am-3pm. Closed federal holidays. Valid ID required.

Located right on the naval base, this fascinating museum lets visitors discover over two centuries of naval shipbuilding history. Highlights of the collections include original toolboxes of craftsmen from 1767, artifacts from the USS Monitor, and displays on the shipyard’s WWII efforts.

Equipment demonstrations showcase processes like steam-powered propulsion and rope making. Guests can also tour the USS Wisconsin and retired aircraft carrier USS Enterprise nearby. With its wealth of historical items and naval technology, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Museum is a treat for maritime enthusiasts.

MacArthur Memorial

Name and Location: MacArthur Memorial, 198 Bank St, Norfolk, VA 23510

History and Significance: This museum is dedicated to 5-star General Douglas MacArthur’s life and military career. Housed in a historic 19th century courthouse.

Norfolk Waterfront

Name and Location: Norfolk Waterfront, Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA

History and Significance: Norfolk’s harbor and waterfront district showcase the city’s maritime legacy through attractions and dining.

What to Expect: Stroll along the waterfront to visit Nauticus, Wisconsin battleship, shops, restaurants, art, and river cruises.

Visitor Information: Free to walk around. Parking in nearby garages $2-10. Events held year-round.

At the heart of downtown, Norfolk’s scenic waterfront stretches for nearly four miles along the Elizabeth River. This vibrant district full of maritime activity invites visitors to stroll along the waterside boardwalk while admiring the boats and bustling naval base. Waterside Marketplace offers restaurants, shops, and regular live music.

Cruise from the waterfront on boat tours or water taxis to explore more of the area. The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center replica of a 17th century tall ship also departs from docks here. With plenty to see, do, eat, and admire, the waterfront is an essential Norfolk experience.

Chrysler Hall

Name and Location: Chrysler Hall, 215 St Pauls Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510

History and Significance: Chrysler Hall is an impressive venue hosting concerts, theater, opera, and events in downtown Norfolk since 1971.

What to Expect: See high-quality Broadway shows, renowned music and dance acts in the state-of-the-art hall.

Visitor Information: Show times and ticket prices vary. Parking garages available nearby.

Located in a grand Art Deco building from the 1920s, Chrysler Hall has served as the premier venue for performing arts in Norfolk for decades. The 2,500-seat theater hosts over 150 performances annually ranging from major Broadway touring shows to concerts and comedy acts.

Other venues in the complex include more intimate performance spaces for plays, chamber groups, and lectures. Even if just peeking in the grand lobby, Chrysler Hall is worth a visit to admire the ornate architecture and experience Norfolk’s thriving arts scene.

Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam

Name and Location: Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518

History and Significance: This live webcam lets you look in on a bald eagle nest at the gardens from the comfort of home.

What to Expect: Watch real-time footage of bald eagle parents caring for eggs and eaglets in the nest. See nature up close.

Visitor Information: Free online access. Streaming 24/7 during nesting Jan-June. Highlights posted on YouTube.

One unique Norfolk attraction requires only an internet connection to enjoy. The Norfolk Botanical Garden’s live streaming eagle cam offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of nesting bald eagles. Two cameras positioned outside the nest provide real-time views as the pair of eagles incubates eggs, feeds hatchlings, and models avian parenting.

Live chat features allow viewers to ask questions and discuss the sights. While eagle populations recover, intimate views of them in the wild remain limited. Norfolk’s live cam offers the public a safari-like experience showcasing nature’s grandeur.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Name and Location: Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

History and Significance: The three mile resort strip offers beaches, entertainment, events and amusements along the Atlantic Ocean. Popular destination since the 1800s.

What to Expect:

Visitors can expect a lively atmosphere with a 3-mile-long boardwalk lined with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The beach itself is known for its wide, sandy shoreline perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and beach sports. The area also hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and athletic competitions.

Visitor Information:

The beach is open year-round, and there’s no fee to access the beachfront. Parking can be found in lots and garages near the oceanfront, though it can be scarce during peak season. Visitors should be aware of safety rules and regulations regarding swimming and beach activities. It’s also recommended to check the schedule for any special events happening during the visit.

Stretching for three miles along the Atlantic Ocean, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area offers seaside fun beyond typical beach activities. In addition to swimming, fishing, or just relaxing on the sand, visitors can experience interactive art at the ViBe Creative District or learn local history at the Old Coast Guard Station.

There are also dolphin watching boat tours and huge ships to admire at the Cape Henry Lighthouses. With no shortage of restaurants, live music venues, and hotels nearby, the scenic Virginia Beach Oceanfront has plenty to fill any coastal getaway.

Conclusion

From interactive naval museums to expansive botanical gardens to a buzzing downtown waterfront, Norfolk provides visitors with a diverse selection of attractions to suit all interests. History buffs, art lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts alike will find fulfilling ways to experience this historic port city.

Whether you spend your time immersed in marine life or strolling through formal gardens, Norfolk’s unique attractions offer enriching and memorable experiences.

Top 12 Attractions in Norfolk