Experience · Norfolk

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.

A 4.5-hour Highland Park afternoon plan for solo — Virginia Zoo, Cogans Pizza North, Lafayette Park.

Duration: 4h 30m
Cost: $50–$100
Stops: 3 stops
Area: Highland Park
Walking: Moderate walking · Total 2-mile driving route
Best time: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for: Solo · Families · Kids · Adults

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The plan

1Virginia Zoo(2 hr 30 min)→
2Cogans Pizza North(1 hr)→
3Lafayette Park(1 hr)

Why this plan works

Every stop sits in Highland Park, so the whole plan happens inside one neighborhood. Virginia Zoo is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Lafayette Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to solo, families, families with kids, and adults who want a planned Norfolk outing without improvising between stops.

The story

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

1
2h 30m
Virginia Zoo
Family
Sprawling park with 700+ animals from 150+ species, plus tours, gardens & kids' camps.
What to do — Spend a few hours wandering through the different exhibits, seeing elephants, giraffes, reptiles, and more. Don't miss the kids' area or any special animal encounters.
1.1 mi · 5 min drive
Then Drive a short distance to a family-friendly restaurant for lunch.
2
1 hr
Cogans Pizza North
Food & Drink · Highland Park
What to do — Order your favorite pizzas, maybe some wings or salads, and relax after your zoo adventure. This casual spot is perfect for hungry kids.
0.9 mi · 18 min walk or 5 min drive
Then Take a short drive to a nearby park for some playtime.
3
Optional 1 hr
Lafayette Park
Outdoors
This 32-acre park features a playground, picnic shelters & a boat ramp, plus basketball & baseball.
What to do — Head to the playground for some slides and swings, or simply enjoy a picnic and relax by the water. It’s a great way for children to unwind.

The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Norfolk itinerary for solo?: Yes. It's built for solo, families, families with kids, and adults and runs about 4 hr 30 min across 3 stops, starting at Virginia Zoo.
How long does this outing take?: Plan on 4 hr 30 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Norfolk itinerary cost?: Roughly $50–$100 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?: Not entirely. The stops cover about 2 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?: No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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