Last updated: 2025-04-22
Portsmouth’s indoor attractions offer diverse entertainment for residents and visitors seeking shelter from unpredictable Hampton Roads weather. From historic museums to cultural centers, these venues provide engaging experiences that showcase the city’s rich maritime and cultural heritage.
Whether exploring maritime history at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center or enjoying a classic film at the Commodore Theatre, visitors can discover unique indoor experiences that capture the city’s distinctive character and charm.
Discover Portsmouth’s best indoor attractions now!
Featured Indoor Activities in Portsmouth Heights
- Chrysler Museum of Art (Nearby) (Norfolk)
- Commodore Theatre (Portsmouth)
- Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
- Norfolk Scope Arena (Nearby) (Norfolk)
- MacArthur Center (Nearby) (Norfolk)
- Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (Portsmouth)
- Portsmouth Public Library (Portsmouth)
- Hill House Museum (Portsmouth)
Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
What to Expect
Thomas & Friends™ interactive railway exhibit
Description
Interactive children's museum offering hands-on learning experiences with engaging exhibits like Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! Visitors can immerse themselves in educational displays that make learning fun through interactive play and discovery-based activities for children.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Children's Museum of Virginia
Chrysler Museum of Art (Nearby) (Norfolk)
What to Expect
Comprehensive glass art collection and free admission
Description
The Chrysler Museum of Art houses an extensive collection spanning 5,000 years of global art history, featuring over 30,000 objects including European paintings, American decorative arts, glass collections, and contemporary works. Interactive galleries and rotating exhibitions provide engaging visual experiences for art enthusiasts and casual visitors.
Where: Norfolk | More Info: Chrysler Museum of Art (Nearby)
Commodore Theatre (Portsmouth)
What to Expect
Art Deco cinema preservation with vintage architectural elements
Description
Historic single-screen movie theater offering classic cinema experience in downtown Portsmouth. Features a vintage Art Deco architectural design with preserved mid-20th century interior. Screens independent films, classic movies, and occasional special film events in an intimate, nostalgic setting.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Commodore Theatre
Hill House Museum (Portsmouth)
What to Expect
Fully preserved 19th-century family home with original contents
Description
A historic Portsmouth museum showcasing a meticulously preserved 19th and 20th-century home, featuring original family belongings frozen in time. Visitors explore an authentic living space that tells the story of a local family through carefully maintained artifacts and period furnishings.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Hill House Museum
MacArthur Center (Nearby) (Norfolk)
What to Expect
Centralized Norfolk shopping and entertainment complex
Description
MacArthur Center is a comprehensive shopping destination in downtown Norfolk featuring diverse retail stores, dining options, and entertainment experiences. The center includes a Kids Play Port, offering family-friendly indoor activities and a centralized shopping environment with a variety of stores and amenities.
Where: Norfolk | More Info: MacArthur Center (Nearby)
Norfolk Scope Arena (Nearby) (Norfolk)
What to Expect
World's largest reinforced thin-shell concrete dome
Description
Versatile indoor venue featuring a massive reinforced thin-shell concrete dome designed by architect Pier Luigi Nervi. Hosts diverse events including hockey games, basketball tournaments, concerts, conventions, and family shows. Equipped with flexible main arena, modular exhibit halls, and meeting rooms accommodating groups from small gatherings to large conventions.
Where: Norfolk | More Info: Norfolk Scope Arena (Nearby)
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (Portsmouth)
What to Expect
Comprehensive multi-museum cultural complex in Portsmouth
Description
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center showcases multiple museums exploring local history, arts, and culture. Features interactive exhibits spanning children's museum, historical collections, and artistic displays that provide immersive insights into Portsmouth's rich heritage and creative landscape.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
Portsmouth Public Library (Portsmouth)
What to Expect
Comprehensive community learning resource center
Description
Portsmouth Public Library offers extensive resources for learning and community engagement. Provides free access to books, digital materials, computer stations, and research databases. Hosts educational programs, workshops, and community events that support lifelong learning for residents of all ages.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Portsmouth Public Library
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