Visionary Purpose

Norfolk's connection to the United States Navy is quite obvious when you visit the city. But nowhere is it more vividly brought to life than at the site of the USS Wisconsin. This is the last U.S. Battleship to be built. The impressive vessel has enjoyed a colorful career that includes being employed in three wars over 50 years. Relive the details and see some fascinating attractions when you visit the ship's museum.

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

Go on a multicultural adventure when you visit the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. This museum is housed in a 1908 Tudor style home on a twelve acre estate along the Lafayette River. Within its walls, you will discover an amazingly eclectic collection of Western and Asian art. Numerous cultures are represented, with some dating all the way back to 200 BC. Marvel at attractions and exhibits that features English and European paintings and ceramics as well as Chinese bronze statues, Persian rugs, French and Italian textiles, and ivory carvings, among many other stunning pieces.

Sure, it may seem like a walk along the beach with your sweetie might be thought of as a romantic date cliché, but the reason it's a cliché is because it rings true with so many starry-eyed couples. One of the best places to get your feet all sandy amid the sound of the crashing waves is Sarah Constant Beach Park. The area is amazingly calm and offers a chance for the two of you to truly focus on one another as you enjoy a picnic on the beach or just stroll along the seashore as you watch the sunset.