Strange Norfolk Attractions: 130+ Mermaids, an Oriental Pagoda, and More

The Mermaids Are Just the Beginning

Norfolk’s reputation as the city of mermaids comes from a 1999 public art project that scattered more than 130 fiberglass mermaid sculptures across downtown. They are still here, repainted by sponsors over the years, propped on lawyer offices, hospital plazas, library steps, and in the bushes outside the courthouse. Hunting them is a free six-hour scavenger hunt, and the official map (printed at the Visitor Center next to the cruise terminal) is your best friend. If you want a ready-made walking loop that hits the mermaid trail, the Pagoda, and Freemason in one go, see The Weird Norfolk Walk. Or, for a gamified version of this downtown hunt, try the upcoming Norfolk Wild Goose Chase.

The Hermitage: Norfolk’s Strangest Museum

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, ten minutes by rideshare from the cruise terminal, is a Tudor-style mansion stuffed with one family’s lifetime of obsessive collecting. Think 17th-century Persian carpets next to ancient Chinese jades next to a full set of medieval European armor, all in a house that still feels like someone left for the day and forgot to come home. Twelve acres of waterfront gardens wrap around it. Admission runs about ten dollars and you will spend at least two hours.

The Pagoda and Oriental Garden

Right on the waterfront, walking distance from Half Moone, is a full red-and-gold Chinese pagoda that looks teleported in from somewhere else. It was a gift from the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung in 1989 and now anchors a small but serene garden tucked between cargo cranes and high-rise condos. Free, never crowded, photogenic in any weather, and a perfect five-minute palette cleanser between bigger stops.

The Stranded Submarine

At Nauticus, the maritime museum next to the cruise terminal, you can climb aboard the USS Wisconsin, a fully preserved World War II battleship permanently moored downtown. The deck is open, the gun turrets rotate, and a self-guided tour drops you into officer quarters that feel frozen in 1944. It is one of the largest battleships ever built by the United States and yes, you can see it from the cruise ship while you are still in your cabin. For full admission details and time planning, see Unique Experiences.

Practical Tips for Attraction Hunters

Most strange attractions are clustered in a one-mile downtown loop. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a refillable water bottle, and download the offline map for the Mermaid Trail before you leave the ship’s wifi. The Hermitage and a few outer-orbit oddities require a quick rideshare; budget about fifteen dollars round trip. Almost everything closes by 5 p.m., so plan your strangest stops for the morning while your energy is high.