TowneBank Park

I can't say enough good things about TowneBank Park as a place to play in Downtown Norfolk. Tucked away between Waterside and Nauticus on the Elizabeth River waterfront, the park offers pretty much everything you need to appreciate warm summer weather and while away a sunny afternoon. Being at Towne Bank Park is something akin to chilling on an enormous backyard patio. There are comfy lawn chairs and squashy couches spread out over the grass under shady beach umbrellas, and games (corn hole, badminton) and baskets of toys (hula hoops, Skip-its, frisbees) scattered in between for the more energetic kids (and honestly, adults, too).




Closer to the riverfront is a bank of fountains that serves as a very serviceable sprayground -- it's nowhere near as awesome or expansive as the one at Norfolk Botanical Garden but it's more than adequate to cool off and thus serves its purpose. The American Rover tall ships and the Spirit of Norfolk are docked in the harbor nearby, which is a big deal for boat-loving little ones, and the ferry, with its big paddlewheel, comes chugging by every half hour or so to deliver a load of passengers. There's even an outdoor cafe (open 10-2) if you find yourself in need of something to eat or drink.

The vibe of the park gets more boisterous and grown-uppish as happy hour approaches, but in the morning and early afternoon it's a sunny, quiet place to play. A. and I went after lunchtime last Wednesday with a group of friends and it was the most fun she had all week (even including a busted-up knee -- whoever's bright idea it was to set the fountains in a floor of cement obviously never had a toddler). When the kids were adequately soaked and starting to get pink and done-looking, we loaded them into strollers and wagons and wheeled them across Waterside Drive to enjoy the art and air-conditioning of the Selden Arcade (and the refreshments in the Starbucks adjacent).

Bring towels. Bring water shoes and snacks. Bring enough change for the parking meter (this is something I always forget. The diligent downtown meter maids say: you don't want to forget).