Wild Explorations: The Virginia Living Musuem

Now open at The Virginia Living Museum is the Wild Explorations exhibit. This hands-on exhibit transforms with each season, and offers both gross and fine motor play for all ages. Inspired by Virginia's seasons and natural landscapes, the heart of the space is a large seasonal tree. You'll notice places to climb, slide, build, play, and learn. Spring is open now until May 22, when it will transform into the summer season. 

Just Birdies: New Hot Box Pizza

Last summer we visited Just Birdies about once a week. We got their summer play pass which allowed us two hours of virtual baseball, basketball, soccer, football, dodgeball, golf, cricket, carnival games, and more. The boys could play and I could work uninterrupted while sitting in the air conditioning on a super comfortable couch. We even had days where my mom took them and she sat and read while the boys played.

Now, Just Birdies has changed up their menu to include this new hot box pizza, which is *chef's kiss* crispy around the outsides. My kids devoured it. They have also added a new weekday lunch menu which includes grilled chicken caesar salad, wings, quesadillas, smash burgers, grilled cheese, sliders, and a slider flight. All options are $13 or less. 

Just Birdies does birthday parties and private events as well as fundraisers. They have regular virtual golf leagues and tournaments. If you haven't found them yet, give it a try and check them out. Located at 2419 Hampton Blvd, you'll want to turn and park at 25th street. 

Mrs. Doubtfire: The New Musical Comedy

Now through Tuesday, March 31-April 5th, Mrs. Doubtfire is live at Chrysler Hall. Every 90's kid will remember their favorite Scottish Nanny, which has become a internationally acclaimed hit musical. Now we get to take our kids and introduce them to this classic. Based on the movie, the musical tells the story of an out-of-work actor who is determined to spend time around his kids. My kids laughed out loud multiple times, and while there was adult humor it went right over their heads. I felt like the story was more relatable now that I'm an adult, and gave us some jumping off points to talk about on the way home including family makeup, how hard relationships can be, and even the use of technology in the house. The run time is two hours and thirty minutes including one intermission. 

Chrysler Hall offers concessions in the lobby before the show and during intermission. Options are sodas, alcoholic drinks, popcorn, and candy. There is lots of parking available downtown, including the Scope Garage, the Bank St. Garage right across the street, and the Brambleton Lot, all for ten dollars. A little farther away you can also park in the MacArthur Center lot for $2.00. 

Next up for Broadway in Norfolk is Disney's The Lion King, the world's number one musical, at Chrysler Hall April 30-May 17th. 

Coleman Collection: Portsmouth Cultural Museum

#ad Nostalgia hits hard this time of year, and no place makes me think of being a kid in Hampton Roads like thinking of the Winter Wonderland Coleman Collection at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center. As a kid, I remember both my grandparents taking me on several field trips across the tunnel to see the collection. The display began in 1965 after the owners, Junie and Millie Lancaster, were inspired by the animatronics in Disney's Small World at the New York World's State Fair. It started as a way to bring people into the Coleman Nursery during the winter months. In the 1980s the nursery suffered a horrible fire damaging parts of the collection, but the community rallied and raised donations of money and decorations to help bring it back. It ultimately closed in 2003 and the collection was bought by the City of Portsmouth Museums, where it has been on display every winter at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center since 2004. 

The display takes about six weeks to set up, featuring some of the original animatronics, Christmas decorations, beautifully adorned trees, sparkling lights, enchanting winter scenes, holiday music, and more. Keep an eye out for modern-day surprises hidden throughout (think Minions, How to Train Your Dragon, and other fun touches)! Each year brings new holiday scenes, and the staff creates a special scavenger hunt, which is always our favorite part.

One thing I love about Olde Towne Portsmouth is how easy it is to get there and to find ample free parking. The Winter Wonderland collection is on display now until December 28th, Thursdays 10-4, Fridays 12-8, Saturdays 12-8, and Sundays 10-4. Admission is $3.00 per person, children under 2 are free. Santa is on site Fridays from 5-8, Saturdays 3-8, Sundays 12-4 through December 21st. There are special programs every weekend including face painting, musical performances, art activities, and much more. The Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center is located at 400 High Street.

WinterFest 2026

WinterFest is back and bigger than ever this year! New this year is Kingdom of the Snow Queen, an immersive magical trail through the indoor museum  that we loved so much we walked through it twice. 

We almost made this mistake of missing the Snow Queen's Royal Circus, a 35 minute show with jugglers, magicians, and an aerialist. Shows are at 6:00 and 7:30, plus 9:00 on weekends. You'll also want to say hello the talking Christmas tree and talking polar bear. 

Then, you'll head outside where you'll see over two million lights. People have told me before that they didn't realize you could go down inside the battleship, so make sure you don't miss it! We loved the snowball mayhem section which was outside on the porch of Nauticus, too! 

Along the riverwalk you'll want to see the trees in Town Point Park and the beautiful Pagoda. You can also purchase a combo ticket for a 30 minute ride around the harbor on the Victory Rover. It will allow you to have a great view from the water. 

You'll want to purchase your tickets online to save $3.00. Adults are $22.00, children are $18.00, two and under are free. There is a military discount. You'll select your entrance time within a one hour window. We spent about 3 hours total inside of the museum and the ship itself, plus more time to do the Riverwalk. You don't want to miss this season!