Norfolk, Virginia, has plenty of family-friendly attractions, including its science center, Nauticus and Battleship, Wisconsin. But, the city also has an artsy side family members of all ages will enjoy. Check out these three family-friendly attractions for art lovers.
This free art museum houses one of the largest glass galleries in the United States and boasts works by Pablo Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright and other greats. It’s also designed with families in mind. Check out The Wonder Studio, an interactive gallery dedicated to kids. Then, encourage your budding Rembrandt to create his own masterpiece on a digital easel. Gallery activities are available at the Welcome Desk as well for families to enjoy throughout the entire museum.
Norfolk Chrysler Art Museum. Photo: Teresa Bitler
At noon, head across the street to the museum’s Glass Studio for a free glassmaking demonstration. Glassblowers will show how they heat and mold glass as well as answer questions. If you want to make sure you get a good seat, plan to arrive early.
The Neon Arts District takes its name from an acronym, New Energy of Norfolk, and includes the Chrysler Museum of Art, its glassblowing studio and the Harrison Opera House. But, you’ll also find galleries and studios, like d’Art Center and the Rutter Family Art Foundation, as well as several restaurants, home goods stores and boutiques here.
After visiting the Chrysler Museum of Art, families can walk through the district admiring public artwork such as the Cementiscope, a kaleidoscope inside the repurposed drum of a cement mixer. You’ll also see the colorful murals on many of the district’s buildings. To be sure you don’t miss the most important murals or artwork, book a guided tour with a company like Norfolk Tour Company.
In the evenings, return to the district to catch a family-friendly play at the Hugh R. Copeland Center. Upcoming shows include Dames at Sea and Madagascar.
Mermaids
Norfolk is obsessed with mermaids, something that becomes evident after only a few hours in the city. In front of almost every major attraction, as well on office buildings and in front of private homes, you’ll spy brightly painted mermaid sculptures, part of a public art display nearly 20 years old.
Norfolk Mermaid in front of Nauticus. Photo: Teresa Bitler
Although there’s no official map showing where to find all the mermaids, you can see them at the Chrysler Museum of Art, Nauticus, Virginia Zoo, Norfolk Botanical Garden, MacArthur Mall (next to the MacArthur Memorial) and Norfolk Visitor Center. The Norfolk Mermaid Quest blog can help you locate some of the lesser-known and harder-to-find mermaids.
Inspired to create your own? You can decorate a plaster mermaid (or dolphin) with acrylic paints, glitter, fabric, shells, charms and other embellishments at the Mermaid Factory.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedTravel Tips
Sep 1, 2026TikTok Revolutionizes Travel Planning and Inspiration
With an estimated 1.9 billion users worldwide, TikTok influences nearly every part of our lives, from food to fashion. The app so profoundly changed the way we travel, it now describes itself as a “modern-day travel agency, itinerary planner, and travel blog rolled into one.” Using TikTok to plan travel is so popular, the app recently launched TikTok Go to make booking even easier.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa to Welcome Return of Elf on the Shelf This Holiday Season
The magic of Christmas quickly approaches as summer comes to a close, and families can experience the holiday season in a unique way this year.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026This London Hotel Launches Little Londoners Family Package
Balance a city break in London with kid-friendly experiences at Sea Containers London, an upscale, riverside hotel. The property recently debuted the Little Londoners package, a thoughtfully designed offering that makes exploring London easier (and more fun) for both kids and parents.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Europe
Aug 27, 20266 Geneva, Switzerland, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Geneva, Switzerland, with us.
ShareThis