Last Updated on May 22, 2025
Norfolk is a historic and vibrant coastal city located in the southeastern region of Virginia. Home to more than 250,000 residents, this seaside city has recently been named as one of the top 10 booming downtowns, featuring waterfront attractions, modern restaurants, and cultural landmarks. Beauty abounds in Norfolk, and this coastal community is home to the world-famous Norfolk Botanical Garden and was recently recognized as a Tree City.
Norfolk is best known as the home of the world’s largest naval base—Naval Station Norfolk—making it a critical hub for U.S. military and maritime operations. Additionally, the city boasts a rich cultural scene with institutions like the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Virginia Opera, and the Heritage Museum and Gardens.
Thinking about visiting this coastal community? Here are 8 of the best ways to spend time in Norfolk, VA.
Stop to smell the roses at Norfolk Botanical Garden
Recently named the number 3 botanical garden in the U.S., the Norfolk Botanical Garden is blooming with beauty. What started out as just 30 acres of wetlands in 1938 is now over 60 gardens, designed to bring color in every season. Connecting with nature and clearing your mind has never been more peaceful than when you stroll through the Norfolk Botanical Garden. In the summer, the wildly popular butterfly garden is open, and you’ll have the opportunity to surround yourself in a closed environment where vibrantly colored butterflies enjoy nectar-rich plants.
Catch some waves at Virginia Beach
Located just a quick 20-minute drive from Norfolk, if the sun, sand, and relaxation are calling your name, why not spend some time at Virginia Beach? Don’t forget to check out the beach’s 3-mile-long pedestrian boardwalk, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, listen to live music, or even catch a thrill at the Atlantic Fun Park.
Spend an afternoon at the Chrysler Museum of Art
Home to more than 50 galleries and more than 35,000 objects, visitors will delight in the unique offerings found within the Chrysler Museum of Art. Established in the 1930s, the museum was completely transformed in 1971, when Walter Chrysler set out to make this spot the best museum in the South by donating more than 7,000 works of art to the museum.
The museum is also home to one of America’s largest glass collections; here you can see over 10,000 glass objects spanning 3,000 years. Museumgoers can also stop in at the Perry Glass studio, where they can learn about how glass masterpieces featured in the museum were made as well as partake in a wide variety of classes and workshops where even the most novice artist can learn the fine art of glassblowing. Best of all, admission to the Chrysler Museum of Art is completely free.
Have a roar of a time at the Virginia Zoo
Since 1900 the Virginia Zoo has been a fixture in the Norfolk community. Spanning 53 acres and bordered by the Lafayette River, the Virginia Zoo has more than 700 animals. Zoo guests can walk on the wild side, seeing everything from lions to lizards. Besides spending time viewing animals, guests can also take a relaxing stroll through one of the Virginia Zoo’s several gardens.
Visit the Hermitage Museum & Gardens
Bordered on three sides by the Lafayette River, the Hermitage Museums and Gardens date back to the early 20th century and were built by William and Florence Sloan. The Hermitage is an impressive estate, consisting of 42 rooms and featuring an Arts and Crafts design style. The Sloane Collection was collected exclusively by Florence Sloan over a 50-year period and consists of over 5,000 objects that span 5,000 years of art history and represent 30 countries.
Surrounding the museum are 12 acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands, educational wetlands, and a visual arts studio. Admission to the Heritage Museum and Gardens is free.
Grab a bite at Sirens Subs
Formerly the wildly popular Virginia Cheese Company, this yummy lunch spot has recently rebranded into Sirens Subs. From the unique flavor combos to our updated classics, every sandwich is made to order and crafted with care. With a passion for fresh ingredients, Sirens Subs slices all meats and cheeses in-house in addition to baking all focaccia. Looking for something unique with a fresh taste? Try the Lemon Feta sub when you stop in!
Taste the iconic ice cream cone at Doumar’s Barbecue
In 1904, while visiting the World’s Fair, Abe Doumar invented the waffle cone, and the rest was history. Doumar’s barbecue has been a mainstay in Norfolk, VA, for over 100 years, serving everything from barbecue to limeades and, of course, the infamous waffle cones, made using the same recipe and waffle cone machine built by Abe Doumar.
Dine like royalty at Blanca
With a near-perfect 5-star rating from Yelp and Trip Advisor, Blanca Food + Wine is a convivial restaurant with a fun, old-world-focused wine list and thoughtful plates inspired by the rustic cooking of France, Spain, and Italy. Popular dishes include Lemon Risotto with Local Asparagus, Peas, and Lump Crab and Pappardelle with Lamb Bolognese and Peas, just to name a couple. Reservations are recommended.
If Norfolk, Virginia, sounds like a place you’d love to be, let the experts at Howard Hanna find the right home for you.
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Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Upstate SC, Highlands/Cashiers and Asheville/Mountain regions. Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the U.S., with 480 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states. For more information, visit www.allentate.com and www.howardhanna.com.
