Norfolk is about 30 minutes by car from Ocean27 Oceanfront, a two-star hotel in Virginia Beach, so it can work as a day trip from the Oceanfront. You can travel between the Oceanfront and downtown Norfolk on Hampton Roads Transit Route 20, then spend the day around Nauticus and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
- Route 20 connects the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
- Nauticus is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- The Chrysler Museum of Art has free admission and free parking.
- Norfolk Amtrak Station is at 280 Park Avenue, adjacent to Harbor Park.
Choosing how to travel to Norfolk
A one-day Norfolk route
A downtown day can pair Nauticus with the Chrysler Museum of Art, but check opening days and hours before you go so the order fits your visit.
Start at Nauticus, a waterfront maritime discovery center at One Waterside Drive. Its exhibits and programs include the museum and the Battleship Wisconsin. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and closed Monday. Nauticus directs visitors to its ticketing information for admission prices.
Then visit the Chrysler Museum of Art at One Memorial Place. Admission and parking are free. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon–5:00 p.m.; it is closed Monday and on select holidays. If your timing lines up, the Perry Glass Studio offers free glassmaking demonstrations Tuesday through Sunday at noon.
For a day focused on gardens rather than downtown museums, Norfolk Botanical Garden offers a different plan. The garden covers 155 acres and includes more than 30 themed gardens at 6700 Azalea Garden Road. Its hours are 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. from April through October 15 and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. from October 16 through March. Admission is fee-based.
Getting between Norfolk sights
Nauticus and the Chrysler Museum of Art are both in Norfolk; plan the connection between them using local transit or driving options.
If you arrive by train, Norfolk Amtrak Station is at 280 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510, beside Harbor Park. The station is ADA accessible and has restrooms, an enclosed waiting area, visitor information, vending machines, and a ticket office.
Its hours are split across early-morning and evening periods, so confirm that the station will be open when you need it.
Norfolk Botanical Garden is at 6700 Azalea Garden Road, beyond the downtown museum stops. Check the garden’s website for admission details.
Return travel and timing
Plan your return around the service schedule you choose, rather than assuming the last convenient departure will match your museum visit. Route 20 links downtown Norfolk and the Oceanfront; the trip from Norfolk to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is another option to plan around.
Opening hours differ by day: both Nauticus and the Chrysler Museum are closed Monday, while the Chrysler Museum opens at noon on Sunday. The garden’s daily closing time changes with the season. Build your Norfolk stops around those patterns, then confirm transport and attraction details before leaving.
Before you go, check the official site for current details. The Hampton Roads Transit site has Route 20 information, and the relevant attraction or station operator’s site has current hours and admission details. Once back at the Oceanfront, local options for getting around Virginia Beach can help with the rest of your stay.
FAQs
How far is Norfolk from Virginia Beach?
Norfolk is about 30 minutes by car from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Does Route 20 connect Virginia Beach and Norfolk?
Yes. Hampton Roads Transit Route 20 connects the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center and serves stops along the way.
Where is Norfolk Amtrak Station?
Norfolk Amtrak Station is at 280 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510, adjacent to Harbor Park.
Which Norfolk attractions offer free admission?
The Chrysler Museum of Art offers free admission and free parking. Nauticus directs visitors to its ticketing information for admission prices.