Norfolk Botanical Garden

For our wedding day, we had our cocktail hour at the gazebos by the rose garden and our reception in the Renaissance Court, and it was truly everything we dreamed of and more. The Norfolk Botanical Garden is absolutely stunning!! So many of our guests kept telling us how beautiful the setting was, I especially love the water by the Renaissance court. From the flowers, walkways, and the atmosphere, it felt like a fairytale. The staff was incredible. Every single person we interacted with was friendly, kind, and so attentive. They made the entire day feel effortless and fun, and we never had to worry about a thing. Their professionalism and warmth really set the tone for the whole celebration. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful or memorable place to celebrate. If you’re looking for a venue that’s gorgeous, well-run, and genuinely special, the Norfolk Botanical Garden is perfect. Highly, highly recommend! *PS! All the vendors that are required when planning a celebration are also outstanding. I was worried at first since we didn’t have any choice in certain vendors, but I couldn’t have been happier with how everything turned out!

I've only ever been for Christmas time (I will change that this year, lol), but it has never let me down. Their holiday lights set ups get better every single year! It's absolutely beautiful, and such a wonderful time to just walk around with some friends or partner. I especially love that they have food trucks spread throughout so you have places to stop and get something to drink or eat. I highly recommend to do during the holidays!!

This was a great family experience. Definitely a treat for kids and dogs (dogs had special admission days). It was beautiful and just amazing how the light show was constructed. The light show had many different themes (holiday and non holiday). They also had vendors who sold hot chocolate and teas donuts, hot dogs and popcorn. 5 vendors in total on the light show trail. Definitely will visit again.

We went to the Garden of Lights. This was so beautiful! Having them at different slotted times is definitely a good idea. The trail is very well illuminated. It had lots of music and natural sounds on the speakers in the trails. I loved all the themes as well.

We had been a few years ago during the day, but wanted to check out the Garden of Lights. We were not disappointed - this is for sure our favorite holiday light event we've been to. They've done a marvelous job with the decorating - with all different types of lighting. The black light section was unexpected and cool. The best part is the curtains of purplish lights - that alone is worth the price of admission. I would say if you could only choose 1 event to go to, this would be the one to choose. We'll definitely go back next year as well.

Took in the Wednesday 5pm show of the festival of lights. You have an option, if disabled they have a tram that leaves a few minutes proir to those walking the 1 mile trail. Or you can walk, takes about 40 to 50 minutes to walk. The lights vary from area to area and are dazzling and well placed. Definitely worth a visit. Tip, go on a weekdays. Weekends are crowded and parking will be challenging. Also purchase your tickets online to avoid wait times. Restrooms on site and several food & drink vendors strategically located throughout your walk.

Such a gorgeous site with so many opportunities to walk, sniff, and learn via the education center! Fun (and also bleak) fact: the garden was started by Black gardeners that after completion, were not permitted to enter the garden due to segregation. You can view the statue commemorating the community of Black people who created the garden on the property as well.

First time going to the gardens and it was with the christmas lights in full effect. It was a magical winter landscape. Beautiful lights mixed in the gardens to loose grasp on the world and be immersed in the seasons joy. Great for date night!

It's 52 days later and we (and our guests) are still absolutely gushing over our outdoor, tented reception in the Renaissance Rose Court location at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens; it was the perfect venue for our wedding! Between their phenomenal staff and stunning views, they had it all! We could not have asked for better! They truly make you feel like VIPs throughout the entire process, from beginning to end. During our initial tour of the venue, the NBG team emphasized that they were always happy to answer any email or call that we sent their way (and boy did they mean it), so we knew we were in good hands the day of the wedding! Their level of communication is impeccable and I promise you will be left feeling like they will do anything to help you achieve your perfect wedding day! The NBG team are not only masters in problem solving, but they are also true professionals. They maintained a friendly and approachable demeanor, and helped all our vendors work together to make every small detail look perfect. The NBG team provided many different ideas and suggestions to make sure we could bring our vision to life in the best and most efficient way possible. They asked an abundance of great questions throughout the process to get a feel for what were our absolute "must haves" and even suggested some things we hadn't thought of. We hosted our ceremony on the brick in front of the fountain at the Renaissance Rose Court location, cocktail hour at the Statuary Vista location, and then the reception was under a dreamy twinkle light tent on the first grassy tier at the Renaissance Rose Court location. Guests were in awe of the view (and we also lucked out with absolutely perfect, albeit slightly hot, weather)! They were also true champions (and professionals) to help our other vendors set up and break down through our outdoor wedding, on July 12th, in Virginia! Working with the staff at the Norfolk Botanical Garden has been an absolute pleasure from first contact until the end of the wedding day (and the next day when we stopped by to pick up a few forgotten items). Their exceptional talent, professionalism, and dedication to their craft makes them a stand out choice in the world of wedding venues! We could not recommend the Norfolk Botanical Gardens enough, and can't wait to return to celebrate future life moments! It's definitely well-worth the investment for a beautiful, love-filled weekend! - The Canavoses

I went to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens for a wedding and got a chance to walk around . We also took a golf cart ride around. The flowers and the displays are absolutely stunning. I really loved the rose garden because it was so colorful and full of roses that I've never before. There are plenty of places to take memorable pictures. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The venue for the wedding was gorgeous. Parking is ample , bathrooms are clean. I will be going back to check out more of the garden areas and all the fun.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is a place that never fails to leave me in awe, no matter how many times I visit. Throughout the year, each season brings a new beauty, with landscapes that change in subtle and spectacular ways. The greenhouse is one of my favorite spots, it's always a refreshing escape with its lush, vibrant greenery. There's something truly magical about stepping into that space, where the air is thick with the scent of plants and flowers. The Children's Garden is another highlight, especially in the summertime. We love to visit the splash play area during the summer heat.. A membership here is definitely money well spent. Not only do you get access to this incredible oasis year-round, but the value far exceeds the cost. Whether you're looking for a quiet moment among the flowers or a fun family outing, Norfolk Botanical Garden has something for everyone!

Wear your walking shoes.... It's a great space to explore and learn- there's water bottle filling stations at the bathrooms, there's aka incredible kids splash pad space and learning area geared towards kids that's mostly shaded! There's a giant sand pile for kids to play in- lots of shaded walkways but still tons of sun too----There is a tram included in your purchased tickets which leaves from the visitors center at the top of every hour. There is no restaurant or food except if a food truck happens to be there- so plan accordingly- they had ice cream from the Ben and Jerry's truck but it's insanely expensive - talking 2$ for a waffle and 6$ for a kids cone. All in all, my crew of 2 kids and I had a good time-

Was there earlier and ur was beautiful and had nice walk too got in for free and had great time

Came here for the Christmas lights. Which by the way. AMAZING... we booked our tickets online. Pre scheduled a time for 6-7 pm. I highly recommend going early. The first entry time started at 5pm. When we arrived there was no issues with parking but the later you wait there is. When we left there was a line over a mile long with cars waiting. The park itself was a beautiful journey. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because exiting was very confusing. Signs were not directed correctly. Unless you're already familiar with this place you can become confused when exiting. The signs were great for taking the walk for the lights. I suggest wearing some comfortable sneakers. Lot's of dirt gravel. There was snack food trucks along the way. With benches if you needed to take a break. I was highly impressed with the lights. The walk was probably a little over a mile long. Definitely a must see if you're a tourist or live in the area. Overall 4.5 ratings. For the exiting . The lights definitely were a five.

Came the last week the holiday lights were up and so excited they had a day for fur babies to attend!! We paid $25 per person and $5 for my dog. Parking was free and we had no issues finding a spot. We opted for the 8-9 pm showtime and took a full hour to walk through. The lights were gorgeous and i loved walking through each of the themed gardens. Christmas lights here during the holidays are a MUST!

One of the highlights of a recent visit to Norfolk and Virginia Beach! We began the day on the train tour, which I highly recommend to give you a sense of layout and some amazing knowledge. I forgot our guide's name but she was so informative and energetic. Once the shuttle finished, we were able to walk through leisurely and spend time in the spaces we desired. The Butterfly House wasn't open but we were there just before summer kicked off, and our tour guide named this for us. I look forward to another visit in the future. Admission was easy (we paid at the gate) and parking was ample. There were two food trucks- Bear street coffee and also Starbucks. I didn't get anything since I had lunch plans but good to know for some super light bites and treats. Such a beautiful and tranquil space. Book your visit today!

It was an amazing garden. A very hot day so we didn't stay as long as i would have liked but it was a highlight of my trip, visiting in the area. Plenty of parking and friendly, helpful staff as well as garden members. I know this beacuse i had to ask numerous patrons directions since the map provided, as well as the signage posted were not the most helpful. One staff person actually agreed with me and said the hopes were once renovations were complete that would change. They have one of the largest rose gardens in the country, the Japenese garden was well laid out, the hydrangeas were in bloom and just gorgeous, the butterfly house was closed, so that was disappointing, but the walk through the enchanted forest was enchanting, peaceful and well worth thr walk to the rear of the gardens. The Renaissance area was beautiful. So many beautiful flowers and trees. Largest magnolia trees i have ever seen as well with such fragment blooms. I would have given it 5 stars except for the confusing maps and signage, the construction, the butterfly garden being closed and the admission fee. If I lived in the aera I would definitely be a member and I still highly recommend.

I've been coming here for many, many years and it has always been a beautiful place to enjoy with kids, friends and guests who are in town visiting. When my children were little they loved to explore in the children's area with the water fountains and gardens. More recently, I have gone to have long walks with friends. You can easily do a 3-4 mile walk while being surrounded by nature. The gardens are well maintained with different areas stealing the show with whatever might be in bloom at the time. There are large rose gardens, azaleas, Japanese gardens, butterfly gardens and more.

I personally think it's overpriced. It's beautiful, but we only planned to stay an hour before getting on the road. If I had the whole day, it would've been great.

We had an incredible trip here! I've been to a few botanical gardens but this was my favorite. We started with a tram tour but got off halfway and decided to walk the rest. It was big enough that there was lots to see, but small enough to make walking an option. Highly recommend visiting!

Visited here during their holiday Garden of Lights on 12/20/23 with my family. The garden of lights was so beautiful they did a fantastic job with all the lights. The path was well lit and you did not have to question if you were going the wrong way. Note: There is time frame you choose when buying tickets for Garden of Lights, ours was 7p-8p we got there around 7p and traffic was backed up to Azalea garden road. It did take about, I believe about 30m or less to park due to the traffic.

I recently spent a beautiful autumn afternoon walking around the gardens with my cousin, despite having lived in the area for 30 years, it was my first time visiting. Although some of the summer flowers had already wilted away, I was still impressed with the beauty of the place. If you're planning to visit, I suggest starting off by checking out their website which provides all the information you need about purchasing tickets, where to park, which exhibits are open or closed, and other useful details to ensure a pleasant visit. Furthermore, they are currently building a new section called the "Garden of Tomorrow," which I'm very excited to see when it opens. During our visit to the gardens, we found out that there are a variety of gardens available to explore. To help visitors navigate through each garden, they provide a map and an app with the garden layout. Tram and boat tours were not available during our off-season visit, hence we had to do a lot of walking. The Tropical Display House was my favorite among all the gardens. I would return each season to explore more. The upcoming winter season has something special to offer, the "Garden of Lights" where the gardens are decorated with holiday lights, and visitors can walk through to see them. Also, they offer season passes for garden enthusiasts. One more thing! Outside of the gift shop, they have a board with plant cuttings. You can take a plant cutting for free! Put it in water and in a few weeks it will grow roots! You can change the water as needed while the roots grow big enough that you can eventually pot it in soil. I picked up a begonia and it is already growing roots!

Absolutely beautiful Christmas lights!! Only issue was the staff was very slow to let us enter but once we got in, it was worth the wait. My grandson loved it!

It was our first time visiting the Norfolk Botanical Garden. It was the perfect day to go. The garden was a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. There are lots of paths to walk around and view the beautiful flowers and landscape. For entry, you pay per person but there are also memberships you can purchase if you plan to visit multiple times. You can take a tour on the train tram which is free or you can also take a boat ride for a fee. It's a great option if you want a peaceful picnic or some tranquility.

It's a shame to say I have been in Hampton Roads since high school and had never been to Norfolk Botanical Gardens, so we decided to go for 4th of July. We arrived as soon as the gardens opened to try and beat the heat. We were able to take the first Tram tour (opened April) of the day and the first boat tour (runs May thru summer) of the day. Both were a must-do. The tram tour was very good. It runs hourly and has designated stops where you can get out or get picked up again in an hour. The boat ride tour was very fun and informative. We received an overall perspective on the gardens, layout, and future plans. The tour guy was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the gardens and the city of Norfolk. My husband was born and raised in Norfolk and learned things that he never knew. We will be definitely revisiting in the fall. I

Such a beautiful, peaceful spot with stunning gardens and serene walking paths. It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

Update. March. 2023. Still loving, and discovering new things, in this park. Discovery: if you walk up the small hill near the parking lot, there is a viewing area of the Norfolk Airport, with narration and at least one bench. Tip: there is some construction going on, so parking spaces are more limited. Recommend reserving a time online, even if you are a pass holder. Tip. It's late March, and the park is abloom with mist if the 500 thousand daffodils, plus many other colorful. flowering trees and plants.

I would love to have stopped by in the spring time! But it was still lovely during the winter/spring cusp. I went in February. I stopped by before my flight out of town since I had some hours to kill. This is right by the Norfolk airport. There's tons to see! And there's more being built. We stopped over by the Japanese garden where there's some nice looking structures. There's a man made canal. Loads of birds around. There's a kid's area that was not really up and running because it was a random weekday in the winter. There was a butterfly garden that also didn't have much activity going on. As you keep wondering down, you hit the edge of the bay. Beautiful views. There was also the Renaissance Court area which I think would be really nice to hold a wedding or some kind of gala. Really beautiful - It bet it would be even more nice during the warmer months!

(I received an email stating they had extended the Garden of Lights and that they offer a mobility shuttle on value nights. ) This was a perfect opportunity to enjoy some lights with my husband, and bring another family member who otherwise wouldn't have been able to walk the entire route. The mobility shuttle is included in the price of admission, however one must contact the office to make reservations. They have a limited number of seats on the tram and will assign you a row ( each row has four seats).We had to arrive between 4:30-4:45pm to check in at the visitor center. The tram left at 5pm to tour the entire route of the lights at a good leisurely pace. It took roughly 30 minutes to complete the route. Since it wasn't completely dark when we started the tour of lights, the first half/three fourths weren't as magical and twinkly & sparkly as i'm sure it looks when it's completely dark and the lights illuminate with such fervor and vibrancy. We did enjoy the lights and they are a beautiful, mystical electrical sight, however we weren't able to witness it's full spectacular until the last part of the tour. It would have been a 5 star experience had they started the tram later for better visibility of the holiday lights. I'm guessing several reasons the tram starts right when the lights open are due to high foot traffic during open hours which isn't conducive for a tram to navigate,the other being for everyone's safety. Maybe the idea of starting much later would present additional safety and challenge issues with loading/unloading people on the tram due to lower visibility. If logistically and economically possible, maybe next winter season they can push the opening time a little later to accommodate for sundown and have portable floodlights surrounding the tram area for loading and unloading if those are partly the reasons? If at all? I think it's wonderful they strive to be all encompassing, as everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors, especially without having to be concerned about navigating the logistics of a desired activity/event. Staff were safe, expeditious, efficient and friendly! Make sure to dress according to the weather, it's an open tram. We made sure we had hats, layers on, including long johns. That night was so frigid and even being bundled up I could still feel the cold creeping through. When we visited, we arrived early prior to check in & loading. It would have been helpful or appreciated if staff had offered /suggested to visitors the food vendor availability & location information to utilize that wait time for us to grab some hot drinks and snacks. We didn't see the food vendors until everyone went outside to load. Nor did anyone else. My husband was a tad irritated that he didn't know he had an option to get some drinks & snacks from Bear house coffee, duck donuts and another vendor prior.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is a treat to visit during any month or season. Something is always in bloom! A tram ride is offered on the hour as part of admission. It takes you around the garden with different drop off and pick up locations. In the spring, we enjoy the many flowers, blooming shrubs like Azaleas and Hydrangeas, the Bicentennial rose garden, sculpture garden, fountain, and Japanese garden. Comfortable spring temperatures make for a pleasant time to visit the 130-acre park. On weekends in May, and every day in the summer, they also offer a guided boat tour through the garden's canals. Lovely! Check out reviews for winter too. They offer a spectacular holiday lights experience through the gardens. Note: The garden cafe is closed, and I don't think they'll open another until their new construction is complete, and it has a long way to go. There are a couple of food trucks that offer beverages, but they didn't offer much in the way of food when we were there in a Wednesday.

It was beautiful! The staff were extremely helpful and kind. If you have Medicaid, you get in for free !! I've recommended to my friends and family, will definitely be coming back when the weather gets nicer.

Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk is a magical place during Christmas. I booked our tickets through the phone so we could ride the mobility shuttle. Friendly staff and informative regarding the expectations upon arrival. The gardens were gorgeous, the lights were like a dream! The shuttle drivers were friendly and accommodating for individual needs. We will definitely be returning for Christmas 2025.

The most magical place at Christmas! I have never experienced such a beautiful place. Grabbed a delicious gourmet coffee and off we went! This is a must visit... ANNUALLY!

I have been to beautiful gardens in many states and countries, but this one? It makes it to the top three for sure! The layout and the variety of flowers and trees make it so wonderful to walk around. They also had a butterfly garden. They have different sections and I could get lost in such a good way here.

Wooow! We came here during the day and it was pretty nice. Unfortunately, when we got off the tram our guide didn't tell us the butterfly garden was closed and we couldn't go in. My husband and I headed to the butterfly maze and there were kids running thru the flowers and stomping thru some of the taller plants just to play a game of tag with each other. No adult around very sad they were trampling flowers. We then enjoyed a walk to the large rose garden and Japanese bonsai trees. I wish the butterfly house was open but maybe next time. We also visited here a few years ago for the lantern festival that was being held here during my birthday and it was beautiful.

Stunning, beautiful, tranquil... The walk through the various gardens on the property is sublime. The botanical gardens are located by a lake/river with benches to sit and watch boats, birds, etc. Even the fish are happy and jumping. There are a various gardens, and hidden paths to explore. The main walkway is paved and very easy to cruise along with a stroller or wheelchair. They do allow picnics but ask that you do not leave behind any trash or feed the animals. Much of the botanical garden is shaded with a natural canopy that keeps you cool during hotter days. There is ample parking but you may be required to call ahead on holidays to ensure that there is space for everyone that wants to enjoy the gardens. Pack, a lunch and your walking shoes. Bring the entire family. You won't be disappointed. Happy Exploring Yeeps!!!

Love this beautiful garden in Norfolk. Many flowers fully bloomed in April, except for the Rose Garden, which blooms in May. The garden is so large that it's best to settle in with their on the hour tram tour. The ticket booth is through the drive thru gate. It's best to reserve and purchase tickets on their website so the staff can scan the barcode. On a sunny day like the day I visited, the parking lot will fill up in the afternoon.

Went to the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights last night at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. It was basically the drive through light show, but walking. Everything looked amazing! I think the experience was a little more immersive walking compared to driving. You can tell very clearly that there is a lot of work that goes into putting this light show together. Kudos to whoever was involved in making this happen! You can also bring your dog(s)! There are snacks, hot cocoa, and other things to purchase, but we didn't end up getting any.

We came during the end of may. So much in bloom. We didn't get to see everything unfortunately since we came too late but would recommend. So much to see and appreciate! 10 out 10

Absolutely beautiful , such a great place for a peaceful walk or even a first date . A lot of information on the flowers and such around the garden . During the holidays they do festive lights .

The family came here for the Norfolk Garden of Lights on family and friends night. It was super easy to go in. The lights were beautiful! There were plenty of parking. They had 2 food trucks available on-site, Bear House Coffee and Duck Donuts. The lighted trails were fun to walk. They had Christmas music playing in the background. It had been over 15 years since I last visited the Botanical Gardens during the day, but even in the evening with these lights, you can picture how beautiful it must be in the broad daylight.

It was great I liked it a lot but nothing was jaw dropping amazing most stuff you can walking out in the woods but it was relaxing make sure you bring snacks or water bc once you go in past the entrance your on your own and the trail labels aren't the best

It's the holidays and what a great time to be at Norfolk Botanical Gardens! You need to experience the at-your-own-pace and immerse yourself in this sights and sounds of spectacular, well thought out Dominion Energy Garden of Lights walk the Garden Aglow event. So convenient to get tickets online. Make sure you get there at least 30 minutes before so you avoid the long line to get in to park. It's one of those you got to see it so my review is short but imperative!

We are members of Nauticus and they had an event where those members could get a day free to visit the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. We had never been there so we made a family day of it. I was excited to see the washed ashore exhibit. When we arrived we were able to find parking pretty close, which was helpful on a hot day like today. The parking/ticket attendant in the booth was kind and helpful. After we parked we walked in. As we entered the gardens I could sense right away how large it is. From my understanding it is the largest botanical gardens in the state of Virginia. It truly is large and stunning. The kids area was nice. A lot of people were using the splash pad area. The washed up ashore exhibit back in the enchanted forest was amazing! I loved every sculpture. It was awesome to see what they used to create them. It also really gets you thinking about all that us humans do to harm nature. I love that they took the waste that washed ashore and put it to awesome use.

We had a wonderful day at NBG. We just happened to be there for their first annual Sunflower Festival, which included 3 bands, vendors, and food trucks amongst the beautiful crepe myrtles in bloom. I especially enjoyed the butterfly gardens, the Tram tour included, and the boat tour for an additional $10. Even at the end of August, there were still many flowers in bloom, and they did a terrific job with signage to identify almost everything. I would have a membership if I lived here.

30+ years in the 757 and I've just now had my first daytime experience @ the Garden. And I've only been to the holiday lights twice in that time frame. Shame on me! Now I'm on board for the annual membership and will certainly be spending much more time here! Thanks to consistent recommendations from my pilates instructor, we finally took our little one this past weekend. Beautiful weather calls for time spent outdoors. The Garden itself is quite easy to find off Azalea Garden Rd. near the airport. As soon as we drove onto the property, it felt like being transported to a place far removed from that airport, though you will frequently see and hear the planes as they come and go. I love their clever sign upon driving in - relax to 15 mph (or something like that). It's very easy to feel some sense of peace while being among so much greenery and beauty. A few hundred yards from the turn in is a manned gate where tickets are checked. Then it's a short drive to the main lot next to the main building which houses restrooms, a shop and admin offices. The lot offers ample parking and was not crowded at all on a Sunday close to opening. I noted on their site that Sundays are for dogs, so we saw quite a lot (much to the delight of our daughter). They thoughtfully provide trash cans and poo bags for the pups along the paths! The grounds are meticulously maintained and there are plenty of reminders (in case common sense is lacking) to leave the gardens as they are. Per the website, they allow food and beverages to be brought in so this is an ideal spot for a picnic. The WOW children's area was a huge hit with our little one. She enjoyed playing in the houses, finding the hidden letters among the vegetable gardens and seeing the metal sculptures. We're eager to return to check out the giant sand pile and other neat spots they have for kids! My only complaint is that the map lists a restroom being available here and we found it to be closed (maybe Covid? maybe offseason?) which was an inconvenience especially when you have a potty-training child. With acres upon acres of gardens, it would be very difficult to take in all of the beauty in 1 day. There are so many individual gardens to explore and I'm sure you might find something new with every visit. We're looking forward to returning.

I have lived in Virginia my entire life, and I am sad to reveal, I have never visited this attraction. I have made plans several times to visit, but all have been unsuccessful. I was super excited to visit in December 2018 for the first Saturday walk through the Million Bulb Walk. But something came up and I blessed someone else with the tickets. Fast forward to two years later... I visited Saturday night for the Garden of Lights. I would have much rather walked through the gardens, but due to the state that Virginia is in... it is now a drive-thru light display. From arrival to departure, it took a little over an hour. I would say Saturday night's are their busiest night. During the week, I believe the cost is $35 and on the weekend, $40. A family member tried to purchase tickets online but this weekend time slots were sold out. When we pulled up the window to give the attendant our ticket, I asked what happens if someone pulls up without a ticket... because there is nowhere to turnaround once you pass the restrooms on your left. The attendant advised, there is an additional $5 to pay at the window. As a result, do not let the "sold out" ticket sales online keep you from coming. Have fun and enjoy life :)

We wanted a quick family-friendly excursion while on vacation during these COVID times. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens were perfect for this. Taking into account COVID precautions, I appreciated that: * It was easy to buy tickets online and then to check in by having an employee at the gate scan the QR code on my phone, which made this process contactless. * Even on a weekend afternoon, it was easy to socially distance from other guests. Maps posted around the gardens also made it easy to avoid passing through the visitors center and stay outside. * Signs encouraged people to wear masks when they had to be within 6 feet of others. In general, I loved seeing all the plants in these gardens, and from what we saw, there was more greenery than flowers. In particular I liked the Grain & Hop Garden, Native Plant Garden, NATO Tower and Wildflower Meadow. The Wildflower Meadow was particularly fun for my toddler son and nephew. They could run around a bit and point out the colorful flowers. All in all, the gardens were decent for young children. I will say that the walkways in the Native Plant Garden, which follow closely to a stream without a safety rail were worrisome. Be sure to hold on to kiddos' hands! And the World of Wonders Children's Garden was a bit dated, but if this hadn't been COVID times, we probably would have been able to enjoy it more considering the spray area would have been turned on. Overall, the gardens were great for a family getaway. I would go back.

A great spot to spend an afternoon! We really enjoyed this place! It was a beautiful day and not too hot. You can really get lost in here! It's very large with lots of space to explore! I would recommend to anyone who's looking for entertainment in Norfolk.

I have visited the Norfolk Botanical Gardens twice and I highly recommend as a must do in Norfolk! My first visit was in December for the drive through Holiday lights. I highly recommend this event! The lights were beautiful and well worth the admission price. For the Holiday lights, I recommend going earlier when the line is much shorter and make sure you buy your tickets in advance! Our next visit was over Easter weekend, this was our first actual visit to the Botanical Gardens to see the flowers and we were not disappointed. We probably spent over two hours wandering through and still did not see all that there was to do. The Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to walk and explore or have a picnic and relax. If you have children, there is even a play ground in the gardens for them. The Botanical Gardens are dog friendly on select days (Sunday in 2021). Highly recommend as a place to visit. If you want to know what is in bloom before you go, check out their website!

The tram is a good way to see the park then decide which areas you want to focus on. The roses were amazing.

Best botanical garden I have ever been to and I have been to a lot. It is so impressive in size it's like an arboretum. The rose garden rivals Oregon. They do boat tours and tram tours when it is warm. We got the family and friends pass. They had military discounts but not if you wanted extra guests. It cost us $150 and considering we use it 3 weekends a month and have taken seven different friends it pays for itself. Plus due to them scanning your cars while you are in the car, it is awkward to drive in scan your card and then ask your friends and family members for money to get in. Regular price is $15, $16 boat ride, tram is free. We take our dog every Sunday. This is a great place to get 10,000 steps in. Other than the beach I think this is the best tourist place in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. If you plan on going here a few times get the membership.

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We came while they were doing some construction, and it didn't affect the overall experience. Well kept and maintained grounds, tons to see. We took the free tram ride first to get a feel for the grounds, tour was informative. After the tram ride, we wandered to different spots that seemed interesting and wanted to explore more. Great place for kids, they have a splash zone in the middle of the park and a kids garden for no additonal charge. Tons to see and explore. Only draw back was when we went there wasn't many actual food truck options, so plan on packing a lunch or leaving to grab food before or after. Also they seem to have a time in the evening when they allow people to bring their bikes and ride in the park. We didn't do that, but it would definitely be a nice way to explore everything.

I've wanted to visit the Virginia Botanical Garden for a while. There grounds are beautiful and perfect for a family outing. I came with my son and his family so we took a few family pics while there. Make sure you have comfortable shoes because you'll forget how far you've walked taking in the scenery. There were some joggers and people riding their bikes too.

Beautiful gardens and venues. Also loved seeing so many turtles! Well worth the adventure.

For my first time visiting the Botanical Garden, we went to see the Christmas lights. Tickets were a little pricey per person ($18-20), I would recommend going on one of their "off" days because it's a tad cheaper. I brought my two year old (3 and under are free) and he loved it. The lights were amazing! It was honestly one of the best light shows I've seen in a while.

I'm here at least once a week with the little girl I nanny for, and it's one of our favorite places in Hampton Roads. Something is always blooming, even in winter months. It is definitely big enough to spend a day exploring, but also great to break into smaller sections if you have a membership and can visit frequently. This is an excellent garden for kids. The children's section has several play areas, multiple splash pads that run for 6 months out of the year, and always has a variety of activities or learning stations set up. We also love the sand pile play area, especially before hitting the splash pads! A free tram tour is available on the hour and is a great way to get an overall tour of the gardens and learn more about the history and some of the highlights. It has been different most times I've been on it, and is worth repeating on different visits. The membership is truly a great value, as the garden offers so many classes and activities at a discounted rate for members, and with each section blooming at different times of the year there is always something new to see. With those of you for kids, the garden typically does a membership swap with the zoo every summer, giving you a month of free access to the zoo! An extra perk for those without a zoo membership.