ATTRACTIONS
Historic Homes & Buildings
Crispus Attucks Cultural Theater (circa 1919)
10 Church Street • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-623-1111
Prominent landmark whose impressive structure was designed by black architects, this theater played a leading role in the cultural life of African-Americans. The theater boasts 675 seats and meeting and banquet facilities. more... mapHunter House Victorian Museum (circa 1894)
240 West Freemason Street • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-623-9814
Noted Boston architect W.D. Wentworth designed and built this Richardsonian Romanesque style home for prominent local merchant and banker James Wilson Hunter. The house is rich in architectural detail and displays the family's collection of Victorian furnishings and decorative pieces, including a Renaissance Revival bedchamber suite and stained glass windows. more... mapMoses Myers House (circa 1792)
331 Bank Street • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6283
This late Georgian, early Federal style house sits amidst the bustle of downtown Norfolk and is one of the first red, Flemish-bond brick homes built after the American Revolution, as well as one of the first Jewish residents in Norfolk. The house contains around 70 percent of its original furnishings and is noted for its original artwork. mapSt. Paul's Episcopal Church (circa 1739)
201 St. Paul's Boulevard • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-627-4353
The oldest building in Norfolk, this church is also the only structure to survive the British destruction of the city on New Year's Day 1776 when a cannonball was fired by Lord Dunmore of the British fleet and remains lodged in its southeastern wall. The church's tree-lined cemetery is dotted with 17th, 18th, and 19th century tombstones. mapWilloughby-Baylor House (circa 1794)
601 East Freemason Street • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6283
Built on a 200-acre land grant by Thomas Willoughby, this magnificent house is a classic example of Georgian and Federal architecture that is filled with authentic 18th century furnishings that offer visitors a view of Colonial life for a middle-class family in 18th century Norfolk. A charming 18th century-style garden is also located on the grounds. map
Historic Sites & Monuments
Armed Forces Memorial, The
Located at Town Point Park
757-664-6620
Situated on the Elizabeth River, this memorial contains 20 inscriptions from letters written home by United States service people who lost their lives in war. The letters are cast in thin sheets of bronze and are scattered across the ground as if blown there by the wind. Seats that face out to the waterway are inside the memorial. mapBattleship Wisconsin (circa 1940)
One Waterside Drive • Norfolk, VA 23510
Located Adjacent to Nauticus
757-444-8971, 800-664-1080
This historic battleship has served in all the great wars since it was built with its last action being in 1991 when it fired tomahawk missiles in the Persian Gulf. The battleship is the largest and last battleship ever built by the United States Navy and visitors can explore its decks through a self-guided or audiotape tour that will take you back in time. more... mapHistoric Fort Norfolk
Located on Front Street
757-642-8311
Called the best preserved War of 1812 location in America, this fort also supplied ammunition for the Confederate ironclad in the battle of the Monitor and Merrimac and is the last remaining of 19 harbor-front forts authorized in 1794 by President George Washington. The fort covers four acres and includes earthwork embankments, ramparts, a dungeon, barracks, and a guardhouse with most structures dating back to 1810. more... map
Museums & Galleries
Chrysler Museum of Art
245 West Olney Road • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-664-6200
This museum houses an encyclopedic collection of over 30,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art history, including an extensive collection of European and American paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, as well as a world-renowned Tiffany glass collection, Art Nouveau furniture, and works of art from African, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, Islamic, and Asian cultures. more... mapHampton Roads Naval Museum
One Waterside Drive, Suite 248 • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-322-2987
Over 50 exhibits that cover events such as the Battle off the Virginia Capes, the Monitor and the Merrimac, the Atlantic Navy in World War II, and much more are highlighted at this naval history museum that also features model making demonstrations, guided tours, and a research library. more... mapHermitage Foundation Museum
7637 North Shore Road • Norfolk, VA 23505
757-423-2052
Nestled along a tree-lined riverbank, this museum is situated in a historic Riverside Tudor style mansion that was built in 1908 and features an outstanding collection of Eastern and Western art. Highlights include Chinese tomb figures from the T'ang Dynasty and relics from Czar Alexander's private collection. Artifacts on display are also sometimes borrowed by renowned museums, such as the Smithsonian. more... mapMacArthur Memorial, The
Bank Street & City Hall Avenue • Norfolk, VA 23510
Located in MacArthur Square
757-441-2965
The final resting place for General Douglas MacArthur and his wife, this memorial is located in the beautifully restored 1850 City Hall that includes nine permanent and two changing exhibit galleries filled with an extensive collection of military and personal artifacts that traces the life and military career of MacArthur, as well as the millions of American men and women who served our nation through five wars. A theater, gift shop, and archives building are also part of the memorial complex. more... mapTugboat Museum
One Waterside Drive • Norfolk, VA 23510
Docked at Nauticus
757-627-4884
A unique dockside museum which depicts the area's history of tugs and the towing industry, this 1933 Tug Huntington is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and allows visitors to catch a glimpse of tugboat life while exploring the engine room, crew's quarters, galley, saloon, captain's quarters, and wheelhouse. map
Parks, Gardens & Zoos
Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Gardens Road • Norfolk, VA 23518
757-441-5830
The only botanical garden in the nation that can be toured by trackless train and by boat, this magnificent 155-acre botanical garden has one of the largest collections of roses, azaleas, camellias, and hollies on the East Coast. It also features over 25 themed gardens, bridges, coastal waterways, and 12 miles of pedestrian trails. more... mapTown Point Park
Located on Waterside Drive
757-671-8100
This beautiful seven acre waterfront park provides the perfect spot to take in the scenic views of the Elizabeth River and features over 65 major concerts, special events, and award-winning festivals through the year. mapVirginia Zoological Park
3500 Granby Street • Norfolk, VA 23504
757-624-9937
Nestled on 53 acres along the Lafayette River, this zoo is home to over 350 animals ranging from elephants, Siberian tigers, and monkeys to reptiles and birds. A ten acre Okavango African habitat, a Reptile and Nocturnal Gallery, a Barnyard, and Botanical Gardens are just some of the features of this zoo. more... map
Science & Technology
Nauticus, The National Maritime Center
One Waterside Drive • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-664-1000, 800-664-1080
Home to the Battleship Wisconsin, this fun and exciting 120,000 square foot interactive science center has a maritime theme and features over 150 exhibits, including computer and video interactive displays, giant screen films, exotic aquaria, touch pools, national traveling exhibits, and shark petting. more... map
Tours & Cruises
American Rover Tall Ship Cruises
Located at Waterside Festival Marketplace Marina
757-627-SAIL
This graceful sailing ship is the largest, three-masted, passenger-carrying topsail schooner in the United States and it is modeled after Chesapeake Bay cargo schooners of the past century. The ship departs from the Waterside Festival Marketplace Marina for two and three hour narrated harbor cruises along the Elizabeth River. more... mapCannonball Trail
401 East Freemason Street • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-664-6620
A self-guided downtown walking tour on a heritage trail that wanders through 400 years of Norfolk's rich and multifaceted history. The trail connects many history sites, as well as many featured attractions in downtown Norfolk. mapCarrie B. Harbor Tours
1238 Bay Street • Norfolk, VA 23510
Located at Norfolk's Waterside
757-393-4735
Experience the romance, history, and fun of a cruise aboard the Carrie B., a 19th century Mississippi Riverboat. Whether you choose one the daily sight-seeing tours or charter the boat exclusively for a group, you will enjoy spectacular city skylines and breathtaking sights. Cocktails, soft drinks, and light snacks are available at the full service bar on site. more... mapNorfolk Destination Tour
Located at the Waterside Kiosk
757-222-6000
All the exciting attractions in downtown Norfolk can be discovered on this trolley tour where visitors can enjoy a 90 minute narrated tour and see sites such as the renowned Chrysler Museum of Art, the Financial District, the MacArthur Memorial, and the 20th century Christ and Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. You can also hop off anywhere along the way and stay for a while; the trolley will come by later for your return trip. more... mapSpirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises
109 East Main Street, Suite 500 • Norfolk, VA 23510
757-625-1748, 866-304-2469 or 866-451-3866
Choose your cruise and let the excitement begin aboard this cruise ship that features great music and dancing, as well as bountiful buffets, all while cruising along Norfolk's historic waterways. Lunch and dinner cruises that are second-to-none are also available. more... mapVictory Rover Naval Base Cruises
One Waterside Drive • Norfolk, VA 23510
Docked at Nauticus
757-627-7406
See the World's largest naval installation aboard this unique, navy-themed vessel that provides two hour fascinating, fact-filled narrated tours that depart from the Nauticus Docks, home to the Battleship Wisconsin. You'll see an array of sights such as aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, guided missile cruisers, and all of the other ships that form the World's most powerful Armada during this tour. more... map
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