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    Hermitage Museum and Gardens

    4.7 (33 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Hermitage Museum and Gardens Photos

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    Belle A.

    What Remains was a unique immersive experience where you wear headphones and wander through this beautiful old house. You hear the sounds and story as you go through each part of this magnificent home. The props are great and the actors were wonderful. It is very similar to the Sleep No More experience in the McKittrick Hotel in NYC.. truly enjoyed this and highly recommend doing this with friends and family!! Should definitely wander the grounds during the day because it is beautiful and serene!!

    Kelsey L.

    This is such a gem. Just the gardens outside alone are a beautiful spot to picnic and enjoy the view- I absolutely love seeing the harbor and all the action happening in the water out there. The grounds around the museum allow for a view, and also a beautiful walk! There are trails that go on for a little bit around the premises, and it's definitely family friendly. The museum indoors is very interesting, with lots of artifacts from around the world throughout history. It's also spaced out well to where you aren't too crowded even though it's inside a home. Really interesting spot, definitely recommend!

    One of many lovely walking paths
    Sylvie C.

    We had just visited the piers on Norfolk Naval Base and I was in dire need of getting some fresh air afterwards. I am so glad how close the Hermitage Museum and Garden was. What a lovely place to visit after seeing all the bleak, gray, and awful industrial sight. Something about looking at all the industrial buildings made looking at the immaculately kept gardens and walking paths particularly soul quenching. Although the area is only 10 minutes apart, what a night and day difference both places are. I really loved the azaleas and other flowers it was planted in the garden paths. I am looking forward to visiting the actual inside of the museum during my next trip in town.

    Temima N.

    Cool museum! It's a bit small but it's nice cute museum in the area! There was a wedding going on when we went so the garden area was a bit packed so we mostly spent our time in the museum which was cute! I like the more interactive exhibit that was fun!

    Elle S.

    The grounds around the Hermitage are breathtaking and the staff are pleasant. Just walking through the interior and exterior, feels as if I was traveling through time. Will surely return when in the area.

    Thursday sunset river concert series
    J David H.

    The first museum of Norfolk Virginia was established by Florence Sloane in her 42 room mansion built in 1908. Today the Sloane Collection has over 5,000 objects of decorative & fine art. It represents 30 countries and 5,000 years of art history. Mrs. Sloane used her home as a place of learning for art, music, religion & culture. She believed that art was the most important part of a civilized society. I found the detailed woodwork to be the most amazing aspect of the home. The grounds off the Lafayette River are used for all types of events year around. My last event was this past Summer that brought music and food trucks together. When driving up to the estate you will pass the Water Tower & Sunken Gardens. This charming lighthouse type structure was built in 1922 to replace a previous structure. Designed by Charles Woodsend to resemble blend with the their "Summer" home. Mr. Woodsend also had his studio below until his death in 1927. Today it is a visual reminder of the Hermitage and can be seen for a distance due to its proximity off the river where you can also see small craft in the area from nearby Norfolk Yacht. The estate & grounds are closed due to COVID-19. When they reopen self guided tours will resume.

    Lula B.

    This picturesque museum is a well kept secret...located in a residential neighborhood off of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, VA. The museum has so much history. It was originally built as a summer home for the Sloane family in 1908. They were avid art collectors and decided to turn their home into a museum in 1937. My favorite activities when I visit this waterfront property are the contemporary exhibition galleries and sitting on the bench to catch a breeze off the river. Throughout the year, the museum hosts several events. My favorite being the annual Halloween theatrical performance. My mother and I had a blast last year!

    House to garden
    Allen P.

    Great place to the kids out for a bit without crowds. Between the house and the gardens the kids were entertained and had a bit of a chance to run. Good for the adults too.

    View
    Aisha A.

    Our family decided to take a trip to the hermitage museum. We loved every second of it! Our kids was intrigued by the history and loved the view! If your new to the area in Norfolk this is a beautiful place to see and experience with your family.

    Heather N.

    We recently joined the museum, I am looking to get into a ceramics class here and wanted the discount on the courses. What I didn't anticipate is how beautiful this place is, even in January. The house sits beside the water and has been turned into a museum showcasing a beautiful collection of items. Outside you can explore beautiful gardens. I cannot wait for the summer to see these in bloom and for the summer concert series! I'll def be updating my reviews of the ceramics class after it starts at the end of January.

    Matthew W.

    Had a great time returning to this location. My girlfriend and I were back in the area to visit her parents for Christmas and came here to view the outdoor sculpture made out of saplings and branches. There are many renovations taking place. Even in December this museum was as beautiful as ever.

    Live band at Miss Kitty's House of Cosmic Love
    Leelynn B.

    I got to finally visit the Hermitage Museum and Gardens (the museum part) this past Sunday and I am so glad I finally went. I used to pass the sign all the time and wonder how it was, and then I'd see photos from shoots there by a local photographer (who also had my shoot there so I got to see the gardens earlier in January), and I knew I had to see the inside. I love seeing museums that allow me to step back in time, especially reading about local history in the Norfolk area. The new exhibit about Vogt was also nice to see, as it does show me that they do change up different showcase exhibits every once in a while. It was interesting to read about this family in a place that I didn't realize had a lot more history than I knew of. I'd highly recommend going, and even though it's not "free", I still say it's worth it to help keep the museum open to the public.

    Anna M.

    This place is so beautiful. There is so much to see, whether it is inside the actual building or outside of it. We initially came here to take a look at it as a possible venue for our wedding. Fortunately for us, after we toured the areas where the wedding and the reception would be held, the wedding coordinator let us explore the museum on our own. It was absolutely beautiful. Each room held something that was much cooler than the next. Once outside, however, there were so many different sites to view that I don't even think we were able to see them all. This place was great, I would recommend it to anyone!

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    4 years ago

    Fascinating museum and gardens! We especially enjoyed the millstones in the courtyard. Lovely place, and free admission!

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    14 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This is an extraordinary place. Truly magical. The house, the gardens, the art from all over the world. Just a wonderful experience.

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    10 years ago

    A wonderful place to contemplate and relax if you love to browse historic places in a classic environment ;)

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    Ask the Community - Hermitage Museum and Gardens

    Are you allowed to take a picnic and eat on the grounds? Are there tables and chairs or benches to utilize?

    Hello Pattie! Yes, there are picnic tables along the shore behind the house as well as a few benches throughout the gardens. They are first-come, first-served. We ask that following your picnic, you properly dispose of any trash. Thanks!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Hermitage Museum and Gardens

    located in a residential neighborhood off of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, VA.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    There is a free section and a ticketed section…read more The tickets are for the battleship. It is a wonderful museum for all ages who can manage some stairs. This is a must do in Norfolk. The free museum inside the building has Norfolk history, battleship history, port of VA info, and naval history. There are many interactive exhibits. The building is temperature controlled with clean bathrooms. Parking at the garage across the street is free for the first 2 hours. If you do the ship, you will need more than 2 hours but the hourly rate at the garage is reasonable

    i went to nauticus and did the self guided tour of the uss wisconsin battleship museum. we got to…read morego inside the battleship and walk through a bunch of different areas, which was probably the best part because it made everything feel more real instead of just looking at pictures or exhibits. the ship itself is huge, and seeing everything up close was really interesting. i liked being able to walk around at my own pace instead of being rushed through it. the deck views were really nice too, and the giant guns were honestly crazy to see in person because they're so much bigger than i thought they'd be. overall it was actually really fun and i'd definitely recommend it if you're in norfolk because it's something different and really interesting to experience. note -- it isn't handicap accessible, there are a lot of stairs you need to go up and down on.

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    Casemate Museum

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    Sophia and I have lived in the Peninsula since 2011, but rarely took trips to Fort Monroe to…read moreexplore its history. Shame on us since we've been to many museums for years. But, it's better late than never. And believe me, it's one you definitely want to check out. For admission, it's free. How it works is we're given a 15 min window for entering and plus, it gives you a chance to look around in the visitor center where the galley takes you to the history of Fort Monroe and how the Civil War changed everything. If you've been to museums in Virginia, just about everything is covered regarding the slave trade and wars between the North and South and against other countries. A lot to take in, but beneficial. After we were done scoping the visitor center, we entered the museum itself. A treasure trove of information to soak in regarding Fort Monroe itself. I just turned 45 years old and I can tell you I learned a ton from this visit alone. And there still is more to gain. It's wonderful to see that the staff put their heart and soul into keeping everything in place. You can do a self guided tour like we did or you can do a group tour. Also, the museum shops have goodies for you to buy. Believe me, you should not leave empty handed when you have the chance. A wonderful visit to a place where you'll leave with knowledge. And there's more on site at Fort Monroe. We''ll be back for some more tours when time persists :)

    The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe is exceptionally well organized and free to visit. Be sure to…read moreswing by the Visitor Center to pick up a timed-entry ticket before heading across the bridge. They also offer guided walking tours throughout the day, though times vary. The fort itself is awe-inspiring- the largest bastion fort by area in the U.S., completed in 1834- and it's incredible to think it stood as a Union stronghold, designated "Freedom's Fortress," where escaping enslaved people found sanctuary during the Civil War. The massive interior arches are a testament to enduring design, and walking atop the fort offers an unforgettable connection to history.

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    Virginia Zoo

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    I was extremely eager to finally come to the zoo. It's been years since I've visited one. I came…read morehere on a Friday with my son, who was also excited to see animals for the first time. There were many children, which looked like they were on a school trip. Before coming, I searched the zoo's website and found out they had admission discounts for whomever had Medicaid. It stated that admission price was $7. Of course, they had to ID you to see if your name matched the card. To my surprise, admission was just $4.95, which was a steal. I brought in food and water for my son and I, as most people did. First stop was the Fountain Plaza, where I had to figure out which way I wanted to maneuver. I went left to Asia and Africa trails, as my son wanted to view tigers, lions, giraffes, and monkeys. Each exhibit had 1 or 2 animals. Very bare. The monkeys had 3 the most. Not too many animals were active, which is understandable because this is their normal wild habitat. I was expecting to see my favorite animal, the elephant. Apparently, they are no longer there, as well as gorillas. I enjoyed the giraffes, rhinos, and zebras in Africa. They had the most energy. The cheetah and lion were off the exhibit that day. Following those trails, my son wanted to ride on the train. It is $3/rider. They have a strict policy of having all hands and feet at all times during the ride. This all took 2hrs. I didn't bother checking the other side of the park because it was starting to drizzle. This zoo was just ok to do something with your kids so that they can get acquainted with various animals from other parts of the world or just a date. I've been to better zoos, it was just so bare. Be prepared for lots of walking, so bring water.

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    Education
    Education
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    Absolutely Awesome! Highly recommend. This has to be one of the best children's museums we've…read morevisited (and we've visited a lot). First, be sure to reserve tickets online. You must choose a time to arrive, but then you can stay all day. The prices are very reasonable and they offer several discounts. There is some street parking in front and a large parking lot behind the museum. Parking is $1.25/hour during the week and free on the weekends. Check-in was quick and easy. The staff member assisting us was very friendly. they don't allow any outside food but water bottles with lids are fine. Strollers and wagons are also allowed. The museum offers tons of different rooms/spaces without feeling too big or overwhelming. There's a map on each floor to help guide you through the spaces. Each space is super interactive and educational. We absolutely loved the train room and the bubble room. Even Grandma had a blast on this visit. Other notes: - There is plenty of seating throughout the museum. - The bathrooms were clean and clearly marked. - There were helpful staff members scattered around the museum areas. - The planetarium show starts on the hour, every hour. My kids were too exhausted but other parents said it was nice.

    Went there the day after Thanksgiving and it was one of the best children's museums we've ever been…read moreto and that says a lot considering all of the free museums in DC where we are from. Also their miniature train exhibit is massive and very extensive. We could've spent all day there but we had to get back on the road to go home.

    Photos
    A museum just for kids!
    A museum just for kids!
    A place where learning is spelled F-U-N
    A place where learning is spelled F-U-N
    One of the areas, a little reading nook with a huge chair!

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    One of the areas, a little reading nook with a huge chair!

    Hermitage Museum and Gardens - museums - Updated July 2026

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