Ocean View Amusement Park

Ocean View Amusement Park was a seaside entertainment complex along the Chesapeake Bay coastline with several wooden roller coasters, dance halls, and numerous carnival attractions spread across the grounds. The facility featured different zones arranged to accommodate various forms of amusement for visitors of all ages.

The park opened in 1905 and grew into a popular destination for the region before economic pressures and competition from newer attractions forced its closure in 1978. The shutdown marked the end of over 70 years of continuous operation and entertainment in the Norfolk waterfront area.

The place served as a gathering point where families and visitors from across the region celebrated seasonal festivals and watched live entertainment. These annual events created lasting memories for generations of Norfolk residents who return to recall the excitement and social gatherings they experienced there.

The site exists today only as ruins with limited public access, and there are no scheduled tours or official visiting hours available. Visitors interested in exploring should inquire locally beforehand and use caution while walking the grounds, as the area has faced decades of neglect.

The park's most famous ride was The Rocket, a wooden roller coaster that was intentionally destroyed by explosives in 1979 for a television production. This dramatic demolition using dynamite was a fate unlike any other ride from that era.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 36.95410,-76.25070

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:51