Travel Guides > Norfolk, VA

Norfolk Travel

Located on the picturesque Chesapeake Bay and just miles from the vast waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Norfolk, Virginia is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most desirable cities in which to live and work in the mid-Atlantic region.

Thanks to millions of dollars spent to revitalize the waterfront area over the past decade, Norfolk now boasts an excellent tourist industry, rich in historical and cultural attractions, entertainment, and leisure activities.

Norfolk has long been considered an old naval seaport but that's no longer the case. Though the naval presence is still an important part of the fabric of the city, there's so much more to see and do in Norfolk these days.

Begin with a stroll along the new Cannonball Trail, an excellent walking tour which outlines 400 years of history with stops at 40 sites that are all important to the history of the area and to the history of the United States in general. Other favorite city attractions are also woven among the historic stops.

History buffs can also trace the area's Civil War heritage by following the Civil War Trails that traverse the city and surrounding areas.

Nauticus at the National Maritime Center is a fun, interactive science and technology museum that explores the amazing power of the sea. The Maritime Center is also home to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, which educates visitors as to the rich naval history of the area as well as the USS Wisconsin, a World War II battleship that earned five stars during the war.

At the Chrysler Museum of Art, you can see a lot more than just the 30,000 works that are part of the museum's collection. This museum is also known for its excellent children's and family programs, musical performances, and lectures, most of them free to the public.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden, first opened in 1938, continues to provide year-round beauty to Norfolk's residents and visitors. This 155-acre attraction displays 25 themed gardens, 12 miles of walking trails, and one of the finest collections of roses, azaleas, camellias and hollies on the East Coast.

Of course, being so close to the water, you'll want to spend some time enjoying it. Hop aboard the largest, passenger carrying topsail schooner operating under the US flag, the American Rover, and enjoy a leisurely harbor cruise. If you prefer, choose a riverboat instead for an old-fashioned cruise of the waterfront area. Charter boats will take you fishing in the Chesapeake Bay or for a sail through these expansive waters.

Want to add a little culture to your time in Norfolk? Attend a concert by the Virginia Symphony or Virginia Opera, take in a production of the Virginia Ballet Theater, or see the best in new or classic theater at the Commonwealth Theater Company.