Hermitage Museum & Gardens

This place is gorgeous! The inside of the home is the depiction of an elegance we don’t see anymore. All the intricate wood carvings on the doors walls and ceiling were truly captivating. The acres of surrounding gardens are just as gorgeous and immaculately kept. My friends and I had so much fun exploring the house, gardens and various art installations. We were also able to take some pretty cute pictures!

Very interesting older house in the Tudor half timbered style with a number of interesting Asian antiques. There is also an interesting garden and walks along the river and the forested grounds.

An awesome museum in a beautiful location. It's hard to believe that admission is free. The grounds alone are worth a visit but the house is stunning with endless details. We came to see the Burden of the Beast art exhibit and it didn't disappoint.

We had our small 10 person wedding here in the East Garden at the end of June and it was beautiful! Not only do they have a deal for their elopement package, but Heather Lindsay and her assistant Alexis were incredible to work with. Alexis even helped tie my shoe before I walked down the isle and kept me calm before the ceremony. Thank you Hermitage! We will keep coming back. (majority of these photos credit: Amanda Robbins Photography @amandarobbinsphoto

I was here for a wedding and the venue was gorgeous! I highly recommend it for this purpose. I enjoyed the outdoor areas, views, and wide variety of plants. I hope to return as a regular visitor someday.

Can't think of of better way to spend my Saturday afternoon. Even if the kids protest...take the. My 15 year old was anti the entire ride there - we pull up to see the Beast of Burden and a massive robot sculpture in the trees...he was engaged and interactive the rest of the visit. Do art. Be in nature. Or visit the Hermitage Museum and Gardens so you can connect with them both. I'm willing to bet most people are glad they did.

Such a surprise! This place is beautiful, and that sculpture is awesome. Great trails, wonderful museum and beautiful scenery. Will definitely return.

Awesome gardens and historic house museum. The staff was super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. This place is a hidden gem and highly recommend.

This is such a gem. Just the gardens outside alone are a beautiful spot to picnic and enjoy the view- I absolutely love seeing the harbor and all the action happening in the water out there. The grounds around the museum allow for a view, and also a beautiful walk! There are trails that go on for a little bit around the premises, and it's definitely family friendly. The museum indoors is very interesting, with lots of artifacts from around the world throughout history. It's also spaced out well to where you aren't too crowded even though it's inside a home. Really interesting spot, definitely recommend!

The grounds around the Hermitage are breathtaking and the staff are pleasant. Just walking through the interior and exterior, feels as if I was traveling through time. Will surely return when in the area.

We had just visited the piers on Norfolk Naval Base and I was in dire need of getting some fresh air afterwards. I am so glad how close the Hermitage Museum and Garden was. What a lovely place to visit after seeing all the bleak, gray, and awful industrial sight. Something about looking at all the industrial buildings made looking at the immaculately kept gardens and walking paths particularly soul quenching. Although the area is only 10 minutes apart, what a night and day difference both places are. I really loved the azaleas and other flowers it was planted in the garden paths. I am looking forward to visiting the actual inside of the museum during my next trip in town.

Cool museum! It's a bit small but it's nice cute museum in the area! There was a wedding going on when we went so the garden area was a bit packed so we mostly spent our time in the museum which was cute! I like the more interactive exhibit that was fun!

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.

This museum and grounds are well worth a trip, in fact, when we visit we like to make almost a half day of it because there is a lot to see, a lot of history and the grounds are so peaceful and inviting. I would give 5 stars but f they changed the scavenger hunt sheets/challenges and added more activities to include the grounds. It's a must to visit, though! The staff is always wonderful!

This picturesque museum is a well kept secret...located in a residential neighborhood off of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, VA. The museum has so much history. It was originally built as a summer home for the Sloane family in 1908. They were avid art collectors and decided to turn their home into a museum in 1937. My favorite activities when I visit this waterfront property are the contemporary exhibition galleries and sitting on the bench to catch a breeze off the river. Throughout the year, the museum hosts several events. My favorite being the annual Halloween theatrical performance. My mother and I had a blast last year!

Great place to the kids out for a bit without crowds. Between the house and the gardens the kids were entertained and had a bit of a chance to run. Good for the adults too.

I wouldn't necessarily call this a "hidden gem" but it certainly feels that way! I've always loved old houses and gardens, and the Hermitage is particularly lovely.

So the Hermitage has been one of those things that has popped up with events on my Facebook page for years and I've always said "I'm gonna go to that" and have not gone. Friends and I have said we're going to go to things and tour it and have not gone. A few years ago I wanted to come for the Burning Man art exhibit terribly bad and did not go.... So last weekend I finally made it for the handmade fair for the last hour and was able to roam around, explore, and look at arts and crafts. It was a beautiful day, everyone was friendly, and I was able to really enjoy the grounds and gardens as well as the entire neighborhood as I had to park a few blocks away and walk. I also toured, quickly, the old historic home and the art on display currently and loved it. This building is beautiful but the grounds are what is really to die for here. Right on the water, gorgeous views, gorgeous gardens and relaxing. I love that this space is devoted to cultivating art and talent. Showcasing different artists and changing up the exhibits often. I saw some very interesting things. Parking can be a bit of a stretch, as mentioned by nearly everyone else, the roads are small and old and tight and you may have to back up all the way down a street if you and an SUV come head to head, but you can park parallel along the street and walk 5-10 minutes and you shouldn't have any problem. Worth a visit. I will be back again, for sure. I'm going to make it a point to visit more often and see the art and listen to the live music on the water they host often.

Our family decided to take a trip to the hermitage museum. We loved every second of it! Our kids was intrigued by the history and loved the view! If your new to the area in Norfolk this is a beautiful place to see and experience with your family.

Nestled in the beautiful Lochhaven neighborhood off the Lafayette River, this home of the Sloane family is a museum of distant treasures near and far. The Sloanes were avid lovers of the Arts. They had a prominent impact of the movement of the Arts in Norfolk. The grounds and the home itself is impressive and beautiful. If you haven't been here at least ONCE and you're a local this is a must. They have rotating exhibits which tend to be contemporary in nature, which I love. I have been here twice, once for the Bruce Munro exhibit and just recently for the Burning man exhibits. I went for the first time to their "sunsets on the river" where they have bands play and food trucks on site to purchase food or alcoholic beverages. You can even bring your own food and drinks, just not your own alcohol. Price for "sunsets"also include admission to the museum as well as the burning man exhibits so it's basically three for the price of one ;-) . "Sunsets on the river" are held every other Thursday I believe during the summer. Parking can be challenging, if you don't arrive early. It's okay just park in the neighborhood. The museum itself also offers classes and programs. You can also pay to become a member and get free admission to "sunsets on the river." If you have free time to spare.. on occasion you can volunteer to set up upcoming exhibits and get free admission. If you want to stay abreast of what's new and upcoming at the Hermitage join their mailing list! The Hermitage is a nice way to spend a beautiful day or evening on lovely grounds with the tranquil water as the backdrop and the lake breeze to cool you off on these hot summery days. I recommend coming to the burning man exhibits on Thursday nights (or every other Thursday??) so you can experience it in the day and night time. The night time is when it's magic happens.

Beautiful gardens and home museum. The trails are fun to follow. Very relaxing. The staff is friendly and accommodating. They have great events all year long!

Lovely scenery, nice people, area around it was beautiful as well. Had a blast. Looking for more things like this. Would've went with my wife but she was on one atm so I went with a friend. We enjoyed it.

I got to finally visit the Hermitage Museum and Gardens (the museum part) this past Sunday and I am so glad I finally went. I used to pass the sign all the time and wonder how it was, and then I'd see photos from shoots there by a local photographer (who also had my shoot there so I got to see the gardens earlier in January), and I knew I had to see the inside. I love seeing museums that allow me to step back in time, especially reading about local history in the Norfolk area. The new exhibit about Vogt was also nice to see, as it does show me that they do change up different showcase exhibits every once in a while. It was interesting to read about this family in a place that I didn't realize had a lot more history than I knew of. I'd highly recommend going, and even though it's not "free", I still say it's worth it to help keep the museum open to the public.

We recently joined the museum, I am looking to get into a ceramics class here and wanted the discount on the courses. What I didn't anticipate is how beautiful this place is, even in January. The house sits beside the water and has been turned into a museum showcasing a beautiful collection of items. Outside you can explore beautiful gardens. I cannot wait for the summer to see these in bloom and for the summer concert series! I'll def be updating my reviews of the ceramics class after it starts at the end of January.

Had a great time returning to this location. My girlfriend and I were back in the area to visit her parents for Christmas and came here to view the outdoor sculpture made out of saplings and branches. There are many renovations taking place. Even in December this museum was as beautiful as ever.

Fascinating museum and gardens! We especially enjoyed the millstones in the courtyard. Lovely place, and free admission!

This place is so beautiful. There is so much to see, whether it is inside the actual building or outside of it. We initially came here to take a look at it as a possible venue for our wedding. Fortunately for us, after we toured the areas where the wedding and the reception would be held, the wedding coordinator let us explore the museum on our own. It was absolutely beautiful. Each room held something that was much cooler than the next. Once outside, however, there were so many different sites to view that I don't even think we were able to see them all. This place was great, I would recommend it to anyone!

Great staff & great collection. A nice place to picnic with the family in the East garden. They have tables there which is very generous.

This is an extraordinary place. Truly magical. The house, the gardens, the art from all over the world. Just a wonderful experience.

Daughter took me to Hermitage Museum and Gardens for fathers day and it was a very enjoyable visit. The history of the building is very interesting and the exhibits of Art inside and out are fascinating and very beautiful to observe. i will be making other trips to get more photographs and have a much closer look at the exhibits. The Staff at the museum are very courteous and knowledgeable of the exhibits inside and out. I highly recommend a visit if you can arrange one.

Oh my, where to start? This place is oozing with charm! I just came home from their Sunset on the River Social and it was sooooo beautiful and relaxing. You get to sit on the lawn and listen to a live jazz band play while sipping some wine and watching the sun go down with friends. What could be better? Oh, I know - you also get to bring your doggies to socialize and it is kid-friendly. There were so many cute kids dancing and blowing bubbles that I just had to join in the fun and soon my friends joined me and we all danced the night away. Not to mention this place is secluded and looks like it is right out of romance novel. Don't just walk, run to the next social - they happen twice a month. See ya there!

Become a member! It's full of events year round! The staff is informative and the grounds are well kept.

good find! i had some spare time before heading to the airport so i decided to stop here. nice blend of architectural and museum qualities to satisfy my interest. you can also download the app to take a free self guided tour, which i did. the staff was friendly and plenty of parking.

A wonderful place to contemplate and relax if you love to browse historic places in a classic environment ;)

This is an amazing Museum that is a little hard to find but definitely worth it. This was the home of the Sloan family and is full of a lifetime of treasures. It is full of various collections of paintings, Russian antiquities and so much more, not in huge quantities but enough to be in awe. We are looking forward to taking guests to the Museum and exploring the grounds.

I had my wedding here, and it was amazing. Cost me a pretty penny, but I'm STILL regularly told that my wedding was the best people had been to, over a year later. The area is beautiful, right on the water, and I couldn't have imagined a more picturesque location for my event. During the year that follows I didn't have much of a chance to go back, so I can't speak to a daily visit, but if you're considering the Hermitage for your next event-- don't hesitate! It was well worth it, for me.

A quiet little haven right on the river. The grounds are beautiful and the museum inside has some interesting and unique pieces, as well as being a beautiful architectural example. If you don't want to see the museum, you can tour the grounds for free. Be sure to visit in the spring when the wisteria is in bloom- it smells heavenly!

The gardens and grounds were absolutely beautiful! However, never plan an event there. I had my wedding there in May. After I made the first payment, the staff did not care and made me and my fiancé feel like we were an inconvenience. "event coordinator" Lily was not helpful and always in a foul mood. Also, they only rent chairs,tents , etc, from Distinct Event Rentals ( which will be another review).