MARY & BENJAMIN
Things To Do
Battleship Wisconsin and Nauticus Museum
Located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, tour a WWII era battleship and enjoy views of the Elizabeth River! Ben held his promotion to Commander onboard this battleship back in June 2018 and Mary will be holding hers here on Sept 1st!
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Spend the afternoon touring 16 unique gardens in Norfolk! Over 7 miles of walking paths and 175 acres of gardens to enjoy! A great outdoor activity for the family!
First Landing State Park
Check out the park where the English colonists first landed in 1607! Hiking trails spanning all ability levels with an informative visitor center. Hesler Family tested and approved during Christmas 2018!
Top Golf Virginia Beach
A twist on golf and fun for the whole family! The venue can get quite crowded, so we recommend planning to go at off-peak times!
Chic's Beach
If you're looking for a day of fun in the sun, we recommend checking out Chic's Beach! Enjoy views of the Chesapeake Bay on a more quiet and secluded beach! Virginia Beach Boardwalk area can get pretty crazy, especially around holiday weekends, so we recommended this as a great alternative! Parking is all street parking in a neighborhood, but there is a public beach access spot near the address listed above!
Norfolk Zoo
A smaller zoo, but close to downtown and a great activity to get outside!
Norfolk Premium Outlets
Opened in Summer 2017, a rainy day option here in Norfolk!
Waterside District Marketplace
A great place to grab a bite to eat by the water! One of the only waterfront dining experiences in Norfolk with over 15 restaurants to chose from!
Chick's Oyster Bar
Great local seafood restaurant on the water! Ben and Mary often take motorcycle trips to grab some appetizers here!
Saltine and The Grain Restaurants
Saltine is a pricer option for dinner, but highly recommended for good food and good atmosphere! The Grain offers amazing views of downtown Norfolk and the Elizabeth River! With lots of outdoor patio seating (on a semi-rooftop bar) and a huge beer list, The Grain won't disappoint! It is very popular and can often get very crowded on weekends!
The Dirty Buffalo Restaurant
Western upstate NY inspired food for those guests wanting a little taste of home! Famous for their buffalo wings, they also have the infamous Trash Plates. Casual dining close to all the wedding festivities and a great spot to catch sporting events on TV! The Colley Ave location was also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!
Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Bar
Dive bar, hole in the wall restaurant offering specialty burgers and beers! One of our favorite burger places in Norfolk! Walking distance from the Residence Inn Downtown Norfolk!
Press 626 Wine Bar
Amazing food and brunch menu with great cocktails and wine! One of our favorite restaurants in the Ghent area!
Breweries in Chelsea
Check out Benchtop Brewery, Smartmouth Brewery, and the Birch Restaurant for some tasty local beer!