Great fun is always in season on the Virginia waterfront. Norfolk, Virginia offers students an endless array of opportunities to explore, perform and learn! With a multitude of festivals, internationally acclaimed museums, performing arts and attractions, no other Mid-Atlantic destination offers students more!
Day 1
Day 1
Arrive in Norfolk in the afternoon and visit Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin. Nauticus is an interactive science and technology center where students can explore and learn about the power of the sea. While there, students can experience what it feels like to be in the shoes of a United States Navy Sailor aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Then students can tour the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and experience 200 years of naval history in Coastal Virginia.
Set sail for dinner across the Elizabeth River on the American Rover Sailing Cruise. This majestic, three-masted tall ship is modeled after the cargo schooners that once sailed the Chesapeake Bay. The cruise leaves from Downtown Norfolk for a narrated two-hour harbor cruise. On board, students can lend a hand with the sails, take a turn at the helm or just sit back, relax and enjoy the experience. Educational classes and party DJ cruises are available for students’ cruises.
Day 2
Start the morning at the Virginia Zoo and discover the wildlife! The most exciting expansion in the Zoo’s history, the African habitat Okavango Delta, consists of 10 acres of unobstructed animal viewing. Spot lions, tigers and many more animals on board a train that runs throughout the Zoo with stops along the way. The Virginia Zoo’s education department is also available to provide student education classes and other wild experiences.
Add a little history into the afternoon program with the MacArthur Memorial. Discover the compelling story of General Douglas MacArthur, a five star General of the Army. The Memorial pays tribute to the millions of men and women who served with General MacArthur in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The MacArthur Memorial consists of a museum, archives and research center, education center, theater, welcome center and gift shop.
Time to board City Cruises Norfolk, where students can enjoy a nautical setting dinner with dancing, great food and live entertainment all while enjoying the panoramic skyline of Norfolk.
End the evening with a stop for ice cream with a famous waffle cone from Doumar’s. Doumar’s is famous for the invention of the waffle cone we all know and love today. Abe Doumar invented the waffle cone by taking a waffle and rolling it into a cone, to which he added ice cream. Doumar’s continues to bake cones on the original cone machines. Students will take delight in learning the history of how the cone was invented while watching the Doumar family make fresh cones from the original machine with advanced notice.
Day 3
Before heading back to school, students can discover one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses and rhododendrons on the East Coast at theNorfolk Botanical Garden. Students will experience 155 glorious acres by guided tours on foot, tram or boat. Students can get their hands dirty (or keep them clean) with interactive educational programs presented by the garden.
