Things to Do in Norfolk (2025)

Free, ambitious, and rooted in the community, the Chrysler is best known for its glass collection and ambitious programming. Recent coverage notes the major 2025 expansion of its Perry Glass Studio, underscoring Norfolk’s growing glass arts scene.

Watch live glassblowing at noon or book a hands-on class in the newly expanded studio. The 2025 grand reopening drew regional press and affirmed Norfolk’s reputation as a glass town with public demos and artist residencies.

A downtown incubator filled with rotating small shops, makers, and pop‑ups. Praised by local business media for expanding in 2025, it’s a lively way to meet Norfolk’s emerging brands in a historic arcade.

This independent Ghent arthouse screens new indies and repertory favorites and hosts one of the longest‑running Rocky Horror shows. Local guides and tourism outlets highlight it as an enduring pillar of the city’s film culture.

A NEON District cornerstone for improv, sketch, and classes, often featured on city event calendars and arts roundups. Expect affordable, energetic shows and frequent community collaborations during festivals.

Sail past the skyline and shipyards on the red‑sailed topsail schooner that’s been part of downtown since 1986. Schedules confirm active spring–fall cruises, with narrated harbor tours and sunset sails.

A riverfront Arts‑and‑Crafts estate with 12 acres of gardens and a global collection. Recent exhibitions and year‑round hours are highlighted by regional travel coverage and the museum’s active programming.

Virginia’s largest botanical garden, recognized by Southern Living editors among standout Southern gardens. Current hours, seasonal boat and tram tours, and bloom calendars make it a rewarding stop year‑round.

Fresh off a $21.5 million redesign with new interactive galleries, this waterfront museum anchors tours aboard the historic Wisconsin. Local news and museum updates confirm expanded exhibits and guided experiences.

A beloved 1,400‑plus‑capacity room with national acts and strong sound; praised by music publications and Rolling Stone reader polls. A busy 2025 calendar shows why it’s still a rite‑of‑passage venue downtown.

An inventive, scientist‑led brewery in the Chelsea district, repeatedly recognized by beer media and local outlets; recent medals at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival underline its cred.

A locally owned pioneer of Norfolk’s craft beer scene with a community‑minded taproom, frequent events, and a resident food program, regularly noted by regional publications and city guides.

A Norfolk original where the family still rolls waffle cones on the century‑old machine. Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives, it’s where locals mix barbecue sandwiches with limeades and sundaes.