Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Norfolk?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Norfolk?

Most visitors spend one to two days in Norfolk when visiting. The blue collar city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the food, the nightlife, and the many shops.

Norfolk is a waterfront city that is home to a naval base and several military museums. It has a working class vibe, but it's also cultural with a growing arts scene. While it's often overlooked by tourists, there are some interesting aspects to the city.

Do you have one or two days to visit Norfolk? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Norfolk?

One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Norfolk even though it's not huge. A shorter schedule may leave you feeling like you didn't fully get to browse through museums, taste delicious cuisine, take advantage of the local nightlife, and find the best deals at the shops. To genuinely appreciate the best areas of the blue collar city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for one to two days here. After all, Norfolk is a nice city that isn't very crowded with tourists since it only has a few sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Norfolk

Perhaps the most famous place in Norfolk is the Battleship Wisconsin, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Norfolk?

A weekend offers a good amount of time to enjoy much of what Norfolk has for visitors. In addition to the museums and landmarks and food, visitors can enjoy the shopping, local culture, and scenery. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here.

Norfolk, Virginia

How to spend 2 days in Norfolk

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Norfolk, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

A few tour suggestions include:

• Skip the Line: Virginia Living Museum Admission Ticket ($22)
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This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Norfolk, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

• Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Norfolk?
• Is Norfolk Worth Visiting?
• Norfolk Travel Costs
• Hotel Prices for Norfolk