Discover Norfolk: Gardens, Culture and Maritime History

Norfolk appeals to travelers with a range of interests: gardens and wildlife, art and theatre architecture, and maritime history shape the destinations featured here. Attractions range from extensive gardens and museum collections to places along the downtown waterfront.

Gardens and Wildlife

The Norfolk Botanical Garden covers 175 acres and features more than 60 themed gardens. You can explore them by tram, by boat, or on foot. Within the garden is World of Wonders, A Children's Adventure Garden, a separate three-acre area.

The Virginia Zoo is home to more than 700 animals from over 150 different species. The zoo’s African Safari Trail is home to, among others, rhinos, giraffes, lions, tortoises, and cheetahs.

Art, Theatre, and History

The Hermitage Museum & Gardens is a twelve-acre estate on the Lafayette River. Its grounds include semi-formal gardens, woodland, and wetlands; its art collection spans more than 5,000 years. The Chrysler Museum of Art also features art spanning more than 5,000 years and holds more than 30,000 original works of art.

The Wells Theatre is an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts theatre architecture in Virginia. It was built in 1912 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Its construction and later listing mark two distinct milestones in its history.

Fort Norfolk traces its origins to the American Revolution, when it was built as an earthen redoubt. A British cannonball is embedded in the outer brick wall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The MacArthur Memorial offers a downloadable guided audio tour that you can use during a visit.

Maritime Destinations and Ways to Explore the City

Nauticus is a maritime discovery center on the downtown Norfolk waterfront. It offers interactive exhibits and STEM-to-STERN programs. The USS Wisconsin is permanently berthed at Nauticus in Norfolk; it is the last Iowa-class battleship.

Many of Norfolk’s museums and historic attractions are located within a walkable twelve-block area along the downtown waterfront. The Tide Light Rail is one option for getting between museums and attractions in the downtown area.

Another way to find your route is the Elizabeth River Trail: it is 10.5 miles long, comprises eleven sections and eleven trailheads, and runs from Norfolk State University to the NIT Terminals on the Elizabeth River. The multi-use trail is for walking, running, and cycling; bike repair stations are available along the trail. Mermaid figures can be found in downtown Norfolk and in many city neighborhoods.

Discover more destinations: Narrows, Pearisburg, Rich Creek.

For the main travel overview: Giles County.