The Norfolk Botanical Garden is 175 acres of formal gardens, woodland paths, and lakeside walks at the edge of the city near the airport. The collection is particularly strong on camellias, azaleas, roses, and flowering trees — spring is spectacular. The garden also has a world-class Japanese garden and a good collection of sculpture spread throughout the grounds.
The scale means it never feels crowded even on busy days, and the lake makes for pleasant walking in all but the coldest months. A train and boat tour is available for those who prefer not to walk the full circuit. Worth the modest entry fee.