I came here after going to a sports card show in Norfolk. It wasn't a planned visit but I was just looking for something interesting to look at since I had a lot of free time and the weather was nice on Saturday. I thought it would be a lot larger but the spot is quite small but it is very nice to walk around. There are also lots of nice areas adjacent to the garden and terrace as well. I parked in front of the garden went around it and then found the USS Wisconsin and the Naval museum just past the garden. I went around and finished checking out the other side of the garden after. The parking was free for 2 hrs in front of the garden and it seemed like parking in general was plentiful and open this weekend. It looked like college dormitories around the garden and some other residential areas around the middle of downtown Norfolk. There were many nice plants in the garden, the terrace was nice but not open as far as I could tell, and the koi pond was nice if someone would clean out the pond scum from the fish pond. There were small bridges over the water and multiple water fountains in the koi pond. There were a few benches to sit on if you wanted to just relax or meditate in the garden. Overall, it was a nice garden but it is not something to go downtown to see, but it is a nice additional thing to see if you are going to the USS Wisconsin and the Naval museum or if you staying in downtown area. Lots of people were exercising (walking and jogging) so it is a nice scene to pass by if you are doing that. read more

See all

Great spot to walk around. There's ice cream inside too! Very yummy. Beautiful day to explore. read more

See all

What a beautiful find in Norfolk - so relaxing and pretty. Great place to relax or maybe have an outside lunch. Check it out! read more

See all

I am reviewing the garden portion of the pagoda. I have not been lucky enough to be here when the inside is open yet. I grew up in Norfolk, and this was always one of my favorite places to visit whether it was with my little brother just walking around or with the school photography team the pagoda is always a peaceful spot in the middle of downtown chaos There are often groups taking family photos, and during the summer you find a lot of people playing Pokémon go as there are several spots here to collect items The pond has several healthy looking fish and they even come up to the surface and seem to smile at you This is a very short walk from nauticus or waterside after a good meal it's nice to walk here and relax before heading home read more

See all

What a beautiful oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city! During Spring Break, my kids and I, along with our adventure buddies made Pagoda & Garden our last stop before heading home. So glad we did! According to the website, the Pagoda was a gift from the Taiwan Provincial Government to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Norfolk. Fun fact: The materials for the tower was manufactured in Taiwan, then shipped to Norfolk. Finally, it was assembled by artisans from Taiwan! - That's pretty cool! - Parking - There is street parking, but limited. I was nervous about not finding parking with 2 children in the car, so we parked in the parking garage on Plume street, walked to the Nauticus and walked the perimeter of the USS Wisconsin. It was a short walk. Then walk around the ship alone, was amazing There are a few entrances to the park, each marked with a gate. There is a statue of a dragon at the main entrance, so great photo opp there! The garden includes a variety of different flowers and plants throughout, a Yin and Yang garden, Koi fish pond (currently under construction, saw orange netting), benches throughout, a Chinese themed Norfolk Mermaid (she's under the pagoda, but outside), a Little library, there is black bamboo (very uncommon) and a view of the water. There are tables and stools outside, under the pagoda for you to enjoy. We saw a group of 3 young men with a Benny's box of pizza and they had a picnic. What a great idea! It seemed like they do this often LOL. We had a mini-picnic of our own, with treats from Chocollage, which is about 1.5 blocks over. I noticed that there was a Pagoda restaurant, but when we visited, it was closed. According to their website, you can rent out the Pagoda for private events. This is definitely a must stop. We loved it and can't wait to go back. Next time, I'll pick up something local and the kids and I will have a picnic there! Stay safe, Friends! read more

See all

We stopped by right after we arrived on a dreary Saturday afternoon. What a beautiful pocket of oasis in the middle of Norfolk area. We thought the whole walking experience was lovely even with two beagles in tow. I was able to find street parking very close to the structure. I am unsure where most people actually park. There is no bathroom nearby as Yooni, the YelpCoVA CM warned us ahead of time. What a great tip. We made sure all kids have gone prior to our visit. The garden inside was immaculately kept and no dogs are allowed to potty inside. The signs are available to remind us which got us spitting out to the neighborhood for good 10 minutes prior to visiting again. Unfortunately, the Pagoda and the Garden was closed for Private Event by the time we returned. Oh well. Next time perhaps. 3.5 star rating rounded up for an otherwise pleasant visit. read more

See all

amazing small beautiful park! perfect for photos, walking, and a general calm area. just off to the water and nautilus!

Great place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee! During the warmer months their plants and flowers are beautiful! We took advantage of a warmer day in the winter time. They have a virginia mermaid in their gazebo/outdoor area as well! Oh! And I just found out that this is the go to place to find pokemons!!! I don't play but if you do....this is it! read more

Pagoda & Garden Foundation - The pagoda - Parks Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I had no idea this beautiful place existed until I thought I was turning down the street to make a u turn and ended up in a parking space facing the outer perimeter. Curios and intrigued by what I could see, I decided to go see see what was here. Talk about some fabulously beautiful scenery. From the fountain to the sculptures to the grounds themselves. Not only is it beautiful but it was peaceful quiet!!!! The pagoda itself is detailed to a tee, you may even find yourself getting lost in your own thoughts as you are amazed by the intricate detail. Located right on the waterfront of the Freemason Harbor you can catch picturesque views of the Elizabeth River and the garden itself. Whether it's a backdrop fir the perfect picture of just a quiet moment away from the business of the world, this is a must visit, a must see, a must explore when you are in the area!! read more

See all

Pagoda Garden is a beautiful park along the Elizabeth River Trail. The pagoda itself was given to Norfolk by Taiwan in 1986 and gardens were added later. Open from sunrise to sunset, it's a quiet space to reflect and read a book. There are tables outside near the pagoda entrance. read more

Pagoda & Garden Foundation - Parks Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

So beautiful here, it's like stepping into another world! Great nature, water, fish, great view of the ocean, this park has it all. If you come from the front side you will definitely be surprised when you pass through the wall and find an Asian paradise in this historical neighborhood. I will have to try out the bakery inside the pagoda next time I visit here. Would return. read more

Pagoda & Garden Foundation - Parks Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Beautiful spot, however the main building was closed when I got there so we didn't really get to look around inside or anything. Still would recommend as it is a beautiful place to sit and just enjoy the environment around it. read more

See all

Small park next to the Nauticus. It has the oriental touch. The pavilion is actually an imitation of china sky tower. Park is facing the bay. It has a Chinese mermaid. Her name is Mei Madeline. She wore the traditional Chinese chibao. This park is small and just to visit. Nothing about it. The day we visit, the restaurant close. It has a octagon gate, bamboo garden, and stone fish pond. Nice touch. read more

See all

Gorgeous little park on the Elizabeth river. As you enter through the gate the first thing you see is the pagoda. Beautiful & colorful, surrounded by fountains & paths through the gardens. There was a wedding reception in full swing under a tent by the water- so I stayed to the back paths. Plenty of flowers & fountains- and i loved all the sculptures. The yin-yang stone feature was a favorite! Lovely treasure of a garden tucked away here in downtown Norfolk! read more

See all

The Marine Observation Tower, also known as the Pagoda was a gift to the Commonwealth of Virginia & City of Norfolk by Taiwan Provincial Government Republic of China as a result of a sister state relationship established in 1981. Originally the structure was a 500,000 gallon molasses storage tank. The original concrete pillars were utilized for the construction. All materials were made in Taiwan and shipped to Norfolk. If you never knew about the existence of this area your not alone. It is a bit off the beaten track, but yet close to everything. It sets just to the East of Nauticus. Today locals call it the Pagoda Park, but it has no "official' name I could find. There is an operational Taiwanese Resturant in the building and the Marine Observation area is open to the public on days the restaurant is open. The garden was only dedicated by the city in 2000 after improvements were made around it such as Koi pond, concrete lanterns & native Asian plants. The site is used for special events like weddings & photo shoots. There is what appears to be an event tent kept up all the time that is an eyesore. It's currently being used as a garage. One star deduction and come on City of Norfolk! This is an area I recommend checking out. read more

See all

This is a perfect park area to either sit and relax, take a stroll or even have a photo shoot at. The garden is beautiful, it is very small but regardless it is full of beauty and gives you a sense of calmness. My toddler loves the fountains. Sit and have lunch, meditate or even take a snooze. There is a restaurant on the premises but every time I have been there it was not open. There are no bathrooms but I have seen a porta potty. I like to walk out of the fountain park and walk along the waterside where you can see people riding by on their boats on the river. Nauticus is also near by and you can often catch big ships in the distance. This garden in near residential homes but there always seems to be plenty of free parking. There is no charge to visit this park. read more

See all

Tranquil garden by the waterfront with a Taiwanese pagoda in the center. This was a gift from Taiwan to honour the trade ties history with Virginia. For such a small island Taiwan has done well for themselves, must be because they are all Taipei personalities. The two story tower gives you a panoramic view. There is a restaurant and cafe inside, they have macaroons. Surrounding is the Asian garden. There is a little pond and water features. A little oasis in Norfolk. read more

Pagoda & Garden Foundation - View from the pagoda - Parks Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Nice for a short stroll after visiting the battleship, but there's not much here and it's not very big. Still, a gift from the people of Taiwan, so that's cool. The Pagoda restaurant seems to be closed (I was there during posted open hours) so I couldn't go up to the observation tower. read more

See all

It was a bit tricky to find the hummingbirds new location. My god was going crazy. But this is a diamond location with excellent views. Great place to have an intimate conversation or work remotely read more

Pagoda & Garden Foundation - Hello - Parks Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

This was a nice daytime date spot to check out even though there was a Pokemon event gathering. I am not sure how the parking situation is usually around here but after driving around the surrounding blocks, we ended up using the nearest parking garage. We were not able to check out the restaurant that is within the pagoda since it closes early on Sundays. It is a beautiful spot if you do not focus too much on the details. - The koi pond seemed to have low water as we could see the pipes and it seemed a couple of the fish were stuck on the low side by one of the bridges. The water seemed murky too. - Some of the planted grasses looked trampled/wilted and the trimmings looked messy. I wonder if they have better landscaping in the spring. - There were signs on the surrounding entrance walls and the pagoda that I felt detracted from the beauty. "Park closed sunset to sunrise. No trespassing." We got it. It was a bit hard to take pictures to avoid various signs. There is a nearby harbor that we peered over to find one jellyfish! It was fun staring at the water rippling and rolling in the sun. A little bit south from here is also the Battleship Wisconsin that you can tour but it was too near closing time to go this time. I noticed on a sign outside that they seem to have a discount for people with the 757 area code. If you want to relax and walk around outdoors, this is a nice place to check out. I would return in the spring for blooming flowers. read more

See all

This place is beautiful and unusual for this area and that what I love about it. It's perfect or meditation, yoga, special photos, macaroons/a quick snack, people watching, Pokemon hunting and the list goes on and on obviously. read more

I love Pagoda Park! On clear, sunny, still days, I like to lay a blanket down and chill with some music & my thoughts. If it's not-so-nice out, I'll hang out in my car and chill with some music. It's just a serene place to be. Walking the park at 2 am when it's 50 degrees & lightly drizzling is nice, too. Although, I can't recommend doing that because the park closes at sunset. So, behave I guess. #wewerenttheonlyonesthere #snitchesgetstiches read more

I could spend all day at Pagoda. Its so beautiful. It seems like its kind of a Black sheep in the Norfolk area- businesses are always coming and going, neighbors complain about what goes on there, sometimes the pond isn't very well kept up, and the general visiting rules are confusing. I had never been inside till a few weeks ago, even after walking through dozens of times. I wanted to go upstairs but there was no clear indication whether that was allowed or not and it was very hot inside due to no AC. The only people inside were the 2 Hummingbird employees who were very busy with other customers so I chose not to bother them. Regardless of this, its a magical place and you forget you're in Virginia for a moment! read more

Fun place to check out and take pictures. And it's free! The vibe is pretty serene and relaxing. One plus is... there is free parking very close by and it is a walk away from other attractions in Norfolk. read more

I finally had a chance to go here not for pokemon though just to check the garden out. The restaurant was not opened at that time as they just closed before we got there so just took pictures with mei Madeline mermaid. Mermaid status was pretty. The garden was relaxing. It was good to sit after a long walk from waterside district. Very nice view. It was surrounded by condors or apartments to get there walk inside not outside in the nauticus area but inside. read more

Very gorgeous people are friendly I loved how people were doing yoga reading books and just enjoying the sun. Absolutely beautiful

Lovely little spot in the downtown Norfolk area with great views of the waterfront and the Navy ships nearby (with free parking as well!). Didn't try anything from the cafe, but the ambiance was delightful and I highly recommend going upstairs to the observation deck, the view is fantastic from all sides! Overall beautiful place with relaxing gardens and really nice for taking photos. read more

A hidden garden jem, and fantastic koi pond. The trees block the city view making a calm and relaxing place to visit or just hangout. The renovation of the restaurant is amazing, like new, colors so vibrant. A great photo spot for any occasion. Just so beautiful ! read more

Beautiful park on the Elizabeth river. Has many plants and a nice view of the harbor. There is also plenty of sculptures, fountains, and flowers which add an extra touch to this park. This park is the perfect place to sit back and relax. The park is small but it is still a nice place to visit and relax. The Nauticus is also nearby so you can often see big ships in the distance. There are no bathrooms here, but there is a Porto potty. There is also a restaurant filled with good food. This park is near some residential homes but their is a lot of free parking so you won't usually find it hard to park there. There is no fee that you have to pay to visit the park which is great. I highly recommend this park if you want to relax and see a nice view. It also a great place to walk your dog or to have a picnic. read more

I have had the pleasure of having one delicious meal there during a pre opening preview, and then today I got lunch to go. All I can say is OUTSTANDING! My burger was one of the best I've ever had, delicious...and seasoned perfectly. When I opened up the door to pick it up I could smell it as soon as I walked in, and it was gone soon after! We now have a polished gem in the neighborhood, and it's the Pagoda Garden Restaurant! read more

Went for dinner and I was not impressed. They were out of two of the teas I wanted. The waitress didn't know they were out so each time she had to come back and tell me they were out. I ended up just getting regular sweet tea. I ordered 3 Cup Chicken. The sauce was over powering and the whole dish was VERY salty. The waitress was friendly but I will not be going back. read more

Very cool place, nice view, friendly staff. However, the menu seemed to be lacking and the overall atmosphere was somewhat off. There wasn't a hint of anything Asian on the menu which you would think would be their main attraction. The place had very weird hours. It was such a cool place and we were bummed that it wasn't better considering how cool it is from the outside. read more