Norfolk · Norfolk City County, VA

Family things to do in Norfolk

Scout analyzed 69 Norfolk places and surfaced the ones that actually fit family.

Places analyzed

Matches

Typical spend

$30

Typical visit

1.7 hr

Complete outings

Family Fun at Virginia Zoo & Park

Treat the family to an afternoon of exploration and play starting with the amazing Virginia Zoo. After meeting exotic animals, grab a casual, family-friendly lunch. Conclude the outing with some unstructured outdoor play at a nearby park.

Scout-verified spots

West Ocean View

Ocean View Beach Park

Ocean View Beach Park is ideal for a relaxed family outing or a weekend adventure with live music. Expect to spend a couple of hours and minimal to moderate cost depending on food or activities.

OutdoorsLive musicViews

$0–$25 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Sports & Recreation

Norfolk Tides Baseball Club at Harbor Park Stadium

Harbor Park is ideal for catching a Minor League baseball game with friends or family, providing an afternoon or evening's entertainment. Expect to spend $20-$50 per person on tickets and concessions.

SportsFoodOutdoors

$20–$50 typical3 hr visitmoderate parking

West Freemason

Freemason Abbey Restaurant

Freemason Abbey is a historic restaurant in a converted church, good for a relaxed dinner outing with traditional American and seafood fare. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $30-75 per person.

FoodCocktailsHistory

$30–$75 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Park Place

Chef's Kitchen and Cocktails

Chef's Kitchen and Cocktails is a good spot for a dinner out, offering both food and drinks in a restaurant setting. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $35-75 per person for a meal and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$35–$75 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Waterside District

Waterside District is suitable for an evening out with friends or a date, offering a variety of casual dining and bar options with live music. Expect to spend 2-3 hours and around $30-$75 per person, depending on food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Spend a half-day or full day exploring this vast wildlife refuge, ideal for an adventurous family outing or solo exploration. Costs are minimal, primarily for gas or a packed lunch, as you can observe animals and scenic views.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Pleasant Grove East

Northwest River Park

Northwest River Park is ideal for a half-day family outing or solo adventure, offering activities like fishing, boating, and horse riding for minimal cost. It's best paired with good weather and can be a primary destination for a morning or afternoon.

OutdoorsAnimalsSports

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

The Fishin' Pig - Norfolk

This is a casual restaurant suitable for a meal any day of the week. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $15-30 per person, making it a good stop for lunch or dinner during a neighborhood visit.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$30 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Capt. Slade Cutter Athletic Park

This park is suitable for a free, casual family outing or a solo active visit, pairing well with a packed lunch. Expect to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours here.

OutdoorsSportsRelaxed

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Sports & Recreation

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

This nature preserve is good for a couple of hours of walking and wildlife viewing, especially on a weekend. Expect to spend little to no money unless you purchase from a gift shop or make a donation.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals

$0–$5 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Hell's Kitchen

This is a good spot for an evening meal or drinks, especially on weekends for live music. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $25-$50 per person.

FoodLive musicCocktails

$25–$50 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

East Ocean View

Bay Oaks Park

Bay Oaks Park is a free outdoor space suitable for a 1-2 hour visit, ideal for a relaxed family outing or solo stroll. It pairs well with a picnic or a nearby coffee shop.

OutdoorsViewsRelaxed

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Fairmont Park

Shoop Park

Shoop Park is a good free option for a short outdoor visit, suitable for families or a solo walk. Expect to spend about an hour here, pairing it with other local activities in Norfolk.

OutdoorsRelaxedPlayful

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Tap It Local

Tap It Local is good for a relaxed evening out with friends, enjoying craft brews and pub food. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $20-45 per person, making it a good casual stop before or after another activity downtown.

FoodCocktailsSports

$20–$45 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown

Norfolk Scope Arena

Norfolk Scope Arena is suitable for attending sports games, concerts, or other large-scale events, often taking 2-3 hours. Expect to spend $25-$150 per person on tickets and concessions.

SportsLive musicSocial

$25–$150 typical3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Ocean View Fishing Pier Restaurant

This is a down-to-earth spot for a casual meal, good for families or a relaxed date night. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and about $15-$30 per person for classic seafood and other dishes.

FoodCocktailsViews

$15–$30 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Arts & Culture

Attucks Theatre

The Attucks Theatre is ideal for an evening out, especially for jazz or comedy. Plan for a 2-hour show, potentially preceded by dinner, with ticket prices usually between $30-$100 per person.

Live musicArtsHistory

$30–$100 typical2.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Highland Park

Cogans Pizza North

Cogans is a casual spot for pizza, wings, and drinks, suitable for an easy weeknight meal or catching a game. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $15-30 per person.

FoodCocktailsSports

$15–$30 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Nightlife

PBR Norfolk A Coors Banquet Bar

PBR Norfolk is a lively bar and night club, best suited for an evening or late-night outing with friends or a date. Expect to spend $30-$75 per person on drinks and potentially some bar food over 1-2 hours.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Highland Park

Chartway Arena

Chartway Arena hosts concerts, sporting events, and family shows, typically lasting 2-3 hours. Expect to spend $30-$150+ per person on tickets and concessions.

SportsLive musicSocial

$30–$150 typical2.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Arts & Culture

Nauticus

Nauticus is a maritime museum suitable for a family outing or visiting tourists, offering a mix of indoor exhibits and outdoor access to a battleship. Expect to spend a few hours exploring the science exhibits, aquarium, and ship, with a per-person cost around $20-$35.

ArtsHistoryAnimals

$20–$35 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking

Olde Towne

Children's Museum of Virginia

This museum is good for a 2-3 hour family outing, especially with young children. Expect to spend around $10-15 per person for admission, offering hands-on exhibits and antique trains.

ArtsHistoryAnimals

$10–$15 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking

Ghent

PIXELS Pints & Bytes

PIXELS Pints & Bytes is a good spot for a casual evening out, offering arcade games and bar food. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $20-30 per person.

FoodCocktailsSports

$15–$35 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown

Leone's Italian

Leone's is a solid choice for a casual Italian dinner, whether for a date or with family. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $20-40 per person, especially if enjoying drinks on the patio.

FoodCocktailsShopping

$20–$40 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking