Let your imagination run wild
at the Children’s Museum
Bring your little ones to the Children’s Museum of Virginia and watch as they learn through experience. Gaze at the stars in the Beazley Planetarium and find your whole family transported from Portsmouth to far away planets and solar systems. The Children’s Museum is a fun place for children to imagine, explore and discover!
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Visit the Lightship PORTSMOUTH
Built in 1915, the Lightship PORTSMOUTH served an important role as a mobile guide for mariners throughout the East Coast to help them safely enter into the harbor at night. Now a museum, the lightship is full of period uniforms, photographs of its service, and incredible artifacts from its time in use. A truly unique museum, the Lightship PORTSMOUTH should be a stop for any history lover!
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Museums & Galleries
It’s no surprise that a historic town like Portsmouth has some great museums. From art, to change, to history, there’s something for everyone. You can visit the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, Hill House Museum, or the Portsmouth Navel Shipyard Museum and enjoy a unique museum experience.
Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market
Discover the charm of Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmers Market, a year-round hub of local produce, artisan goods, and community spirit in Portsmouth, VA. As a volunteer-driven, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we offer a unique blend of farm-fresh products, live music, and engaging activities like yoga. Join us Saturdays—rain or shine—to enjoy heirloom meats from the grill, a diverse selection of pastries, and seasonal specialties from over 50 local vendors. Perfect for families and pet-friendly, our market promises new delights each week. Visit us in our picturesque courtyard setting and experience the best of Portsmouth’s local flavor.
Catch a movie at the Art-Deco
Commodore Theatre
The Commodore Theatre opened its doors in 1945 as a movie lover’s dream. The theater was painstakingly restored decades later and now boasts a 40 foot screen, THX and Dolby Digital sound, as well as a full restaurant within the main auditorium. Relax and enjoy the latest releases in a theater listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Take a stroll through history
From the American Revolution to the Civil War, to modern day, Portsmouth is full of incredible historic homes and buildings. Experience the architecture of over 200 historic 18th & 19th century homes by following the self-guided walking tour of Portsmouth’s most historic locations.
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RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICT
Murals & Public Art
The Portsmouth Cultural Arts District encompasses the waterfront and continues down High Street. Enjoy strolling the brick sidewalks and view more than a dozen examples of public art that are scattered throughout Olde Towne. With whimsical murals like a two-story tall Speckled Trout and statues like the First Amendment Sculpture, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Rivers Casino Portsmouth brings an exciting entertainment destination to Portsmouth including a diverse mix of restaurants with mouth-watering cuisine, entertainment from top-rated performers and hospitality that Rivers is known for throughout the U.S.
Weekend Events
Every Saturday from May through December enjoy yoga in the courtyard, and then stock up on some fresh produce, meat, pastries and more at the Farmers Market. If you are lucky enough to be here on the first weekend, you can also enjoy free admission to the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center as well as a concert in the courtyard Friday night. Then find some treasures at the Olde Towne Antique & Flea Market on the first Saturday of every month. Make the weekend complete with a delicious Sunday brunch at one of our amazing restaurants.
ANTIQUE &
FLEA MARKET
OLDE TOWNE PORTSMOUTH FARMERS MARKET
FIRST FRIDAYS
Enjoy a show at the
Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
Located on the banks of the Elizabeth River, the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion is one of the best live entertainment experiences in the Hampton Roads area. This outdoor venue seats 6,500 and presents a broad spectrum of concerts and events that connect audiences to the inspirational power of music.
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Explore Timeless Churches
With stained glass windows from Louis Comfort Tiffany, the largest Viscount organ in North America, history from the Underground Railroad and the battle of the Monitor and Merrimack, the churches of Olde Towne have been an integral part of Portsmouth’s rich history and are still active in our current community.
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Trinity Episcopal Church
Monumental Methodist Church
First Presbyterian Church
Emanuel AME Church
St. Paul's Catholic Church
Court Street Baptist ChurchCatch a ride by water
Enjoy spending time on the water with a trip on the Elizabeth River Ferry. The ferry is a fun and affordable way to see the Portsmouth waterfront or visit Norfolk. Children always find it special and exciting to sit on the top deck and watch the giant ferry wheel churn through the water.
Mary Veale & the Colonials
Historic Portsmouth characters educate and entertain with stories, songs, and word origins from the Colonial Era and beyond. Take a walking tour that brings history to life while strolling through Olde Towne Portsmouth.
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Explore the Olde Towne Squares
Named after the English naval port of Portsmouth, England, Olde Towne Portsmouth is laid out in a series of squares. Many of the squares were labeled to designate the use for the property such as CHURCH, MARKET, or PRISON. With help from the writings of Portsmouth historians and an 1851 map, the Portsmouth Heritage Initiative has placed approximately 90 granite stone markers at intersections to commemorate each square’s historical significance. As you stroll the brick streets, you can enjoy discovering a little of Portsmouth’s past.
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