The Best Things To Do In Norfolk, Virginia

In colonial times, the Chesapeake Bay’s deepwater channels and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean naturally catapulted Norfolk into shipping and naval activities. Centuries later, the water still brings opportunity, as newcomers drawn to military service move their lives to its banks. The population may ebb and flow with the changing of the tides, but this Virginia city is anchored by a community committed to preserving and reinvigorating a past focused on art, entrepreneurship, and the sea. Here’s how to spend a weekend here.

Art And Culture

See a Stunning Collection of Glass

While Norfolk might be known for its impressive naval machinery, its other claim to fame is far more delicate. Home to one of the largest free exhibits of glass objects in the world, the Chrysler Museum of Art has varied pieces on display at every turn. Much of the city’s glass working legacy can be attributed to Walter P. Chrysler Jr., the son of the founder of the Chrysler Corporation, and his 1971 gift of more than 7,000 pieces of art to Norfolk. In the Chrysler Museum, more than 30,000 objects bring to life various eras of history, from ancient civilizations to recent decades. While the collection is renowned, it’s far from the only display in Norfolk.

Learn (or Watch) the Art of Glassblowing 

The Perry Glass Studio is one of the best places to watch professionals at work or experiment with glassblowing firsthand. The studio is a haven for both seasoned blowers and hobbyists and offers workshops for every skill level. Inside, light and heat radiate in a well-choreographed dance of technique and creativity. Teams move with an intentional rhythm, scraping, pulling, and blowing vigorously against the glow of furnaces while daily demonstrations lower the intensity to walk visitors through each step.

Maritime History

Tour a Retired Battleship

Standing on the deck of the USS Wisconsin, a colossal battleship that has witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in American naval history, it’s easy to be overcome by its sheer magnitude. Metal bolts carry the weight of towering smokestacks and command centers in a humbling display of strength. A maze of corridors connects crew quarters and mess halls for what feels like miles beneath your feet.

Learn About the Power of Water

Nauticus, an interactive science museum that celebrates the sea, is coming off a recent $21.5 million investment. Exhibits include gamified simulations that challenge visitors to design a more resilient city, crash waves into protection systems, and learn how they can create their own “ripple of change.” The whimsical installations help make important topics, such as coastal stewardship and naval history, a bit more approachable. Even little ones have a place of their own—a Dr. Seuss-like under-the-sea space complete with reflective bubbles, slides that glide through ships, and an aquarium populated with species native to the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay. “Our campus connects the tides of history with the future of maritime opportunity and preservation,” says Rehn West, director of development and marketing at Nauticus. “So many in this community are striving to help steer Norfolk’s future, and much of it comes back to the water.”

Get Outside

Explore a Garden

Twelve acres of waterfront gardens await at Hermitage Museum & Gardens, a historic 20th-century house with rotating exhibition galleries, and a free summer concert series. There’s always something in bloom at Norfolk Botanical Garden, the state's largest botanical garden, with 60 areas to explore.

Walk on the Waterfront

Stroll a few blocks on the Elizabeth River Trail, a 10.5-mile walking-and-biking path with mermaid statues, murals, and water views. You’ll also have easy access to 14 different parks.

Dining

Start with Breakfast

Ease into your visit with brunch at Commune, have a flaky breakfast sandwich at Handsome Biscuit, or grab a pour-over at Cure Coffeehouse.

Try Turkish Food at a Wine Bar

At Grandiflora wine garden, an eclectic mix of velvet chairs, string lights, and tiny Iznik-patterned coffee cups welcome guests with a refreshingly domestic air, as if you’ve been invited into a friend’s home. While dinner, flights, and pours are available Thursday through Sunday, you’ll find a procession of Turkish bites in this century-old house on Sunday mornings. The tapas-style menu is inspired by co-owner Erin Edelman’s family heritage and mindfully crafted each week with an assortment of cucumber salads, soft cheeses, and pastries called böreks. Expect to leave in good spirits, whether from the natural wine or the buzz from the Turkish coffee.

Eat with the Seasons at Blanca

Step inside local bistro Blanca, where chef and Norfolk native Courtney White’s Italian training is on full display. She blends neighborhood camaraderie with international cuisine, cooking in an open kitchen as regulars stop by to say hello. “A restaurant is a conversation with the community,” she explains, “and this is a community where you can put your own stamp on things.” She is influenced by the seasons, pulling regionality into rustic European dishes. The start of warmer weather is marked by Virginia soft-shell crab on Spaghetti Limone, a dish that area residents anticipate all year, while the rest of the summer menu comes alive with staples such as fritto misto made with eggplant, squash, okra, and olives.

Save Room for Ice Cream

Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue, a classic drive-in diner, serves ice cream in waffle cones made in their original machine. The restaurant still has car service, for an all-around nostalgic experience.