Quick Summary:

  • Portsmouth is a historic town steeped in culture and art.
  • Visitors love exploring the 300-year-old landmark neighborhoods, antique and boutique shops, art galleries, and some of the best restaurants on the Southeast coast.
  • Portsmouth is a pedestrian and bike-friendly town with most attractions being within walking distance of each other.
  • The quaint town is also only 25 minutes from Virginia Beach (20.1 miles via I-264 E).
  • It’s one hour from the colonial settlement of Williamsburg (50.8 miles via I-64 W).
  • Portsmouth is a 7-minute drive (3.0 miles via I-264 E) to downtown Norfolk.
  • Alternatively, take a scenic ferry, which takes an hour.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Lightship Portsmouth Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Lightship Portsmouth Museum | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© Sara Eser/stock.adobe.com

2. Skipjack Marine Gallery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Skipjack Marine Gallery | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© Skipjack Marine Gallery

3. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

4. Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

Category: Activities
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© dejuna/stock.adobe.com

5. The Hill House Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
The Hill House Museum | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© The Hill House Museum

6. Jewish Museum and Cultural Center

Category: Attractions
Jewish Museum and Cultural Center | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© kasetch/stock.adobe.com

7. Lobscouser Seafood Restaurant

Category: Food & Drink
Lobscouser Seafood Restaurant | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© ilumus photography/stock.adobe.com

8. Children’s Museum of Virginia

Category: Kids & Family
Children’s Museum of Virginia | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© Patrick/stock.adobe.com

9. Longboards

Longboards | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© uliab/stock.adobe.com

10. Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center

Category: Attractions
Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center

11. LeMans Karting

Category: Entertainment
LeMans Karting | Things to Do in Portsmouth, Virginia
© LeMans Karting

Portsmouth, Virginia is 1 hr 35 min (97.1 miles via I-64 E) from Richmond.


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