Free in Norfolk: the Chrysler Museum, MacArthur Memorial and Hermitage, glassmaking demos, 7 miles of beach, the Elizabeth River Trail, library programs and festivals.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Free means the venue or organizer says free. Facts come from the Chrysler Museum of Art, the MacArthur Memorial, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, the city’s beaches page, the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, Norfolk Public Library and Norfolk Festevents, each linked.
Three of Norfolk’s museums cost nothing to visit: the Chrysler Museum of Art, the MacArthur Memorial and the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. Add 7.3 miles of free beach at Ocean View, the 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail and a calendar of free festivals, and a full day out in Norfolk can be free.
Who to call
- City parks, beaches and recreation centers: Norfolk Parks and Recreation, 757-823-4291
- Hermitage Museum and Gardens: 757-423-2052
- City services: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510
Free museums
| Museum | Address | Hours | Free extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Museum of Art | One Memorial Place | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday | Free parking; free tour at 11 a.m. daily; free glassmaking demo at noon Tuesday to Sunday in the Perry Glass Studio |
| MacArthur Memorial | 198 Bank St. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday | Open Memorial Day and Veterans Day |
| Hermitage Museum and Gardens | 7637 North Shore Road | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday | Free parking; waterfront gardens; leashed dogs welcome in the gardens |
The Chrysler also runs the Moses Myers House, 323 E. Freemason St., open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The MacArthur Memorial is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Free outdoors
- Ocean View beaches: more than 7.3 miles of free shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay. Community Beach, 700 E. Ocean View Ave., Ocean View Beach, 100 W. Ocean View Ave., and Sarah Constant Beach, 300 W. Ocean View Ave., have parking, restrooms and shade trees (beaches).
- Elizabeth River Trail: free and open to walkers, runners, cyclists and dogs on a leash, 10.5 miles from Norfolk State University to Norfolk International Terminals; see walking and biking trails.
- Town Point Park and the downtown waterfront, with the interactive fountain in TowneBank Fountain Park.
- 13 city dog parks; see dog-friendly Norfolk.
- Splash pads at Shoop Park and Norview Community Center, June to August; see summer camps and pools.
Free for families
- Norfolk Public Library story times, Babygarten, Toddler Time, Lego clubs and teen programs at branches across the city (library calendar); see kids’ activities.
- City recreation center events: trunk or treats, fall festivals, Santa breakfasts and family nights, listed free in the Good Times course guide.
Free festivals and events
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Beats and Treats Halloween block party | 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 | Five Points Park |
| Grand Illumination Parade | 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026 | Downtown |
| Holiday Yule Log Bonfire and Holiday Marketplace | Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 | Town Point Park |
| Norfolk Harborfest | Each June (June 19-21 in 2026) | Downtown waterfront |
| Big Bands on the Bay | Sunday evenings, late May to early July (2026) | Ocean View Beach Park |
| Labor Day Celebration and Fireworks | Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5 in 2026) | Ocean View Beach Park |
Details and sources are on our seasonal pages: Halloween events, Christmas parade and tree lighting, holiday lights and Christmas events and Labor Day.
Cheap, or free one day
- Virginia Zoo: Norfolk residents, military, teachers and first responders get $2 off with ID, and the zoo holds discounted Community Days for Hampton Roads residents in November (zoo).
- Transit on Election Day: fares are waived on HRT buses, light rail, the ferry, Paratransit and OnDemand on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 (city).
What this means for you
- Plan a free downtown day: the MacArthur Memorial in the morning, the waterfront and the Chrysler in the afternoon. The MacArthur is closed Sunday and Monday; the Chrysler is closed Monday.
- More ideas each week: things to do this weekend.
Related guides: date night in Norfolk, a guide to downtown Norfolk and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chrysler Museum of Art free?
Yes. Admission and parking are always free. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and closed Monday.
Is the MacArthur Memorial free?
Yes. Admission is free. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and it opens on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Are Norfolk beaches free?
Yes. Ocean View has more than 7.3 miles of free, accessible shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay, with three city beach parks that have parking and restrooms.
What free festivals does Norfolk have?
Harborfest on the downtown waterfront each June, the Grand Illumination Parade the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Holiday Yule Log Bonfire in December and summer concerts at Ocean View Beach Park are all free.
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