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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Museums & Galleries

It’s no surprise that a historic town like Portsmouth has some great museums. From art to history, there’s something for everyone. You can visit the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, Hill House Museum, or the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and enjoy a unique museum experience.

Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market

Discover the charm of the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market, a year-round hub of local produce, artisan goods, and community spirit. As a volunteer-driven, 501(c)(3) nonprofit,  they offer a unique blend of farm-fresh products, live music, and engaging activities like yoga and classic cars every week! Join them on 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, the market promises new delights each week. Visit this 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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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 two 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.

First Weekend Events

There is so much in store for you if you are lucky enough to be here on the first weekend of the month! First Fridays Concerts in the Courtyard from 5 – 8 pm at 400 High Street hosts great local bands, and provides free admission to the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, as well as an art market, and more! Then on the first Saturday of the month year-round you can find some amazing treasures at the Olde Towne Antique & Flea Market. Located in the Middle Street Garage at 441 Middle Street, you can shop from 75 amazing vendors from 10 am – 2 pm. You can also find great gifts for yourself or someone you love at the Olde Towne Farmers Market along the 300 block of High Street from 9 am – 2 pm April through December.   Make the weekend complete with a delicious Sunday brunch at one of our amazing restaurants.

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.

Enjoy a Ride on the Ferry

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.

Walk along the Elizabeth River

The Elizabeth River was explored by Captain John Smith in 1608 and named for Princess Elizabeth. Ferries crossed from Norfolk to Portsmouth as early as 1637 with the first steam ferry launched in 1839. On March 8, 1862 the CSS Virginia sailed down the river from the Gosport Shipyard. This river has seen some amazing history. Today you can stroll the newly opened boardwalk and watch this busy waterway at work.

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History Alive Tours

Meet some of the lively characters from four centuries of Portsmouth’s rich and colorful history. Learn their significance to our city and the nation as you take a leisurely walk through the largest collection of standing period architecture between Charleston and Alexandria! Period dress, stories, and songs bring history to life on each of their four walks.

HISTORY DIDN’T JUST HAPPEN – IT HAPPENED HERE!

Catch the Colonials strolling on the streets of Olde Towne. To book an appearance or private tour call: 757-705-8130.

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Enjoy the Sunset Thursdays
Summer Concert Series

From June through August, bring a chair and a loved one, put on your dancing shoes, and get an early start on your weekend with a Sunset Thursday performance.

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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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Pamper Yourself

Olde Towne is a great place to pamper yourself! Take time to let your body and mind
recharge at one of our favorite local spots.