Overview
Portsmouth is in Virginia, within the United States of America.
14 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Portsmouth
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
Lightship Portsmouth
Children's Museum of Virginia
Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum
Rivers Casino
Fresnel Lens Pavilion
An 1896 first order Fresnel lens on display in a 16-foot pavilion.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 34°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Norfolk)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORF Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- PHF Newport News Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News — 23 mi away. Directions
Portsmouth is primarily served by Norfolk Airport and to a lesser extent, Newport News/Williamsburg Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Fresnel Lens Pavilion, Children's Museum of Virginia
- Lunch Barons Pub
- Afternoon Visual Arts Center at Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
- Evening Bier Garden
Day 2
- Morning Portsmouth City Park, Rivers Casino
- Afternoon Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve
Day 3
- Morning Paradise Creek Nature Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Portsmouth was founded in 1752 during the days of the Virginia Colony and named after Portsmouth, England. Situated on prime land where the Elizabeth River meets the James and empties into the Chesapeake Bay, its shipyard has always been of strategic importance, from its nascent beginning up through the Civil War and on to today.
Get in
Portsmouth is primarily served by Norfolk Airport and to a lesser extent, Newport News/Williamsburg Airport.
By plane
Go Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Non-stop flights to Norfolk Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, St Louis, Tampa and Washington.
By boat
Take a ferry from Norfolk.
See
Do
Eat
Drink
Drink Bier Garden
German classics pair with 300+ global brews in a traditional setting with a beer hall and garden.
Sleep
Go next
- Norfolk, just across the Elizabeth River
- Chesapeake
- Suffolk
- Virginia Beach
Nearby
Chesapeake
City / town · 11 listings · 2 mi away
Norfolk
City / town · 42 listings · 8 mi away
Hampton
City / town · 17 listings · 14 mi away
Carrollton
City / town · 21 listings · 16 mi away
Suffolk
City / town · 7 listings · 17 mi away
Virginia Beach
City / town · 54 listings · 18 mi away
Newport News
City / town · 27 listings · 19 mi away
Carova
City / town · 3 listings · 31 mi away
My experience
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