Location: Norfolk
Top Things to do in Norfolk
The 5 Best Specialty Museums in Norfolk, Virginia (VA)
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. Nauticus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,062 reviews
Nauticus inspires and educates with engaging & interactive experiences that celebrate our connections with today's maritime world. We are a contemporary museum that uses the natural setting of Norfolk's harbor to showcase global maritime commerce and the world's largest Navy. Touch a shark, learn about marine life, explore naval history, catch a 3D educational movie, and climb aboard a battleship. Memorial Day – Labor Day: Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Rest of the year: Closed Mondays, Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 5 p.m. Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please call for other holiday hours.
Reviewed By BethWI - Muskego, United States
We came here with our four kids, ages 7,9,12, and 13. We did a tour of the Battleship, but this review is for the Nauticus museum part. The kids enjoyed this science and technology museum. They were able to man a robotic arm to pick up a ball and put it into a bowl. They also were able to man a seabot in a tank to pick up a ball. They could touch a shark and horseshoe crab. There were a few aquarium tanks with other ocean life. Plenty to learn, touch, and experience here. They love these types of hands on activities. We spent about two hours in Nauticus. My kids could have stayed longer, but we were all getting hungry.
2. Hunter House Victorian Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By genek277 - Salisbury, United States
Nicely decorated for Christmas. A great guided tour - lots of information. Highly recommend to take the guided tour.
3. The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By steven22222018 - Seattle, United States
I came here for the glass as well as the Chrysler museum combined they are both a treat for the senses and are presented in a way that you can understand the timelines of glass technology as well as the art across the street
4. Norfolk Police and Fire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By tygriss74 - Washington DC, United States
This museum gives great history and displays of Norfolk Fire and Police departments. The museum is operated by retired Norfolk Police. There are two parts, each for the fire and police. They have fascinating genuine antiques like a fire hose that you can crank, old police weapons, the first in car police computer, mug shots and diving gear. There's a real police motorcycle that a police officer died on. It's not a big museum, but has so much interesting things, anyone will like it. The exhibits are great but the knowledge from the 2 retired police officers that work there, really make this museum. They were filled with interesting history and knowledge. They were so welcoming and kind that my 3 year old loved it so much & she didn't want to leave. She loved pushing the button by the jail door to turn on the blue light and loved cranking the fire hose. We had such a great visit. Will definitely go again. The museum doesn't charge admission but takes donations. Please donate to keep this place in business.
