Things to Do at Chrysler Museum of Art

The Chrysler Museum of Art might just be one of America's best-kept secrets in the art world. Tucked away in Norfolk's charming Ghent district, this museum houses an genuinely impressive collection that spans 5,000 years of art history - from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary American works. What makes it particularly special is the breadth and quality you'll find here, rivaling collections in much larger cities. The museum's glass collection is actually world-renowned, and for good reason. You'll discover pieces that range from ancient Roman vessels to striking contemporary sculptures that seem to capture light itself. The building underwent a major renovation that wrapped up in 2014, and the result is a space that feels both grand and intimate - the kind of place where you might find yourself lingering longer than expected, especially in those naturally lit galleries that showcase the permanent collection beautifully.

Norfolk's Ghent museum offers free parking. That alone sets it apart from most cultural attractions, and the 10-minute drive from downtown via I-264 makes access easy. Take the Ghent/Downtown exit and you're there. The location works well. You can walk the entire cultural district once you arrive, though most visitors find cars more practical than Norfolk's bus system. The neighborhood deserves time too-tree-lined streets that feel completely different from Norfolk's urban core make wandering worthwhile.