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Norfolk: Free Things To Do

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  1. Armed Forces Memorial
    The Armed Forces Memorial is a 160-foot monument with 20 bronze cast letters (actual letters from members of the Armed Forces who never returned from war) scattered across the base of a flagpole.
    Southeastern corner of Town Point Park Downtown Norfolk VA
    (757) 664-6620
  2. Barron F. Black Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes
    6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr. Norfolk, VA 23513
    (757) 441-5806
  3. Barry Art Museum at ODU
    The Barry Art Museum is operated by the Old Dominion University Museum Foundation, in partnership with Old Dominion University. Admission is Free. Public programs and activities are offered.
    Barry Art Museum 1075 W. 43rd Street Norfolk, VA 23529
    757-683-6200
  4. Blyden Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes
    879 E. Princess Anne Rd Norfolk, VA 23504
    (757) 441-2852
  5. Cannonball Trail
    Follow markers through Town Point Park and Downtown Norfolk on the self-guided tour. Download map on the website link.
    Freemason Street Reception Center for the Cannonball Trail 401 E. Freemason St Norfolk, VA 23510
    757-664-6620
  6. Chrysler Museum
    Art Museum. General admission is free. Free family activities including family festivals, story time, pre-k programs, glass-blowing demonstrations and more. Homeschool Studio, Scouts events, summer camps available. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 12-5pm.
    One Memorial Place Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 664-6200
  7. d’Art Center
    d'Art Center hosts art exhibitions, houses gallery and studio spaces with on-site resident artists to interact with, and provides interactive programming. The center also offers art-focused summer camp programming for ages 6-13 in June - August, and children's workshops and classes for ages 6+!
    NEON District 740 Boush Street Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 625-4211
  8. Fort Norfolk
    The last remaining harbor front fort from the time of George Washington. Free admission.
    801 Front Street Norfolk VA 23510
    (757) 642-8311 or (757) 625-1720
  9. Freemason Playground
    The Freemason Playground is fully accessible and designed for children ages 5 to 12. The playground features a colorful nautical themed ship sailing on a sea of blue rubberized safety play surface.
    312 W. Bute Street Norfolk, VA 23510
  10. Hampton Roads Naval Museum
    Museum follows the extensive history of the fleet in Hampton Roads. Free Admission. Seasonal Family Programming.
    One Waterside Drive Ste 248 Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 322-2987
  11. Hermitage Museum and Gardens
    Historic home with art galleries, gardens, woodlands and wetlands. Art classes, family programming, camps and more in the newly renovated Visual Arts Studio!
    7637 North Shore Road, Norfolk, VA 23505
    (757) 423-2052
  12. Home Depot Kids Workshops
    Free Hands-On Workshops for Kids ages 5-12. Registration is recommended, they often fill up!
    Locations throughout Hampton Roads, see website for the closest store.
  13. Horace C. Downing Branch Library
    Activities, Events and Storytimes
    555 E. Liberty Street Norfolk, VA 23523
    (757) 441-1968
  14. Hunter House Victorian Museum
    The Hunter House Victorian Museum serves as a rich example of Victorian decorative arts and architecture. Guests are invited to meet the Hunters as they tour two floors of the home, which feature the Hunter family's collection of furniture, books, decorative objects, and more. Join us and transport yourself to the splendor and opulence of the Victorian Era! Storytime and special events for children and families are available.
    240 W Freemason St Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 623-9814
  15. Janaf Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes.
    Janaf Shopping Center 5900 E Virginia Bch Blvd # 124 Norfolk, VA 23502
    (757) 441-5660
  16. Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch at Broad Creek
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes.
    1425 Norchester Ave Norfolk VA 23504
    (757) 823-4800
  17. Lafayette Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes.
    1610 Cromwell Drive Norfolk, VA 23509
    (757) 441-2842
  18. Larchmont Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes.
    6525 Hampton Blvd Norfolk, VA 23508
    (757) 441-5335
  19. Little Creek Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes.
    7853 Tarpon Place Norfolk, VA 23518
    (757) 441-1751
  20. Lowe’s DIY Kids’ Workshops
    Free Hand-On Building Clinics for Kids. Registration is recommended, these do fill up!
    Locations throughout Hampton Roads, VA
  21. MacArthur Center
    Free Indoor Play Area inside MacArthur Center: The Play Port.
    Seasonal Free Family Programming. Movie theater, restaurants.
    Birthday party and special event space available in the Live 360 Studio.
    300 Monticello Avenue Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 627-6000
  22. MacArthur Memorial
    Memorial to General MacArthur and the millions of American men and women who served in the US Armed Forces from the Civil War through the Korean War.
    MacArthur Memorial, MacArthur Square 198 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 441-2965
  23. Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes. Children's Indoor Play Area.
    111 W. Ocean View Avenue Norfolk, VA 23503
    (757) 441-1750
  24. Meadowbrook Park
    Shaded playground for ages 2-12, fenced dog park, half basketball court.
    1625 W. Little Creek Road Norfolk VA
  25. Mermaids On Parade
    Beginning at Nauticus, three separate trails take you along the Elizabeth River past Waterside, to the heart of downtown or to the Chrysler Museum while telling local history from the perspective of the 26 Mermaid statues along the trail.
    One Waterside Drive Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 664-4000
  26. Moses Myers House
    Historic home. Free admission and guided tours.
    323 E. Freemason St Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 333-1087
  27. Naval Station Norfolk MWR
    Military Families - Activities through your local Morale, Welfare & Recreation Office. Youth athletics. Swim Lessons. Summer camp ages 5-12.
    Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk VA
    (757) 445-0996
  28. Norfolk Festevents
    Norfolk Festevents organizes special events, concerts, festivals and more in the City of Norfolk. Town Point Park has interactive water fountains the kids can play in. Many festival/events are free or low cost.
    Town Point Park and Ocean View Beach Park, Norfolk VA
    (757) 441-2345
  29. Norfolk History Museum at the Willoughby-Baylor House
    Historic home. Free admission and guided tours.
    601 E. Freemason St Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 664-6200
  30. Norfolk Police & Fire Rescue Museum
    History of police force and fire rescue in Norfolk. Free admission, donations are appreciated.
    401 E. Freemason St. Norfolk, VA 23510
    (757) 441-1526
  31. Norfolk Premium Outlets Playground
    Outdoor gated playground within the grounds of the Norfolk Premium Outlets.
    1600 Premium Outlets Blvd Norfolk, VA 23502
    (757) 673-6427
  32. Norfolk Public Library
    Free Library Programs and Services including storytimes, classes for all ages, and homework assistance.
    Various locations throughout Norfolk,VA
    (757) 664-7328 ext. 347
  33. Norfolk Southern Museum
    Over 180 years of railroad history. Free admission.
    3 Commercial Place, Ground Floor Norfolk, VA 23510
  34. Northside Park
    Public park with playground, picnic shelters, aquatic center, athletic fields/courts, skate park
    8445 Tidewater Dr. Norfolk, VA 23505
    (757) 441-5834
  35. Northside Skate Plaza
    Public Skate Park
    8401 Tidewater Drive Norfolk, VA 23518
    (757) 441-5835
  36. Ocean View Station Museum
    Local museum in Ocean View, Norfolk
    Pretlow Library 111 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503
    (757) 531-0445
  37. Park Place Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes
    620 West 29th Street Norfolk, VA 23508
    (757) 664-7330
  38. Pungo-Blackwater Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes
    916 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, VA 23457
    (757) 385-7790
  39. Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library
    Now open! A significant book collection of more than 30,000 popular and classic fiction and nonfiction titles, and other materials for all ages. Computer Lab with 24 computers, African American Collection, Meeting Room, Collaboration Room, Two Study Rooms, Teen Reading Area, Reading Patio, Children’s Library with a Playscape and KidZone, A 5000 Square Foot Nature Explorium, an outdoor classroom with active learning stations that will offer a way to connect learning, literacy, and an appreciation of nature as a regular part of a library visit for children and families.
    2350 Berkley Avenue Ext. Norfolk VA
    757) 823-4200
  40. Sheriff Joe Baron Summer Camp
    Open to all Norfolk students, ages 9-14. There are 5 weeks of camp programming offered including a sports camp and day camp. Free!
    Camp Apasus 8420 Granby Street Norfolk VA
    (757) 441-1066
  41. Slover Library
    Slover Library carries over 130,000 books and other items available to borrow, hosts classes and events from genealogy to children’s programs, and provides access to leading-edge technology. Some of the different spaces you will find at Slover include:

    Playscape- a play area for children ages 0-2 filled with developmentally appropriate play equipment, KidZone for youth ages 3-6, Early literacy gaming computers and tablets, Children’s Art Studio, Children’s Programs, Reading Areas, Sound Studio, Study Rooms, Design Studio, Production Studio, Teen Zone — A casual environment with gaming, computers, and study rooms, YOUmedia Lab, Gaming Lounge, and Maker Studio in Selden Market.
    235 East Plume Street Norfolk VA 23510
    (757) 664-7323
  42. The Big Free Bookstore
    Books are available for all ages. Two books per person, per household (not all members of the household need to be present). Visit up to two times per week. Spread the word! A program of Reach Reads.
    The Big Free Bookstore JANAF Shopping Yard 5802 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Suite 158 Norfolk, VA 23502
    (757) 627-4722
  43. The Elizabeth River Trail
    Scenic trail through areas of Norfolk with markers providing area history.
    Norfolk, VA
  44. Van Wyck Branch Library
    Activities, Events, and Storytimes
    1368 DeBree Avenue Norfolk, VA 23517
    (757) 441-2844
  45. Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary
    The Sanctuary covers about eight acres of land in the western edge of the West Ghent neighborhood. It is open to the public from 9 AM on Saturday until 6 PM on Sunday (5 PM in the winter months).
    1501 Armistead Bridge Rd Norfolk, VA
    (757) 364-9406