Brighten up a gray and cold winter with these top nine things to do in Norfolk that will make your days less gloomy and a lot warmer.
Escape to the Tropics for the Day
The cold temperatures are here and we can’t help but dream of a tropical island getaway. While you may not be able to hop on a plane this instant, you can check out Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Tropical House Display for a breath of warm air, towering palms and banana trees!
Attend a Hockey Game
Bundle up and cheer on our professional ECHL hockey team, the Norfolk Admirals, this winter. You can catch a game at the Norfolk Scope Arena located downtown – freshly popped popcorn awaits you!
Devour She-Crab Soup
Winter months in Norfolk are not complete without copious amounts of She-Crab Soup. Those that serve this Southern classic each have their own unique twist to its flavoring, but generally, the soup consists of milk or heavy cream, crab or fish stock, crab meat and crab roe, with a small amount of dry sherry, making for a rich, warm meal during the coldest of days. We highly recommend indulging at Todd Jurich’s Bistro, Freemason Abbey and Captain Groovy’s.
Play at an Arcade
Suitable for families or just a group of fun-loving adults, Circuit Social, located in downtown Norfolk, offers arcade games for all. Test your skills at the classics like Mario Kart and Pac-Man, or enjoy a round of Duckpin bowling, Skeeball and so much more! Pair your gaming with a local brew from one of their 48 self-serve taps, or snag a bite to eat from their all-American menu.
Take a Hot Yoga Class
Escape the cold for an hour with Torch’s Scorch and Burn hot yoga class. You will channel your inner zen and leave the class nice and toasty warm, maybe even appreciating the refreshing cold air outside.
See a Show
Norfolk has a great appreciation for the performing arts and what better way to get out of the house this winter and into a warm cozy theater than by attending a show. Norfolk is home to the Virginia Opera, Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Symphony and make sure you check out Norfolk broadway shows at Chrysler Hall.
Cozy Up with a Cup of Tea
Sip on a cup of hot tea, because sometimes you just need a hot tasty beverage without a jolt of caffeine. Most of Norfolk’s coffee shops offer up delicious teas, like Coalescence’s Rainer Tea – an organic tisane blend with peppermint flavors. Be sure to check out Vessel Craft Coffee’s selection, as their teas are sourced directly from family farms that use sustainable farming practices.
Visit a Free Museum
Norfolk is filled with museums, most of which are free to visit! Discover Norfolk’s maritime history at the Hampton Roads Naval History Museum located inside of Nauticus on the second floor, peruse paintings, dolls and glass art at the Barry Art Museum, or explore over 30,000 original works of art that span more than 5,000 years at Chrysler Museum of Art – all venues offer free admission every day.
Attend a Wine Tasting
A chilly day can quickly become warm after a few sips of delicious wine. Step into Mermaid Winery, Virginia’s only urban winery, or Vino Culture, a boutique wine shop located downtown, for tastings of wines from around the world and around our state. Mermaid Winery has free tastings Fridays from 5-8 pm and Vino Culture offers tastings Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1-5 pm.