Norfolk, VA

Chrysler Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION: Considered one of the best fine art museums in America; stroll through 5,000 years of art history at the home to Walter Chrysler, Jr.'s world-class collection of 30,000 pieces of American and European painting & sculpture, 20th Century art, decorative glass and photographic art; 300-seat theatre hosts musical performances and year round lectures; numerous free activities for children, a fine restaurant and a gift shop onsite; an extension to the museum is several nearby houses that are accurately restored to their 18th century condition
ADMISSION: $7 General, Children 12 and under FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Wed 10a-9p, Thu-Sat 10a-5p, Sunday 1p-5p 
ADDRESS: 245 West Olney Road  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-664-6200
WEBSITE: http://www.chrysler.org

d`Art Center
DESCRIPTION: See professional artists working in open attractive architectural settings creating and selling a diverse range of art; a great place to acquire original works at a bargain; art classes; exhibits of contemporary fine art and craft art are presented
ADMISSION: FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 208 Main Street in Selden Arcade  MAP
PARKING: Waterside and Main Street garages
PHONE: 757-625-4211
WEBSITE: http://www.d-artcenter.org

MacArthur Memorial
DESCRIPTION: Located downtown in the restored 1850 City Hall, it is the final resting place for one of America’s most celebrated military officers, General Douglas MacArthur; the complex contains a museum, theater, galleries, military archives, personal artifacts and a gift shop; revisit the compelling story of Army General Macarthur and the millions of American men and women who served our nation during the Spanish American War, World Wars I, World War II, and the Korean War
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-5p
ADMISSION: FREE
ADDRESS: MacArthur Square at Bank Street and City Hall Ave  MAP
PARKING: downtown garages nearby
PHONE: 757-441-2965
WEBSITE: http://www.macarthurmemorial.org

Virginia Beach, VA

Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1952, it explores contemporary art through changing exhibitions and educational programming; changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from regional and internationally acclaimed artists; the center also organizes the Boardwalk Art Show along the oceanfront each summer
ADMISSION: $5 adults, $3 students and military
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Fri 10a-5p, Sat 10a-4p, Sun Noon-4p
ADDRESS: 2200 Parks Ave  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-425-0000
WEBSITE: http://www.cacv.org

Hampton, VA

Hampton History Museum
DESCRIPTION: First opened in 1966, this educational and research center for the collection, exhibition, interpretation and preservation of the vast historic resources of Hampton; includes nine permanent galleries arranged in chronological order showing the 400 years of development of the area as the oldest continuous English-speaking settlement in America
ADMISSION: $5 adults, $4 seniors
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 120 Old Hampton Lane   MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-727-0830
WEBSITE: http://www.hampton.va.us/history_museum

Portsmouth, VA

 

Courthouse Galleries  
DESCRIPTION: housed in the 1846 Courthouse, it rotates visual art exhibits, lectures, classes and performances; it features Eastern, Western, multicultural, traditional and contemporary art forms that inspire interest and understanding of our rich and diverse global heritage

ADMISSION:

DAYS & HOURS:
ADDRESS: High and Court Streets in Historic Olde Towne

PARKING: lots nearby
PHONE: 757-393-8543
WEBSITE: http://www.courthousegalleries.com

 

Naval Shipyard Museum  
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1949; if you’re interested in naval history or memorabilia, its a delight; the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Museum was later moved to the Portsmouth waterfront; at High Street Landing on The Elizabeth River, visitors will experience a steady stream of vessels from pleasure craft to carriers

ADMISSION: $3
DAYS & HOURS: 10a-5p
ADDRESS: High Street Landing in Historic Olde Towne

PHONE:
PHONE: 757-393-8591
WEBSITE: http://www.portsnavalmuseums.com

Newport News, VA

Virginia War Museum
DESCRIPTION: Marches Toward Freedom exhibit showcases African American military contributions from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War; other exhibits are America and War, Women at War, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Axis Powers, Prisoner of War, Fowler Gallery of Arms, Evolution of Weaponry and Visions of War; located near the Newport News Amtrak Station
ADMISSION: $6 adults, $5 age 62+, $4 ages 7-18
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 9a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 9285 Warwick Blvd   MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-247-8523
WEBSITE: http://www.warmuseum.org

Yorktown, VA

Yorktown National Battlefield & Victory Center
DESCRIPTION: at markers on this historic battlefield, daily reenactments of Revolutionary War (1770-1783) encounters, historical figures and the battle decisions they made are presented; National Park Service interpreters also describe the role of 5,000 Africans who fought on America’s side; a stop at the Yorktown Victory Center  reveals another layer to the story about African American roles in this war -- many were forced to choose freedom over allegiance to country because the British were the first to offer freedom to escaped slaves who served - thus many Africans fought with honor for Britain as well; The Witness Gallery in the center’s museum discusses this subject in detail
ADMISSION: $7
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: Colonial Parkway  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-887-1776
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/york

Watermen’s Museum
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1981 as a part of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown; in October of 1781, American and French forces fought the British in the final battle of the Revolutionary War; Llocal watermen aided the French fleet, acting as pilots traveling the waterways and helped defeat the British army; among its collections, it presents photos and artifacts that document the history of proficient African American fishermen of the Chesapeake Bay
ADMISSION: Adults $4, K thru 12 Students $1
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-4p, Sun 1p-4p
ADDRESS: 309 Water Street  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-887-2641
WEBSITE: http://www.watermens.org

Williamsburg, VA

Colonial Williamsburg
DESCRIPTION: it was Virginia’s capital from 1699 to 1780, as well as the social and cultural nexus of Great Britain’s largest colony; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other prominent southern politicians formed most of their opinions about how our country should be managed while here; though selective in its depictions, daily re-enactments of colonist and slave life at this fully restored, 173 acre historic site make it a living history museum and a compelling location to help children understand what slavery was like and who benefited; guests can explore the 18th-century African American community at Great Hopes Plantation by song and dances that provided African Americans a way to maintain their identity and some sense of culture during slavery
ADMISSION: FREE
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: 113 Visitor Center Drive  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 800-447-8679
WEBSITE: http://www.history.org