Location: Norfolk
Top Things to do in Norfolk
Top 10 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. 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. d'Art Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By 700erict - Norfolk, United States
The D'Art center is a wonderful collection of local artists who not only display their works but have studios in the center and are plying their art every day. The variety of mediums and styles keeps us coming back to see what new is being created. It is a difficult place to go and not fine a treasure worth displaying in your home. Over the years we have acquired a number of pieces that we have given as gifts and displayed proudly in our home.
3. Glass Wheel Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Glass Wheel Studio is a contemporary art facility located in the heart of The NEON, Norfolk’s Arts District. This renovated 8,500 square foot space features two rotating galleries and affordable artist studios. Through stimulating exhibitions and an active Studio Artist Program, Glass Wheel Studio will cultivate a deep appreciation for contemporary art in glass and beyond.
4. Barry Art Museum
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Hermitage Museum and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
The Hermitage Museum & Gardens, formerly home to the Sloane family, is an early 20th century Arts-and-Crafts estate located on the shore of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia. Featuring a nationally recognized art collection spanning 5,000 years, the Hermitage is home to the arts. Contemporary exhibition galleries, a Visual Arts Studio, working artist studios, and 12 acres of gardens and grounds offer art and culture to the community, as envisioned by the Sloanes.
Reviewed By ArtsGeek
This historic house museum is a magical spot, hidden away on the edge of an inlet. An Arts and Crafts home donated to the community by art patron and organizer Florence Sloane, the home features lavish gardens, a spectacular waterside view, and collections of Asian decorative arts. The unique furniture and woodwork was designed by two artist-friends of the Sloanes. The museum also has a significant collection of art by the American painter/teacher Douglas Volk.
8. Hampton Roads Naval Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By carmenaA9014PP
Fantastic pictures, displays and objects from the US and the Vietnamese relating to that time. There are ship models, clothing exhibits, All types of memorabilia from naval personnel. There are recordings from interviews with Vietnam veterans.
9. 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.
10. 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
