Norfolk is located in the metro area called Hampton Roads, in the state of Virginia. It is a port city with a large Navy and shipping presence. Neighboring cities are Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.
Understand
Norfolk has always been a Navy town. The world's largest naval base is located here.
Get in
By plane
- Norfolk International Airport (ORF), 2200 Norview Avenue one mile east of Interstate 64 Exit 279, Phone: 757-857-3351, Fax: 757-857-3265. Located in the city center.
- Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport(PHF). Another option which may save you money, is located approximately 20 minutes north of the city in Newport News, VA.
By car
Interstate 64 will bring you to Norfolk from points west.
By boat
Passenger ferry from Portsmouth.
Get around
The Hampton Roads Transit Trolley Tour is a good way to see the city and get your bearings. The NET electric buses cover the downtown and are free.
See
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Naval Station Tour - A 45-minute tour conducted by Naval personnel. See aircraft carriers and other huge ships.
- Nauticus - National Maritime Center
- Spirit of Norfolk cruise / tour
- Virginia Zoo
Do
Take a cruise from Norfolk to Bermuda or the Caribbean. Ships depart from the downtown waterfront.
Buy
Ghent has several nice shops. The D'Art Center near downtown offers a large selection of local art. Downtown, MacArthur Mall has some the of best shopping in the area and it a conveninnt walk from the Cruise Terminal, Nauticus and the downtown waterfront.
Eat
- Todd Jurich's Cafe is a good restaurant, has enough appetizers so you can avoid a big entree. The wine list is good, but expensive. It is a 2 block walk from the Marriott Harborside Hotel.
- Cracker's Little Bar Bistro, 821 W 21 St (Ghent Area), +1 757 640-0200, Daily 5PM-2AM. This tiny joint serves amazing tapas (appetizer-sized plates) and a wide variety of fun martinis. There's only about 7 tables in the entire place, plus bar seating. If you go, I suggest going right at 5pm, else you can't be sure you'll be seated right away. Two people can try a bunch of different tapas (I highly recommend the filet with mashed potatoes), have a few martinis, leave a great tip, and spend less than $50. $4-$9 per plate.
Drink
Three sections of Norfolk have concentrations of bars and nightclubs: Ghent, Granby Street, and the Waterside Festival Marketplace. Ghent is the most laid-back, Granby Street is a trendy place for dates, and the Waterside is the wild place for the kids. Just follow the noise.
Sleep
Norfolk's good hotels are clustered downtown and near the airport.
- Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, 777 Waterside Drive, downtown. The only downtown hotel on the waterfront. Connected to the Waterside Festival Marketplace. Moderate walk to the cruise terminal. Request a water view.
- Norfolk Airport Hilton, 1500 N Military Highway, Located just two miles from Norfolk International Airport in the Lake Wright Executive Park; 1 mile to Virginia Wesleyan College. 248 deluxe guest rooms. 15 meeting rooms. 3 restaurants.
Contact
- Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau
Stay safe
Crime isn't as much of a problem as it was in the wild old days. The city's slums are obvious and should be avoided at night.
Cope
If you can't cope with the city, go to Virginia Beach.