The best arts & culture spots in Hampton Roads

22 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 22 places · showing the latest additions first

Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum

Arts & Culture

Swing by Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum to watch a two-room HO-scale model of 1907 Suffolk come alive, wander through railroad…

326 N Main St (Suffolk)

“Swing by Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum to watch a two-room HO-scale model of 1907 Suffolk come alive, wander through railroad memorabilia and changing exhibits, and admire the 1885 Queen Anne station’s walnut spiral staircase. Perfect local history fix for this week.”

From the Suffolk newsletter, August 4, 2026

Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Arts & Culture

Hampton Roads Naval Museum spotlights the Navy’s roots here with artifacts, ship stories, and two standouts right now, an immersive Vietnam…

1 Waterside Dr Ste 248 (Norfolk)

“Hampton Roads Naval Museum spotlights the Navy’s roots here with artifacts, ship stories, and two standouts right now, an immersive Vietnam War exhibit and a Battle of Hampton Roads showcase. Perfect for a quick history hit between errands, or when the weather needs negotiating.”

From the Norfolk newsletter, August 5, 2026

Chesapeake Planetarium

Arts & Culture

Chesapeake Planetarium is quietly leveling up its beloved dome and rolling out new, immersive shows, so snag a spot under that freshly…

310 Shea Dr (Chesapeake)

“Chesapeake Planetarium is quietly leveling up its beloved dome and rolling out new, immersive shows, so snag a spot under that freshly painted sky for guided tours of constellations, planets, and myth-soaked star lore... plus occasional telescope nights with Back Bay Amateur Astronomers.”

From the Chesapeake newsletter, August 6, 2026

Isle of Wight County Museum

Arts & Culture

Home to the world's oldest ham, this local museum offers interactive history exhibits & a gift shop.

103 Main St (Smithfield)

“Home to the world's oldest ham, this local museum offers interactive history exhibits & a gift shop.”

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Children's Museum of Virginia

Arts & Culture

Hands-on exhibits explore cities, space, music, energy, the human body & more, plus antique trains.

221 High St (Portsmouth)

“Hands-on exhibits explore cities, space, music, energy, the human body & more, plus antique trains.”

Francis Land House

Arts & Culture

19th-century Georgian-style residence & its gardens, with antique furnishings & guided tours.

3131 Virginia Beach Blvd (Virginia Beach)

“19th-century Georgian-style residence & its gardens, with antique furnishings & guided tours.”

Hunter House Victorian Museum

Arts & Culture

Elegant furnished 1894 home in a historic district giving guided tours from April to December.

240 W Freemason St (Norfolk)

“Elegant furnished 1894 home in a historic district giving guided tours from April to December.”

Chrysler Museum of Art

Arts & Culture

Esteemed museum with a broad collection of ancient to contemporary art, including glass & sculpture.

Chrysler Museum of Art, 1 Memorial Pl (Norfolk)

“Esteemed museum with a broad collection of ancient to contemporary art, including glass & sculpture.”

Family Fun Xperience Theatre

Arts & Culture

Family-run venue featuring live gameshows and interactive productions, plus concessions and a gift shop.

206 16th St (Virginia Beach)

“Family-run venue featuring live gameshows and interactive productions, plus concessions and a gift shop.”

Military Aviation Museum

Arts & Culture

Vintage WWI & WWII military planes, many still in flying shape, are housed in this hangar museum.

1341 Princess Anne Rd (Virginia Beach)

“Vintage WWI & WWII military planes, many still in flying shape, are housed in this hangar museum.”

Hermitage Museum & Gardens

Arts & Culture

Historic home & picturesque gardens offering a fine art collection, professional program & classes.

7637 N Shore Rd (Norfolk)

“Historic home & picturesque gardens offering a fine art collection, professional program & classes.”

Fighter Factory Pungo

Arts & Culture

Museum with flyable vintage planes for both WWI and WWII used by various militaries.

1341 Princess Anne Rd (Virginia Beach)

“Museum with flyable vintage planes for both WWI and WWII used by various militaries.”

Virginia Living Museum

Arts & Culture

Museum with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium & a nature trail with 250 species of plants & animals.

524 J Clyde Morris Blvd (Newport News)

“Museum with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium & a nature trail with 250 species of plants & animals.”

MacArthur Memorial

Arts & Culture

Exhibits, learning center & theater honoring Douglas MacArthur & vets of WWI, WWII & the Korean War.

198 Bank St (Norfolk)

“Exhibits, learning center & theater honoring Douglas MacArthur & vets of WWI, WWII & the Korean War.”

ViBe Creative District

Arts & Culture

Arts, technology & cultural district packed with creative professionals & colorful street art.

611 18th St (Virginia Beach)

“Arts, technology & cultural district packed with creative professionals & colorful street art.”

Pinot's Palette

Arts & Culture

Attendees paint during evening classes at this art studio chain serving alcohol at most locations.

240 W 21st St (Norfolk)

“Attendees paint during evening classes at this art studio chain serving alcohol at most locations.”

Painting with a Twist

Arts & Culture

Chain of art studios offering easy-to-follow painting classes for groups & individuals.

1437 Sam's Dr #104 (Chesapeake)

“Chain of art studios offering easy-to-follow painting classes for groups & individuals.”

Virginia Air & Space Science Center

Arts & Culture

Movie theater chain known for presenting 3D films on a giant screen, including blockbusters.

600 Settlers Landing Rd (Hampton)

“Movie theater chain known for presenting 3D films on a giant screen, including blockbusters.”

Riddick's Folly House Museum

Arts & Culture

21-room, Greek Revival mansion built in 1837 featuring elegant decor, guided tours & a gift shop.

510 N Main St (Suffolk)

“21-room, Greek Revival mansion built in 1837 featuring elegant decor, guided tours & a gift shop.”

Moses Myers House

Arts & Culture

Stately house of a 19th-century Jewish merchant, with period furniture & personal effects displayed.

323 E Freemason St (Norfolk)

“Stately house of a 19th-century Jewish merchant, with period furniture & personal effects displayed.”

Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts

Arts & Culture

Free-admission arts center hosting concerts, shows, and performances, plus weddings, in a historic building.

110 Finney Ave (Suffolk)

“Free-admission arts center hosting concerts, shows, and performances, plus weddings, in a historic building.”

Suffolk Art Gallery

Arts & Culture

Spacious, co-op gallery showing local and regional artists in juried exhibitions; free entry.

118 Bosley Ave (Suffolk)

“Spacious, co-op gallery showing local and regional artists in juried exhibitions; free entry.”

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