Norfolk Botanical Garden Reviews

The guided tram ride, included in the (steep) $20 entrance fee, provides a great orientation. The grounds are beautiful and diverse. I was fortunate to be there at Asia Lantern special exhibit time. Cafe is nothing special, I recommend bringing your own snacks. $8 Lyft fare from airport. A soothing 90 minute-2 hour place.

went with four grandsons and daughters . there is a great splash park for the kids to cool down. the gardens were beautiful and very relaxing. you have to go without young children to see the entire gardens

I arrived in the late morning before a rain storm.I signed but for the boat tour to get a different view of the plantings. That was abbreviated by a rain storm. They refunded our money even though we saw most everything. The rain damped the waterfowl but we were dry in the boat. The rain stopped while I grabbed an excellent salad at the restaurant. I switched to foot and saw the whole park in 3 hours. The rain had stopped and the gardens looked refreshed. Lots of native plantings that are no longer the seen on the Eastern seaboard. Better than any East Coast Park or preserve I have been to.

You have to take a little walk through the gardens to the World of Wonder Children’s Garden or ride the tram. The tram leaves on the hour. The garden has play areas for all ages. There are low fountains for younger children and higher fountains for older children. There is a changing tent to put on or take off your bathing suit. It has a playhouse and a barn for exploring. The children can roll down the hill. There is a lot of shade under the trees for parents to enjoy.

Absolutely wonderful place to spend a few hours. So many different types of gardens to explore. I highly recommend taking the tram tour to get a full view of the gardens. We then walked back to look at them in detail. The cafe was pretty good too. It was nice to take a break.

I was in the area waiting for a plane and saw the sign and spent a wonderful couple hours. I took the tram around - took about 40 minutes. This WPA project is larger and more beautiful then I expected. There were many areas that I wish I had more time to explore - such as the crepe myrtle collection and the children's area and the butterfly area. Well worth a visit.

It was a beautiful walk even without everything in bloom yet. The day was great and moderate temperature.

Its just a great place to walk and experience every season of the year! Its really beautiful for all ages and they have really fun stuff going on here all the time.

Every year the folks at the garden put on a holiday lights experience that is impressive and leaves us all in shock. The care that they put into maintaining the garden during the Spring, Summer and Fall continues into winter and is always worth the price of admission.

Wonderful time with children grandchildren and the dog! Light display was spectacular! We toured the lights while in our vehicle. Drank cocoa and sang along with the music. Great for all ages. Looking forward to it again!

On a warm evening, we enjoyed the extensive and beautiful display of lights in the garden. What a delightful way to extend the season and boost attendance at the Gardens.

So much to see! Perfect place for all ages. The children's garden offers lots of fun! There's a tram for people who can't do a lot of walking. Bikes are allowed.

We are members and I am only sorry that we didn't become one earlier.
Our Grandchilden all love going, though I am not sure if the giant sand pile or the splash area is their favorite.
We love just walking around and enjoying all of the beautiful flowers and landscaping.
A wonderful place to visit and unwind!

Tons of people, very long lines and long wait period, but it was a special event. Very nice scenery. Would certainly go again.

wonderful landscaping, ponds and streams . NATO tower was awe inspiring with the views. flower flamingos were a hit with the little kids. butterfly house was closed due to covid. azalia garden was cool.

There are a ton of daffodils in bloom. There are also camellias, forsythia, and some magnolias. Hyacinth and tulips are just starting. If it is cold and rainy try the hot house to see the orchids. The cafe is also surprisingly good.

Great place , very peaceful
Perfect for a walk on a sunny day
Kids can also enjoy scooter/bike rides,Discover roses and flowers

We had always heard that the Botanical Gardens had some of the best light displays in the area. This was proven true this past weekend when we drove through the displays. Most were unique and not seen at other displays we have visited. Of course we waited a good while in line since it is so popular. Leave so you get there for the 5:30 opening to get in quicker. Well worth the wait thopugh

We went in an unusually mild August. Probably too hot for normal summer. We were there early (they do not open until 9am). We took the first tram though the facility at 10. The driver gives some history along the way. Tram stops at many locations of interest.
There were formal gardens and fields of native flowers. There were several areas for the children to explore and learn.
Cost was $12 for an adult.

I don’t care for gardens as a rule but this was beautiful. The Lantern Asia walk was wonderful. Many plants still blooming and many bench spots to sit and rest. Staff very knowledgeable and helpful.

Visiting the botanical garden with our dog was fantastic. We were able to get our dog plenty of exercise and see great displays at the same time. The dogs were all wonderfully behaved and the humans weren’t bad either.

Gorgeous Sunday dog day trip! Breathtaking views. Delightful day with my family. Cherry on top, we got to include the dog.

175 acres of pure beauty and nature. Good place to walk with many paths to follow. Themed gardens are awesome - something for every season. Changing exhibits such as LanternAsia offer something completely different every year. Great gift shop and cafe. (However, the cafe is closed during the winter.) Can also walk your dog or bike the paths during certain hours. (Great for children as no traffic to worry about.). And the Christmas light show is the best around. Consistently in the top 10 nationwide with slight changes every year. Can drive through, but the best is walking through it. (Check times and dates for each starting in November.). Go for the beauty and tranquility. I also learn from the information about plants, etc. that grow in this area. Love the place.

The Garden of Lights display for Christmas really impressed me! Trying not to give spoilers is tough but I saw all seasons represented as well as nods to the various sections of the botanical garden that you can visit during the day, and there was even a sort of special homage to the coastal region. I especially liked the lights in the woods by the lake. Something special in Hampton Roads!

Didn't have enough time to breath in the beauty of all the gardens. So peaceful and well managed. Especially loved the interactive children's area

Norfolk Botanical Garden is beautiful in April. The weather is warm but not humid. The tram ride is a great orientation tour for first time visitors. Sunday's are when dogs are allowed in most areas. Reserving online tickets is highly recommended.

Norfolk Botanical Gardens has something to offer for the entire family! The grounds are beautiful! I especially love the rose garden! There is a splash pad and playhouses for the children and there is also a huge sand play area! I was there during the Lantern Asia exhibit. It was outstanding! Gorgeous sculptures placed throughout the gardens. I would definitely return!

Although there understandably isn't much in bloom in the fall, it's still worth a visit even if that's the only time you can go (as was the case with me). Be sure to take the tram ride as it gives you a nice overview of the expansive grounds so you can figure out where to best spend your time.

Many different gardens, lots of walking paths, very well maintained. Nice tram tour to start gets you the overall layout. You could spend the day here and its lovely!

Oh wow! Let me start by saying OH WOW!!! This is a magical place. It's vast, the property seems never-ending. Every corner you turn there is more magic. Whoever laid this place out did it in perfect harmony. The statues were an outstanding addition. I learned so much about fauna in my walk through the gardens. There are fountains and little pieces of beauty every where you look. I don't know all the things I saw, I just know that as I walked through there, I was at peace, if not a little giddy over how great being there at that moment in time- made me feel.

This garden opens right at 9am not a minute early. They make you turn around and wait for the right time. The gardens were very massive and decently laid out. I could have done without the Asia Lantern displays throughout the garden as it took away from the natural beauty. The butterfly garden is not open yet so I was a little disappointed. However for the most part I had the sections of the garden I visited to myself. The trees were majestic and flowering. I liked the colonial garden and the healing garden as they were different. I was miffed about the work they were doing in the rose garden area as I couldn’t really enjoy. Lovely place and a great start to my day.

The NBG is a beautiful space to unwind and I really enjoyed riding my bike there during the times it is allowed...late summer/early fall.

Beautiful gardens. Nice walking paths that allow people to walk, bIke, scooter, etc. Plenty of places to stop and rest. However be aware that even though the gardens close at 7 pm, the shuttle stops at 4 pm. So if you’re waiting for it to cool down, you’ll walk everywhere. Also, the butterfly house was closed for construction. Didn’t see a mention of that either of these when we bought the tickets. Nice trip but disappointing

We have always enjoyed the Christmas Light Event and walking through the beautiful gardens. The excitement of new decorations and placements of old is part of the charm our botanical gardens holds for everyone to enjoy.

Any season of the year this wonderful garden shows it's splender. Always worth a leasurly day trip . Great for children and visitors of all ages

We attempted to visit since we hadn't been in ages. Now, I know why. the admission price is outrageous. Doubtful we'll return ever again...sad.

We drove through for the lights. Wasn’t expecting it to be $25. They also sell refreshments at the beginning and the Hot Chocolate was very rich. Although apprehensive about the price the lights were beautiful and the kids absolutely loved it.

Wonderful Place To Get Away For Awhile And Unwind. Very Beautiful Landscaping And Walking Trails. A Must See If You Love Horticulture And Gardening!!

My wife and I wanted to check in with the Botanical Garden once again. It has been ten years since we relocated but wanted to enjoy the roses and other flowers of Spring! Never disappointed with the gardens. Another delightful visit. Wish it was closer to where we currently live. Keep up the great work!

Beautiful hotel. Gorgeous rooms! Comfortable beds. Anna in the Executive lounge provided attentive service. Fun rooftop bar, pool, gym. Don’t stay anywhere else.

The best value for a beautiful venue. No roller coasters, No 3D I-Max, No Restaurants, Nothing to attract a visitor but the most beautiful walk you will ever take through trees, lakes and gardens. Playground for children, special hours for cyclists, boat rides and buses for those who prefer not to walk. If you a generally busy and stressed out and want a place to chill out and turn off your electronic leash and see some amazing flowers, tress, butterflies, and birds, this is the spot. I would not have ever gone on my own but twice someone else wanted to go and I went. Did not regret a minute of it. So relaxing. And if you are a photographer or videographer it is a great place to get some wonderful photos of things you may not get anywhere else.

My husband and I finally made it to the Chrysler Museum after all these years. Why did it take so long? Who knows? I'm just thrilled that we finally went there. It's a beautiful building with great art. It's also free parking and free entrance to the museum. My husband made it up to the second floor. I never got there and plan to visit again soon to see what I missed the first-go-round. There was so much to see on the first floor and we were there for a few hours. We didn't have an opportunity to eat at their cafe, Wisteria, but I have heard from others that the food there is very good. I enjoyed browsing through the gift shop while waiting on my husband.

I recommend this museum of art to visitors to the area and any locals. It's a wonderful opportunity that has been afforded to the Norfolk area.

It is a beautiful location, with plenty to look at. There is even a playground. Make sure you bring some allergy medication.

The Norfolk botanical garden is beautiful in the spring, summer and fall but also host Holiday lights and other events when there aren't many blooms in view. Located near Norfolk International Airport (You can walk through a gate to the garden outside of B terminal) They have special events and times to allow bicycle riding, dog walking, plant sales and a ton of educational seminars. There is a huge area just for kids with a splash park, kid sized cabins and a giant sand hill to play on. Get an annual membership so you can go often and see the trees bloom, flowers and spend a day letting the kids be kids in the splash area.

My wife and I spent a great morning viewing the rose gardens and other parts of the Norfolk Botanical Garden. We included lunch in the garden restaurant and ate our meal outside. The first two weeks of May are prime rose viewing times and should not be missed.

We join a family membership every year to the gardens and it’s well worth the $95 a year. We get discounted tickets to events and it’s such a tranquil and relaxing place to walk around. We are also allowed to ride bikes during certain times. If you have never been you need to visit when you come to Norfolk, VA.

This place is a great place to come and unwind. Nice gardens all around. Beautiful courtyards and fountains throughout. The renaissance courtyard was probably my favorite. I can see why people would hold weddings there....very beautiful. The tram ride was nice as well. The driver provided lots of information. Overall, it's a great place to come and relax.

Last visited this Garden two years ago and since,they have made amazingly great changes. Be sure to see the video in the visitors' center

Flowers, blooms, scents, cool breeze, greeneries, sprouts, signs of new life, naturally crafted, preserved and protected, family oriented, best time to visit,

Visited during the Cultural showing of Japanese silk lantern art - wonderful! The Gardens themselves are wonderful to walk thru especially the Rose gardens

Absolutely beautiful! We love walking around and looking at the gardens. Staff is incredible. We will definitely visit again.

We heard that when staying in Norfolk, this was a must do activity...they were right. We picked a moderate temp day in higher 70's, so as not to be too hot while walking the gardens.

Parking was based on reservation system, which was ample for us when we arrived around 10:15 am. Construction on property impacted the parking and it was a little longer walk to the entrance area. Once on property, be sure to get a guide map--if you haven't been there before, you need it for perspective.

If you time it right, we'd recommend taking the tram tour (was open in April) or boat tour (runs in May) to get an overall perspective on the gardens, the layout and what you can see with more detailed touring. We did the tram tour and that it was very good. It runs hourly and has designated stops where you can get out or get picked up again in an hour.

We really liked the Japanese Garden in particular, as well as some of the gardens with water fountains. The variety of plants and the meticulous design and care in maintenance of the gardens was amazing. The new "Garden of the Future" area looks to be a place well worth visiting when the construction is completed.

We also enjoyed the views from NATO Tower and took some nice photos from there (a couple posted herein).

The price was reasonable, especially if you are taking a tour and exploring some of the gardens in more detail.

Kudos to Norfolk Botanical Gardens for offering such a delightful lantern exhibit to attract new audiences to the garden! Prepare to be amazed by brightly-colored sateen displays, many with moving pieces and color-changing lights. Tons of photo ops, posted references to Asian culture. Dress for weather, expecting some crowding. Good art exhibit for kids. Arrive before sunset and enjoy the lanterns both before and after dark.

Weather is never predictable but this was an absolutely beautiful venue for a wedding whether it needs to be moved under shelter or can be held outdoors. The logistics were totally coordinated and flawless from a guest’s perspective. Any location on the grounds is good. The catering staff was truly exceptional.

We loved walking in the gardens when we lived in Norfolk. We miss it a lot and we always come to visit when we are in town

This place is special. Did you know it is the largest botanical gardens in the state? We were staying at an AIRBNB close by and say the botanical gardens on the map. We did check reviews before our visit and it was an amazing experience! The only problem? We didn't have enough time. Great for couples, singles, families, etc. We saw most of the areas/exhibits and loved them all for what they each had to offer. Would/will certainly visit again.

I've been to Botanical Gardens for several reasons. A wedding, A walk, a girl scout outing (practicing our drawing skills) but this winter we went for the Holiday Million Lights Walk. A very special experience. So very pretty and holiday-ish!

It’s near most of Norfolk’s population. It has amazingly popular programs and wonderful plants and trees in every season. This cool day magnolias were blooming, ducks and gulls were relaxing on mirrored waters.

Beautiful gardens. Worth walking through each area and getting upclose to the beautiful flora. Loved the friendship pond & turtles.

Wandering through the paths is a step to a quieter time. There is something new at every turn. I especially liked the bonsai exhibit and hope to visit again soon.

It was very very HOT! Nothing was in bloom. A terrible tour. We paid 10$ each for a hot trolley ride to look at barren trees and bushes.

Beautifully maintained botanical garden with lots to see and do. Fun and educational for the young and the young at heart. Easy walking paths are supplemented with trams to assist getting around the 175 acres of themed gardens. Great outdoor activity for a few hours or all day. Well worth the price of admission.

Put Botanical Garden on your bucket list to visit. Walking trail is beautiful in the Spring and Summer. Very safe place and lots to see. I enjoy the different gardens, statues, and trolley ride. The sand-park and water park for the children are awesome as well as the classes they have for children and adults. I walk the trails for exercise, very relaxing and peaceful. I have a membership and when I have guest visiting, this is one place I take them. The Asian, Fall and Christmas light events are all worth seeing too. They also have a small restaurant-- a little pricey though.

We had visited this garden many years ago and enjoyed our springtime visit. We recently returned to see the Garden of Lights evening event, which we also enjoyed. Overall, the lights were very pretty. We liked that they have a one-way path through the lights; it keeps everyone going the same direction at generally the same pace. The path ends at the parking lot, but you can re-enter the main entrance building to use restrooms and visit the gift shop (but you cannot re-enter the garden to see the lights again). There was a food truck parked near the beginning of the route, but the line was very long; they could use another truck near the end as well. It only took us 75 minutes to walk through (we thought that the ticket price was a bit high for the short time we spent here); since we chose an early entrance time, there was still plentiful parking.

This is a solid 2 to 3 hour trip, lots of things to see and take in. They have a beautiful rose garden that welcomes you and a nice Japanese garden with bonsai trees at the end. My favorite parts were the rose garden, butterfly house, and the many water features throughout. Bring plenty of water in the summer because it is hot out!

Went with family to see the amazing Christmas lights and scenes. A little costly but well worth it. It was magical and colorful and even romantic if you go as a couple

Going in the fall season meant that the humidity and temperature were fabulous and the mixture of the alluring flowers and fallen beautiful Fall leaves...to me was exquisite.JMO

If you love a well done garden(s), you will enjoy these gardens.

Take a ride in a pulled seating wagon or walk thru.
Well done and also has a very nice splash pad for the younger crowd.

An added bonus, Norfolk international airport is right next doot. Enjoy seeing big jets taking off and landing.

And again, the gardens are awesome!

We took our 4 kids (12 and under) to an evening of the Asian lights at the gardens. It was a huge hit!!!! A great way to spend an evening as a family.

Was a perfect evening for viewing the Fabulous Gardens in early April 2018. They had to postpone a lighted exhibition of Oriental exhibits from earlier that year. The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom and everything was gorgeous. The weather was even fine.

Came here for three hours on a sunny, cool afternoon with my wife, daughter, and infant in a stroller for a lazy stroll through the beautiful gardens. From a Japanese Garden to Hydrangeas, Camellias, Roses, and Rhododendrons - all framed by lakes, streams, and forests of hardwoods - this place has it all for nature lovers.

If we lived in the area and weren’t just passing through, we would have become members and planned to visit here often because of the all-season beauty, the many benches for quiet reading, and open areas to picnic.

TIP: Although Trip Advisor doesn’t say so, be aware that this place is NOT free (currently $16 pp).

We have a membership and have used it quite often as a couple & with our family. Our grandkiddos loved the LEGO displays! It’s nice that the tram is open and that we have such a lovely place to visit, get some exercise walking, and be out in nature especially during covid 2020. The rose gardens are spectacular! We like that Sunday’s dogs are welcome at NBG and our little Joey likes it too!

Just what the Dr. ordered, a nice relaxing afternoon walk surrounded by nature. The only drawback is the proximity of the airport.

Currently showing at the Garden, it was an amazing collection of displays. Very colourful and so many different ones, each with it's own theme. See it at dusk or in the dark for the full effect. Worth the price of admission.

We were amazed at the depth and breadth of the gardens. We had never heard of it and we were planning to travel that way so we did. It is a beautiful place with lots to see; especially if you enjoy many landscape views. A great children s' area as well.

There's always something new to see at the Garden....from the wildflowers to the butterfly house, to the Japanese Garden.... no wonder it always ranks high with visitors and members.....

A great place to spend a hot day. Splash area for kids to cool down (pack your swimsuit and swim diapers). Also, a giant sand hill to entertain the kiddos.
Take the tram tour (included in the entry) early in order to get an idea of the size and layout of the gardens. Then stroll to the areas you want to see. The children’s garden is very educational. The Renaissance garden romantic and cooler under the big trees. The rose garden fills your senses in the spring. The Japanese garden behind the cafe is also a must see. Outside food and drink is welcome in the park, and the picnic area near friendship lake is shaded and beautiful.
Note- We visited the zoo, the aquarium, and the botanical gardens all within a week. We preferred the gardens to the other two attractions because of its diversity and size.

I went with friends for driving through the Garden for the Christmas Lights. They were great with a many displays as we slowly drove through the Gardens. Weather was perfect for viewing the displays and there was no rush in driving your car through the park.

What a wonderful place to visit and wander around. Lots of areas to explore that are beautiful, creative, enchanting, peaceful and stunning. We did not ride the tram but chose to stroll the grounds and explore. Definitely want to come back in the spring to see the azaleas.

I have a year membership to the Botanical Gardens. There is so much to do year round. There are miles of trails to walk and several areas for kids to play. The summer is great for the fountains for kids and so is the sand pile. One of my favorite things is to walk the million bulb walk of lights in November. I’ve done it several years in a row. I highly recommend going!

If you love flowers and being close to nature this is the place to be !I love taking pictures of flowers and nature shot's !! Norfolk Botanical provides all of that in one place . Some of my best shot's were taken there !!

What a fantastic experience. Understand that this is normally a walk through exhibit but the drive thru experience and spectacular. This is a special for the Christmas season but well worth the admission price.

While this visit was primarily a way to keep the wife happy, the afternoon was enjoyable to say the least. Well informed trolly tour and well marked plants and trees made the time fly by. Unfortunately I see much digging and planting in the back yard from this inspiration. All in all a great way to spend a few hours. Oh, the cafe is able to quench your desires.

We had a wonderful walk view the Beakitecture Designer Birdhouses exhibition. This exhibit is beautifully displayed through a large area of the garden with more to arrive. Very enjoyable.

Great family place to visit and get back to nature in many ways. The different types of flowers was great experience for the teens.Also great eats for lunch time.

Visit the Norfolk Botanical Gardens if you want to experience the visual beauty of carefully planned gardens. I make it a point to visit botanical gardens wherever I travel and this particular one ranks up there with some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Nice job NBG ! They also offer educational programs to enhance your gardening experiences.

It was great experience for me and my 4years old. We have so much fun on tag butterflies day! Botanical garden never disappoints !

Last time I was here it was spring. This time it was late fall. There is always something to see and enjoy during any season. The gardens are amazingly well maintained and just a very pleasant place to spend some hours.

Make sure you have a full day to devote.
Don’t be surprised that you pay by person as you drive into the complex (not at the visitor center). So, my son drove separately with his girlfriend and ended up paying for themselves. The price is very good compared to similar gardens - they offer a small military discount, too.
The free tram tour is a nice way to get an overview. Have great shoes - there is a lot of walking.
Bring your own water and food - they encourage picnics, but limited ability to get any drinks while walking around.
I loved the more natural setting compared to similar highly manicured gardens.

We have a botanical garden membership in our hometown and use their reciprocal membership program a lot to get into other gardens for free. This was one of those visits and we were blown away by how nice this was. First of all, we got lucky and were there during the Lantern Festival which was one of the coolest things we have seen and a highlight of the trip. In addition though, the gardens are great and there are many, many paths to walk around on and look at different flowers/plants/trees. Particularly enjoyable was the meditation garden and the small river that flowed through the grounds. In addition, you should try the restaurant on site which I believe was called "Magnolia and Honey". It's a small grill operated by some young people but turning out great food for the older folks like us, as wall as the small kids. Service was amazingly fast and professional, prices more than reasonable. A couple times during the meal staff came out to the outdoor patio and passed out samples of their mango slush drink which was superb! We enjoyed the gardens so much we went twice while visiting the area and if we are every back, we will visit again. We consider this a "must do"

We visited the Norfolk Botanical Gardens in July 2020. Because of the times we were trying to find good social distancing activities. The gardens had so much room to spread out we didn't run into people more than twice after we left the visitors center. We visited the sculpture gardens, Zen garden, Mirror Lake, Tropical house and the Hydrangea gardens. There is a shuttle that drives you around the entire park and it runs once an hour. You can pick it up at any stop if you have small children or elderly relatives that can't walk the entire garden. Keep in mind the shuttle has every other row blocked off right now because of COVID, so there is less capacity than normal.

My the Botanical Gardens have come a long way! Captivating adults and now children as well. These are the pictures from my phone but I got spectacular pictures of the orchids, kids playing at the water park downloaded to my computer. I love the backdrop everywhere you go there during this time of year.

If you are up for strolling, there a so many path's to walk. If you have children, there are two play areas--one built of sand and one with spurting water and interesting kiddy areas. Their is a Japanese Garden, a huge rose garden, a hummingbird area (I saw my first hummingbird there). One day my daughter and granddaughter and I were sitting in a comfy area with comfortable swinging chairs and my granddaughter noticed I had a beautiful little friend sitting with me in one of the corners of my chair--a beautiful little amazing green frog. There are beautiful areas for weddings with fountains and statues. If you are too tired to walk, there is a tram and a boat ride with commentary. The hot house is amazing when the Orchids are blooming. There is so much more...needless to say, you just have to visit.

Ugh! So beautiful!!! Our tour guide was great! She was EXTREMELY knowledgeable. The team drives through with several stops. You have to get off to see everything though this place is HUGE!

But so incredibly beautiful! So much to see make sure you give yourself plenty of time to walk through. Also, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy their picnic areas!

While I enjoyed the entire gardens, my favorite part was the butterfly house. If you love nature, especially butterflies, then be sure to make this one of your pit stops from the trolley car. You might even get a butterfly to land on your hand! It will bring out the child in you here.

Gorgeous! We have kids ranging from ages 2-18 and everyone loved some aspect of the gardens. The butterfly house was especially lovely, we got a very in depth lesson on how to attract butterflies to your own yard and plan on trying that when we get home.

Very nice experience. It was well kept up and had miles of walking paths. They even have a path up to a overlook of an airport. Flowers were beautiful.

Words cannot describe these gardens. It is huge and just beautiful gardens. A little difficult to follow map. Small greenhouse. But the gardens make up for this.
Lovely gift shop with lots of items.
Very, very nice staff from ticket sellers to security.

The gardens have something for eveyone. On a hill you have a view of the Norfolk airport and can listen to the control tower. There is a tram that goes around the gardens, it is free and takes about 30 minutes. There is a childrens garden that has lots of hands on and educational displays. Spring is a great time to visit as lots of trees and flowers blooming. Allow at least a couple of hours to enjoy everything.

We attended the Orchid event absolutely gorgeous flowers being judged and for sell.Many of the Spring flowers were in bloom for beautiful pop of color.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a visually stunning experience! A sought after destination for weddings and other events and if you go there you will see and understand why!! The Christmas light display at the gardens have drawn national attention and the Pagoda Restaurant on sight is unique and the menu delightful! Everyone who comes there falls in love with this beautiful place and if you love nature this is a must

Can't wait to visit in the near future. My family and I loved it here!! So beautiful and informative.

if you like botanical gardens, you'll love it. We go 6-10 times a year in all seasons and regularly take guests. Cafe is a simple but pleasant lunch spot overlooking Japanese gardens. Boat tour is a must do at least once. Tram is a great way to find where you want to start but don't cheat yourself by not exploring the whole area.

Went to the garden with my husband on vacation to Norfolk, Va. Pretty big grounds, well maintained with a huge rose garden, quiet, great both for couples and families with small children. Very entertaining butterfly garden. Loved that there were plaques everywhere with the types of butterflies we should be on the look out for. Also there were interactive stations for kids. We went Wednesday morning, it was quiet and nice. Their cafe has a good selection of fresh delicious salads and sandwiches and flatbreads. Also there is beer and wine that has to be consumed before you leave the cafe. Sweets were great too. Overall is a great experience. If you are a nature lover like us you will enjoy it! Oh and the guided tram ride was excellent, our guide Casey was amazing! Love when people try to do a great job.

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens covers over 150 acres, has 6+ themed gardens, a tram to tour the premises and a lake which offers rides. The staff is enthusiastic, young and knowledgeable. There is also a well stocked giftshop and an eco-friendly cafe near the boat dock. The rose garden is a popular venue for weddings, and has rows and rows of roses that stretch out as far as eye can see. A statuary garden along the way houses some of Elizabeth Taylor's statues that used to grace her swimming pool before she donated them. There are geese and ducks but the wild birds are a graceful bunch - egrets, owls, waterfowl with long necks. The gardens have many, many, many benches conveniently placed under shady trees to stop, slow down, perchance dream or nap. Picnic grills are available for use, so visitors can spend the day in these idyllic surroundings and walk around the extensive gardens. There is also a kitchen garden, a kids area, a sand hill, and so many wonderful experiences just waiting to happen. The Gardens also does adult enrichment and holds classes and workshops, there is a full sign up schedule. Membership confers reciprocity privileges in all US and Canadian Botanical Gardens, including the Ginter in Richmond.

Beautiful place! Well worth the visit. We spent a couple of hours walking around and didn’t see everything. The rose garden was very nice. We found the Tiffany Rose created by husbands grandma in 1955.

What an awesome place. We spent 3 hours Thursday afternoon walking around. Our favorites were the rose garden and the butterfly maze and building. So many different kinds of roses. It was amazing to see the butterflies attracted to flowers that are the same color as they are.

Lovely garden with a great tram for those that dont want to or are unable to walk around. The driver was very knowledgeable.

We landed in Norfolk, Virginia early in the morning which allowed us to get to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens and witness the plants, flowers and trees at their best .. still clinging to the fresh morning dew.

We walked the paths to beautiful gardens spread across this multi acre park. This is the largest botanical garden in Virginia and has some magnolias and rhododendrons that are 80 years old.

The hydrangeas were heaven with some of the bluest blues I’ve ever seen. They had hot pink ones as well. The Lillys smelled amazing as did the roses from the enormous centennial garden.

After our self-guided walk, we hopped on the tram for a half hour tour of these stunning gardens!

We went to see a special exhibit and the tram ride though it was so fast there was not even enough time to take a photo of anything. I know we could have gotten off but this would mean having to walk back to the parking lot on a hot day and for elderly folk who have trouble walking this is not an option. The gardens are beautiful but I don't feel that they care about elderly folk. When I called to suggest that the tram ride could be longer then 25 minutes since it runs every hour, the manager I spoke with did not seem to care what I thought. I told her that I brought over 20 people with me too. I heard several complaints.

We were there for a memorial service. Setting was lovely, and the staff welcoming. Hope to visit again over lighter circumstances.

We went early on a Wednesday evening and enjoyed the show at 7:30. As it got dark we walked through the gardens to see the exhibits. Truly amazing. Some of the adults came back the next day to enjoy the azaleas and other blooming spring plants. Well worth a visit.

We went for a very short visit, and will have to go back when we have more time. It's immense and there are just so many plants to see. Lovely flowers, ponds, and wooded areas. Clean and well-kept walking paths. Nice to have a peaceful place with some nature in Norfolk.

We spent a few hours walking around & taking their trolley tour. We all enjoyed it very much & would recommend it to those who enjoy nature & tranquility.

Went here for a business presentation and it was very well kept. Must go back again but it was a very relaxing stroll through the gardens

This was a great attraction and well worth the ticket price. We got there about 4:30 and walked to see the lanterns during the day light hours. As recommended by a few people. We could have arrived much later such as 6pm.

The lanterns after dark were simply amazing. This was wheelchair friendly.

My son and his family all enjoyed what the Botanical Gardens had to offer during the day. We got more than our steps worth for the day while enjoying the grounds. When the sunset the Lantern Asia lights came on. What an amazing display! Anyone in the area should attend during the day and in the evening. We were delighted to see such an interactive kids area, which the entire family enjoyed.

Norfolk’s Botanical Gardens are in bloom all year long; azaleas, roses, orchids and so much more. Site of the annual NATO Azalea Festival and location of choice for many blushing brides.

The gardens are extensive with so much variety that you can easily spend much of a day here. My friend and I came to see the Washed Ashore exhibit, which was fabulous. Then we stayed longer and explored other areas of the gardens. I'm looking forward to returning soon.

Wish we would have known how truly lovely this place was before going as we would have planned a longer visit. Gardens are stunning and peaceful. Could have spent an entire day here just relaxing. Take the free tram tour to get an overview and then just explore.

Enjoyed exploring and wandering through all the different gardens checking out the large trees, flours, ponds with turtles and NATO outlook tower. Too bad the venue is so close to the busy large airport with a constant roar of taking off jet-engines.

It was a Fun time- a tad bit expensive. Some of the exhibits seemed a bit dated. It is in a pleasant location.

Extensive, large, and shaded gardens gave us a very peaceful day out. Highly recommend if you are in Hampton Roads and need some down time.

The only reminder of being in a major city is the sound of jets and occasional fuel smell from the neighboring Norfolk airport.

Huge number of light displays made this one of the best we have been to this, or any, year. Well worth a visit. You can drive through in your own car or take the open air tram.

A great place to go and learn about plants year round. Timing the visit for when different plants are in bloom is even better.

We came here with family and it is a must see when we come to town. We used to live here and loved coming to the botanical gardens then and we still love doing it now with our children and grandchildren. This is one of the best botanical gardens. It is large and well spread out and quite a bit of walking. We had a wheelchair and found that while we were able to get around, this was not really wheelchair friendly and we did have some obstacles to overcome and a lot of paths and areas we simply could not take mom through. There were many areas to sit and just enjoy the scenery and watch birds and wildlife. There were benches placed strategically and fountains in numerous locations. We spent several hours here and would have stayed longer, but the weather was really humid and hot that day and we all needed to get in from the heat and sun. They do have a small quick service shop in the gardens called Marigold & Honey. They serve cold drinks, sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads. We took a break from touring and sat in there cooling off with a ice cold drink and some snacks. They had a little inside seating and much more seating outside on the patio. There is a nice little gift shop in the main building and we were able to purchase some local honey made by the bees right there at Azalea Gardens. The honey I thought was just a novelty until my mom said when we first moved to Norfolk, the Navy told her to give us all honey to help prevent allergies to the local flora. This is still a must do every time we come to Norfolk. We just missed the peak of the Azaleas blooming as it was already mid May, but there were still lots of late Azaleas still in full bloom when we were there. This would be a wonderful place for a memorable photo shoot or wedding. Do bring sunscreen and an umbrella for sun protection and maybe a camera to get some wonderful pictures and have a great time! The only negative is that you can hear and sometimes see the military jets as this is right next to the airport, and that bit of civilization can be intrusive on the otherwise serene far away botanical setting. There is a large place for kids to play and it looks like a mountain of sand. Tour busses and tour groups do come here as it is a must do while in Norfolk. There were a lot of school tour groups too and kids out there the day we went. This was a great place for the entire family as our group was from ages 7 to 81. We all enjoyed our visit.

A visit to the Botanical Garden is a must at any time of the year. I particularly love the Christmas season when every tree and shrub is lit up with thousands of lights.

The gardens are beautiful! We were visiting with a 6 year old and a 3 year old. They played on the sand hill for about an hour then played on the splash pad for about an hour. There was also a story time and a craft time they enjoyed. A wonderful day!!

Something for everyone - regardless of age and time of year! We loved the the Washed Ashore artistic statues made of debris collected from the Pacific Coast. The tram ride was informative so you didn't have to walk the entire facility. Just a very nice and peaceful day!!

It's a little confusing figuring out the layout of the park with what is in bloom, but it's a great getaway for 2-3 hours. Just loved walking through the vast gardens. Cafe is so-so but the gardens make up for it, Stay an hour or many hours as there is much to enjoy. Great walking.

South Hampton Roads is NOT a major cosmopolitan area! No subways, hour-long traffic jambs, and the cities DO sleep! However, we enjoy some enviable amenities usually found in larger cities - concert halls, sports arena, zoo, gorgeous beaches ..... and a Botanical Gardens! In season the Norfolk Botanical Garden is a visually aromatic experience. The layout invites relaxed wandering along the serpentine waterway, along the mossy velvet shaded paths, and inexorably draws the visitor among the beautiful roses where they are enticed by the perfume of thousands of roses. Ride the tram if you get tired or better yet, glide around the waterway on a small passenger boat. Enjoy the orchids in the greenhouse, the Japanese gardens, butterfly house, the children’s garden, enchanted forest, and the boss view from the NATO tower! A perfect place for weddings. We enjoy biking there. The fee is reasonable, especially the annual pass which allows you to bring vehicle passengers with you. It’s like the city is encouraging enjoyment of nature. The Christmas lights are classy and much better than other adjacent cities. They occasionally have a traveling Chinese display that is simply stunning! Over all this attraction is a really relaxing and engaging place to come. Way to go, Norfolk!

This is an amazing garden. Plan to spend a couple hours. It is 100+ acre area. It is beautiful and very relaxing.

Beautiful grounds, lights and fun for all. Eerie glow of lights in remote areas. Driving experience is great too, but walking has a special intimate feel with beautiful displays.

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens is a spectacular place for all ages. The carefully designed gardens highlight a variety of garden types and showcases the beauty of every season. I found the highlight of the visit is the children's WOW gardens. With a variety of places to play and a splash park in the summer, you can't beat the hours of entertainment the gardens will provide for your child.

Amazing garden. I’ve never been to a more beautiful and tranquil park with such diversity and acreage. Truly a must see location before and after the upgrades.

Over 100 acres of gardens on Lake Whitehurst, near the Norfolk Airport. Many variety of trees, bushes, and flowers that bloom at various times of the year. Statues are a great accent to the gardens. There's also a tram and a boat tour. Since they cover different areas, both are recommended. A short film and gift shop in the Visitor Center. Different themes throughout the park. Lakes and ponds. I enjoyed as much as I could, but was so disappointed that I didn't get to see the Washed Ashore projects. They were located at the back of the property and is too far for seniors to walk there and back, even with a tram stop not too terribly far away, on the hour. There's a cafe on sight, but pricey. You can definitely spend the whole day here, trying to see and do it all. Very beautiful. Staff were very pleasant and easy to work with and had the answers to all questions!

We visited the Botanical Garden tonight to enjoy the "Million Bulb Walk" which is a light show. The tour is approximately a 2.5 mile walk if you go out and back. The light displays where fantastic with some of the displays being animated.

very pretty grounds but we were there in October and the butterfly display was closed.
it was a little disappointing

We lucked out as the weather was beautiful for our getaway to Norfolk -- and these gorgeous gardens were the perfect to spend a couple of hours walking around. The hydrangeas were in bloom in the wooded hydrangea garden, which we agreed was our favorite spot among many. We especially liked going off the main paved way to the mulched side trails. We didn't come close to seeing it all in two hours.

A 150+ acre botanical garden near the airport? Yes, and its very much worth a visit.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden started, improbably enough, as a city garden in 1938 during the depression. Many of the plantings were by about 200 African American women and about 20 men. Since then, the garden has been (mostly) saved from expansion of the nearby airport, but has also been helped by still more gardens being planted.

We were here on a nice day and would recommend you do the same. The garden is fun to explore on foot and, as others have noted, basically something is always in bloom. We especially appreciated the wildflower plantings, but there was no shortage of interesting and beautiful things to see. We didn't even try to count all the different plants and flowers.

During our visit they had an ecology-minded exhibit on animals made up of plastics discarded in the ocean. They had sculptures made up of things like plastic bottles, plastic shoe parts, toothbrushes, and just about anything else made of plastic. The results were entertaining (sharks and jellyfish were our favorites), but they also made the point about plastic waste.

This park was featured on a set of stamps by the U.S. Post Office about two years ago.

The park is beautifully laid out with lots of walkways, paths, bridges, and attractive structures. We ended our trip with a picnic lunch near the entrance.

This is a very nice set of gardens with an interesting and unlikely history. If you are anywhere near the area you should take a morning to visit it.

Great venue for young kids party.. great water features for kids to play in. Host was very helpful in set up and all related logistics. Able to tour gardens. Beautiful.

Great place to visit with your family. Very educational. Great place to get exercise. When in Norfolk a. Must see!

I love to visit these gardens, there are so many interesting areas. Love the irises in Spring, the roses in summer, and all of the nature trails.

The Gardens are featuring Lantern Asia festival right now. We arrived late in the afternoon so we could see the lanterns in both the light and day. Spectacular!
Don’t miss this opportunity.
Added bonus is a very nice gift shop with affordable items.

This place is so peaceful and beautiful. Watching the birds and butterflies is a wonderful experience. So many different areas to explore! The Tram ride through is an enjoyable, narrated treat and is included with your admission. Never the same place twice!!

The azaleas have been famous thought my lifetime (there used to be a pageant, with Azalea Queen, etc.), and I finally got here to see them. The best ones are near the entrance, in the original part of the garden, designed by Charles F. Gillette, Virginia's leading landscape architect of the period, with the actual work done by 25 black women paid by the Works Progress Administration. They were an outstanding team. I think this azalea garden is by far the classiest part of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, all these years later.

The map could use improvement. An effort to tie disparate segments of the Garden together into a more coherent whole would be useful. Lantern Asia inadvertently did some of this, but I was not a fan. I took the evening tram ride but would have preferred nature to artifice. Apologies for the dissenting opinion.

We spent 4+ hours at the gardens in late April and took the tram tour twice (the 2nd time to go into the azalea part of the gardens at 11:00). Heaps of different flora on display...well-groomed grounds, and knowledgeable tour guides/tram drivers.

While not part of the tour, one might walk the 100 yards from the visitor center to the airport overlook and listen to air traffic control speak with the pilots. Depending on the time of day, one's likely to see a couple of departures and landings.

Beautiful layout. The plants were well labeled which makes it even easier to enjoy. The price was very reasonable and they had a military discount.

We went to the Botanical Gardens to enjoy the roses, and we're pleasantly surprised to see so many butterflies and indigenous plants in bloom as well

I was lucky enough to hear about and go check out the light displays at Lantern Asia. What an amazing sight, I heard that it takes like 3 months just to set this all up. I promise you have never seen anything like this. Check it out if they come back to Norfolk VA Botanical gardens or anywhere else they are showcasing. The botanical gardens are absolutely breathtaking without the lantern display so check it out either way!

Such a lovely place to spend a few peaceful hours walking through gardens and around lake. I suggest taking their tram tour before walking so you have idea of the lay of the land! It’s included with admission fee or membership. Hot in summer bc not much wind, stay hydrated. Be sure to stop at Baker Overlook with relaxing swings and huge water oak tree. Good cafe for lunch, closes at 4:00. Nice gift shop! Many interesting classes or guided tours! June is annual Butterfly Festival!! Also walk up hill to overlook of Norfolk Airport and you can hear air traffic controller conversations.

It's always a pleasure strolling though the Norfolk Botanical Gardens! There is also a tram, which was perfect for my elderly mother when she came to visit. She absolutely loved the rose garden! The grounds are always well maintained, no matter what time of year. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves flowers and wishes to spend a day in peaceful surroundings.

We were visiting friends and absolutely loved seeing all of the butterflies, flowers, and areas for children to play. Our kids loved the splash pads and all of the interactive areas.

It's peaceful, beautiful, and not too expensive. Been here 4+ times at this point. Chinese lantern festival was one of them. Came here for dates and birthdays too. Only time we havent been here was in dead of winter. There's always stuff growing bc VA isnt too cold. Been here in February, April, June and September. I especially love their fido sundays where I can bring my dogs. It looks like a great place to just picnic on their lawns and enjoy the flowers. People can bike through here during certain times too.

The Azaleas in full bloom, were incredible. Be sure to take the tram through the gardens. The commentary was educational and spirited!
The Bonsai garden was fabulous. The boat rides don't start until Memorial Day, but one should not miss this gorgeous Botanical Garden!

There is always a flower blooming here. During the summer there is a water pad for the kids. I have a membership because I love it so much.

This is a wonderful place to view beautiful gardens in a very peaceful and quiet setting - except you might hear planes coming and going from nearby airport!! And lovely during the holidays when they light up the gardens.......much to see and learn there.

This was our first visit here, but not our last. That is, it is unlikely that you'll be able to cover the 28 individual gardens in one day. And, that was the case for us.

The first thing you should do, no, must do, is to get a map of the Garden and take the tram tour (on the hour from 10 to 4). As you drive around, you'll get an overview and, in addition, be able to hop off at any of the 9 scheduled stops. The back of the map has the special activities of that month. For example, we went in April, and beginning on April 1, Bike Nights began. That is, you are allowed to ride your bike from 4-7 PM....very neat.

As I said, we were able to only walk a few of the gardens on the day we were there. What we saw was very impressive.

Very beautiful display kids where very exciting nice christmas 🎄 music to go along wit displays on the radio 📻 station

It is an awesome experience, but not near the depth of displays offered in 2016. The displays are looking tired. This early they shouldn't look this faded and torn. The new silk stands out against the older silk in the same exhibit. Good news - there isn't a lot of repeat from the 2016 exhibit; only 3 of the best.

We were fortunate the Azaleas were in full bloom. The Asians Lanterns were wonderful even in the daylight. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk.

This is a wonderful out door spac. They host many activities. They have Fund raiser for local animal shelter. Chinese Lanters in October children’s area to explore and craft room. The have different types of garnet landscape . During summer dogs allowed on Sunday’s and biking on Wednesday’s. Right next to Airport. If you have long wait , asked locals can direct you on how to walk to it.

This garden bumps up next to the airport. When leaving the airport look to your right and you can see the lovely flowers and greenery.

The botanical garden was gorgeous. We took the tram tour first to see the property and then walked around for about 2 hours to see all the gardens. Bring your walking shoes! It was so cool to see so many species of different flowers. The 300 species of roses at the end were my favorite.

We visited this garden one afternoon and were amazed at the beauty of all the flowers and trees. The entire place is well cared for and provides areas to get out of the sun and sit in the shade for a break. The time goes by very quickly so be sure to allow enough to see it all.

I really enjoyed our visit here on a Saturday afternoon. My brother in law had the family pass and allowed us to get in for free. The kids loved the butterfly house and enjoyed walking around the 170 park. I was amazed by the very large magnolia trees and the rows and rows of crepe myrtles! We barely walked 2 acres of it and we plan to go back and explore the rest. What a beautiful place.

Well-established and different themed gardens to spend hours enjoying. Very accessible throughout, with benches to relax in the shade, a guided tram ride, and both indoor and outdoor displays. A real gem right near the airport! While I was there the Lanterns of Asia attraction added even more interest to the gardens. Children through older adults all seemed to love it, and I only wish I had more time to spend there. Highly recommend for anyone, including nature photographers.

This was a beautiful place to visit and it would take many hours to see it all. It is laid out so you can wander on trails and paths all around the gardens. It wouldn’t be suitable for someone who is physically challenged.

The grounds were beautiful even in October. Can't imagine what it is like during the springs. The grounds are extensive and well groomed.

Fantastic. Arrived around 4:00p.m.. This allowed a leisure 1 mile daylight walk to view these gorgeous displays. There were several more than what was in brochure. We then enjoyed other parts of the gardens, waiting for sunset. Wow, when these were all lit up what a sight.

This location is always changing. When the seasons change theres always something else to see. The walk is peaceful and theres a few areas for the kids to play also. Botanical Gardens offers different event also. You can ride bikes and walk dogs at certain times. I love this place. I have a yearly membership which it not expensive and I can bring the family and friends.

If you have a chance to spend a day of good weather in a relaxed mood, this is a perfect place to do so. Nice enough to keep you entertained, small enough to impose any rush.

I have been to the Botanical Gardens numerous times. It is a great place to visit in Norfolk. There are a number of military and harborfront places to visit. But on top of that...visit the gardens. You need to check on the web site. Depending on the season, there is usually a featured part of the gardens, and you could easily spend a day or more touring.

Large botanical gardens that have fairly well maked plants so you know what you are looking at. There is a tram ride which is a good way to get the layout of the garden. They also have a snack bar on site.

This is a beautiful place to enjoy the day. There are great photo opportunities, as well. It is worth checking out if you're in the area.

I truly did not expect to see the how big these gardens were and how varied they are! I wish we had more time here and hope to return sometime soon! It was so well maintained and so many interesting gardens. I loved the tram tour through the gardens. I also enjoyed their Asia gardens displays. I wish I could have seen them at night also! It was all amazing...loved it!

My wife and I visited the botanical garden lantern display with our son, daughter in law, and grandson. It was a great time. We made our visit after dark. The lanterns are amazing. Very beautiful displays of color and light. The information provided gives lots of education about the Chinese culture. We highly recommend this. Our grandson is 3 1/2 and it was very enjoyable for him.

I frequent the gardens all year long and love every minute I'm there. The kids area is great for little ones too.

Recommended walks and views in a park and garden setting. Visited Shop offers small related items. Bikes allowed 4 - 7pm.

Best Botanical gardens I have ever visited! Hydrangeas absolutely amazing. Chinese lantern display intriguing!

Beautiful paths to walk around viewing nature at its finest! Also a great summer camp for kids! Our daughter went for several years

The Christmas lights were beautiful. There was plenty of variety for adults and kids to ooo and ahh over. Took lots of pics. We would all visit again!

Was a very hot day but took the tram got off looked at sections of the garden and got back on when finished. Went to next stop. Had a great day.

Went here on a whim. Loved the train ride. If they put a fridge and a bathroom in the tree house, I'd live there.

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens are a gem. There's something in bloom seemingly all year round, with the spring azaleas perhaps the highlight (though the roses in summer are a close second). This year they have the Asian Lanterns exhibit that both adds and detracts - adds in that some of the displays are very interesting; detracts in that the flowers are what we really went to see. Don't miss the trolley tour that's included in the price of admission. The Gardens are immense and it's really the only way to see some parts unless you enjoy traipsing all over the place on foot. In summer there's also a boat tour.

If you go for a visit during azalea season you MUST take a detour and drive through the adjacent Norfolk International Airport grounds. When the current terminal was built in the early 1970s they took land from the Botanical Garden for the terminal but left (or replanted) azaleas all around the terminal and the roadways. It has to be the most beautifully situated airport terminal in the US, if not the world, each April.

The gardens are a fabulous treasure. Plenty of paths to walk under a lush canopy. Beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs. You can take a water tour. And they offer dog friendly days. Allow yourself about 2 hours. We packed a picnic lunch and ate on the lawn surrounded by Italian marble sculptures

The garden is huge and the kids enjoyed the splash pad and the various (educational) attractions, they also liked the planes taking off all the time, which might be a minus for visitors looking for a relaxing (or romantic) stroll in the park as it’s really loud.
The huge minus was the boat tour friends had booked for us. Children are only allowed by special request, which we didn’t know and it’s really hard to find that info on the web page, and they have to pay the full price! The cruise is an “adult learning experience” as we now learned, but if you have children and are on vacation (equals no babysitter) you aren’t allowed to learn and experience the park by boat?!

Took in the gardens with my friends to see Lantern Asia. We did the loop in the daylight and then again in the evening hours. The pieces were just stunning lit up. It was a little chilly that day. But I wish we would have actually seen the rest of the gardens. Even though much was not in bloom I'm sure they were beautiful things we could have seen as well. But definitely would recommend seeing the lantern Asia exhibit there now. I would recommend to come around 6 -630 pm. And then once you did the loop in the light then you could walk back through it in the darkness. And you can get the full experience.

Stopped here while visiting my daughter and was delighted to see such well cared for grounds. They vast array of areas to see was spectacular. I would definitely recommend a visit!

My husband & I are visiting our daughter & family. She suggested taking the children to the Christmas Lights display at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens tonight. We had gone a few years ago & really enjoyed it. This year, we found they had raised the price to $30 a car & only had music in one small area instead of throughout the drive. The lights were beautiful, but those two negatives didn't help the experience. I think it was much better before when there was music.

We have been members for several years now. Love the classes they offer as well as the free walk & talks. It's always a beautiful and different walk depending on the season.

Took the family to see the lights the night before Thanksgiving, so we got to walk the trail. It was extremely well done and well maintained. Being that we could walk it, we could linger where we wanted. The closer you get to Christmas, you have to ride the shuttle through it. Wouldn’t be as good.

Roses roses roses. Great children's garden filled with fin things to do especially spring and summer. Azalea gardens are pretty amazing too. Great way to spent a day.

We initially added these gardens to our itinerary because it was near the airport. If fact the gardens were amazing. They go on forever with so many relaxing spots.

Upon arrival to garden I decided to walk thru the instead of riding the tramp which was a mistake because I wasnt able to walk the entire garden. I was able to see everything up to about a third of the way in. Everything that I saw was very beautiful and well taken care of for the visitors eyes to take in. Missed the forest section, but will return.

Nothing out of the ordinary here. We've been to many botanical gardens, and this is more "homegrown". It's well kept but has so much more potential. Was a nice afternoon activity. The highlight was catching the planes coming and going next to the parking lot! That was very worth it!

Four of us came on a pleasant Sunday about 11:30 for a half-afternoon, and we could have stayed another two hours or more. We started with the half-hour tram tour (included) around the perimeter of the space. Then the Japanese garden, the tropical-plants conservatory, a ride back out to the butterfly house and wild-flower meadow, and a final stop at the Renaissance court and sculpture gardens. The childrens' WOW gardens looked appealing, but we didn't stop.
The gardens are separated from the airport only by a high berm (25 feet high?), but we were seldom aware of the planes' proximity. A lot of sun, so bring a hat.

Such a beautiful place. We actually liked it here more than Kew Gardens. Staff were friendly and sections were made / planted beautifully.

We took the tram tour and the boat ride. Loved every minute of it.

Definitely a place to visit. We went when it was scorching so would recommend going when it is cooler as walking around will be so much more easier and pleasant.

A must do when in Virginia!

We were looking to break up our drive home from the Outer Banks, and decided to stop at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. We are so glad that we did! Even though we were visiting on a Sunday during the Summer, it was not overly crowded. We were able to park with no problems. They offer tram tours, but we decided to just walk The grounds are beautifully manicured, and there are tons of great displays. We absolutely loved that it is dog friendly, and our daughter loved seeing dogs everywhere! The butterfly house was a nice surprise, and the Children's Garden was great - we spent almost an hour in this area alone! We will definitely be back to explore the gardens again!

Visited on an oppressively hot and humid day and was relieved to find cooler temperatures under the canopy. Not much blooming in early September, but it is still an enjoyable activity, worth the visit. Fantastic location if killing time for the airport. Do visit the café, food and beverage were great! Other than the heat, the only detriment was the number of grounds personnel in golf carts, whizzing by pedestrians. Apparently their holiday light preparation is underway...

I visited on my birthday, which was the same day as the honey bee celebration- 08/18/18. The tram tour was very informative and the overall staff was very educated and friendly! The gardens are beautiful and very well maintained!

Clean , not expensive. Kids were as entertained as adults. Bring hat and mittens.... plus hot chocolate

Love visiting the Norfolk Botanical Garden!!! Dog days of summer are here so you can bring your dog for the walk on Sunday!!!

We didn’t want to miss the extensive show of azalea blossoms and we hit it just right. A beautiful spring day and such a lovey experience. We took the tram tour and it was great.

We had an afternoon to "spend" and deicded to visit Norfold Botanical Gardens. What a joy! They have a tram that tours all the major attractions within the gardens. That was important to us because I'm have back problems and walking long distances is difficult. There were short walking tours close to the main building, with plenty of spots to stop, sit and enjoy all. Well worth the price and the time!

This is a beautiful place to see and to take wedding photos. I enjoyed my walk through there. I would recommend anyone to come and visit.

This lovely and extensive garden is most impressive! The 20-minute tram ride was an excellent introduction to the many sections and the variety of plantings. You could wander here for hours and probably still miss things. Water fountains, bathrooms, and refreshments were all easily accessible. A memorable part of the visit is the top of a tall berm that overlooks the Norfolk airport, allowing you to sit and listen to the control tower conversations as you watch planes take off and land. Well worth a visit if you enjoy lovely gardens.

We purchased a family membership to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens in order to enjoy and admire the gardens on a regular basis.
No matter want time of year one visits the gardens, there is always something new to catch one's eye and bring happiness to one's heart.
A few weeks ago, all the azaleas were exhibiting their happy spring colors; last week the rose garden showed off it's magnificent, majestic multitude of roses. Some of the colors I had never seen before. Absolutely amazing.
On Sundays, one can bring their beloved dogs: there is a fabulous area where children can play in the sand, another, hands-on area is devoted to teach youngsters about plants. The Butterfly pavilion is amazing as the Bieke's fly around one's ears, much to the slight of children and adults.
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens never cease to delight all visitors.

The lights were very good, but slightly overpriced. It would have been nice to have choreographed music throughout. And maybe a cat light.

during the Christmas time.You can walk and see the beauty and the Spirit of Christmas.Summer time the kids love it due to the fountains the kids can get in and cool down,the love it

My wife and I stopped by here today. Very nice gardens and very well maintained. We really enjoyed the free tram tour of the gardens as well. Everything is well laid out and has good signage. Nice place to visit.

I love this place! NORFOLK IS MY HOMETOWN!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, it's pronounced:Nor-fik, so please say it the right way. Also, go to Hunt Club farms and the Children's Museum with the trains!

My boyfriend and I went here for the first time together. It was absolutely stunning. I'm from Memphis and out botanical garden is nowhere near this size or perfectly taken care of. We were both convinced after taking the tour on the train around the garden that we would become members. Everyone was so nice and the boat ride was BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to become a member and go as much as we can. Please give this a try if you've never been, you're guaranteed to find a spot you love there. Extremely romantic and calming.

My wife and I LOVE botanical gardens and this is easily one of the best we have visited. This garden is mushroom themed and has a butterfly garden. The campus is huge and could easily be 3+ hour adventure. You can also tell the staff keeps up with the flower maintenance.

After landing at the Norfolk airport, we saw the signs to the garden. We had a few hours before we needed to be on the Outer Banks and decided to explore these beautiful gardens.

One of my favorite spots in Norfolk, loved it so much I became a member. It’s big enough that you can get a little lost but small enough that you can find favorite spots. We also took some of our wedding photos there and they were fantastic.

I have been here a few times and every time it's always great. The best are the various seasonal visits. The festival of lights is outstanding during the Christmas time. it's a very family friendly walk through the flowers and trees and throughout the grounds.

These botanical gardens are definitely worth a trip if you were in Norfolk. They have a bus that will take you around to the various gardens. Everything was very nice and well-maintained. We had a good time there.

My daughter and I enjoyed our visit to the gardens. We were lucky to be there during the Flamingo exhibition, and had fun finding all the "birds". I look forward to being able to visit again - hopefully in the spring.

We enjoyed a beautiful stroll along the gardens with their Christmas Light display Tastefully done, spaced out well. Great way to spend an evening and get into the Christmas spirit.

Beautiful place to visit. Check out the Asian Lights when they come to town . You don't want to miss those.

Absolutely breathtaking. People of all ages will appreciate the various blossoms. Very peaceful and calming.

If you’re planning a trip in the near future, be aware that there is heavy construction going on. They are building the “Garden of Tomorrow” which I can’t wait to see! Also, we visited in February so not many plants were in bloom however, there were still acres and acres of plants to enjoy. We did get to see the beautiful Camellia bushes in all of their glory, as they are prominent in the winter. And we also saw blossoming orchids in the tropical greenhouse. The Butterfly House unfortunately was closed due to monarch migration.

We didn’t have great expectations knowing that it was winter time and there was construction going on but even so, we were very surprised. The gardens are stunning and the attention to detail makes it easy to envision what the grounds would look like in full bloom. Even our 8-year-old had a wonderful time. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens are a must-see for anyone visiting the area. We can’t wait to visit next year.

I’m apprehensive about writing this review because it is such a hidden gem in Norfolk and I kind of selfishly would love to keep this to myself and my friends. However, my desire to rave about this place wins over and I want everyone to know that it is awesome to come here year-round. My favorite time to come here is when they have the drive-thru Garden of Lights. It is hands down the BEST holiday lights I have ever seen. I have been to one near Washington DC and it does not even compare to how amazing it is at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10/10 highly recommend. Pictures don’t even do it justice.

What a beautiful place to enjoy flowers, canals, tours, food trucks, artwork. We took the tram tour, which was nice to be able to ride the acreage and see lots of flowers, shrubs, and forestry. We did find it was very hard to hear the guide who was also driving. Perhaps better if the commentary was done by a 2nd person. The canal tour was much better, with a boat driver and a lady explaining everything we were seeing. We enjoyed the rose garden, the magnolia trees and lots of plant life that was new to us. The building was very well maintained, washrooms were clean, gift shop had something for anyone, the artwork on the walls was very unique and fun to look at. Food was served by 3 food trucks in the rose garden - we purchased 2 hot dogs (the smallest weiner I ever saw!) and 2 small bags of potato chips = $18.00USD !!! OMG - won't do that again!!! BUT the ice cream truck was GR8888! All in all, it was a good day, glad we went. Should you go? YES, but decide if you want to bring your own lunch or pay the prices of "a captive audience".

At present, certain parts of the Norfolk Botanical Garden are under construction. Renovation is taking place on the NATO Tower Overlook and some of the paths. With that being said, there is still a lot to do here. It would be quite a challenge to see and experience everything in one day. Many of the activities are seasonal. If you live locally, purchasing an annual membership may be a good idea. On Sundays, visitors are allowed to bring their dogs. If you are not a member and do not live locally, another garden membership that you possess in the area that you reside may qualify you to receive a discounted rate. Look at the web site that specifies the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program. If you are seeking a discount, bring that membership card and photo identification with you. The parking lot is spacious. You could park an RV here. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear per the season. Bring snacks and water. Remember to bring your camera, and make sure the battery is fully charged. Portions of the gardens are set up very nicely for those visitors who use strollers and wheelchairs. Get a paper map, load the app, or follow the signs. When we toured, the Legos exhibits was present. So impressive. Legos were available for view inside and out. If you enjoy birdwatching, bring your binoculars and a zoom lens. As the Norfolk Botanical Garden is adjacent to the Norfolk International Airport, be prepared to hear the loud noises emitted from particular jet aircraft that are taking off and landing. If you, or another member of your party has autism or experiences sensory issues, donning some noise reduction headphones may be a good idea. Some people use little wagons to transport their outdoor blankets and other gear to the gardens so they may read or bask in the sun. There is a lot to do at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. If you decide to go, enjoy the magnificent experience.

How are flowers not beautiful?!?! Especially during the seasonal shows! This place is peaceful and a great place to visit!

Absolutely beautiful no matter when you go. The grounds are so meticulously taken care of. I go as often as i can!

Very enjoyable day. For older people, need to use the tram. A lot to see so a second trip will need to be done. Very informative and very beautiful.

Great place to walk and see. All the beautiful displays and the pollinators that help the staff with the beauty. The butterfly house was wonderful. My wife rears monarch butterflies so she had enlightened conversations for sure. The restaurant has great vegetarian food options that we enjoy and we are not vegetarians. Wonderful place.

This is a 175 acre garden. It offers 7 miles of paved walkways and 7 miles of natural trails. The hours are 9 - 7 daily except for christmas, thanksgiving, and new years day. I enjoyed looking at all the statues and sculptures and the walk through the entire area was an easy one.

Not much was blooming but it was in December so I wasn't really expecting to see many flowers. However, I envisioned The Enchanted Forest to have more than just trees. I was hoping to see dragons, dwarfs, elves, fairies, gnomes, goblins, imps, trolls, unicorns, well, you get the idea. That was a big disappointment and that's something they should really think about adding. The kid in all of us will enjoy the three acre World of Wonders.

The gardens are next to the airport, so there is occasional noise from airplanes landing and taking off.
The garden has an airport observation deck which gives a great view of the runway and has a speaker for listening to the air traffic controllers communication with the pilots.
The free tram ride lasts for 30 minutes and is a good way to get oriented to the garden.
The Rose Garden was our favorite section, we wished that the Butterfly House had been open.
The garden appears to be well maintained, quite a number of employees were visible throughout.
The entrance fee ($12 per adult) might be a little steep for some.
The gift shop appeared on the small side, but was closed the day we were there (and the next day as well) for inventory purposes.
Overall an enjoyable visit for those who are interested.

What a beautiful place to show off the gardens. Not only do you have those flowers in bloom, norfolk botanical offers much more. With the Japanese Laterns exhibit, boatrides and the much annual traditional Christmas light display...you cant ask for more than that!

Girlfriends went for the first time and we all had a great time! Was just cold enough so we enjoyed walking. It was a nice added attraction that they offered a trolley to take us back to the entrance!

Great activity for kids to run and enjoy the water gardens on a hot day!! Restrooms are convenient. We brought picnic to enjoy

A new tradition for us to to visit NBG for the Million Bulb Walk. A very different experience than driving through, you can take your time and really absorb and enjoy the light displays. If you are lucky, you may even witness a couple getting engaged! Great for a romantic date or an evening with the family. Check dates, the walk ends right after Thanksgiving and changes to drive through in late November/early December. You don't want to miss it!

Stopped by the Norfolk Botanical Gardens for an afternoon walk. The facility is beautiful, the gardens are exciting, and the current Lego display makes the walking all the more fascinating. So many plants and gardens to explore, so many sights to see. If you are in Norfolk, relax and stroll through the Botanical Gardens.

My mother and I visited on a hot summer day. The venue was spacious and there were beautiful flowers. Great early morning activity.

This place is amazing. The layout is interesting, and the landscaping beautiful. There are many different types of gardens to investigate and there are many areas where you can just sit and be. Highly recommend.

Spent the afternoon here with grandchildren, 5 & 8. So much to see and do: the sandpit, splash fountain (FYI there are restrooms here) and enchanted forest were a hit! Kids like seeing turtles and rescued a baby one from the walkway. Azaleas are spectacular! Most kid friendly gardens we’ve been to! Hubby and I like to come on our own too. It’s a treasure.

I love the botanical gardens in Norfolk! Beautiful, well maintained grounds. The rose garden is huge and wonderful. The friendship pond is a serene place to feed the fish or just relax on a bench. I also love the Japanese Garden and the hothouse. The hothouse doesn't seem to be visited as often as it should to view the orchids and other tropical plants. There is always something in bloom even in the winter. There are great Christmas lights during the holidays. I recommend the walking tour dates to see the lights at their best. Also not to be missed in the summer are the butterfly house and the boat tours.

A family group went her on a sunny but chilly and breezy day. You must purchase tickets on-line ahead of time a receive an allotted entrance window. That is to avoid lines at the parking lot check-in. We missed the azaleas at this visit but saw gorgeous roses, perennials and other plants in bloom. There are miles of paths to walk through taking you to a Japanese garden, a subtropical garden, the roses, of course, perennials, and many other areas. There is a gift shop and information are provided in one of the buildings. There is an app to download a map of the entire garden. Exhibits are identified and well- marked. We enjoyed our two-hour walk through a beautifully maintained garden. 5-8-2021

Constructed as a public works project during the depression. Large area with beautiful gardens and many hiking trails.

NBG offers extensive collections of native plants, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas and a wealth of other plants on 175 acres of grounds. Gardens range in style from natural to formal, from historical to contemporary, and the World of Wonder center appeals to younger children. Lakes, ponds and creeks punctuate the landscape. We found the recurring spring Lanternasia special exhibit overhyped and underattractive. Noise from the nearby airport detracts from the experience, but it is no reason to avoid this exceptional botanical garden. A big plus: it is open Mondays, when most local muesums are closed.

Want a great evening for the family or anyone. Take the time to experience a walk through the Norfolk Botanical Gardens and enjoy the Christmas lights. "Wow" they outdid themselves. The ticket cost are well worth it. Bundle up, sip on some apple cider or hot chocolate you can buy at the little food trailer and enjoy the walk, Great opportunity to take some good photos

What a beautiful garden. A true gem in the city. The staff is overly friendly and you can tell they love working at the garden. I really like having the tram to learn more about the garden and see it in a different way. Very cute gift shop. Definitely worth a visit anytime of year. Don’t miss the orchid house. They also offer a lot of adult education classes.

Something for all age groups to do......tram, boat, bicycle, dog walk, tropical green house, rose garden.

This place is great. This is our 2nd visit. We live in the West. We were here 2 years ago. My daughter has a family membership. She can take 5 guests.

There are always different plants blooming or showing off. My daughter comes quite often sometimes just for lunch in one of the many secluded quiet areas. I believe you could come ones a week for a year for a few hours and not see it all. They have a tram you can get on and off at different sections of the park.

The family membership is quite reasonable if you're coming more than once in a year.

I am sure after 1 visit you'll agree you could easily spend the day walking and pointing and saying, Aaaaahhhh.

I've visited the Gardens on several occasions. It's a lovely place for a family outing, wedding, date... One of my favorite events at the Gardens is the Bulb Walk during the holidays. It is so festive and so fun! We walked it and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the holidays with our whole family; kids loved it! They have hot chocolate and assorted snacks at the entrance, which made it even more festive. This is a lovely place to visit any time of year! Always beautiful! If you have a layover at the nearby ORF, uber over and check it out! :)

Yesterday we visited the gardens when it was dark. What a pleasure for the eye al those bright colours everywhere. Some of the statures included movement. The darker it got the happier we felt. What a priviledge to be able to be part of this. The display will end in a few day so go go go..

The Botanical Gardens are located next to the Norfolk Airport, so it’s a great stop if you have lots of time before a flight. Lantern Asia is a special event with additional pricing. If you need to use the tram to get around to see the sights, check the dates it is available.

Visited for the seasonal Million Lights Walk. It was stunning. So many creative displays. Staff were friendly and helpful. Didn't get to visit during daylight hours, but grounds seemed clean and we'll planted.

The butterfly garden and exhibit were simply phenomenal. There were chrysalises and larvae everywhere which made it very easy to see the different stages of the metamorphosis that they go through.

I went to the Asia exhibit with a friend. It exceeded my expectations. I had seen pictures but the exhibits with so beautiful in person they were amazing. Also there with so many. You must have been about the 200m or and they all look beautiful from any angle. You can look it up on the internet. I would go back again.

This expansive botanical garden right next to Norfolk airport has an amazing layout and lots of places to explore. With changes in the seasons; Azalea being the first to bloom in spring followed by rhododendrons then roses, and more one can keep coming back every few weeks to enjoy nature. The tram ride makes it easy to get an overview and then one can decide the area to visit in detail. Do not miss the overlook of the runway from the airport bern.

We went for the Christmas lights and we’re really impressed with the displays. We thought it was a little pricy but we all enjoyed it. I loved how they had hot cocoa and popcorn at the beginning for purchase. Definitely worth checking out if you can get tickets

Beautiful flowers.. biggest rose gardens on east coast! There are also woods to walk in, water to walk by, and butterflies to experience. Finish off the day with a smoothly and a unique gift from the gift shop.

What a lovely garden. We enjoyed the stroll through all of the different gardens. The people that worked there were so helpful and knowledgeable. We learned so many things we could do in our gardens at home.

I went to this garden for the fantastic display of LanternAsia. The creations were set up along the 1 mile walk of the gardens. Had it not been for the LanternAsia, I am not sure the garden itself is worth the visit. There are better botanical gardens on the Atlantic region.

Early October isn't the optimal time to visit the garden, but we were in town attending a reunion. There was considerable "maintenance" going on. It was also 90 degrees, so we saw most of the garden via the half-hour tram tour, although we did walk the rose and Japanese gardens, and had a delightful lunch at the cafe. The children's garden and playground is a special touch for families with little ones.

The botanical gardens are beautiful and relaxing any time of year, but it is especially fun to watch the progression of blooming spring through fall. They have many different opportunities to learn. The children's garden and learning area is so inviting and educational. I love to take my grandchildren to play in the fountains in the summer. It is also fun to end the visit sitting on the hill along the airport to watch the planes come and go.

The over 100 acres gardens provide paved and unpaved trails through the space. Flowers and trees are in bloom at different times of the year. Our spring vacation provided viewing of the azaleas and the beginning of flowering trees. The Cafe offers light lunch fare. A pleasant afternoon on a lovely day

Very nice walk through a million (or so) lights. We went after it had poured down raining but it was still a pretty good walk with limited puddles to avoid. It was pretty and nice not to have to worry about vehicles around you while walking through the exhibit. Good place to visit with kids in strollers. We were three adult family members and enjoyed it as well.

Beautiful displays, long lines (but worth it). Price is not family friendly. $30 per vehicle is pretty steep. Probably will not return unless price goes down at least to $20.

Enormous garden that you can walk around at your leisure or take the boat/ road-train. Giant field of roses in full bloom was spectacular. Just a pity that both the tree-house and butterfly garden weren't open, and that this wasn't advised on entry... would have saved a lot of walking!

My friend and I visited for the special attraction of Lanterns of Asia. What an awesome attraction and a beautiful garden to visit. I left very refreshed and in awe of the beautiful flower gardens and walking trails.

There’s a tram that will take you on a tour around the garden. One of the stops is near the children’s garden which has a very nice splash pad. My two year old loved it. There’s indoor bathrooms with a changing table, vending machines and a restaurant.

The whole garden smells of fragrant flowers such as roses and magnolia. It’s a really lovely place.

The gardens are beautiful. There is a butterfly house featuring native species of butterflies. There are activities for children as well including splash fountains.. In the gardens there is a cafe that has a small menu. The food was very good. A nice place to spend the day. Weddings are often held at various places in the gardens. There is also a gift shop.

This might be the largest botanical garden that I have been to. Many different gardens with their own unique theme and vibe. Gardens were well maintained too. Would love to go back here in the future.

Even though we went there during off-season, we enjoyed it regardless. The grounds themselves well worth the visit. I suggest to take a tram tour first, so you get an idea of what is where and then just walk around for a few hours.

An all day trip! I spent three hours there walking and still didn’t see everything! Wonderful views, quiet walkways, great for a family trip.

My husband and son took me here as a surprise for my birthday! We made it thru the gate just 10 minutes before the last tram tour of the day. The tram tour is a great way to quickly see the majority of what the gardens offer. And it's free, so how can you beat that.

All of the gardens are beautiful. The rose garden alone is absolutely gigantic. I'm not much into roses, but that was a sight to see. Also, the crape myrtle trees were in full bloom and lined an area. Really made for a beautiful sight.

The Japanese garden was my favorite area. It's beautiful and relaxing. There are bonsai lining a pathway. Some were marked a little better than others, so you could see their age, which I always find incredible about bonsai. There's a neat little bridge that crosses a water feature. It's just so pleasant in that area, I could have spent hours there.

Lastly we took a boat tour, which was my least favorite part of the day. They packed us on the boat...it was full. The canals they pass thru are very pretty. The kid giving the tour was personable and was fun to listen to. But about 10 or 15 minutes into the tour, we had a rainstorm hit us. It was terrible, as the covering on the boat is definitely not waterproof and we all looked like we had gone for a swim. They kept up with the tour like this until we heard thunder.... thank God! Ha ha! At that point we were ready to be off the boat.

First, the girl at the gate asked if we were members of any other botanical gardens so that we could have a discount. I appreciated this because I didn't think to ask about it.
Second, the roses were at their peak, and all lovely.
Third, the tram ride was the last of the day and went a little too quickly. I felt that I didn't have time to see much of what the narrator was talking about, and I definitely wasn't able to get a photo while we whizzed past.
The garden was definitely extensive, though it seemed there should have been more flowers in bloom when we visited in May. The azaleas and rhododendrons were done blooming. For much of the garden there were only dogwoods in bloom, other than roses.
There was a special exhibit of numerous giant Asian inflatable lanterns when we were there. I believe they lit up in the evening and would have been fabulous. It would have definitely made up for the lack of blooms if we had been able to stay for the evening hours. The tram narration said nothing about the individual lantern exhibits, which was very disappointing, also. I would have liked some background on the "Fairies Dancing with Phoenixes" for example.

I’ve been to the Botanical Gardens in multiple cities and countries and Norfolk could rival or surpass each of them. This place is so well done it’s crazy. One would think little ol’ Norfolk would have a rather puny and unsophisticated place. But trust me, this is first class. Take the boat tour. It is so worth it. The grounds are very well maintained and offer a huge variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year. You’d be smart to go spring, summer, and fall. I can’t wait to go back. It’s just that nice.

Love the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. It doesn't matter what time of year, it always seems there is something in bloom waiting to be appreciated. A photographer's delight.

This garden has so much to offer. One of my favorites is the internationally acclaimed camelia garden. When you are in the midst of winter depression in february you can see thousands of big bright red, white and pink blossoms. In summer the huge rose garden, maybe 3000 plants, is amazing. Then there is the butterfly house and garden, the million light walk at christmas time... Too much to mention it all here

In December, my husband and I, with a few friends, did the Garden of Lights Million Bulb Walk. It had been a few years since I did this and I enjoyed it very much. We picked the perfect night as it was very warm. The lights were enchanting! We also won 2nd place for the exhibit out of the whole country.

Went recently with my family and we were so impressed! Beautiful grounds, gardens, plants and sculpture.

We enjoyed the gardens which are well designed and maintained. It's hard this is adjacent to a busy commercial airport. The tram tour provided a nice overview and saved our tired legs from lots of walking. The on-site cafe provided a good lunch.

Lovely evening for a walk in the Garden! This was our second year & it was just delightful. Lots of couples, families & dogs. It takes about 40 minutes so we did it twice! You have until December 14!

One of the highlights of our trip. Loved the flowers and the way the plant life is presented. Shuttle service good for an overview and to use aa=s a hop-on, hop-off, but it ran only once an hour, or so.

Well worth the $40 paid to view this show! Beautiful displays with a variety of different characters, shapes, objects, and animals created from the lights! You were able to drive through, but I would’ve loved to walk through.

I have been during each of the seasons and there is always something beautiful to see. If you have not visited Norfolk Botanical Gardens you are missing out!

This is one place you should have a membership if you live in the Area. I love this place and visit at least once a week. The Rose garden is a real highlight and one of the best in America. The walks around the garden to all the parts of this garden are wonderful. There are so many hidden features. Fountains and a wonderful Children's Garden, so this is a real family day out. The free Trolly ride is narrated and gives a wonderful overview of the Garden. The butterfly house is opened from June to September and a festival is held in July. Make sure you get a map and do not miss anything.

I loved visiting the gardens. So beautiful. Loved the butterflies. I learned so much. They have people riding around offering cold water since it was very hot. So peaceful.

We visited on the last evening of the show, and it was absolutely fantastic. They said there were a million lights, and I believe it, but the scenes were amazing - one felt like you were underwater,another like you were rising through the stars, many animated and in synch with music. $30 well worth the price!

Grounds are gorgeous. I especially enjoyed the Japanese garden with the red maples and bonsai trees. I took the trolley tour, tour guide was very informative. Azaleas were in full bloom, so much color! Recommend to all ages.

Paid $40 for holiday light display. They removed 95% Christmas themed displays. Not much holiday in there.

I have the Reciprocal pass I bought from the Milwaukee Domes Milwaukee Wisconsin that allows 4 people to get in for one pass. $50 annually. I am from Suffolk VA. This allowed me to get into the Norfolk Botanical Gardens with 3 other guests for free. This pass is good for one year. This pass is good for many gardens throughout the USA. The gardens were beautiful especially the Enchanted Forest. They have a tram that will take you around the gardens and drop you off at desiginated stopping points. Beautiful gardens my guests and I truly enjoyed our trip at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.

A pleasant walk, a Tidewater tradition. Yet another thing to do with family at the holidays. About a mile walk among nicely laid out LEDs, a million of them apparently. The fantastic Virginia Symphony accompanies a portion of the walk with timed light show dancing with a selection from the Nutcracker.

Very well maintained. Almost completely outdoors, very safe. Not as many flowers this time of year, but the lights show is cool!

Wish I had more time or could rent a bike with so much to see and walk. This is garden was so great to see.

My family took me to see Lantern Asia at Norfolk Botanical Garden. The exhibit was amazing and I'm so glad I got to see this display. The roses were all in bloom so it made for a double pleasure. The gardens are just so pleasant and there is even a large sand pile for little ones to play on and release energy.

Beautiful gardens. There is a lot to see. You can easily spend all day here. There are also guided tours available and a gift shop.

This was my 4th time doing the garden. The actual theme of the lights doesn't change but somehow it doesnt get old. I have done both the million bulb walk which is the wAlk through version of the lights and the drive through version. My preference is the walk through since you can pause along the way and really take in each display without the glare of Lights and the pressure to move along by the car behind you. Highly recommend doing the walk!!!

Spent another wonderful day enjoying the garden with my wife and 3 year old granddaughter. We’ve been members almost uninterrupted since my own children were my granddaughters age. Sharing NBG with my family is something I will always treasure. Today we enjoyed the butterfly area and house, as well as the water park and sand hill. An children’s education table was staffed by a knowledgeable and child savvy attendant who taught us about a bald eagle, pelican, and humming bird. The gardens are beautiful anytime of the year; there is always something in bloom. There is always something for the young and old. Buy the two year membership it is a tremendous value... share this treasure with your family and friends. Always worth a visit.

I love gardens and gardening... My knees don't like gardening anymore, so I visit as many Botanical Gardens as I can when I travel with my husband.
He was in meetings this visit to Norfolk, so I was so excited to go at my own pace!
It's a beautiful garden and this year it's celebrating its 80th anniversary. The history of how it began is incredible and I encourage you to look it up on Wikipedia before you visit. It definitely is a 'whole day' event and some days it's open in the evenings for its current Lantern Festival.
I only had the day, spent 6 hours and that was not enough.
This is a good place for kids that are 6/7 and up... Parents, flip a coin and one keeps the kids while the other gets a break... There's a' kids section' but not enough to keep them busy, in my opinion. I'm a mother of 8(32 thru 18) though they are all gone but the 18yr old, I've been there.
The azaleas were in bloom, the rhododendron were getting ready to bloom, but winter overstayed her visit in the Mid-Atlantic this year, so things are delayed.
The layout is very wheelchair friendly, in fact one of the docents is in a scooter and she was very helpful.
There's so much to see from a Japanese garden, a classic English garden, a statue garden, lots of water features. The butterfly house isn't open till midsummer and the kitchen garden opens in late May. Call ahead if you have the luxury to plan a visit; I was there while my husband was in Norfolk on business, but I want to return... soon!

Its so peaceful! Great place to take small children! Also great for walking, bike riding, and connecting with nature!

This is a magical place. The construction does not hinder the beauty of the gardens or disrupt the visit. The gift shop is very nice and reasonably priced. I could spend hours there.

I visited in March. Eventhough the day was chilly the orchids were in bloom inside the Tropical Display House.Highly recommend a visit.