Virginia's Historic Seaport: Things To Do with Kids in Portsmouth

Ready for an easy getaway from RVA? I'm partnering with Portsmouth Tourism to show you the best things around Virginia's historic seaport to try with kids!  It's located in the heart of Coastal Virginia, under 2 hours from Richmond.

Because of its location, Portsmouth is an easy day trip or weekend getaway for families around Central and Coastal Virginia. We will even make the drive just to visit The Children's Museum of Virginia, the largest children's museum in the state!

Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for more things to do with kids in Virginia.

*Heads Up: Visit Portsmouth Tourism is one of my paid sponsors. All information in this guide is based on my personal experience visiting Portsmouth over the years. My website also uses affiliate links. This means I may get a commission or freebies if you book through or purchase items from my website. Clicking my links is no extra charge for YOU, and it makes sure my guides are available for FREE to the community. Thank you for supporting my small, mom-owned business!

Never been to Portsmouth? Here's a little information about this area of Virginia!

This Coastal Virginia city is located across from Norfolk, separated by the Elizabeth River. Besides waterfront views, you'll find lots of locally owned restaurants, fun shops, and centuries old architecture. While it's the smallest coastal city in Virginia, there is plenty to do around town with kids!

Where To Stay in Portsmouth, Virginia:

We have made plenty of day trips to Portsmouth. If you visit The Children's Museum of Virginia, add a lunch stop, and then visit Nauticus in Norfolk, you will have a full day of activities for the whole family!

If you aren't making a quick day trip, check out Renaissance Portsmouth Waterfront Hotel.

This waterfront hotel is modern & elegant, with dining options on property! I love the location of this hotel. You can watch the boats all day, catch the Elizabeth River Ferry or stoll on the waterfront. You can also easily walk to Old Towne to see the Lightship, visit the farmers market or play at the children's museum (under 10m with kids). 

Things To Do with Kids in Portsmouth, Virginia:

Children's Museum of Virginia: The Children’s Museum of Virginia is 72,000 square feet - the largest museum for kids in Virginia! It has 2 floors of interactive exhibits, including a safety zone, working port, bubble play, and a Tot Lot. Our favorites were the model trains & Toddler Tracks, Happy Paws, My Backyard & Beyond, and Dr. Forces Traveling Energy Extravaganza.

Tickets cost $11 for adults, $10 for kids (2-17) and 2 & under are free. AAA members can save $1 per ticket! Children's Museum of Richmond & Science Museum of Virginia members have reciprocal rates, too.

Heads Up: The Children's Museum of Virginia is going through renovations, so only the first floor is open to guests. Tickets cost half price right now since the 2nd floor isn't open. On our recent visit, we spent 2 hours exploring and playing throughout the exhibits on the first floor.

Location: The Children's Museum of Virginia, 221 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704

*Check here for my review.  

City Park: Located on the river, City Park has a boat launch, fishing pier, 9-hole golf course & skatepark. The highlight for families is the incredible playground (there’s THREE of them) & Pokey Smokey II. 

Location:  Cpl J M Williams Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Pokey Smokey II is a 24-set mini train for kids that takes you on about an 8 minute ride (or 2 laps around the train loop! It’s open 11am-3pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday. The last ride of the day starts at 2:45pm. The train only accepts accept change (cash only) or debit cards.

Location: Cpl J M Williams Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Old Towne Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 9am to 2pm, you can visit the Old Towne Farmers Market. This year-round event has so many vendors and activities for families to enjoy - you can pick up fresh local produce and floral arrangements, listen to live music, and get your face painted. My children also loved Sin City Events - their friendly clown makes balloon art and you can pay what you wish.

The First Saturday of each month there's an extra special market. This monthly event includes the Art Market Antique & Flea Market, Antique Car Show plus entertainment & free activities for the whole family.

Location: 400 High Street

Lightship Portsmouth: This lightship spent 50 years in service as a floating lighthouse, and now it's permanently stationed in Portsmouth. While it is a National Historic Landmark, you can actually tour the ship to see the ship' quarters and maritime artifacts.

Location: London &, Water St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

This is walkable from Renaissance Portsmouth Waterfront Hotel. We stopped by as we were walking from the Olde Town Farmers Market back to the hotel.

Elizabeth River Water Ferry: The Elizabeth River Ferry is part of the Hampton Roads Transit. They only accept exact change!It runs every 30 minutes, and it has multiple stops. You can explore all along the Elizabeth River, including going to Norfolk and going to the Norfolk Tides games.

Whenever the Norfolk Tides play a home game at Harbor Park, the ferry will run between North Landing in Portsmouth and Harbor Park.

Nauticus: Located in Norfolk, this maritime museum has interactive exhibits on the environment, industry and military. This museum is such a unique destination for families because you also get to board and explore the USS Wisconsin, an authentic WWII battleship.

Nauticus has rotating exhibits & permanent exhibits, a discovery center, STEM programing, and the Battleship Wisconsin! They also have a sailing school, camps and seasonal events.

My children really enjoyed the Mini Mariners Play Zone, Secrets of the Deep, Horseshoe Crab Cove, Living Seashore, and Shark Experience exhibits. We played on wooden ships, competed in an over-sized Battleship game, went "fishing," saw Whitespotted Bamboo sharks and Epaulette sharks, and manipulated the water flow of "rivers."

Location: 1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510

Taking the Elizabeth Ferry from Renaissance Portsmouth Waterfront Hotel, you can ride across the river in about 5 minutes to Norfolk waterfront.

*Check here for my full review of Nauticus with kids!

Virginia Zoo: Opening in 1900, the Virginia Zoo is on 53 acres & it’s home to over 700 animals! You can explore a variety of habitats like the Africa-Okavango Delta and Asia - Trail of the Tiger to see animals native to that region, including a zoo farm. Our favorites were seeing the baby rhino & giraffe, playing in the nature discovery zone & riding the Norfolk Southern Express! The Virginia Zoo is the only AZA-accredited zoo in Virginia.

Location: 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504

The Virginia Zoo is about 15 minutes from Renaissance Portsmouth Waterfront Hotel.

*Check here for my information on The Virginia Zoo.

Where To Eat with Kids in Portsmouth, Virginia:

1.Coffee Shoppe: Inside a 200 year old Federal style building, you can enjoy espresso, lattes, smoothies, wraps and more! It's open daily, and you can sit inside or outside.

This coffee shop is located directly across from the Children's Museum of Virginia! We have visited it for lunch or snacks every time we've visited the museum.

2. Sweet Boutique: This locally owned ice cream shop has inside and outside seating. You can pick your size, flavor and toppings. They routinely give out free samples too - we scored some on our way to the farmers market!

This is on Historic High Street in Olde Towne, and it's walking from The Children's Museum of Virginia!

3. The Bier Garden: This family-owned restaurant has been serving up authentic Southern German cuisine for 25 years! With inside or outside patio dining, you can order Bratwurst, Rolladen, Goulash and more. The kids menu has classics like hot dogs and chicken tenders too.

I love this location - The Bier Garden is on Historic High Street in Olde Towne. It's easy to walk with kids from The Children's Museum of Virginia or from the farmers market.

4. Foggy Point Bar and Grill: Located inside Renaissance Portsmouth Waterfront Hotel, this restaurant has inside and outside dining options plus gorgeous water views. They serve breakfast and dinner, and you have the option of grabbing your food to go.

Looking for more family-friendly vacation destinations around Virginia? Check out my guide on The Best Virginia Getaways for Families.

For more things to do with kids in Virginia and North Carolina, follow our family on @thewestendmom on Instagram!