The Best Museums in Virginia Beach

Portsmouth Railroad Museum Of VA

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (6)

"Super nice and informative people that run this joint. It's small and quaint but worth the stop. Pretty neat train set up of Suffolk...including a funeral disaster. Love me some dark humor."

Colonial Williamsburg Merchants Square Ticket Office

★★★★☆ 4 (9)

"If you haven't been to Colonial Williamsburg, you need to drop everything and go. So rich in our history, and so entertaining. And in the fall they often run specials allowing you a membership for little more than the cost of an activity. I purchased the membership allowing us unrestricted access and a carriage ride where we were given the roles of the richest people in town!Ate in a local pub...that was interesting. Food was "authentic" and ale was good. There are many little stores interspersed in the town where we got some interesting period pieces. Even Orange Blossom water, which the food network site told me how to use!I could have spent a week here, but we had limited time. Someday I will get back and allowed a full week to satisfy my curiosity!"

Nauticus

★★★★★ 4.5 (150)

"My kids had so much fun exploring the battle ship.They have a new kids area for children to play.It's a very informative place with something for everyone."

Jamestown Settlement

★★★★☆ 4.2 (197)

"Fantastic! It's a beautiful spot to visit. My friends and family have enjoyed the Jamestown Settlement. We've been here 3 times and it just never gets old. You will be walking. But, if walking is too much you can always stay inside and enjoy the museum, movies, eatery, and the gift store. The exterior has areas to explore. There is a village like setting, boats in the water and buildings to explore. If it's hot takeThat into consideration while visiting. This is definitely something to experience!"

Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum

★★★★★ 4.6 (10)

"Choo-choo choose to stop at this depot for a fascinating history of the railways! Casper is highly "trained" to guide you through the museum with interesting facts about this loco hot spot! This detailed displays will enthrall the most avid ferroequinologist and "passenger" alike! Of particular note is the huge model railway system that dominates one room and extends into another! I marveled at the minute details of this model, like the water tower and the funeral scene complete with a body in the coffin! In the various rooms were exhibits of conductor uniforms, railway equipment, signage, antique luggage and accessories used by passengers- all marked with plaques and cards delineating facts about the train industry. Another room paid homage to Suffolk's claim to fame, the Planters Peanut factory, complete with a statue of Mr. Peanut himself! Vintage tins, collectibles and burlap peanut bags are on display in glass cases along with an old peanut cart that once traveled up and down Main Street selling hot roasted peanuts! It was pretty cool! There's also a little section devoted to train gifts, books and toys!! Train whistles, anyone?? My favorite area was "the Tower" which had a floating walnut wooden spiral staircase that led up to the room where the "train watchers" could get a near 360 degree view of the tracks! The small room may have also been used by the telegraph operators. Don't miss going up these unique steps, but be careful! In the back of the train station/museum you'll find an awesome caboose, perfect for photo ops! And in the front you'll discover a community book box/Little Free Library fashioned like a train car! It's stocked with Thomas the Trains books and other children's books for the little tikes! For train enthusiasts and historians, this museum is right on track!!"

The Mariners' Museum and Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (97)

"The Mariner's Museum was neat! The Mariners Cafe was closed for renovation. Before reaching the ticketing counter, I noticed that they were collecting Unwrapped toys until December 14th for a Toys for Tots Drive. Admission is very affordable, so bring cash. It is $1 per person. They gave us a map of the museum and another map of the park (with a 5-mile hiking trail around Mariner's Lake. They have scavenger hunts and stickers for kids. Since it was our first visit, the Vietnam Veteran recommended us what to see in a particular order. I enjoyed learning about the history of Monitor and looking at recovered artifacts. My favorite parts of the museum were The Miniature Ships of August and Winnifred Crabtree and International Small Craft Center. The latter had smaller boats from all over the country. The museum shop sold toys, apparel, and tons of books. The most interesting souvenirs were the desk pyramids and scrimshaw bone box. I was surprised they didn't have any shot glasses or wooden steering wheel or boat ornaments!"

Isle Of Wight County Museum

★★★★☆ 4.4 (9)

"For 2 bucks, it's A-OK (3 stars). Now by the time I get to the post button, I may bump this review up half a star just for the old ham on display, which is kinda interesting. See the review by Anna S. for more on this famous piece of preserved pork. Outlived by a ham. Damn! Also, the movie about Smithfield and it's famous (old) ham is worth half a star, so who knows, I may go four stars on this as I think about it more. And I almost forgot about the oldest peanut. That's two old things for the low low price of 2 dollars. The museum is free for ages 17 and under. Don't recall if there was a senior discount. Plus there are lots old documents and photos, Does this review leave you wanting more? The check out the "LIVE at 12:05" - Watch the Ham Cam for live broadcasts at 12:05 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday! Link is on the homepage ( http://www.historicisleofwight.com/visit-us.html ) . Also on the home page are some on-line exhibits, including a link the "LIVE at 12:05" cam and a walking tour (the FREE UniGuide app is required). Bottom line: Don't miss it. It's well worth the price of admission."

USS Wisconsin BB-64

★★★★★ 4.6 (72)

"The last battleship ever built. USS Wisconsin was constructed in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, first commissioned into service on 16 April 1944 and served out the last 16 months of WWII shelling the beaches of Okinawa and the Japanese home islands before being decommissioned in 1948. She was recalled to duty in 1951 to serve in the Korean War and reactivated again in 1988 and served in the Persian Gulf War in 1991, firing off the first Tomahawk cruise missiles into Iraq. She was soon retired months after the war. In 2009, Wisconsin was transferred to the City of Norfolk and finally opened as a museum ship in 2012.A little known fact is that in 1956, Wisconsin had an accident at sea, colliding with the destroyer USS Eaton in dense fog and ripping off the lower part of her bow. Her sister ship, the incomplete battleship Kentucky at the time was cancelled, so her bow was transplanted and welded to Wisconsin, hence her nickname "WisKy".The Wisconsin Battleship Museum is part of the Nauticus complex at the downtown Norfolk waterfront, just upstream of her old active duty homeport at the Norfolk Naval Station. She was the last of the 4 Iowa-class battleships to be turned into a museum, so she is in pretty good condition. Her teak decks had been replaced in the late 80's reactivation and there is very little rust on her, surprisingly. She retains most of her original guns including the (9) 16" Mk 7 guns in her 3 armored turrets, (12) 5" Mk 12 guns in 6 turrets, as well as the (8) Tomahawk Armored box launchers from the 80's. However, 3/4 of her Harpoon launchers and all (4) Mk15 Phalanx CIWS had been removed to be reused elsewhere when she was mothballed.Our self-guided tour started at the bow up to the foc'scle (forecastle), up topside to the missile launcher decks, down 3 decks to the sailor living spaces and the officers quarters including the wardroom. One of the docents gave a talk about the 16" guns and the 1900 lb shells they fired. There are additional guided tours ($20) that go into the Pilot House, Captain's Quarters and below decks to the engine and machinery spaces. We skipped the additional tours because I was already pooped from climbing all those inclined ladders. Christmas is already in preparation on the Wisconsin with light nets installed all over her weather decks waiting for the signal to turn on. I just wish that we could have been there for that. For Norfolk, it's like lighting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is for New York City. We completed the set of visiting the 4 Iowa sister battleships after seeing New Jersey in Camden, NJ, Missouri in Pearl Harbor, HI and Iowa in San Pedro, CA."

Barrier Islands Center

★★★★★ 4.7 (7)

"What a well done museum in an unexpected place!! We were looking for a day trip from our home in Norfolk and saw this one on TripAdvisor. Since it is only about 20 miles from the bridge tunnel up the shore (one of my favorite places on earth!), we decided to check it out. SO glad we did! And since admission is free, it made the bridge tunnel toll worth it!When you walk in you are greeted by the most friendly docent who gives you a brief background of the museum and what it's about. She told us they have several films and asked if we wanted to watch any of them. We did - "Our Island Home" gives you a terrific view of what life on Hog Island was like before it was abandoned from people who were actually born there. After whatever movie(s) you want to watch, you are "free range" to explore the museum. It is SO well done. I could have roamed around for longer than the 2 hours we were there (but I'm a museum reader - I have to check out everything!). Definitely allow yourself a couple of hours to explore. The exhibits are fantastic and laid out well. All artifacts were donated or on loan from actual island families - they don't purchase their artifacts. I like that. Shows the love for the community that these people have. Definitely check out the attic! There are hands on things for the kids - it's hot up there in the summer though! I was fascinated by the twisted chimney (not going to tell you why it was built that way - you'll have to go find out for yourself!). This is a GREAT little stop if you are looking for something cool to do on your way up or down Rt. 13 on your way to your vacation or a great day trip from the VA Beach area. With all their many activities and programs, we will definitely be back!"

The Virginia War Museum

★★★★★ 4.5 (15)

"This is a great museum! It is very cohesive and organized. Excellent display of weapons and uniforms of the American trooops as they evolved. Excellent WW II uniforms of the German troops. Seemed like a small museum from the outside but it took a couple hours to get through. And the price of six dollars was a bargain for admission."

Old Coast Guard Station

★★★★☆ 4.2 (11)

"Ghost tour!!!! We randomly came across this tour as we were walking the boardwalk.... a MUST SEE! Our lady (dressed in time authentic clothes) told us of the shipwrecks, and history of the area... she told of the ghost stories and of the interesting facts of the station as well.Only $10 for adults and well worth the time. It is a 1/2 block walk aprox and about 90 min long. Awesome time!"

Colonial Williamsburg Greenhow Lumber House Ticket Office

★★★★☆ 4 (7)

"Very nice folks in here that will assist with your carriage ride tour. It's not cheap, but is a cool was to take a guided tour of the grounds. I had hoped to take my daughter for a ride this past week by they were booked.Get your tickets early, this is a major attraction and the rides cut off by 1 PM most days."

Lightship Portsmouth Museum

★★★★☆ 4 (3)

"The U.S. Lightship Service began in 1820. The Lightship Portsmouth was constructed in 1915. She served for 48 years off the coast of Virginia, Delaware, Massachusetts helping Mariners avoid dangerous shoals, or enter safely into harbors at night.Typically, ships would anchor at a strategic location sea and remain there for months at a time. The maximum crew during service was 15 men.In 1964, the vessel was retired to Portsmouth Virginia and renamed according to the custom of naming lightships after the site were they were stationed. It's cool to see off the water because it's lit up at night. I volunteered as a docent a year back in early 2016 and it was a rewarding experience. In 1989, the Lightship Portsmouth was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today it's a museum with quarters are fitted out realistically and filled with fascinating artifacts, uniforms, photographs & models.It's worth a visit. There are few remaining examples to tour in the country. Exurbs..."Lightship Portsmouth""

Ocean View Station Museum

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Great to step back into time and recall the memories of times past. There are lots of photographs, exhibits, HS yearbooks and much more to see, including "artifacts" from the old amusement park. While there say "Hi" to Charlie (Friday-Saturday volunteer) and pick up an OV cap or T-shirt...and check out all the old amusement park memorabilia."

Hermitage Museum and Gardens

★★★★★ 4.7 (30)

"The first museum of Norfolk Virginia was established by Florence Sloane in her 42 room mansion built in 1908. Today the Sloane Collection has over 5,000 objects of decorative & fine art. It represents 30 countries and 5,000 years of art history. Mrs. Sloane used her home as a place of learning for art, music, religion & culture. She believed that art was the most important part of a civilized society. I found the detailed woodwork to be the most amazing aspect of the home. The grounds off the Lafayette River are used for all types of events year around. My last event was this past Summer that brought music and food trucks together. When driving up to the estate you will pass the Water Tower & Sunken Gardens. This charming lighthouse type structure was built in 1922 to replace a previous structure. Designed by Charles Woodsend to resemble blend with the their "Summer" home. Mr. Woodsend also had his studio below until his death in 1927. Today it is a visual reminder of the Hermitage and can be seen for a distance due to its proximity off the river where you can also see small craft in the area from nearby Norfolk Yacht. The estate & grounds are closed due to COVID-19. When they reopen self guided tours will resume."

Roanoke Island Maritime Museum

★★★★☆ 4.3 (4)

"I happened upon this place while walking around and it was one of those hidden gems you only find once in a while when you are a tourist.This museum is actually a working boat shop with exhibits, watercraft on display and there was a restoration project going on while I was there. I also learned from speaking to the people there that they offer educational programs on building traditional watercrafts for adults and children. You can also tour a reconstruction of a lighthouse that once stood on the barrier islands complete with educational exhibits.They also had a tower that is still working to let people know via different flags flying for weather conditions that will be approaching. They have the original signal lights working on it from when it went into use. I always enjoy an interactive museum that still has a purpose as well as friendly people who have a passion for what they are doing and want to share it with you. Plus, I just really like boats and sailing!"

Thoroughgood House

★★★★★ 4.8 (8)

"A piece of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia Beach, VA. Well not exactly, but you will get that same feel. The Adam Thoroughgood House is one of the oldest, if not the oldest structures in Princess Anne Co. A more accurate dating of its age pins it younger at circa 1720. Adam Thorowood arrived in Virginia in 1621 as indentured servant and was granted a land parcel. The builder of the home is believed to be Argall Thorowgood grandson of Adam. The properties first habitants is thought to be the Chesapeake Indians. The location is in residential Thoroughgood neighborhood adjacent to Churchpoint and formerly Bayville Farms. Your GPS will get you there. Parking is in front of the grounds. The home boast a water view from a dead end of the Lynnhaven River. Tours are provided by volunteers and a fabulous new visitors center was recently added. The City of Virginia Beach acquired the historic home property since the property in 2003 and it quickly underwent renovations the same year. There is programming, look for announcements. Our family has always enjoyed special events such as Lord Dunmore's Revenge. This is a day that involves local re-inactors during revolutionary time. I recommend checking this incredible piece local gem out. A small fee is collected to visit."

Whalehead In Historic Corolla

★★★★☆ 3.8 (31)

"Bottom Line: A very interesting museum house that showcases the history and culture of Currituck and 1920s America but interruptions distracted from the overall experience.I love the Whalehead Club, as the Corolla Island mansion is commonly known, and I am so grateful it has been restored to its former glory and is open to the public for tours. Not only has the 21,000 square foot home been beautifully restored but many of the original furnishing have been located and reclaimed for the home which is quite a feat. Although I have toured the home previously I was equally enthusiastic to tour it again. The tour is only $7 and it takes you through most of the house which is awesome but I found the format of the tour to be a bit clumsy. It is an audio tour so initially I was expecting the audio would be through a personal headset but instead when you enter a room you hit play on an iPod that amplifies the narrative through a speaker. The content of the narrative was great and I believe it was fairly recently recorded, perhaps last year, so it has relatable references like that to the popular TV show Dowton Abbey. But at times it was a tad difficult to hear the audio when docents were chatting amongst themselves in quiet voices or when the audio was playing in an adjacent room so for that reason I would have preferred a headset. But overall, the audio was very interesting, informative and thoughtfully done.When the audio recording was complete for each room we were quickly ushered to the next listening station which is one of my biggest disappointments. Sometimes I wanted to take a second look at a photo, admire the view out the window or imagine what life was like in the home but there was not much of a chance to immerse myself in the experience even though I think there was only one other couple in the home (I could see that on the surveillance monitor when we paid and I wondered to myself why it wasn't busier.) My other disappointment is that the enthusiastic staff often interjected like when I was admiring Tiffany lamps in the dining room or artifacts in the basement. It was kinda like going to the movies with someone who wants to commentate through the movie and although I know it came from a good place it was distracting. I saw other reviewers noting they felt rushed and micromanaged too.Anyway, the home tells a wonderful story about the Knights, their circa 1920s winter home and the waterfowl hunting culture of Currituck. I enjoy American history, architecture and the Outer Banks so I was in heaven touring the Arts Noveau mansion nestled between the sound and ocean. I really appreciate the details of the house like the duck bill doorknobs and the Pullman Car playing cards on display and that you get to see the majority of the home. I also enjoyed the exhibits in the basement. It was fun to see the roaring 1920s attire and learn about the home's history after the Knight's death. A short film related to the house would have been an added bonus.The home is a museum and for me one of the hallmarks of a good museum is to inspire additional learning which the Whalehead Club certainly does. I have since enjoyed several books and documentaries on historic Currituck and the Whalehead Club. This is a fabulous landmark that has been painstaking restored by the utmost dedicated individuals and I encourage everyone to support this amazing museum."

Virginia Musical Museum

★★★★★ 4.9 (13)

"This was the last thing I did before exiting the Williamsburg area. And I quite enjoyed myself. Let's address where this is located. Do not be discouraged if you pull up to the address provided to get here and find a piano store. The museum is located within the piano store. I know, it felt odd when I first entered here, but it fit into the building.When I arrived I was greeted by the guy in charge and I asked about the museum. There is a small fee to visit the museum portion of the building. What is really interesting about this place is that they don't expect you to pay for your museum visit until you exit the museum portion. I know what you are thinking, you can't just skip out of here. The museum winds through the back of the building and between two floors. When you exit the museum portion you end up back out into the piano showroom. Honestly, not a bad system if you ask me, makes you appreciate it a bit more.As the name suggests, this is a museum that focuses on the music. Whether it be by instruments or machines that produce music or it be an artist or group that has achieved something musically.You start off downstairs in a room with old musically machines. Some you can interact with, other you are not allowed to touch. And it is so hard to not touch in here. You just want to hear the music. The start spot is just a single room downstairs and then you head upstairs where a majority of the museum takes up a good portion of space.The first room you enter upstairs is like a shrine to musically instruments. From violins to, of course, pianos. You see how people listened to music over time. You saw how musical instruments evolved over time. You got to see how microphones changed over the years to be better for their destined use.Then, you walk into the Virginia Music Hall of Fame. I had no idea this was a thing. Bet you didn't either. Some people enshrined in this area I knew about, others surprised me. Some of the notable people that are in here: Phil Vassar, Missy Elliot, Ricky Van Shelton, Pharrell Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, The Carter Family (June et al), Patsy Cline, Pearl Bailey, and many more. Each area is curated to each artist or act. Once you make your way through the hall of fame, you head downstairs and through some rooms that show older pianos/organs. You think because you are seeing this the the museum is winding down and you need to prepare yourself to head back outside. But, there is like one more surprise before you exit the museum.You enter the Wayne Newton exhibit. And it is as over the top as you would think it is. This may be one single room, but wow, they packed a lot into this room including his car that was intended for Marvin Gaye. Before you pop out you can stand in an opera dress and take a selfie.With that, I give you review 2,800. It has taken me a while to get here, and with a setback in my reviews where some of them were combined (I would have been there sooner) I am happy to give you this review, and I can't think of a better establishment for it to be reviewed for."

Hampton History Museum

★★★★☆ 4.4 (8)

"A must visit if you're a resident of the Peninsula. There's a lot of cool history that took place in the City of Hampton 400+ years ago. It's a small museum and it's only $5 for the tour. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour to enjoy some local history as well as knowing that the museum is actually situated in the same exact area where they showcase some of their exhibits.The tour will make you hungry for eating crabs so plan your next stop accordingly!"

Ferry Plantation House

★★★★★ 4.9 (9)

"Im gonna keep this short (kinda like a sneak peek) so you guys can check this place out. Its A historic house, Located in the midst of a newer built neighborhood. This house was built on a huge plantation, taken place when slaves were still present. The ladies who own the house toured us through the house starting from the bottom in the kitchen, to the attic where a previous slave had stayed and had never left. They had spirits of the previous owners of the house still living there, roaming the house up and down the stairs, foot steps in the attic, and a cat that would "accidently" nestle against your leg. If you are not a wuss, they have a evening visit where you can try and find paranormal activity. You should Def check this place out!"

DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum

★★★★☆ 4.2 (19) • $

"An interesting choice as part of the Colonial Williamsburg museum pass, I enjoyed my time here at the DeWitt Wallace.A lot to see and a tremendous amount of reading involved. Lots of history and background along with the exhibits and artifacts. There's a happy medium between too little and too much, I found this to be leaning over towards too much. But that's just my preference.Music, clothing, lots of furniture, paintings, firearms even a display dedicated to firefighting during Colonial times. Interesting, for sure.Easy to spend half a day here, I was a bit tired of it after 90 minutes.[Review 12168 overall, 1952 of 2019.]"

Crispus Attucks Cultural Center Inc

★★★★★ 4.5 (11)

"Small... vintage...intimate...I like it!This was my second time visiting this venue and I love the atmosphere. I attended a comedy show a few Friday's ago and had the pleasure of sitting in the box seats. Well I think they were folding chairs...not sure, but it was comfortable and the view of the stage was perfect. The view wasn't head on but if I had the chance I'd get those seats again.On this level, the restroom was steps away which was a good thing. The seats were right near a ledge, therefore I rested my beverage there for easy access. But that didn't last long. An usher came over and advised no cups are allowed on the ledge for safety reasons. Well it was either hold my cup or place it on the floor.The box seating area seats four people. Box seating is available to the left and the right of the stage on the next floor up from the lower level.I believe they have an elevator, but we took the steps which wasn't a bad climb at all...maybe 20 steps in total.The ushers were readily available to help everyone find their seats without worry.The restroom/lounge area for women is huge on the second floor. The restroom was super clean.I am not sure if beverages are served for all events, but for this night, beverages were sold on the first floor...beer, wine and mixed drinks. I believe I saw some shelled peanuts as well for sell.The attendants were moving the refreshment lines rather quickly...four lines...wait time under three minutes.The distance from the parking lot to the venue is a short walk, but there is parking available on the street as well.This venue features events from time to time so definitely check out the website and plan to check out upcoming performances. Some are free and some require ticket purchases.Have fun and enjoy life :)"

Hunter House Victorian Museum

★★★★★ 4.8 (6)

"Built in 1894 for Mr. James Wilson Hunter & wife Lizzie. Hunter was a prominent merchant, banker & civic leader. The home is restored close to original and is in private foundation.Located in the Freemason District, one of the original neighborhoods in Norfolk. Beautiful two story eclectic nineteenth century homes line the street. Parking is off street. Hours Wednesday-Saturday 10 AM to 3:30 PM Sunday 12:30-3:30 PM. Ring the door bell and wait for a guide to answer. Admission is $5 adult, $4 senior, $1 child. No pictures are not permitted inside the home. Gift store on the third floor. Definitely a hidden gem off the beaten path that I have enjoyed over the years. Worthy for visitors and locals alike to check out."

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

★★★★★ 4.5 (98)

"I was honestly very surprised at how good this museum was. Living in Northern Virginia/DC, you get a bit snooty since you're surrounded by famous museums. But Yorktown was better than many in my area, they've put a ton of thought, love and care. There are two parts - an indoor museum and an outdoor Revolutionary War era village. Starting with the museum, it has a bit of something for everyone. If you're a history buff who likes to read, then they've got plenty of panels and artifacts. But if you like a lighter, interactive experience, you're in luck as the museum also has plenty of modern touches. Some exhibits are holograms. You have plenty of things you can touch (including French, British, and American sabers). And a very impressive 4D movie on an ultra-wide screen that you don't even pay extra for (which I very much appreciated). The village is standard for this type of thing, but still very high quality. And there's a lot of fun stuff. They had a musket shooting demonstration (where they shoot a blank into the nearby woods), a doctor's tent where you can interact with the brutal looking medical equipment of the day, a garden (my daughter was allowed to pull up some carrots) and various dwellings (including those of the enslaved people who lived there). The volunteers were all very knowledgeable and very nice, and bonus points for being equally as comfortable talking to me as my kids. I also have to give a real thumbs up to the small cafe. They have an espresso bar FULL of fun drinks that taste good too. There is a very small offering of food and a sizable selection of local products. I usually skip cafes in museums, but this one is high quality.They've built a really impressive experience that appeals to history buffs and novices of all ages. Highly recommend."

St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum

★★★★★ 4.6 (27)

"St. Luke's may have been built as early as 1632 and is a gorgeous example of an English rural church and has both Gothic & Jacobean features. The interior is a must to tour.A majority of funding is through their on site gift store which is fabulous! The items are eclectic and prices fair. The staff is friendly and ready to assist Tour tickets for the church are obtained in the gift store. Adults are $8, students $5 and 6 and under FREE. If you think the exterior resembles Historic Jamestowne Church your right, but this church may be even older. Most experts now believe the building to have been constructed 50-75 years later than 1632 as originally thought.Once inside you will view the stain glass windows to the rear. The glass was installed in the 1950's during a major renovation. The windows were retrieved from a European church that closely dates St. Luke's. There is also a one of a kind parlor organ from 1600's the foundation purchased in the 1950's from an estate sale. It was later found out a family Norfolk England owned.There is so much more that could be written about the stunning property, but why not discover for yourself. On occasion Episcopal services are held, look for dates on their website, or Facebook page. The trip is not far for anyone in Hampton Roads. I would recommend a visit to see this beautiful piece of local history."

Virginia Air & Space Science Center

★★★★☆ 3.6 (99)

"Five hundred Five stars for this place!The minute we walked in, it was big smiles from ear to ear for everyone. Just amazing, enormous, educational, beautiful, and just plain awesome. I didn't want to leave. Very well done. What we saw:PlanesJets planes dangling from the ceilingPlanets hanging from the ceilingAstronaut floating in the airAn full-on airplane to sit in the cockpitPlay area for kidsIMAX theatre Fantastic gift shopSnack bar popcorn for the movieSo clean, spacious and just plain fun. Awesome staff.We loved it so much we are thinking of becoming members. Beautiful waterfront location. Go!Support this important museum."

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

★★★★☆ 3.9 (61) • $

"I loved my recent visit to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, in which the featured exhibition was the 'Summer of Women' - this was a collection of 'She Says: Women', 'Words and Power', 'Amplify', and 'Lauren Keim: Everyday Magic', which all provided both the setbacks and the advances of women. LOVE!Artists from VA, MD, NC, and DC were featured, but my absolute favorite was all the work by artist Nastassja Swift - she's a sculptural fiber artist and uses portraiture through wool - I was absolutely enchanted with all her pieces!!!The staff here were so welcoming, friendly, and helpful. There's a little gift shop behind where you check-in, and the space is really set-up quite nicely.The visit was generously funded by the Goode Family Foundation, admission was free, but you'd just have to register online in advance, which was super easy to do. I can't wait to check out other future events and exhibitions they'll hold.Plenty of parking in their private lot.+great exhibits+friendly staff+plenty of parking in private lot"

Lee Hall Mansion

★★★★☆ 3.5 (8)

"A cute little historical house, not of a famous person, but it was nice to learn about the history of one local individual. Downstairs there are 2 rooms with a timeline of the Civil War, specifically the Peninsula Campaign, and some artifacts, and the rest of the rooms are dedicated to the house furnishings and information about the founder of the house and subsequent owners.There are signs outside about the property including information outside a kitchen that is not open to the public. It sounded like they'd like to recreate someday, but they aren't there yet. It isn't as lavish as other houses, but I think it's a work in progress. It was an interesting stop to learn something new. Plenty of parking and little gift shop."

Norfolk Southern Museum

★★★★☆ 3.7 (3)

"Nice museum showcasing the history of the various railroads that ultimately formed the current Norfolk Southern Corporation. It may appear small but there is plenty of content to browse. (I managed to spend about an hour going through it). Great for railfans.Thumbs up: Price (FREE!), location, railroading exhibits."

Watermen's Museum In Yorktown

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Cute little museum with nautical exhibits. The museum is $5 for adults and is full of local history."

Carnival Magic

★★★★☆ 3.5 (2)

"This was my first time taking a cruise from Port Norfolk and my first time on this carnival ship, Carnival Magic.I believe this ship debuted in 2011 give or take a year, but I had a great time up here!We arrived to the port at our designed time and it was a breeze to get dropped off and have our luggage picked up by the concierge.This was my husbae first time cruising, so he thought the lines were long, but actually as a 2nd time cruiser, I remember the lines being long, but they went fast, as with this ship.The ship is not the largest, but there is so much to do onboard.Things to do such as: gamble, slots, blackjack etc., activities for the kids young and older (teens), tons of places to eat from, unlimited ice cream, hot tubs, movie nights, trivia... basically it is what you make it because every day and night something was going on.The lido deck is like the party place to meet up and get in the pool. While the pool is not huge it looked as though it served its purpose for those wanting the pool vibe.I loved the gym and hot sauna set up.There is a full bball court on the ship and a water slide too.If you have not checked out this ship, please do so. I highly recommend. If you are thinking about cruising alone or with friends, family etc. you should fairly enjoy yourself onboard and if you decide to get off at any ports.During my cruise, we stopped in Bahamas - very nice!Take care, have fun and enjoy life :)"

Hampton Roads Naval Museum

★★★★☆ 4.2 (6)

"What amazing history! I feel as if I learned so much during my time here. You will too, if you take advantage of all of the information presented in each exhibit as opposed to just quickly walking through. I learned a lot about the Vietnam War and the video accounts of those who were prisoners of war were quite harrowing. If you're in the area, you should definitely include this museum on your agenda.The museum entrance fee also included a tour of the battleship. We totally enjoyed touring this USS Wisconsin.We parked in a nearby parking garage and crossed an intersection in order to enter the museum."

Stratford Hall

★★★★☆ 4.4 (33)

"I had previously went here with my kids about 15 years ago and since Tony and I were in the area I decided to stop again. It was very easy to find close to Colonial Beach VA in the same area where other famous people were born and lived Stratford Hall is the birthplace and Childhood home of Robert E Lee in 1807 and his siblings. I am a history major and my dream job was to be a history teacher but I never made it. So, when my kids and nieces & nephew was growing up I dragged them on field trips back in time and they actually LOVED it!!!! As adults now, they tell me it's some of their favorite childhood memories. Stratford Hall is a gorgeous working (still today) Plantation. There is a gorgeous Great House, tons of out buildings and barns. Built in 1730 by Thomas Lee, its still one of the greatest homes ever built in American History.Over 2000 acres spread out along the banks of the Potomac River. Lee Family had various notable descendants born and raised here.Including 2 Signers of the Declaration of Independence : Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. Also American Revolution War Hero "Light Horse Harry" Lee father of Robert E Lee.The Grounds Pass for $8 per adult and $5 per child gives you access to the property for the hiking trails, public grounds, beach area access and gardens BUT not to the Great House or other buildings.General adult admission tickets for the Driving Tour that is audio to 28 stops is $12 each and $5 per child. This is the one we chose to do today.Currently due to Covid-19 the Great Hall and Buildings are closed. If in the area, I highly recommend you to check it out. Amazing how in 9 years, it will be 300 yrs old!!"

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

★★★☆☆ 3 (1)

"Portsmouth's Naval Museum is odd in that unlike any other maritime museum I've visited - there are no exhibits actually sitting in the water. There's a lightship on display, but that's sitting outside an apartment building, and the rest is contained within the walls of a small but well-kept building in Old Town Portsmouth.Admission to the attraction is $2. That should adequately manage your expectations should you decide to make the tip out here. That said, the price is a great value for what's here. The museum covers the history of Portsmouth/Norfolk and those shipyards, because it is impossible to understand the history of each without understanding how integral shipbuilding is to the course of these cities. I'm a big WWII guy, but I found myself spending most of the trip in the Civil War section. It seemed like there was a whole lot more collected from that era. The WWII stuff wasn't quite what I had hoped. Overall though, an hour spent here won't hurt you. And there's plenty to see around this town as well."