Children's Museums

Ocean View Station Museum

Name: Ocean View Station Museum
Address: 111 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503, Norfolk, VA, US
Telephone: (757) 531-0445
Rating: 4.8

★★★★☆ 4.8 (43 reviews)

📍 111 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503

📞 (757) 531-0445

📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–4 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–4 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–4 PM
Thursday	10 AM–4 PM
Friday	10 AM–4 PM
Saturday	10 AM–4 PM
Sunday	Closed

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About Ocean View Station Museum

Ocean View Station Museum is a children's museum in Norfolk, VA. The museum preserves a restored car from a famous roller coaster that was demolished in a movie scene, an artifact with dual significance as both theme park history and film history. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 43 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Focus: Local Ocean View history
Main Highlights: Restored theme park car and boat, naval history, WWII exhibits
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Best For: History enthusiasts and locals

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum preserves a restored car from a famous roller coaster that was demolished in a movie scene, an artifact with dual significance as both theme park history and film history
🏛️Nearly every native of the Norfolk area has a personal connection to Ocean View's history, with many locals knowing someone who was an extra in the film where the roller coaster was blown up
⭐The museum is volunteer-run and operates within Pretlow Library, housed in a space that curators acknowledge is too small for the extensive collection of naval history, WWII artifacts, storm records, and local memorabilia
⭐The museum operates on free admission with donations encouraged, making it one of the few Norfolk-area history museums with no entry fee

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Arrive early or call ahead to confirm the museum is open, as it's volunteer-run and doesn't always open on time despite keeping library hours. This will help you avoid a wasted trip.
💬Plan 15 minutes to 1 hour for your visit depending on your interest level, but know that extensive reading materials and archival content available on-site could easily occupy several hours if you dive deep into Ocean View history.
💡Request a guided tour from the knowledgeable volunteer staff (including curator Charles) when you arrive—visitors consistently praise their expertise and ability to provide context beyond what's displayed, significantly enhancing the experience.
💬Admission is completely free with donations encouraged, making this an excellent budget-friendly option for learning local Norfolk/Ocean View history. Purchase merchandise (shirts and stickers) if visiting to directly support the volunteer-run museum.
💡This museum is a must-visit for anyone with Ocean View connections or local history interest—the restored roller coaster car and boat from the defunct theme park are the highlight exhibits, offering tangible connections to the area's nostalgic past that many Norfolk natives will recognize.