Every once and awhile we take a trip on a ferry. We leave the car behind and walk aboard the ferry to cross the Elizabeth River and explore downtown Norfolk.
The kids enjoy the ride because they can pick where they sit. Upstairs is open to the wind in their hair and all the sights and sounds. Downstairs is enclosed and a bit quieter. They also enjoy watching the water wheel propel us across the water.
They also enjoy catching the sight of other boats.
The ferry runs every 30 minutes and makes two stops in Portsmouth but only one stop in Norfolk. During the summer it runs every 15 minutes with the help of another ferry and also runs a ferry to Harbor Park for the games.
The opportunities are endless for family fun in Norfolk. Waterside has plenty of games and a splash pad to keep you or small travelers entertained. This area is immediately where you get off the ferry! We stop after our adventures because one the kids don't want to leave and two it helps motivate them to head towards the home.
Adults there are plenty of chairs for you to rest in while the kids play.
When your ready to leave Norfolk head back to Waterside for the quick ride across the water!
The ferry is free for kids with a paying adult. Adult fares are $1.75 one way and exact fare is required. So next time your looking for a different mode of transportation and want a little more fresh air grab a ferry and head over to Norfolk.
A different perspective is always a nice change of pace.
What a fun day trip adventure. One I'm sure your kids will be sure to remember and ask to go again.
ReplyDeleteThey noticed different things on the second ride so that makes it more entertaining.
DeleteWe in Goa too use ferries to cross our numerous river. To visit some river islands, ferries is the only way to visit.
ReplyDeleteI love the small things in life that makes our kids so happy! what a great activity!
ReplyDeleteI love ferries! We have a ferry in south Mississippi that takes you to an island for the day! So much fun!
ReplyDeleteOoh I would love to spend the day on an island!
DeleteLovely , me and my family all of us love ferry rides tons! These outings make such a great family day. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteDoing things like this ferry ride is a great for the kids and the whole family. It certainly beats sitting in front of a TV or computer. Thanks for sharing your great time with us.
ReplyDeleteThe kids got a kick out of seeing real tugboats in action that we have previously read a book about! So yes this is a win over video games and tv.
DeleteFerry rides are so much fun! We used to ride the ferry all the time when I visited Seattle, WA in the summer!
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear. Washington is on my bucketlist!
DeleteAny opportunity to be near the water is always a good idea. This looks like a lot of fun and I'm sure the views are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteFerry rides are so much fun, would love to do that soon :) Thanks for sharing !
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors. I'm sure they loved it. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute getaway for the whole family and so affordable too. So nice to see that there are fun options that don't break the budget. Being on the water changes everything. It makes you feel like you're getting away without really getting away ;)
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ReplyDeleteI love taking the ferry and $1.75 is such a good price. Those views are beautiful too! I'm sure the kids love it!
ReplyDeleteI love taking Ferris across bodies of water. And then it's really cool to visit a seaside town as well. Looks like Norfolk was great.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! We don't have a ferry here, but we try to take the bus to go to a few places around town. It adds an extra bit of adventure to an otherwise routine trip!
ReplyDeleteMy kids would like to take the bus and we have a light rail they would like to ride as well. I think it's the thrill of the ride rather then the destination.
DeleteSuch a sweet family adventure. I used to take the ferry as a child and still have those memories!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip. Ferry always adds extra to a normal trip, I still get excited when I head about ferry rides. Here at sydney there are many rides available,and I make sure me n my husband get to enjoy the ferry ride and the view once a month.
ReplyDeleteXO
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