The Norfolk botanical garden has been on my list of places to see since I went to the national botanical Gardens in Washington Washington DC. I'm very glad I had the opportunity to visit and even more excited to become a member. Not only are the grounds impeccably gorgeous there are many ways to view them rather than just on foot. The free tram runs every hour and runs all around the entire property, giving you a good feeling for the gardens. There is a tower lookout, a butterfly garden, a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and even two beautiful redwoods. The most exciting feature is yet to come in September. The garden of the future, which is currently in progress . A stunning glass building that is an architectural feast for the eyes. I can only imagine it in its full splendor when it is complete in September. The garden of the future will include tropical gardens, arid gardens, and a café and when I am most, especially excited to see is Dale Chihuly has several of his pieces incorporated within the exhibits. We had the opportunity to take the boat ride, which I highly recommend Carolyn did an amazing job fighting the winds on our excursion, as Louis described to us the different wildlife that inhabit the water. I am excited to visit in the fall to see the gardens in transition when we come to experience the Garden of the Future. read more

See all

Came to see Lady Macdeath. I was in yesterday and she hadn't bloomed yet, but she did start to bloom last night. The line to get into the park and to see her was crazy long but definitely worth it. read more

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Lady Macdeath the corpse flower on Saturday - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

As a photographer, finding locations that offer a variety of stunning, natural backdrops is everything, and the Norfolk Botanical Garden never disappoints! I recently wrapped up a session here with my clients--capturing everything from sweet family moments by the fountains to romantic couple and engagement portraits along the charming brick pathways and serene waterfront views. read more

See all

I went to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens for a wedding and got a chance to walk around . We also took a golf cart ride around. The flowers and the displays are absolutely stunning. I really loved the rose garden because it was so colorful and full of roses that I've never before. There are plenty of places to take memorable pictures. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The venue for the wedding was gorgeous. Parking is ample , bathrooms are clean. I will be going back to check out more of the garden areas and all the fun. read more

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Rose Garden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk Botanical Garden is a place that never fails to leave me in awe, no matter how many times I visit. Throughout the year, each season brings a new beauty, with landscapes that change in subtle and spectacular ways. The greenhouse is one of my favorite spots, it's always a refreshing escape with its lush, vibrant greenery. There's something truly magical about stepping into that space, where the air is thick with the scent of plants and flowers. The Children's Garden is another highlight, especially in the summertime. We love to visit the splash play area during the summer heat.. A membership here is definitely money well spent. Not only do you get access to this incredible oasis year-round, but the value far exceeds the cost. Whether you're looking for a quiet moment among the flowers or a fun family outing, Norfolk Botanical Garden has something for everyone! read more

See all

Such a beautiful place!! It was my first time there and I was new to everything, but one of the workers Pandora was so kind and made me feel so welcome! It's a beautiful walk and the Renaissance Garden was my favorite to look at! Definitely recommend going for a picnic or just to have a day to yourself. read more

See all

This place is beautiful but crazy expensive. There isn't a whole lot of walking grounds for how much it is for the tickets. A lot of the paved paths had serious drainage issues causing 1-2 inches of water build up when it rains and a huge construction site for the new greenhouse was definitely making it less worth the trip. Paying $21 per ticket (which would have been more expensive without the student discount, online ordering discount, and weekday discount) on top of the fact that everything in the gift shop wasn't even remotely worth the price ($40 adult T-shirt and $30 for toddler ). I would have actually gotten something from the gift shop or came here more if it was cheaper- why make it so expensive if you would actually make more money overall from it being cheaper read more

Wear your walking shoes.... It's a great space to explore and learn- there's water bottle filling stations at the bathrooms, there's aka incredible kids splash pad space and learning area geared towards kids that's mostly shaded! There's a giant sand pile for kids to play in- lots of shaded walkways but still tons of sun too----There is a tram included in your purchased tickets which leaves from the visitors center at the top of every hour. There is no restaurant or food except if a food truck happens to be there- so plan accordingly- they had ice cream from the Ben and Jerry's truck but it's insanely expensive - talking 2$ for a waffle and 6$ for a kids cone. All in all, my crew of 2 kids and I had a good time- read more

See all

Came here for the Christmas lights. Which by the way. AMAZING... we booked our tickets online. Pre scheduled a time for 6-7 pm. I highly recommend going early. The first entry time started at 5pm. When we arrived there was no issues with parking but the later you wait there is. When we left there was a line over a mile long with cars waiting. The park itself was a beautiful journey. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because exiting was very confusing. Signs were not directed correctly. Unless you're already familiar with this place you can become confused when exiting. The signs were great for taking the walk for the lights. I suggest wearing some comfortable sneakers. Lot's of dirt gravel. There was snack food trucks along the way. With benches if you needed to take a break. I was highly impressed with the lights. The walk was probably a little over a mile long. Definitely a must see if you're a tourist or live in the area. Overall 4.5 ratings. For the exiting . The lights definitely were a five. read more

See all

It was beautiful and the Cherry Blossom Scavenger hunt was a fun way to keep the tour interactive!

We have the absolute best time each and every time we go here. We have family who live in Ohio and we bring them here on our annual family reunions. read more

Was there earlier and ur was beautiful and had nice walk too got in for free and had great time read more

See all

Came the last week the holiday lights were up and so excited they had a day for fur babies to attend!! We paid $25 per person and $5 for my dog. Parking was free and we had no issues finding a spot. We opted for the 8-9 pm showtime and took a full hour to walk through. The lights were gorgeous and i loved walking through each of the themed gardens. Christmas lights here during the holidays are a MUST! read more

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

One of the highlights of a recent visit to Norfolk and Virginia Beach! We began the day on the train tour, which I highly recommend to give you a sense of layout and some amazing knowledge. I forgot our guide's name but she was so informative and energetic. Once the shuttle finished, we were able to walk through leisurely and spend time in the spaces we desired. The Butterfly House wasn't open but we were there just before summer kicked off, and our tour guide named this for us. I look forward to another visit in the future. Admission was easy (we paid at the gate) and parking was ample. There were two food trucks- Bear street coffee and also Starbucks. I didn't get anything since I had lunch plans but good to know for some super light bites and treats. Such a beautiful and tranquil space. Book your visit today! read more

See all

I've been coming here for many, many years and it has always been a beautiful place to enjoy with kids, friends and guests who are in town visiting. When my children were little they loved to explore in the children's area with the water fountains and gardens. More recently, I have gone to have long walks with friends. You can easily do a 3-4 mile walk while being surrounded by nature. The gardens are well maintained with different areas stealing the show with whatever might be in bloom at the time. There are large rose gardens, azaleas, Japanese gardens, butterfly gardens and more. read more

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

It was an amazing garden. A very hot day so we didn't stay as long as i would have liked but it was a highlight of my trip, visiting in the area. Plenty of parking and friendly, helpful staff as well as garden members. I know this beacuse i had to ask numerous patrons directions since the map provided, as well as the signage posted were not the most helpful. One staff person actually agreed with me and said the hopes were once renovations were complete that would change. They have one of the largest rose gardens in the country, the Japenese garden was well laid out, the hydrangeas were in bloom and just gorgeous, the butterfly house was closed, so that was disappointing, but the walk through the enchanted forest was enchanting, peaceful and well worth thr walk to the rear of the gardens. The Renaissance area was beautiful. So many beautiful flowers and trees. Largest magnolia trees i have ever seen as well with such fragment blooms. I would have given it 5 stars except for the confusing maps and signage, the construction, the butterfly garden being closed and the admission fee. If I lived in the aera I would definitely be a member and I still highly recommend. read more

See all

Visited here during their holiday Garden of Lights on 12/20/23 with my family. The garden of lights was so beautiful they did a fantastic job with all the lights. The path was well lit and you did not have to question if you were going the wrong way. Note: There is time frame you choose when buying tickets for Garden of Lights, ours was 7p-8p we got there around 7p and traffic was backed up to Azalea garden road. It did take about, I believe about 30m or less to park due to the traffic. read more

See all

It's a beautiful park with outstanding landscaping, and picturesque scenes. It is building a large conservatory, which will add a lot to the entire operation. I have one complaint. The map that you are given is absolutely worthless. A single sided photocopy of an inaccurate map which fails to show the most obvious and prominent landmarks in the garden makes navigating almost impossible. They are obviously spending millions on expansion and construction, but they have failed to make any effort to provide accurate and useful map for people who visit. My wife was using a walker and has limited endurance. Having been led astray by the abysmally poor map, we were at a loss as to how to return to the parking lot. Fortunately, a frequent visitor gave us the guidance we needed that the map failed to do. read more

NBG is an exceptional place to visit and beautifully cared for by very dedicated and friendly staff. That said, it has become extremely expensive for families to visit. Make sure to check the fees before you go if you are traveling with family. It is, unfortunately, now inaccessible for some. read more

I personally think it's overpriced. It's beautiful, but we only planned to stay an hour before getting on the road. If I had the whole day, it would've been great. read more

I recently spent a beautiful autumn afternoon walking around the gardens with my cousin, despite having lived in the area for 30 years, it was my first time visiting. Although some of the summer flowers had already wilted away, I was still impressed with the beauty of the place. If you're planning to visit, I suggest starting off by checking out their website which provides all the information you need about purchasing tickets, where to park, which exhibits are open or closed, and other useful details to ensure a pleasant visit. Furthermore, they are currently building a new section called the "Garden of Tomorrow," which I'm very excited to see when it opens. During our visit to the gardens, we found out that there are a variety of gardens available to explore. To help visitors navigate through each garden, they provide a map and an app with the garden layout. Tram and boat tours were not available during our off-season visit, hence we had to do a lot of walking. The Tropical Display House was my favorite among all the gardens. I would return each season to explore more. The upcoming winter season has something special to offer, the "Garden of Lights" where the gardens are decorated with holiday lights, and visitors can walk through to see them. Also, they offer season passes for garden enthusiasts. One more thing! Outside of the gift shop, they have a board with plant cuttings. You can take a plant cutting for free! Put it in water and in a few weeks it will grow roots! You can change the water as needed while the roots grow big enough that you can eventually pot it in soil. I picked up a begonia and it is already growing roots! read more

See all

It was our first time visiting the Norfolk Botanical Garden. It was the perfect day to go. The garden was a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. There are lots of paths to walk around and view the beautiful flowers and landscape. For entry, you pay per person but there are also memberships you can purchase if you plan to visit multiple times. You can take a tour on the train tram which is free or you can also take a boat ride for a fee. It's a great option if you want a peaceful picnic or some tranquility. read more

See all

It's a shame to say I have been in Hampton Roads since high school and had never been to Norfolk Botanical Gardens, so we decided to go for 4th of July. We arrived as soon as the gardens opened to try and beat the heat. We were able to take the first Tram tour (opened April) of the day and the first boat tour (runs May thru summer) of the day. Both were a must-do. The tram tour was very good. It runs hourly and has designated stops where you can get out or get picked up again in an hour. The boat ride tour was very fun and informative. We received an overall perspective on the gardens, layout, and future plans. The tour guy was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the gardens and the city of Norfolk. My husband was born and raised in Norfolk and learned things that he never knew. We will be definitely revisiting in the fall. I read more

See all

Update. March. 2023. Still loving, and discovering new things, in this park. Discovery: if you walk up the small hill near the parking lot, there is a viewing area of the Norfolk Airport, with narration and at least one bench. Tip: there is some construction going on, so parking spaces are more limited. Recommend reserving a time online, even if you are a pass holder. Tip. It's late March, and the park is abloom with mist if the 500 thousand daffodils, plus many other colorful. flowering trees and plants. read more

See all

I would love to have stopped by in the spring time! But it was still lovely during the winter/spring cusp. I went in February. I stopped by before my flight out of town since I had some hours to kill. This is right by the Norfolk airport. There's tons to see! And there's more being built. We stopped over by the Japanese garden where there's some nice looking structures. There's a man made canal. Loads of birds around. There's a kid's area that was not really up and running because it was a random weekday in the winter. There was a butterfly garden that also didn't have much activity going on. As you keep wondering down, you hit the edge of the bay. Beautiful views. There was also the Renaissance Court area which I think would be really nice to hold a wedding or some kind of gala. Really beautiful - It bet it would be even more nice during the warmer months! read more

See all

Norfolk Botanical Garden is a treat to visit during any month or season. Something is always in bloom! A tram ride is offered on the hour as part of admission. It takes you around the garden with different drop off and pick up locations. In the spring, we enjoy the many flowers, blooming shrubs like Azaleas and Hydrangeas, the Bicentennial rose garden, sculpture garden, fountain, and Japanese garden. Comfortable spring temperatures make for a pleasant time to visit the 130-acre park. On weekends in May, and every day in the summer, they also offer a guided boat tour through the garden's canals. Lovely! Check out reviews for winter too. They offer a spectacular holiday lights experience through the gardens. Note: The garden cafe is closed, and I don't think they'll open another until their new construction is complete, and it has a long way to go. There are a couple of food trucks that offer beverages, but they didn't offer much in the way of food when we were there in a Wednesday. read more

See all

We had an incredible trip here! I've been to a few botanical gardens but this was my favorite. We started with a tram tour but got off halfway and decided to walk the rest. It was big enough that there was lots to see, but small enough to make walking an option. Highly recommend visiting! read more

(I received an email stating they had extended the Garden of Lights and that they offer a mobility shuttle on value nights. ) This was a perfect opportunity to enjoy some lights with my husband, and bring another family member who otherwise wouldn't have been able to walk the entire route. The mobility shuttle is included in the price of admission, however one must contact the office to make reservations. They have a limited number of seats on the tram and will assign you a row ( each row has four seats).We had to arrive between 4:30-4:45pm to check in at the visitor center. The tram left at 5pm to tour the entire route of the lights at a good leisurely pace. It took roughly 30 minutes to complete the route. Since it wasn't completely dark when we started the tour of lights, the first half/three fourths weren't as magical and twinkly & sparkly as i'm sure it looks when it's completely dark and the lights illuminate with such fervor and vibrancy. We did enjoy the lights and they are a beautiful, mystical electrical sight, however we weren't able to witness it's full spectacular until the last part of the tour. It would have been a 5 star experience had they started the tram later for better visibility of the holiday lights. I'm guessing several reasons the tram starts right when the lights open are due to high foot traffic during open hours which isn't conducive for a tram to navigate,the other being for everyone's safety. Maybe the idea of starting much later would present additional safety and challenge issues with loading/unloading people on the tram due to lower visibility. If logistically and economically possible, maybe next winter season they can push the opening time a little later to accommodate for sundown and have portable floodlights surrounding the tram area for loading and unloading if those are partly the reasons? If at all? I think it's wonderful they strive to be all encompassing, as everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors, especially without having to be concerned about navigating the logistics of a desired activity/event. Staff were safe, expeditious, efficient and friendly! Make sure to dress according to the weather, it's an open tram. We made sure we had hats, layers on, including long johns. That night was so frigid and even being bundled up I could still feel the cold creeping through. When we visited, we arrived early prior to check in & loading. It would have been helpful or appreciated if staff had offered /suggested to visitors the food vendor availability & location information to utilize that wait time for us to grab some hot drinks and snacks. We didn't see the food vendors until everyone went outside to load. Nor did anyone else. My husband was a tad irritated that he didn't know he had an option to get some drinks & snacks from Bear house coffee, duck donuts and another vendor prior. read more

It's 52 days later and we (and our guests) are still absolutely gushing over our outdoor, tented reception in the Renaissance Rose Court location at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens; it was the perfect venue for our wedding! Between their phenomenal staff and stunning views, they had it all! We could not have asked for better! They truly make you feel like VIPs throughout the entire process, from beginning to end. During our initial tour of the venue, the NBG team emphasized that they were always happy to answer any email or call that we sent their way (and boy did they mean it), so we knew we were in good hands the day of the wedding! Their level of communication is impeccable and I promise you will be left feeling like they will do anything to help you achieve your perfect wedding day! The NBG team are not only masters in problem solving, but they are also true professionals. They maintained a friendly and approachable demeanor, and helped all our vendors work together to make every small detail look perfect. The NBG team provided many different ideas and suggestions to make sure we could bring our vision to life in the best and most efficient way possible. They asked an abundance of great questions throughout the process to get a feel for what were our absolute "must haves" and even suggested some things we hadn't thought of. We hosted our ceremony on the brick in front of the fountain at the Renaissance Rose Court location, cocktail hour at the Statuary Vista location, and then the reception was under a dreamy twinkle light tent on the first grassy tier at the Renaissance Rose Court location. Guests were in awe of the view (and we also lucked out with absolutely perfect, albeit slightly hot, weather)! They were also true champions (and professionals) to help our other vendors set up and break down through our outdoor wedding, on July 12th, in Virginia! Working with the staff at the Norfolk Botanical Garden has been an absolute pleasure from first contact until the end of the wedding day (and the next day when we stopped by to pick up a few forgotten items). Their exceptional talent, professionalism, and dedication to their craft makes them a stand out choice in the world of wedding venues! We could not recommend the Norfolk Botanical Gardens enough, and can't wait to return to celebrate future life moments! It's definitely well-worth the investment for a beautiful, love-filled weekend! - The Canavoses read more

See all

Absolutely beautiful Christmas lights!! Only issue was the staff was very slow to let us enter but once we got in, it was worth the wait. My grandson loved it! read more

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Such a beautiful, peaceful spot with stunning gardens and serene walking paths. It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. read more

See all

The most magical place at Christmas! I have never experienced such a beautiful place. Grabbed a delicious gourmet coffee and off we went! This is a must visit... ANNUALLY! read more

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Wooow! We came here during the day and it was pretty nice. Unfortunately, when we got off the tram our guide didn't tell us the butterfly garden was closed and we couldn't go in. My husband and I headed to the butterfly maze and there were kids running thru the flowers and stomping thru some of the taller plants just to play a game of tag with each other. No adult around very sad they were trampling flowers. We then enjoyed a walk to the large rose garden and Japanese bonsai trees. I wish the butterfly house was open but maybe next time. We also visited here a few years ago for the lantern festival that was being held here during my birthday and it was beautiful. read more

See all

Stunning, beautiful, tranquil... The walk through the various gardens on the property is sublime. The botanical gardens are located by a lake/river with benches to sit and watch boats, birds, etc. Even the fish are happy and jumping. There are a various gardens, and hidden paths to explore. The main walkway is paved and very easy to cruise along with a stroller or wheelchair. They do allow picnics but ask that you do not leave behind any trash or feed the animals. Much of the botanical garden is shaded with a natural canopy that keeps you cool during hotter days. There is ample parking but you may be required to call ahead on holidays to ensure that there is space for everyone that wants to enjoy the gardens. Pack, a lunch and your walking shoes. Bring the entire family. You won't be disappointed. Happy Exploring Yeeps!!! read more

It was beautiful! The staff were extremely helpful and kind. If you have Medicaid, you get in for free !! I've recommended to my friends and family, will definitely be coming back when the weather gets nicer. read more

See all

We are members of Nauticus and they had an event where those members could get a day free to visit the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. We had never been there so we made a family day of it. I was excited to see the washed ashore exhibit. When we arrived we were able to find parking pretty close, which was helpful on a hot day like today. The parking/ticket attendant in the booth was kind and helpful. After we parked we walked in. As we entered the gardens I could sense right away how large it is. From my understanding it is the largest botanical gardens in the state of Virginia. It truly is large and stunning. The kids area was nice. A lot of people were using the splash pad area. The washed up ashore exhibit back in the enchanted forest was amazing! I loved every sculpture. It was awesome to see what they used to create them. It also really gets you thinking about all that us humans do to harm nature. I love that they took the waste that washed ashore and put it to awesome use. read more

See all

Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk is a magical place during Christmas. I booked our tickets through the phone so we could ride the mobility shuttle. Friendly staff and informative regarding the expectations upon arrival. The gardens were gorgeous, the lights were like a dream! The shuttle drivers were friendly and accommodating for individual needs. We will definitely be returning for Christmas 2025. read more

Went to the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights last night at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. It was basically the drive through light show, but walking. Everything looked amazing! I think the experience was a little more immersive walking compared to driving. You can tell very clearly that there is a lot of work that goes into putting this light show together. Kudos to whoever was involved in making this happen! You can also bring your dog(s)! There are snacks, hot cocoa, and other things to purchase, but we didn't end up getting any. read more

See all

We came during the end of may. So much in bloom. We didn't get to see everything unfortunately since we came too late but would recommend. So much to see and appreciate! 10 out 10 read more

See all

The family came here for the Norfolk Garden of Lights on family and friends night. It was super easy to go in. The lights were beautiful! There were plenty of parking. They had 2 food trucks available on-site, Bear House Coffee and Duck Donuts. The lighted trails were fun to walk. They had Christmas music playing in the background. It had been over 15 years since I last visited the Botanical Gardens during the day, but even in the evening with these lights, you can picture how beautiful it must be in the broad daylight. read more