01 February 2021

Family Getaway to Norfolk, VA

In need of inspiration for a spring break? Look no further. Norfolk is the perfect place for you and your spouse to kick back and relax, while the kids stay entertained with minimal effort on your end. 

Explore and Inspire

Virginia Zoo

Giraffes, red pandas and tigers oh my! Educate the whole family on animals from all over the world. Walk amongst Australian Wallabies and their joeys, spot Africa’s majestic rhinos, lions, and cheetahs, admire the new World of Reptiles exhibit and play with goats at the Zoo Farm. The Virginia Zoo is home to over 700 critters which gives something for everyone in the family to see!

Battleship Wisconsin and Nauticus

Spend the day exploring Nauticus, a maritime museum showcasing global trade and the world’s largest Navy. On the Nauticus Campus resides, the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships built by the United States. Explore the decks and depths of the ship and don’t forget to take a family photo!

“As part of the museum experience, you can hop aboard the 888 foot long Battleship Wisconsin…one of the largest battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Our kids LOVED exploring it!” – @funfitnessfam

For more family-friendly attractions click here.

@webbcarrie585, Instagram

Beach Day

Spend a day making sand castles, soaking up the sun and spotting dolphins in the distance. Enjoy local seafood while overlooking the Chesapeake Bay at the Ocean View Pier Restaurant. Don’t want to leave the beach? Pack a picnic with food from Taste, they have several locations throughout the city.

On the Water

Looking for a way to get out on the bay? Sunset cruises on the American Rover, themed dinner and lunch cruises on board a City Cruises by Hornblower vessel sailing lessons through Sail Nauticus, and kayaking are all great ways to experience the Chesapeake Bay. For the more educational cruises, check out the Norfolk Naval Base Cruises aboard Victory Rover where they showcase aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, guided missile cruisers and more!

@_nomarama_, Instagram

Eat and Drink

With an abundance of different cuisine in Norfolk, it is easy to please everyone’s palates and our family-friendly breweries are eager to entertain you. Doumar’s is a great spot to show the kids the world’s first waffle cone machine and if you’re lucky they will be making fresh cones while you’re there! For an afternoon snack or treats to take home, head to Bonbonnier for old-fashioned homemade candies! 

by.the.sea, Instagram

Sports

Norfolk is home to the ECHL Norfolk Admirals and the MiLB Norfolk Tides, making a memorable evening no matter what time of year you visit. Foam fingers for the kids and local beer for the adults with buttered popcorn at the Scope Arena and baseball franks at Harbor Park will make these games the perfect family outing!  

Hotels

We all love a family vacation, but sometimes we wish we could put the kiddos in another room and have some peace. Lucky for you, our hotels offer deals on connecting rooms, free breakfast and more. Check out the deals here.

You May Also Like

Norfolk Coloring Sheet

Learn More

Things to do in Norfolk 4th of July Weekend

Whether you're locally throwing a backyard barbecue with friends and family, or…
Learn More

About the Artists: Richard Nickel and Clay McGlamory “New Energy of Norfolk”

Learn More

July 2021 Event Guide

Norfolk has a great line up of July events to heat things up! From 4th of July fireworks, festivals and live music to foodie…
Learn More