The Chesapeake, Virginia, area is filled with museums, theaters, art galleries, and other locations where you can enjoy local art! Experience some interesting artwork at one of the area’s great arts and culture venues.
The Chrysler Museum of Art
The Chrysler Museum of Art is in Norfolk, only about 10 minutes away from Chesapeake. It has more than 40,000 pieces, with some over 5,000 years old! It’s an ideal place for taking beautiful photos or creating attractive sketches.
You can see Joshua Shaw’s paintings of the area from the early 1800s and compare them with 21st-century photos from Scott Jost. You can also view over 10,000 glass objects, Pre-Columbian art and artifacts, and a variety of contemporary paintings and sculptures.
You can attend glassmaking demonstrations or talks from artists with exhibits on many days, and glassmaking classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students are available. When you feel like taking a break, stop for lunch or a snack at the museum’s Wisteria Cafe and get a souvenir in the gift shop. No matter how many times you explore, you can always find something new and interesting at the Chrysler Museum of Art! Admission and parking are free, and you can visit Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
The Harrison Opera House
The Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House is the home of the Virginia Opera. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs there often as well. The building was a USO theater during World War II and was renovated in 1993 – you can enjoy an excellent performance along with impressive architecture. The Opera House has beautiful chandeliers, tables where you can sip champagne, and sweeping staircases. The three-story grand lobby has an ornate cantilevered balcony, superior acoustics, floor-to-ceiling windows, and box seating.
The Battleship Wisconsin and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum
The Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships built by the United States Navy in World War II. It fought battles in several wars, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The Navy decommissioned it in 1991, and the ship was moved to Norfolk in 1996. You can explore the deck with a self-guided tour, or you can learn more about this battleship through an experienced guide. Be sure to check their website to ensure availability.
The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is next door, and the Navy owns and operates it. It contains authentic military uniforms, underwater artifacts, weaponry, detailed models of the Wisconsin and other ships, and artwork. You can visit the ship or the museum Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they open at noon on Sunday. The ship is closed during bad weather.
Visiting these fascinating attractions will help you discover the Chesapeake area’s art and culture, and it’s an excellent way to relax. You can view historic homes, explore the many parks and gardens nearby, and sample local food from delicious restaurants as well!
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