Things to do in the Norfolk, VA area

Norfolk, Virginia is a happening town of around 250,000 people. Seniors looking to choose an ideal locale for a retirement community may consider Norfolk because of its many fun activities! You’ll find many forms of entertainment here to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Plus, visitors will enjoy spending time in Norfolk too. Here are a few things for seniors to do in Norfolk:

Get artsy

Norfolk offers a rich variety of artistic works at several galleries around town. For contemporary styles involving mostly glasswork, visit the Glass Wheel Studio at 128 West Olney Road. Right in the middle of the NEON arts district, this large space has two rotating galleries and offers space for artists to work. While getting to know the city, you’ll likely come across a few mermaids. That’s right, mermaids! The “Mermaids on Parade” sculptures can be found throughout the city. Going from one iconic creature to the next is a great walking tour that leads throughout Norfolk.

For live art, consider visiting the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center. Here you can watch performances of a plethora of music styles, attend conferences, listen to lectures and get the know-how at educational forums. If you’re a movie buff, visit the Naro Expanded Cinema. This independent movie theater opened in 1936 with a stage for live performances. Today it features top of the line technology to provide the best viewing experience of films from all over the world.

Go naval

The navy has a major part of Norfolk’s history. If that interests you, be sure to visit the Naval Station Norfolk. Here, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet beds down when readying for missions. Located in Hampton Roads, it offers stunning views of the ocean along with base tours. Next, head to the Nauticus National Maritime Center to walk the decks of the U.S.S. Wisconsin. Take a guided tour of the engine room or even enjoy a 3D movie with a naval theme.

Take a tour

Norfolk offers several awesome city tours to suit your tastes. If you enjoy sipping beer from local breweries, check out the O’Conner Brewing Company Tour. Visit the tasting room to try a flight of their latest brews and walk through the facility to see hops at work! Next, try the Taste Tidewater tours. Local residents lead these fun adventures from restaurants to wineries, food and even themed cuisine walks. Choose your preferred topic and then join the tour! You’ll learn about area history while sipping tasty beverages or enjoying wonderful food. You can even request a special group tour to celebrate an occasion or get together with family and friends.

Whether you’re looking to entertain visiting loved ones or you’re scoping out locales for a move to a senior retirement community, Norfolk has a lot to offer. With the ocean nearby and a thriving downtown, everyone from adventurous active people to foodies and history buffs will find something to love. Check out the activities above and more to learn about the area and decide if you want to visit or even make it your new home.