Last weekend, Nancy and I decided to take a quickie vacation, a two-day job, and visit Virginia Beach. Before we left, she instructed me that we would be going to Norfolk Botanical Garden, so that was settled in advance. Actually, I didn’t mind a bit. Though I would prefer ventures with fishing rods involved, I had been informed that the Norfolk Garden had a Butterfly House and that sealed the deal. Readers of CvilleBuzz know that I have a special place in my heart for butterflies. Their life cycles are fascinating. So we went to the Norfolk Botanical Garden. It was easy to find thanks to our GPS and we had a wonderful morning.
I, unfortunately, have a limited (like zero limited) knowledge of plant and tree life, but it is most interesting to see the huge variety and amazing beauty of thousands of plant and tree varieties. I had visited once before when the azaleas were in bloom, and I believe Norfolk Botanical Garden has one of the largest variety of azalea plants and colors in the world.
The Garden offers several choices for sightseeing. You can ride in their tram along the paved trails, about a half hour tour. If you find a stop you’d like to visit, hop out and then catch the next tram coming through. They also offer boat rides through their various canals and lakes. You can also walk. They have literally miles and miles of trails.
No matter when you visit, there is always something in bloom, something new to see. Going at various times of the year really offers a variety of experiences. The cost for admission is $11 and the Garden hours are from 9 am to 7 pm. I believe the facility is open year round. For more information, visit www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org.
Norfolk Botanical Garden is a natural beauty and well worth a visit.