Norfolk Botanical Garden - Blooms, Fun, and Adventure for All!

The Norfolk Botanical Garden is an underappreciated gem in the Hampton Roads area. The Garden, a 155-acre oasis in the midst of the ever more bustling city of Norfolk, VA, is spectacular year-round. From camellias in the winter months, gorgeous bulb displays in the spring, incredible azalea and rhododendron blooms in the late spring to a huge array of summer roses and perennials and all sorts of fall foliage and fall-blooming plant displays in the autumn months, the plant lover won't be disappointed. In fact, I always leave the Garden amazed and inspired by the beautiful plantings and I inevitably vow to turn my own yard into more of a botanical wonderland!

But even if plants aren't your thing, the Norfolk Botanical Garden offers both fun and tranquility to its guests. For families, the recent addition of World of Wonders Children's Adventure Garden offers endless fun learning experiences. With a global theme, this new feature offers everything from water fun to a "Dirt Factory" and several Passport Gardens which offer a glimpse into the vegetation in different parts of the world. On WOW Wednesdays and Super Saturdays, special activities such as storytime, live entertainment, and crafts add to the learning and the fun!

The Garden is also a romantic destination and is the site of many outdoor weddings, especially in its spectacular rose garden and Renaissance garden. One of my favorite places is the outdoor sculpture gallery, where statues of famous artists are surrounded by perennials. There are boat rides and tram rides through the park that allow for a little snuggling and time to just sit and admire the glory of nature.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden offers close to thirty theme gardens, including a colonial herb garden, a Japanese garden, a healing garden, a butterfly garden, and a native plant garden. There are also fun trails along the lake that borders the Garden. Located next to the Norfolk International Airport, the Garden also has an airport lookout that allows you great views of the runways and a chance to listen to the control tower communications. Being so close to the airport, there is some aircraft noise to contend with, but it becomes fairly unnoticeable once you are within the wooded gardens.

Animal lovers won't be disappointed. The Garden is a nesting site for bald eagles and is host to many resident geese and other water fowl. An occasional fox is also spotted. Butterflies swarm the butterfly garden and countless other native animals can be seen on the grounds.

There is always something happening at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. My favorite activity is the Bike Night that the Garden has during the summer months. On certain days, the paved trails are open to bikers - what a great family activity! There are summer camps for children, horticultural and craft classes for adults, numerous festivals throughout the year such as the History Alive reenactments, birdwatching and plant tours, and even a Garden of Lights display during the winter holiday season.

The Garden facilities include a a gift shop, cafe, horticultural library, and conference center. The Garden is a great site for weddings, corporate parties, and other celebrations as well.

In short, the lovely Norfolk Botanical Garden is well worth the current entrance fee of $6 for adults, reduced fees for youth and children and kids 3 and under free. What a deal and what a day you will have! My family paid to become members because we love all of the beautiful plants, peaceful woodlands, and fun activities the garden has to offer. Don't pass up the chance to visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden at 6700 Azalea Garden Road in historic Norfolk, Virginia! It is open from 9 am - 5 pm mid-October - March and from 9 am - 7 pm April - mid-October, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

My favorite things about the Garden in a nutshell:
1. Family activities like Bike Night
2. Beautiful plants and arrangements - always something in bloom
3. Renaissance Garden and Statue Garden
4. Fountains and perennials near the colonial garden
5. WOW Garden for children