What to do in Portsmouth, VA

Activities, attractions and tours

Portsmouth which includes a bay or harbor
Portsmouth which includes a bay or harbor
Portsmouth showing a house
Portsmouth which includes a house
Portsmouth featuring a house and wildflowers

Portsmouth Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Portsmouth has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Portsmouth is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Portsmouth to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Portsmouth Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Portsmouth.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Portsmouth attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Portsmouth

Discover the most popular places to visit in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Dive into coastal Virginia’s naval history at this expertly curated waterfront museum with ship models and artifacts from the 1700s through the 1900s.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
Children\'s Museum of Virginia

Children's Museum of Virginia

Toddlers through tweens can imagine, explore, discover and play at this hands-on museum complete with antique train exhibit and full-dome planetarium.

Children's Museum of Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia, USA downtown city skyline from over the Elizabeth River

Portsmouth City Park

Portsmouth City Park is just one of the places to see in Portsmouth, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene or attend a sporting event.

Portsmouth City Park
Commodore Theatre featuring signage

Commodore Theatre

See the latest blockbuster in art deco style at this historic movie theater, complete with state-of-the-art digital projection equipment and a full dining menu.

Commodore Theatre
Sunset on the river and silhouetted sailboat in the marina at Tidewater Cover on the Columbia River, Vancouver Washington

Tidewater Yacht Marina

Explore the waterfront in Portsmouth with a trip to Tidewater Yacht Marina. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene or attend a sporting event.

Tidewater Yacht Marina

Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Why not try your luck with a visit to Rivers Casino Portsmouth during your visit to Portsmouth? While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Hill House Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Hill House Museum in Portsmouth. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event in the area.

Hill House Museum

Frank D Lawrence Stadium

Catch an event at Frank D Lawrence Stadium during your trip to Portsmouth. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

Frank D Lawrence Stadium

Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center during your travels in Portsmouth. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center

Explore areas of Portsmouth

Churchland showing a garden and a house

Churchland

The breweries and shopping are just a few features travelers like about Churchland. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Chesapeake Square Mall and Rivers Casino Portsmouth are a few top places to visit.

Churchland

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Portsmouth

Norfolk which includes a garden

Norfolk

1.5 miles around. No swimming. But a playground for the kiddos, dog friendly and tons of fishing spots :)

Chesapeake

Newport News which includes theatre scenes, night scenes and modern architecture

Newport News

Frequently asked questions

Is Portsmouth worth visiting?
Whether you plan to enjoy the local charm and cultural hotspots or sample regional foods and venture into nature, there are plenty of things to do in Portsmouth.
How do I spend a day in Portsmouth?
After you've checked off popular attractions like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Children's Museum of Virginia, spend some time enjoying Portsmouth's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Portsmouth?
The top tourist attraction in Portsmouth is Children's Museum of Virginia, so be sure to put it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Portsmouth?
Three days will give you time to tick off many city highlights, such as Children's Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Portsmouth City Park. The average stay in Portsmouth is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your trip, Norfolk - Virginia Beach isn't far away.
What are some activities to do in Portsmouth with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, an itinerary filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Portsmouth with kids.

What to do in Portsmouth for adults?
From incredible food and cultural gems to outdoor adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Portsmouth for adults.
Are there free things to do in Portsmouth?
In Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Park is a top spot for anyone looking to experience the city without opening their wallet. Also, check out the other neighbourhoods and green spaces, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's a simple way to explore the best free things to do in Portsmouth.

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