VISITING Virginia Beach–Norfolk · Hampton Roads

Visiting Virginia Beach–Norfolk with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Stay in downtown Norfolk or at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The zoo and the Chrysler are about 15 minutes apart in Norfolk, and the aquarium is a short drive south of the Oceanfront hotels.

Top 2 can’t-miss spots

#1Norfolk, 3500 Granby St.
Virginia Zoo
Last paid entry 3pm.
Kids $17Adults $20Under 2
See it in the guide
#2Virginia Beach, 717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Last general entry 3:30pm.
Kids $30Adults $35Ages 0–4Indoor
See it in the guide
Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Hampton Roads

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day
MORNINGVirginia ZooZoo Tales Thursdays at 11 · Norfolk, 3500 Granby St. · $17 kids, $20 adults
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPChrysler Museum of ArtFree; closed Mondays · Norfolk, One Memorial Place · Free
If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGVirginia Aquarium & Marine Science CenterOpens 9am; last general entry 3:30pm · Virginia Beach, 717 General Booth Blvd. · $30 kids, $35 adults
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPChildren’s Museum of VirginiaWed–Sun until 4pm · Olde Towne Portsmouth, 221 High Street
Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

NORFOLKDowntown NorfolkThe Chrysler and the zoo are a short drive apart.Near Chrysler Museum of Art and Virginia Zoo
OCEANFRONTVirginia Beach OceanfrontThe aquarium sits just south of the Oceanfront hotels.Near Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Café · NorfolkZinnia Café at the ChryslerNear Chrysler Museum of Art
Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Parking
Aquarium parking is free from November 1 through March 31; the zoo and the Chrysler park free year-round.
Tickets
The Children’s Museum of Virginia and the aquarium both want tickets bought online before you go.
Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Hampton Roads

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in Hampton RoadsBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 pricesChristmas lights in Hampton RoadsDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices
This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Virginia Beach–Norfolk. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Sat 11am–3pm
Trick or Treat Carnival at Slover
Carnival games, BOO! Bingo, crafts, a spooky movie and candy, plus a costume contest. Free.
Downtown Branch at Slover · Norfolk
Free
Hours, food & parking
#2Sat During library hours
Trick or Treat at Central Library (Chesapeake)
Visit all three desks in costume for a treat; crafts run all day while supplies last. Free.
Central Library · Chesapeake
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking
#3Sat 9am–4pm
Halloweekends at the Children’s Museum of Virginia
Halloween activities fill the museum, and on Saturday the Boo-seum opens with a slightly spooky look at witches, graveyards and pirates. Costumes are welcome (no face coverings), and the museum asks families to bring a food donation for local pantries.
Children’s Museum of Virginia · Portsmouth
Included with museum admissionIndoor
Hours, food & parking
#4Thu 11–11:30am
Zoo Tales at the Virginia Zoo
The zoo’s weekly storytime: two new stories and a visit from an animal ambassador. October’s theme is Creepy Crawlies. Check the signs in Fountain Plaza for where it meets that day.
Virginia Zoo · Norfolk
Free with zoo admission
Hours, food & parking
#5Sat During library hours
Trick or Treat the Library (Major Hillard)
Stop by in costume for tricks and treats any time the library is open. Free.
Major Hillard Library · Chesapeake
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking
See everything this week →
Good questions

Visiting Virginia Beach–Norfolk with toddlers: the FAQ

Is Virginia Beach–Norfolk kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Virginia Beach–Norfolk guide lists 6 places we checked for little kids, plus 2 free places and 4 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 1 easy restaurant near the big stops and free storytimes at 3 library systems. This week’s list has 23 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Virginia Beach–Norfolk and this weekend’s list.

Where should we stay?

Downtown Norfolk keeps the zoo and the Chrysler close; the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is closest to the aquarium.

What if it rains?

Pick the aquarium, the Chrysler or the Children’s Museum of Virginia; all three are indoors.

Get the list every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Hampton Roads.