Location: Norfolk
Top Things to do in Norfolk
10 Free Things to do in Norfolk That You Shouldn't Miss
An early English settlement, Norfolk is filled with historic sites and monuments. Norfolk is also home to the oldest U.S. naval port, as well as the Battleship Wisconsin, which was in service from World War II through the Persian Gulf War. Locals and visitors head to Town Point Park for outdoor concerts and annual events such as the Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival. Families enjoy relaxing in Norfolk Botanical Garden and touring the harbor on a 19th-century Mississippi riverboat.
Restaurants in Norfolk
1. Chrysler Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 978 reviews
Reviewed By CMDA - Danville, United States
Beautiful building with 220,000 square feet of exhibit space with an excellent collection of American and European artists and some timely current exhibitions. Strong showing of Hudson River School. Located in Ghent district which is well worth a stroll around.
2. Slover Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By deh99 - Norfolk, United States
Extensive collection, well-organized, great staff. Pretty good reading room with magazines and papers.
3. MacArthur Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 303 reviews
Memorial to the five-star US Army General who served in three major wars: WWI, Korea and WWII.
Reviewed By JohnKBachmann - Port Orange, United States
With both the museum and mausoleum for Five Star General MacArthur and his wife and father Three Star General Arthur the Memorial commemorates their family. Located in downtown Norfolk it is a excellent presentation of their lives with personal momentous, honors and of course the final resting place for both the General and his wife, Jean. With three buildings on the square a visit covers the ability to research their lives as well as the aforementioned museum and mausoleum.
4. Armed Forces Memorial
5. MacArthur Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
The MacArthur Center shopping mall in Norfolk, VA. hosts shops and restaurants including the area's premier Dillard's department store. At our Norfolk shopping center we have shops you won't find anywhere else in the area like Lush, Pottery Barn, and The Art of Shaving. The mall is off Interstate 264, just west of Norfolk State University.
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver, Canada
We referred among ourselves to this shopping mall as "Dillards" which is the anchor department store. The mall is very convenient for cruisers to walk to from the cruise terminal. Perhaps it is called "MacArthur Center" because it is located across the street from the swanky MacArthur Memorial which was once City Hall, now restored. The Moses Myers House is on the other side of the mall on Freemason Street while the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church is located at its parking garage entrance on Cumberland Street. This modern 3 level A/C mall provided a welcome relief from the outdoor heat. Shoppers will find a variety of their familiar chain clothing stores in this mall. Escalators whip visitors quickly up to the 3rd level food court and WC, located closer to the Freemason Street entrance. There seemed to be plenty of undercover parking - perhaps with a charge. At street level, we also enjoyed looking at the mall's 16 display windows each filled with an important event from Virginia's 400 year history, from 1624 to present day. This display called Windows on History was very interesting for me as a visitor and someone unfamiliar with the history of the locale. The timeline was continuous along the length of these windows on City Hall Avenue. Individual windows had photos of important people and buildings, quotes from important personages, or copies of documents. I liked the display about the revolutionary times with a picture of Lord Dunmore who had shot the cannonball that still remains in St. Paul's Church. I found this shopping mall a pleasure to visit. Its proximity to core attractions in Norfolk was a definite plus as I could use my time in visiting the attractions, not getting to them.
6. Town Point Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By G7308EYmichellew - Lawrenceville, United States
This is a beautiful and peaceful seven acre park located along the Elizabeth river. Several statues, park benches and some eateries. Nice to take a leisure stroll. Well taken care of.
7. Smartmouth Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Since 2012, Smartmouth has helped shape the Hampton Roads craft beer scene with unique styles, quality ingredients and an emphasis on flavor over flash. No gimmicks, no funny business, just an appreciation for well-crafted beer and a desire to share it with others. At the end of the day, we are “beer geeks,” who make beer, think beer, talk beer and drink beer. It’s what we do and it’s what we love. Today, we distribute a variety of beers throughout the state of Virginia, in addition to serving our local community. We embrace our roles as stewards of craft beer and we thank you for your support.
Reviewed By Bonnielt23 - Chesapeake, United States
I had been wanting to visit this place for so long. Finally made it, but only had about 40 min before closing. But the time we spent here was so much fun with AWESOME beer. We'll be back!
8. O'Connor Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
The brewery is located at 211 W. 24th Street in the new Railroad district of Norfolk, situated next to the historic Ghent neighborshood and just a mile or two from Downtown. The Tasting Room and Production facility share a 35,000 sq. foot mid-century modern historic building. Free parking is available in their private lot or street parking is free along 24th and 23rd street. O’Connor beer drinkers come from all walks of life, but what brings them together is a love of the small, simple joys in life. The pleasure of being outdoors, relaxing on the beach with friends, having dinner with family after a day of hard work, and of course, enjoying a fresh, flavorful beer. Customers appreciate the O’Connor brand for its approachability and authenticity. They value its independent spirit, that it remains family owned and operated, and its support of the local community. And their loyalty has established it as a mainstay brand with 10 years of sustained success.
Reviewed By Sal_Paradise767 - Durham, United States
This is an excellent brewery. They have a great selection, fun merchandise for sale, they have food trucks on the premises and as it's a huge warehouse there is plenty of space to sit both inside and outside without any COVID worries.
9. The Homecoming
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
A replica of The Homecoming statue can be found in Norfolk's Town Point Park. Norfolk is considered the Navy's "hometown," and the city is a perfect place for a Homecoming statue to reside. The statue was placed in Town Point Park on October 14, 2000 in honor of Navy families.
Reviewed By archlav - Glenmoore, United States
This is such a significant sculpture. The homecoming of our sailors. The emotional connection between the family is captured beautifully. Its in town pointe garden right next to the nauticus.
10. Coelacanth Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Coelacanth Brewing is a locally-owned Brewery located in the Ghent/Railroad District of Ghent. Focused on producing unique twists on classic styles on our 15 bbl system. Multi-award winning and recently named Virginia Green Brewery of the Year, we are also Hampton Road's FIRST certified Green Brewery!
