The Lightship Portsmouth Museum tells the story of this retired lightship that was built in 1915 and is now a National Historic Landmark as well as a history-laden maritime museum. The "Portsmouth" was launched in 1916 then went through some reconstruction and was relaunched in 1926. After several years of service as well as collision damage, the vessel was finally retired in 1964. Three years later it was donated to the city and has undergone extensive renovation and repair that has restored this impressive ship to its original glory.
The two of you feel like escaping, but don't really have the time to get away for long. Perhaps just getting off dry land will make you both feel like you've gotten away from it all. A fun way to do that is to hop aboard the Carrie B Showboat for an unforgettable romantic date. You'll travel on the Carrie B, a 19th century Mississippi Riverboat as you take in the sights of the Norfolk waterfront. You'll be both informed and entertained by the riverboat's captain as he points out areas of interest along the way.
The Moses Myers House is one of Norfolk's most historically significant attractions for various reasons. It not only showcases an impressive example of Georgian architecture, but it tells Myers' story as he was Norfolk's first Jewish resident. Myers, an affluent 18th century merchant, was known for his impeccable style and taste, and you can see it when you take a tour of this elegant house. On the tour, you will get to see numerous collections from the 18th century that are history lessons in and of themselves.
The kids will go absolutely wild when you take them to visit the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Dismal has the impressive distinction of serving as the home of more mammals than any other local preserve. Among the more popular residents are the black bears and the endangered Dismal Swamp shrew. The refuge sprawls out 750 miles and includes Lake Drummond