Sitting at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay, the Elizabeth River, and the Atlantic Ocean, Norfolk is a midsize Virginia city with a long maritime history and a thriving art and cultural scene. It would take you several days to make your way through the town’s museums and galleries, not to mention the studios where you can meet local artists and learn about their work. Kids and adults alike are welcome at the interactive theaters and the hands-on exhibits at the Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus, which acquaint visitors with Norfolk’s seafaring past.

The city offers plenty of green space, including the Pagoda and Oriental Garden and the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia’s largest collection of living plants. The lively Waterside District offers many dining options, and you’ll find a vibrant, rotating roster of pop-up stores and locally owned restaurants at Selden Market.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is only 15 minutes from downtown, and shuttle service, taxis, ride-booking services, and car rental options are all available. Several bus lines also serve the city, and you can even travel by boat and drop your anchor at one of the city’s marinas.

Once you’ve arrived, it is easy to get around Norfolk on foot, as many of the sights are near downtown. You can make use of a bike-share service or take the Tide light rail system, which navigates a 7.5-mile route in and out of downtown, with 11 stops and access to many attractions. You’ll find an array of vacation rentals in many of Norfolk’s interesting neighborhoods.

Given its location at the southern mouth of Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk’s temperate, four-season climate is protected from extreme temperatures. Spring and fall have the most comfortable weather for spending time outdoors, while summer brings high temperatures, high humidity, and frequent thunderstorms. Winter temperatures can hit the freezing mark, sometimes with winds but usually with little snow. But if it’s too hot or too cold, the city’s museums and galleries always offer refuge. The warmer weather from May to October means it’s time to head to the beach or enjoy one of the city’s many festivals. In June, visitors flock to Norfolk for its famous three-day maritime festival featuring tall ships, a parade of sails, and a grand fireworks display over the harbor.

Chrysler Museum of Art and Glass Studio

The Chrysler Museum, just north of the Waterside District near the center of town, boasts more than 30,000 artifacts spanning more than 5,000 years. The American and European painting collections and the Middle Age sculptures are a significant focus, as are Chrysler’s collection of glass art, its glass-blowing museum, and glass-blowing demonstrations.

Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus

Nauticus is a maritime-themed museum located at the Norfolk waterfront. In addition to indoor exhibits in the main building, Nauticus is home to USS Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships built by the US Navy that served in World War II, Korea, and in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 before finally being decommissioned. You can visit this piece of history on your own or on a guided tour.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

This botanical garden spans 175 acres and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It features more than 50 themed gardens, including a rose garden, a native plant garden, and a three-acre children’s garden. The grounds lie just 20 minutes from downtown and feature 12 miles of paved trails. Pelicans, eagles, and kestrels all find shelter here, as do 30 species of butterflies. From March to October, you can take a tram through the garden; at certain times of the year, a boat is also available to let you observe the park from its winding canals.