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All the United States Virginia Norfolk

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Norfolk

9 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Norfolk, Virginia

Updated October 26, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Norfolk

Norfolk, Virginia

Doumar's Barbecue

This old-fashioned carhop restaurant gave the world the waffle cone.

Norfolk, Virginia

Cementiscope

A cement mixer-turned-kaleidoscope in downtown Norfolk offers different views of the city.
Cannonball in Church Wall

Norfolk, Virginia

Cannonball in Saint Paul's Episcopal Church

This cannonball stands as a reminder of the final act of a fleeting governor amidst a revolution.
View of park from Hampton Blvd facing Princess Anne Rd.

Norfolk, Virginia

Yellow Fever Park

One tiny triangular park commemorates the victims of a yellow fever epidemic—many of whom are buried right below the grass.
McClure Field with today’s sporting sailors

Norfolk, Virginia

McClure Field

America's second-oldest brick baseball stadium was home to a legendary WWII series that only sailors got to see.
The higher branches of this snazzy old cedar protect the lower branches’ many wishes from sun and rain.

Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk Wishing Tree

The branches of this sprawling cedar tree are laden with wishes big and small.

Norfolk, Virginia

'Navigator'

A sculpture made from recycled materials and hand-blown glass dedicated to transportation and transformation.

Norfolk, Virginia

Mary Hardy MacArthur Memorial

The childhood home of the famous general's mother is now a small, walled garden.
See All 9 Things To Do in Norfolk

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Norfolk

Norfolk, Virginia

Doumar's Barbecue

This old-fashioned carhop restaurant gave the world the waffle cone.
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Places in Virginia That Aren’t What They Seem

They say that Virginia is for lovers. If you love a little mystery, then they’re definitely right. With its mountain ranges, deep forests, and proximity to the nation’s capital, the state is filled with unusual corners and overlapping histories. From a Cold War bunker turned recording archive to a Styrofoam Stonehenge, these places in Virginia are more than meets the eye.

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The Cementiscope is a jumble of color and light—inside a cement mixer.

Explore Norfolk, Virginia

A
9
World War Ii 2
Military 2

Norfolk Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. tybbiesniffer
    1
  2. gcal
    1
  3. schuettek
    1
  4. evansjm
    1
  5. zachclarke
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Norfolk.

Places Edited

  1. blimpcaptain
    7
  2. ickaimp
    3
  3. assemblingdreams
    2
  4. WickedWanderers
    2
  5. littlebrumble
    2
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Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. rob2012kp
    9
  2. needbike14
    9
  3. Scriv
    9
  4. olinorfolk
    8
  5. AriAlbD
    8
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Norfolk.

Recent Norfolk Activity

  • bsynol76

    wants to go to Norfolk Wishing Tree

    4 days ago
  • timbakner

    has been to Cannonball in Saint Paul's Episcopal Church

    4 days ago
  • Courtney Hillegonds

    has been to 'Navigator'

    2 days ago
  • strgbassplyr a5deb780

    wants to go to Doumar's Barbecue

    2 days ago
  • Rocketsauce

    wants to go to Cementiscope

    about 23 hours ago

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