Winter in the Mermaid City offers a chance to step outside and immerse yourself in our region’s rich cultural offerings, from world-class museums to cozy cafés and bars with fire pits to unforgettable culinary experiences with sweeping views of the Elizabeth River. Find artistic inspiration, cheer on the local hockey team or stroll through a magical holiday market to make your next wintry visit a memorable one. 

Norfolk’s geographic positioning means the city enjoys mild winters with daytime highs in the low 50s throughout much of the season. While a light snowfall isn’t unheard of here, it’s a fairly rare occurrence, making Norfolk a great place to get outside and explore the outdoors while others are huddling indoors further north. 

Day 1

Morning: Jump start a cool morning with a caffeine fix at a cozy café. Coalescence Coffee offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with a variety of coffee, tea and pastry options benefitting a good cause, while nearby Café Stella is a bustling affair that hums with energy, making you swear you’ve wandered into an NYC coffee shop. Both cafés offer close proximity to local shopping and dining, including Ghent’s Antique Alley, a collection of vintage, thrift and antique shops – enough to occupy a morning and beyond. More shops abound throughout Ghent – particularly on Colley Ave., where you’ll find boutiques, art galleries, gift shops and wares from local artisans in a bustling, but charming neighborhood. 

For a deeper sampling of Norfolk’s coffee scene, consider picking up a Perk Up Pass from VisitNorfolk.com, a three-day passport to discounts and rewards at local cafés. 

Afternoon: If it’s a chilly day, a hot, steaming bowl of ramen may be calling your name. If so, head over to Alkaline Ramen for modern interpretations on a classic dish. Then, take a dip in the art world at the Chrysler Museum of Art. This world-renowned museum boasts a vast collection spanning 5,000 years, with items from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Renaissance masters to contemporary American works. The best part? Admission is free. Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring the various exhibits at your own pace, but save some time for the newly-expanded Perry Glass Studio, where visitors can witness glass-blowing demonstrations from working artists and admire their works in one of the nation’s top glass collections. 

Still feeling artsy? D’Art Center is the NEON District’s non-profit community art center, while the Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University displays everything from contemporary glass to modernist paintings, historic dolls and more. 

Evening: Want to see a show? You’ll love the options in Norfolk. For starters, the Virginia Stage Company mounts productions of can’t-miss musicals and plays each winter at the Wells Theater. Also, check the schedules of the Virginia Opera or Virginia Symphony for rich winter performances. Cinephiles will love the curated selection of movies on the big screen at the NARO Expanded Cinema, where classics, arthouse and first-run movies coexist peacefully. Get your live music fix at the historic NorVa, a venue where national headliners and up-and-coming musicians entertain fans several nights a week. After the show, catch a quick ride up to Pixels Pints + Bytes, a “barcade” that combines classic arcade games with a fun pub atmosphere. Enjoy retro favorites like skeeball and air hockey, grab a craft beer and scarf down classic pub fare like burgers and wings.

Day 2

Morning: Who says the beach is for summer vibes only? In winter, there’s nothing like the tranquility of a meditative stroll along the beach. For this, head north to Ocean View for a hearty breakfast burrito at Mudita Café & Bar where beachy vibes pervade the area regardless of the season. Or, check out Coaster Coffee, a uniquely non-profit coffee shop that gives back to the community. If the weather is nice, go for a quiet walk along Ocean View Beach Park and let the sounds of seagulls and surf create your own relaxing soundtrack.

Afternoon: For lunch, delve into the historic Freemason District. Freemason Abbey, a restored 19th-Century church-turned-restaurant, is a great place to grab lunch (try the She Crab soup!) and admire the architecture. Or, head a block east for America’s favorite winter sandwich at The Grilled Cheese Bistro.  

Explore the unique shops and boutiques that dot this picturesque neighborhood, or pop over to the MacArthur Memorial to learn about the life and times of General Douglas MacArthur. 

Evening: Then, experience the hits and goals of professional hockey without paying NHL prices by catching a Norfolk Admirals hockey game at the Norfolk Scope Arena. This ECHL team has won the Calder Cup and several divisional titles over the years, meaning it’s never a dull night on the ice. Grace O’Malley’s, an authentic Irish pub featuring live music in the heart of Granby St., is the perfect spot for pre-game dinner or a post-game nightcap. If you’re here in mid-January, Norfolk’s restaurants roll out the red carpet for Restaurant Week, when chefs offer up their top dishes at a fraction of their usual prices. Previous participants have included The Stockpot Norfolk (great for a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup on a cool day), as well as Omar’s Carriage House, 456 Fish and Todd Jurich’s Bistro, each of which excels at seasonal offerings.