Thousands of people come to the east coast of Virginia every year to enjoy the shoreline of Virginia Beach. But just a few minutes away, there’s another fantastic city that’s well worth exploring: Norfolk, VA!
Norfolk is a bustling city with a wide range of styles and activities. In some neighborhoods, it feels like you’ve stepped back into another century, while others are alive with a rainbow of street art. There’s also fantastic food, art galleries, shopping, and more! It’s one of my favorite spots to go on a pretty afternoon and walk around.
Whether you’re a visitor or a resident of the Hampton Roads area, here are some of the best things to do in Norfolk!
Best Places to Walk Around in Norfolk, VA
The NEON District
I love the NEON District! It stands for New Energy of Norfolk, and the entire area is covered in color! Murals decorate the buildings, walls, and sidewalks, and many shops and apartments have their artistic elements built in as well.
You’ll find several art galleries, theatrical and musical establishments, and even a comedy club in this area! Most shops here also have a unique, artisanal flair to their wares that are worth a peek. But my favorite thing to do is a street art tour! There are about 50 different murals in the area, and each one is fun and unique!
Freemason District
If you’re into historic architecture, the Freemason District is the place to be! You’ll find gorgeous houses dating back to the 1700s, brick streets, and waterfront views. It’s the oldest neighborhood in Norfolk, and you can practically feel the history along the streets.
Some of my favorite spots to hit are Freemason Harbour, the Pagoda and Oriental Garden, and Freemason and Botetourt Streets.
Elizabeth River Trail
The Elizabeth River Trail is a 10.5-mile route that connects sidewalks along Norfolk’s waterfront into a scenic walk. It goes through 28 different neighborhoods. It takes you past some of Norfolk’s most prominent attractions and historic points, including Harbor Park Stadium, the Armed Forces Memorial, the USS Wisconsin, and the Hermitage Museum and Gardens.
Best Things to Do in Norfolk, VA
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Norfolk Botanical Garden is a great spot to visit any time of year! In the spring, summer, and fall months, you’ll see a gorgeous variety of flowers, trees, and plants that rotate throughout the year.
And in the winter, you can wander a winter wonderland during their Million Bulk Walk.
They also have special events throughout the year, like dog days, flower arranging classes, paint parties, and more!
Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is a great place to check out if you like zoos in smaller doses. It has some incredible creatures in beautiful habitats, and you can easily see them all in a couple of hours.
Some of the most notable animals are tigers, giraffes, binturongs, sun bears, and orangutans. (My favorites are the red pandas!)
It also has a train and splash pad for kids.
Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin
You don’t have to be a history or naval buff to enjoy a visit to the Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin. This two-for-one maritime discovery center and battleship tour has something for just about every age and interest.
You can walk through a maritime museum, learn about the naval history of Hampton Roads, discover how sonar works underwater, touch sea creatures, and more! There is a ton of stuff packed into this place, and that’s not even including the entire retired battleship that you can walk around.
The Chrysler Museum
The Chrysler Museum is a fantastic place to see all kinds of artwork, from ancient pieces to modern installations. It’s free to visit and makes for a great afternoon activity. You can pair it with a visit to the Chrysler Glass Museum to see glass workers in action and even get involved yourself!
We actually enjoyed it so much that we got some of our wedding pictures taken there!
Favorite Places to Eat in Norfolk, VA
Norfolk is practically bursting with one-of-a-kind restaurants featuring unique menus. Many of these places use locally sourced ingredients (especially fish), so the menus change seasonally but taste so fresh! Here are two of my favorite spots:
Grilled Cheese Bistro
These are not your basic grilled-cheese sandwiches. Think prosciutto, fresh peaches, and brie cheese, or chocolate bread with peanut butter, banana, and applewood bacon. And don’t even get me started on their incredible fries!
Freemason Abbey
This renovated church serves up some delicious fare in a classy but casual environment. They have some standing classics like she-crab soup, Seafood Fantasia, and Smoked Gouda Tenderloin Penne. But they also have some delicious seasonal menus that are worth exploring.
Want More? Watch My 90-Second YouTube Guide!
This is just the tip of the iceberg for all the awesome things you can do and see in Norfolk. If you like shopping, swing by the impressive MacArthur Mall or work your way around the Norfolk Premium Outlets.
If you’re a sports fan, catch a Norfolk Tides game or an Admirals hockey match.
There are also plenty of historical places to check out, like the Hunter House Victorian Museum, African American Trail of Honor, and Fort Norfolk.
And last but not least, Norfolk has some quiet beach access at several places like East Beach and Ocean View Beach Park.
Which of these places would you want to visit first?
Please drop a comment below and start a conversation, letting me know! You’re also welcome to ask any questions, and I’ll respond as best I can!
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Thanks for stopping by to learn more about Norfolk, VA, and I hope you’ll get a chance to visit soon!
Happy travels!
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