What to do in Norfolk, VA

Activities, attractions and tours

Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk
Douglas MacArthur Memorial showing a statue or sculpture and heritage elements
Norfolk

Norfolk Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Norfolk has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Norfolk, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Norfolk with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Norfolk

Norfolk is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Norfolk, and make it a breeze to explore Norfolk and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Norfolk to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Norfolk, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Norfolk.

Norfolk attractions

Norfolk has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Norfolk to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Norfolk.

Looking for things to do in Norfolk can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Norfolk or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Norfolk attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Naval Station Norfolk

Get close to destroyers, aircraft carriers, amphibious assault vehicles, submarines and frigates by taking a bus tour of Naval Station Norfolk. Navy personnel narrate details of vessels, their histories and roles, as well as providing a few insights into life at this sprawling military base.
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Tour the world’s largest naval complex and see some of the U.S. Navy’s most powerful ships.

2. Waterside District

Near the mouth of the Elizabeth River, visit Waterside Marketplace, a covered site that is filled with all types of stores and eating places. The modern building is recognizable by its wide two-story silhouette right in front of the river. Enter the site from the street side and browse among the various restaurants and shops. Step outs on the southwest side to enjoy the riverfront views and amenities.
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A riverside district with restaurants, bars and nightclubs stands beside a scenic park and promenade with cycle and running lanes.

3. Chrysler Hall

Enjoy all types of classical concerts, major Broadway productions, family-friendly theater performances and comedy acts at Chrysler Hall, the primary performing arts center in Norfolk. More than 150,000 patrons each year attend performances by the hall’s resident organizations, including the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Norfolk Forum, the Virginia Arts Festival, the Virginia Ballet, Broadway in Norfolk and the Generic Theater.
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Lovers of the arts, including the symphony and theatrical shows, will appreciate this revered performing arts center, the heart of the city’s cultural life.

4. Virginia Zoo

Treat the family to a day of wild animal adventures. Virginia Zoo’s 53 acres (21 hectares) are home to more than 400 animals, representing over 100 species including lions, elephants, snakes and bears. Species from Asia, Africa, Australia and North America reside in habitats similar to their native environments.
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Virginia Zoo which includes a statue or sculpture, signage and zoo animals

5. Norfolk Botanical Garden

Covering 155 acres (63 hectares), Norfolk Botanical Garden is filled with thousands of plants spread across many themed gardens.
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Norfolk Botanical Garden featuring a garden, a pond and landscape views

Recommended things to do in Norfolk

Number of things to do
10
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Norfolk: Coffee Tasting Pass: £13
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Norfolk

Popular places to visit

Naval Station Norfolk

Naval Station Norfolk

4/5(1 review)

Tour the world’s largest naval complex and see some of the U.S. Navy’s most powerful ships.

Naval Station Norfolk
Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University

Enjoy the student vibe at Old Dominion University during your visit to Norfolk. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.

Old Dominion University
Waterside District

Waterside District

A riverside district with restaurants, bars and nightclubs stands beside a scenic park and promenade with cycle and running lanes.

Waterside District
Norfolk Scope

Norfolk Scope

Catch an event at Norfolk Scope during your trip to Norfolk. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

Norfolk Scope
Chrysler Hall

Chrysler Hall

Lovers of the arts, including the symphony and theatrical shows, will appreciate this revered performing arts center, the heart of the city’s cultural life.

Chrysler Hall
Virginia Zoo which includes a statue or sculpture, signage and zoo animals

Virginia Zoo

A popular zoo as famous for its wild kingdom of animals as it is for an outstanding collection of themed gardens.

Virginia Zoo
Norfolk Botanical Garden featuring a garden, a pond and landscape views

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Walk among azaleas, camellias and rosebushes. Watch pelicans in flight and absorb the scents of exotic blooms.

Norfolk Botanical Garden
USS Wisconsin BB-64 showing military items

USS Wisconsin BB-64

Walk the decks and corridors of a World War II battleship, a floating fortress that also saw action in the Korean and Gulf Wars.

USS Wisconsin BB-64
Norfolk Beaches

Norfolk Beaches

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Norfolk Beaches during your trip to East Ocean View?

Norfolk Beaches

Explore areas of Norfolk

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Ocean View

While there might not be top attractions in Ocean View, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Ocean View Beach and Norfolk Beaches.

Ocean View
Moses Myers House featuring a house and a city

Downtown Norfolk

If you're spending time in Downtown Norfolk, check out sights like The NorVa or MacArthur Center and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Monticello Station or MacArthur Square Station.

Downtown Norfolk
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East Ocean View

When in East Ocean View, you can plan a visit to Norfolk Botanical Garden and Norfolk Beaches, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

East Ocean View
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Willoughby Spit

If you're spending some time in Willoughby Spit, Oceanview Fishing Pier and Norfolk Beaches are top sights worth seeing.

Willoughby Spit
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Bayview

While Bayview isn't home to many top sights, Norfolk Beaches and Ocean View Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Bayview
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Cottage Park

Though Cottage Park may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Norfolk Beaches and Ocean View Beach.

Cottage Park

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Norfolk

Chesapeake

Chesapeake

Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach