Norfolk: Free Things To Do

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.

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.

Follow markers through Town Point Park and Downtown Norfolk on the self-guided tour. Download map on the website link.

Art Museum. General admission is free. Free Family Activities and Programs. Regularly Scheduled Free Admission/Family Weekend. Summer Camps available. Participant in Blue Star Museum Program. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 12-5pm.

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+!

The last remaining harbor front fort from the time of George Washington. Free admission.

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.

Museum follows the extensive history of the fleet in Hampton Roads. Free Admission. Seasonal Family Programming.

Historic home with art galleries, gardens, woodlands and wetlands. Art classes, family programming, camps and tours. Summer camps in the newly renovated Visual Arts Studio!

Free Hands-On Workshops for Kids ages 5-12. Registration is recommended, they often fill up!

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.

Activities, Events, and Storytimes.

Activities, Events, and Storytimes.

Free Hand-On Building Clinics for Kids. Registration is recommended, these do fill up!

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.

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.

Activities, Events, and Storytimes. Children's Indoor Play Area.

Shaded playground for ages 2-12, fenced dog park, half basketball court.

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.

Historic home. Free admission and guided tours.

Military Families - Activities through your local Morale, Welfare & Recreation Office. Youth athletics. Swim Lessons. Summer camp ages 5-12.

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.

Historic home. Free admission and guided tours.

History of police force and fire rescue in Norfolk. Free admission, donations are appreciated.

Outdoor gated playground within the grounds of the Norfolk Premium Outlets.

Free Library Programs and Services including storytimes, classes for all ages, and homework assistance.

Over 180 years of railroad history. Free admission.

Public park with playground, picnic shelters, aquatic center, athletic fields/courts, skate park

Public Skate Park

Local museum in Ocean View, Norfolk

Activities, Events, and Storytimes

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.

Open to all Norfolk students, ages 9-14. There are 5 weeks of camp programming offered including a sports camp and day camp. Free!

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.

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.

Scenic trail through areas of Norfolk with markers providing area history.

Activities, Events, and Storytimes

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).