Norfolk-Portsmouth Travel Information
Norfolk, Virginia’s second largest city, juts out into the blue
waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The world’s largest naval base is
located here, the center of the Hampton Roads area, where seafaring is
second nature. This Tidewater city has renewed itself over the years
with a new waterfront marketplace and revitalized downtown. Norfolk
Naval Base, home to NATO’s Atlantic operations and the U.S. Atlantic
fleet, covers 15 miles of the city. Bus tours are scheduled
seasonally; call ahead. Built to resemble an aircraft
carrier, NAUTICUS (National Maritime Center) features high-tech
exhibits and aquariums. Hampton Roads Naval Museum is located on the
second floor.Other sights include Chrysler Museum of Art, with
displays ranging from Columbian to Modern; Hermitage Foundation
Museum, featuring Asian art and Huntington Tugboat Museum. Virginia
Zoology Park, the state’s largest zoo, has almost 400 animals and
includes a 10-acre African exhibit (Open daily). The nearby
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (23 miles long) is a marvel of modern
engineering and connects southeastern Virginia with the Delmarva
Peninsula. The bridge-tunnel was officially renamed the Lucius J.
Kellam Jr. Bridge-Tunnel in 1987 but is still commonly referred to as
the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It was selected as"One of the Seven
Engineering Wonders of the Modern World". The 155-acre Norfolk
Botanical Garden contains every known variety of azalea, plus huge
displays of roses,rhododendron and camellias. Open daily, 12 miles of
trails wind through the gardens which may be toured by tram, walking,
driving or by boat on Lake Whitehurst. Norfolk’s nightlife ranges from
live pub bands to the Virginia Symphony. Waterside Festival
Marketplace offers shops selling everything from Southwestern jewelry
to African art. Norfolk restaurant options range from barbecue to
sushi, from casual to fine dining at locations such as a 19th century
abbey. Outdoor fun includes Ocean View Beach which stretches
seven miles along the Chesapeake Bay and is popular for fishing and
crabbing. Try a cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk or paddle wheeler
Carrie B. Or tour Hampton Roads landmarks aboard the American
Rover,largest topsail passenger schooner in the U.S. Portsmouth,
the nation’s oldest naval shipyard, has several faces. The crane and
girder bustle of ships being built or repaired, the long-standing
seaport just across the Elizabeth River from Hampton, the shady, brick
sidewalks of the Olde Towne district are a few of its
faces. Both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars scarred this naval
city. It’s difficult to believe that the city was torched during the
Civil War on a walk through Olde Town past its many historic buildings
that remained unscathed. The city has more buildings on the historic
list than any other city between Alexandria, VA and Charleston, SC.
Walking or trolley tours are available to visit sites such as the
Lightship Museum, Children’s Museum of Virginia, Naval Shipyard Museum
and Courthouse Galleries. Portsmouth’s nautical flavor is evident on a
paddle wheeler tour of the world’s largest natural harbor, home port
of the U.S. Navy. Entertainment includes plays at the NTELOS Pavilion
at Harbor Center or dinner and a movie at the restored art deco
Commodore Theatre. Golfing, boating, tennis and other sports are
available at Portsmouth City Park. The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
and Museum features exhibits of local sports heroes such as Arthur
Ashe and Sam Snead. Norfolk and Portsmouth are located in
Southeastern Virginia, about 95 miles southeast of Richmond, VA down
I-64 to I-264.
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