Cannot believe that I've never been to the Hermitage Museum and Gardens until yesterday. The home is stunning. The wood working, the art collection and the beautiful grounds; all stunning. If you are looking for something to do on a sleepy afternoon this may be the place for you to visit. Almost forgot to mention that they allow dogs to walk the grounds as long as you clean up after your fur baby. read more

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I came expecting "a nice little museum" and accidentally entered the main character phase of my life. The house looks like Gatsby retired here to start gardening and finally find inner peace. Every room feels fancy enough that you instinctively whisper, even when you're alone judging antique furniture like you suddenly have generational wealth. The gardens? Absolutely disrespectful to regular parks. Trees posing like they know they're beautiful, peacocks walking around with the confidence of influencers, and views of the water that make you question every life decision that didn't involve buying a mansion in 1915. Perfect place for a peaceful stroll, deep thoughts, or pretending you're in a period drama waiting for someone to confess forbidden love near the azaleas. read more

Checked out "What Remains". It was interesting on a much smaller scale than "Sleep No More," without the choose-your-own-adventure option and with only one ending. They made great use of the Hermitage's artwork, incorporating the pieces into the story. While listening to the narration, sound effects, captivating storytelling, and lighting guided you through the house and invited you to immerse yourself in the experience. The performance is an hour long and sends you off in groups of 12 at a time; at $68 per ticket I felt the price was on the steep side. The pace was good. There are age restrictions 14years+ with adult supervision, and the show fluctuates between sitting on the floor, standing, bending through pathways, and navigating stairs and tight spaces -- something to consider for accessibility and comfort. read more

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I loved being here on a Sunday afternoon. A local artist and friend was there working. I really enjoyed catching up with friends and loved the scenery. The waterfront views are beautiful. read more

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!! read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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This museum and grounds are well worth a trip, in fact, when we visit we like to make almost a half day of it because there is a lot to see, a lot of history and the grounds are so peaceful and inviting. I would give 5 stars but f they changed the scavenger hunt sheets/challenges and added more activities to include the grounds. It's a must to visit, though! The staff is always wonderful! read more

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. read more

Hermitage Museum and Gardens - House to garden - Museums Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

So the Hermitage has been one of those things that has popped up with events on my Facebook page for years and I've always said "I'm gonna go to that" and have not gone. Friends and I have said we're going to go to things and tour it and have not gone. A few years ago I wanted to come for the Burning Man art exhibit terribly bad and did not go.... So last weekend I finally made it for the handmade fair for the last hour and was able to roam around, explore, and look at arts and crafts. It was a beautiful day, everyone was friendly, and I was able to really enjoy the grounds and gardens as well as the entire neighborhood as I had to park a few blocks away and walk. I also toured, quickly, the old historic home and the art on display currently and loved it. This building is beautiful but the grounds are what is really to die for here. Right on the water, gorgeous views, gorgeous gardens and relaxing. I love that this space is devoted to cultivating art and talent. Showcasing different artists and changing up the exhibits often. I saw some very interesting things. Parking can be a bit of a stretch, as mentioned by nearly everyone else, the roads are small and old and tight and you may have to back up all the way down a street if you and an SUV come head to head, but you can park parallel along the street and walk 5-10 minutes and you shouldn't have any problem. Worth a visit. I will be back again, for sure. I'm going to make it a point to visit more often and see the art and listen to the live music on the water they host often. read more

I wouldn't necessarily call this a "hidden gem" but it certainly feels that way! I've always loved old houses and gardens, and the Hermitage is particularly lovely. read more

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. read more

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Beautiful gardens and home museum. The trails are fun to follow. Very relaxing. The staff is friendly and accommodating. They have great events all year long! read more

Lovely scenery, nice people, area around it was beautiful as well. Had a blast. Looking for more things like this. Would've went with my wife but she was on one atm so I went with a friend. We enjoyed it. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Hermitage Museum and Gardens - Live band at Miss Kitty's House of Cosmic Love - Museums Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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! read more

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

Great staff & great collection. A nice place to picnic with the family in the East garden. They have tables there which is very generous. read more

Hermitage Museum and Gardens - Museums Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Oh my, where to start? This place is oozing with charm! I just came home from their Sunset on the River Social and it was sooooo beautiful and relaxing. You get to sit on the lawn and listen to a live jazz band play while sipping some wine and watching the sun go down with friends. What could be better? Oh, I know - you also get to bring your doggies to socialize and it is kid-friendly. There were so many cute kids dancing and blowing bubbles that I just had to join in the fun and soon my friends joined me and we all danced the night away. Not to mention this place is secluded and looks like it is right out of romance novel. Don't just walk, run to the next social - they happen twice a month. See ya there! read more

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

Daughter took me to Hermitage Museum and Gardens for fathers day and it was a very enjoyable visit. The history of the building is very interesting and the exhibits of Art inside and out are fascinating and very beautiful to observe. i will be making other trips to get more photographs and have a much closer look at the exhibits. The Staff at the museum are very courteous and knowledgeable of the exhibits inside and out. I highly recommend a visit if you can arrange one. read more

Become a member! It's full of events year round! The staff is informative and the grounds are well kept. read more

Hermitage Museum and Gardens - Beautiful and inspiring - Museums Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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good find! i had some spare time before heading to the airport so i decided to stop here. nice blend of architectural and museum qualities to satisfy my interest. you can also download the app to take a free self guided tour, which i did. the staff was friendly and plenty of parking. read more

This is an amazing Museum that is a little hard to find but definitely worth it. This was the home of the Sloan family and is full of a lifetime of treasures. It is full of various collections of paintings, Russian antiquities and so much more, not in huge quantities but enough to be in awe. We are looking forward to taking guests to the Museum and exploring the grounds. read more

I had my wedding here, and it was amazing. Cost me a pretty penny, but I'm STILL regularly told that my wedding was the best people had been to, over a year later. The area is beautiful, right on the water, and I couldn't have imagined a more picturesque location for my event. During the year that follows I didn't have much of a chance to go back, so I can't speak to a daily visit, but if you're considering the Hermitage for your next event-- don't hesitate! It was well worth it, for me. read more

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

A quiet little haven right on the river. The grounds are beautiful and the museum inside has some interesting and unique pieces, as well as being a beautiful architectural example. If you don't want to see the museum, you can tour the grounds for free. Be sure to visit in the spring when the wisteria is in bloom- it smells heavenly! read more

The gardens and grounds were absolutely beautiful! However, never plan an event there. I had my wedding there in May. After I made the first payment, the staff did not care and made me and my fiancé feel like we were an inconvenience. "event coordinator" Lily was not helpful and always in a foul mood. Also, they only rent chairs,tents , etc, from Distinct Event Rentals ( which will be another review). read more