The following itineraries are suggestions for a pre or post cruise stay in Norfolk Virginia. These itineraries are designed so cruise passengers can do them independently or create their own! The travel itineraries offer a suggested routing designed to help with initial planning or inspire a journey that is a little bit less ordinary.
Family Fun in Norfolk, Virginia
- Start the morning at The Virginia Zoo and discover the wildlife with over 700 animals and 150 species. Spot lions, tigers and many more animals on board a train that runs throughout the Zoo with stops along the way.
- Stop in for lunch at Doumar’s for the best BBQ in town. Then it is time for ice cream with a famous ice cream cone. Doumar’s is where Abe Doumar is credited for inventing the waffle cone, by taking a waffle, rolling and shaping it into a cone, which he then added his homemade ice cream to it. They still roll cones daily from the original machine.
- Set sail 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.
- The next morning at Nauticus, a maritime discovery center. Explore interactive and engaging exhibits that tell the maritime of the maritime industry. While there, step aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Stand beneath her 16-inch guns and feel the excitement of being aboard a historic warship. Then stroll through the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and experience over 200 years of Naval history in coastal Virginia. Before you leave grab a quick bit at the Norfolk Grill and check out the gift store for a perfect gift!
Lovers of Art in Norfolk, Virginia
- Stroll through 5,000 years of art history at the Chrysler Museum of Art, home to Walter Chrysler Jr.’s world-class collection of more than 30,000 pieces of art. The museum features a world-renowned Tiffany-glass collection, Art Nouveau furniture, and works of art from African, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, Islamic, and Asian cultures. The museum also offers an extensive European and American collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
- Tuesday through Sunday daily at noon The Perry Glass Studio brings the Chrysler Museum of Art’s internationally-acclaimed glass collection to life by showing how these glass masterpieces were created. The studio also offers workshops for beginners to advanced levels.
- Then stroll over to The NEON District just a few blocks from Chrysler Museum of Art for lunch and more art! Stop in the d’ART Center, is home to professional visual artists who display and sell original works of art on site.
- After lunch head over to The Glass Light Gallery. The gallery is made up of 65 small and life-sized pieces of glass art. While this art is the private collection of the Perry family, new glass exhibits and artists are rotated throughout the year.
- For dinner try a local favorite at Freemason Abbey Restaurant. The building where this restaurant is housed was once a church and dates back to 1873, making it one of the oldest establishments in the city. Freemason Abbey’s historic presence combined with its decadent, comforting Southern seafood cuisine is the perfect place to enjoy local dishes!
- Next morning head over to The Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University. The museum focuses on glass pieces from internationally renowned artists such as Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, Howard Ben Tré, Jaroslava Brychtova and the founder of the American studio glass movement, Harvey Littleton. Glass art has been and is currently a male-dominated field. Because of this, The Barry Art Museum takes great pride in showcasing multiple pieces of glass art designed by women.
Adventure Seekers
- The Elizabeth River Trail, also known as the ERT, is Norfolk’s 10.5-mile-long walkable and bikeable pathway that takes you through multiple neighborhoods with different waterfront views. Starting out at Norfolk State University, the trail winds you through historic neighborhoods and ends in the beautiful neighborhood of Lochhaven. The ERT is trickled with breweries and delicious restaurants along the way, and if you are not familiar with our city, it’s a great way to explore like a local. You can experience the ERT by bike, scooter or your own two feet. Renting bicycles at Pedego, located in Downtown Norfolk is also an option to explore.
- For lunch bike over to the Chelsea District. This portion of the trail is worth a couple hours of your time. Some of Norfolk’s most beloved restaurants and breweries are located all within the Chelsea District and within walking distance from one another. Hop off your bike head to Smartmouth Brewing Co. and Benchtop Brewing, the Birch Bar, Torch Bistro or a local’s favorite, Orapax, a Greek restaurant. One of Chelsea’s newest eateries, Grandiflora Wine Garden, is a vegetarian restaurant and natural wine bar featuring an on-site garden and Turkish breakfast on the weekends. If you want to experience more than one place at a time, we recommend ordering a brick oven pizza from Chelsea Bakehouse and enjoying it next door at The Birch.
- Your adventure is not done yet! Discover the beauty of the Lafayette River with Norfolk Kayak Tours, available for one-hour, two-hour, and full day adventures. Keep eyes peeled for sights of dolphins or majestic bald eagles soaring overhead.
- The next morning head over to the Historic Neighborhood of Ghent for shopping, coffee and breakfast. Ghent is filled with character, culture and delicious cuisine — not to mention tons of eclectic eateries, unique shops, art galleries and antique stores. Maybe also hit one of the coffee shops such as Café Stella, Cure Coffeehouse or Yorgos for a daily made bagel.
Military History Bluffs – Anchors Away!
- Start off the day at Nauticus, a maritime discovery center. Explore interactive and engaging exhibits that tell the maritime of the maritime industry. While there, step aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Stand beneath her 16-inch guns and feel the excitement of being aboard a historic warship. Then stroll through the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and experience over 200 years of Naval history in coastal Virginia. Before you leave grab a quick bit at the Norfolk Grill and check out the gift store for a perfect gift!
- Take part in a guided bus tour of the world’s largest naval installation, Naval Station Norfolk. A knowledgeable guide will give a narrated tour of the base highlighting the U.S. Naval Fleet, Admirals Row, and how the base is a working city.
- Enjoy lunch on the water at Norfolk’s newest entertainment and shopping venue, Waterside District. The revitalized waterfront has turned into a central place to dine and shop for locals and tourist. It features the best of national, local, and regional restaurants. Waterside also offers live music, festivals, and more. There is always something fun to do at Waterside District.
- Board The Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise for a two-hour narrated cruise which offers the fastest way to see destroyers, frigates, nuclear submarines, and aircraft carriers at Norfolk Naval Station.
- Stroll down Granby Street for dinner known as “Restaurant Row”. Experience locally restaurants from seafood to American cuisine that will satisfy any stomach!
- The next morning uncover the compelling story of General Douglas MacArthur and the millions of Americans who served our nation through five wars at The MacArthur Memorial. The MacArthur Memorial is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the life of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. The memorial also 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.
Gardens, Flowers and Historic Homes
- Discover one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses and rhododendrons on the East Coast at The Norfolk Botanical Garden. Experience 155 glorious acres of gardens with guided tours on foot, tram or boat.
- For lunch and shopping head over to the Historic Neighborhood of Ghent. Ghent is filled with character, culture and delicious cuisine — not to mention tons of eclectic eateries, unique shops, art galleries and antique stores. Maybe also hit one of the breweries like Smartmouth, Rip Rap Brewing or Elation Brewing.
- Then spend the afternoon relaxing along a tree-lined riverbank at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. This early 20th century historic home appears frozen in time, offering visitors an extraordinary trip through antiquity. The museum and gardens consist of a worldwide art collection and contemporary exhibition galleries, all surrounded by 12 acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands.
- Enjoy dinner at Omar’s Carriage House, originally built in the 1840s as a place to keep horses and carriages. The food here is just as fascinating as the history with menus changing seasonally and some dishes being elevated with a Moroccan flair.
- The next morning before boarding the ship make sure to check out Selden Market, inspired shops from Norfolk’s emerging small businesses to discover one-of-a-kind retail, food and more.
