Caught in the rain during your visit to Norfolk? Don’t let a few clouds and sprinkles put a damper on the day. There are tons of indoor activities in Norfolk that are ideal for staying dry and passing the time in a most wonderful way. Here’s a few ways to spend some inside time in Norfolk, no matter the forecast!
Eat some elevated comfort food
Nothing pairs better with rainy days than comfort food. Take a seat at Grilled Cheese Bistro and order one of their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. These sandwiches are the best thing since sliced bread. Their Violet grilled cheese, for instance, features fresh blueberries, applewood bacon, and brie on rustic walnut and bleu cheese sourdough. Insider tip: Enhance your sandwich with an order of fresh tomato soup. Be sure to try other cozy favorites such as Stockpot, Alkaline and Toast.
Unwind at a brewery
Is it pouring outside? It’s pouring inside too—at Norfolk’s beloved breweries, that is. Order yourself a pint (or pour your own if you’re at COVA Brewing Co) and spend the afternoon of sipping and socializing. Many of Norfolk’s breweries also feature board games, live music and food trucks, all proven ways to pass the time in a most enjoyable way.
Go Shopping
Treat yourself to a unique shopping experience at Selden Market. Here you’ll find a mix of local businesses specializing in everything from handmade leather goods and jewelry to self-poured candles, lingerie and items hailing from Virginia. The market also has rotating pop-up shops, so there’s always something new to see. Meanwhile, Norfolk Prime Outlets is great for finding those popular name brands and prices you’ll love. Want to shop ’til you drop? Here’s a roundup of some of Norfolk’s coolest local stores.
Explore Art, Culture and Maritime Discovery
Start the morning at Nauticus, Norfolk’s maritime discovery center, which is also home to the Battleship Wisconsin and Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Then explore over 30,000 original works of art spanning more than 5,000 years at Chrysler Museum of Art. Unleash your inner artist with interactive exhibits and more! Other inside arts and cultural attractions include the Barry Art Museum, d’Art Center, Hermitage Museum & Gardens and the Glass Light Gallery located at the Glass Light Hotel. See more museums here.
Shop For Books
Reading, as they say, is fundamental. Not to mention, fun. If you’re itching to go book shopping and feel the need to add to your ever-growing To Be Read pile, fear not; Norfolk has you covered. From beach reads to serious collectible tomes, these Norfolk, Virginia bookstores and pop-up booksellers will keep you turning pages all year long. See our roundup of bookstores and pop-up booksellers here.
Create A souvenir
While you’re at the Chrysler Museum, be sure to check out the Perry Glass Studio located just steps away from the main building. Let the studio’s trained artists guide you as you create a glass masterpiece of your own. Not ready to play with fire? Paint and decorate your very own mermaid at the Mermaid Factory. The creativity doesn’t stop there. You can paint your own pottery at Color Me Mine, design a beautiful wooden sign for your home or office at Board & Brush or delight in a combination or painting plus wine at Pinot’s Palette.
See a show
Check out our events calendar to see what’s happening while you’re here. On any given day, you could catch a Broadway performance at Chrysler Hall, hear jazz at the Attucks Theatre, enjoy a musical or sporting event at Scope Arena or experience an unforgettable opera at Harrison Opera House. Nothing catching your eye? You can always catch a movie at Norfolk’s beloved Naro Expanded Cinema.
