Norfolk Attractions &
Things to Do

Rowena's Tea Room & Shop.

Aside from its historic heritage as a historical and current naval port, Norfolk is full of free or cheap family vacation spots, including the Chrysler Museum, Nauticus, the USS Wisconsin, and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.

It's also home of a number of wonderful and unique restaurants, like Baker's Crust and Rowena's Tea Room, one of our favorite places for a girl's day out.

It also boasts scads of delightfully inexpensive eateries, and many annual festivals, including the pirate-filled Harborfest, which takes place each June and features spectacular tall ships on an immense parade of sail. It also features a variety of antique shops and boutiques for those who love shopping.

So here are some of my favorite places to eat and dine in the city, things which won't break the bank and which will appeal to a variety of different ages. Mix and match the attractions and eateries to make a great itinerary for the family day out.

If you feel the need a little culture on your special day out...

The Chrysler Museum of Art
Great art fun for free? What could be better for your cheap family vacation? And they now have free admission every day they're open!

Rowena's Tea Room

What's the dish on our #1 Girls' Day Out spot, Rowena's Tea Room? It's one of our favorite places ofr a luscious ladies tea!

Mermaids on Parade
Go on a mermaid scavenger hunt around town...it's free!

Hampton Roads Naval Museum
See scads of ship models, underwater artifacts, and exhibits on important naval battles and ships, including the USS Monitor, plus climb all over USS Wisconsin, a huge battleship.

Nauticus
What has touch tanks, sharks, computer simulation games, tornadoes, subs, and a battleship? What profession gets you in for free? It's all at Nauticus!

More things to see in Norfolk...

Go on a mermaid scavenger hunt. It's free!

MacArthur Memorial
A touching tribute to a heroic military figure, General MacArthur. Yes, it's free! (and right across from the huge MacArthur Mall!)

Norfolk Harborfest
It only comes once a year, but Harborfest is a spectacular parade of tall ships, pirates and more.

Doumar's Drive-In
Want the best cheap burger and fries in a funky 50's era drive-in?

The Chrysler Museum of Art has free glass-blowing demonstrations.

(Did I mention its founder created the ice cream cone?)

Virginia Zoo
Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! This family-friendly zoo isn't too huge for little feet to enjoy. (And when you're done, stop by nearby Baker's Crust for a delicious chocolate and Nutella crepe.)

d'ART Center
If you like to see real artists practicing their art, go to d'ART Center. They have free admission, and are open Tues-Sat, 10-5 pm, and Sundays, 1-5 pm.

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