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Mermaids on Parade
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Walking Tour
Roadside Landmark
Parade
Mermaids on Parade Description
Fans of the mysterious sirens of the sea will love walking around downtown Norfolk in search of the 17 uniquely decorated mermaid statues that now grace the city streets. Perennial favorites include the Mirror Mosaic and Mirror Mosaic 2 at the corner of St. Paul's Boulevard and Main Street; Nauticus' Princess Azalea; and By the Stars in front of the children's hospital at Redgate and Colley avenues, but with so many whimsical designs, you won't know which one will be your favorite until you see them all.
Kid Tips
Pre-Teens & Teens: If mermaids don't appeal to older kids, perhaps the Cannonball Trail will. A self-guided walking tour, it includes Norfolk buildings and markers of historical significance over the past 400 years, including the spot along the Underground Railroad where slaves sailed to freedom, Half Moone Fort (built by the British to defend their settlements during colonial times), and the zero-mile buoy marking the beginning of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Planning Notes
- Map it. Pick up a map at Nauticus, the visitor's information center (inside the Selden Arcade at 208 E. Main Street), then head out on this mermaid scavenger hunt.
- Buy a piece of the parade. After your tour, head to the City of Norfolk Gift Shop for parade reproduction prints and other mermaid-themed items (located inside the Selden Arcade). Items can also be purchased online .
- Drivable, too. If time or tired feet make a walking tour impossible, many of the mermaids are close to the sidewalk and can be spied from the car window.
Just the Facts
Hours: Most of the mermaids are outside in public spaces that can be accessed at any time.
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
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