Discover Norfolk: Culture, Nature and Waterfront Trails

Norfolk combines expansive gardens, wildlife experiences, maritime discoveries and impressive cultural sites. When choosing a holiday apartment for your stay, you can therefore set the focus of your trip deliberately: on nature and activity, on museums and history, or on the attractions in the city centre.

Gardens, Wildlife and Special Nature Experiences

The Norfolk Botanical Garden covers 175 acres and includes more than 60 themed gardens. The garden areas can be explored by tram, boat or on foot. This allows you to adapt your visit to different daily schedules without committing to just one way of exploring. The grounds also include World of Wonders, A Children's Adventure Garden, which covers three acres.

Another highlight is the Virginia Zoo. More than 700 animals from over 150 different species live there. Along the African Safari Trail, visitors can encounter rhinoceroses, giraffes, lions, turtles and cheetahs, among others. Families can easily plan such a day as a separate outing, while the Botanical Garden offers a different perspective on Norfolk's landscapes.

Art, History and Maritime Insights

The Hermitage Museum & Gardens is located on a 12-acre estate along the Lafayette River. Its art collection spans more than 5,000 years. The grounds include twelve acres of semi-formal gardens, woodland and wetlands. This means the site combines its collection with outdoor spaces without requiring you to limit yourself to just one form of cultural discovery.

The city's history is also reflected in various locations. Fort Norfolk dates back to the American Revolution, when it was built as an earthwork redoubt. The MacArthur Memorial offers a downloadable audio tour with narration. The Wells Theatre is an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts theatre architecture in Virginia, was built in 1912 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

A British cannonball is embedded in the outer brick wall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The USS Wisconsin, the last Iowa-class battleship, is permanently berthed at Nauticus in Norfolk. Nauticus is a maritime discovery centre on the Downtown Norfolk waterfront and offers interactive exhibits as well as STEM-to-STERN programmes. The Chrysler Museum of Art additionally houses more than 30,000 original works of art spanning a period of more than 5,000 years.

Trails and Orientation for Planning Your Day

Those who want to experience Norfolk actively can use the Elizabeth River Trail, a 10.5-mile multi-use trail for walking, running and cycling. The trail includes eleven sections and eleven trailheads and runs from Norfolk State University to the NIT Terminals on the Elizabeth River. There are bicycle repair stations along the route. Depending on your plans for the day, you can therefore choose one section instead of taking the entire route into account.

Many of Norfolk's museums and historic attractions are located within an area of twelve walkable city blocks along the Downtown waterfront. The Tide Light Rail provides a way for visitors to travel between museums and attractions in the city centre. Mermaid figures can also be found in Downtown Norfolk and in many neighbourhoods. The Hunter House Victorian Museum is located at 240 W. Freemason Street in the Historic Freemason District of Downtown Norfolk and offers seasonal tours from April to December.

Which Location Suits Your Trip?

When searching for a holiday apartment in Norfolk, it is helpful to first decide which experiences should shape your stay. Those who want to combine museums, historic sites and the attractions along the waterfront can use the city centre as a guide when searching for accommodation. For nature and wildlife experiences, on the other hand, the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Virginia Zoo and the Elizabeth River Trail are the focus of planning. Then check which location suits your outings and your preferred daily itinerary. You can access more destinations via Narrows, Pearisburg and Rich Creek.

For the higher-level travel overview: Giles County.