The Elizabeth River Trail started a new chapter on Saturday, April 25, with the grand opening of its first-ever Headquarters and Visitor Center in Norfolk’s Chelsea District.
Located at 715 Orapax Street, the new trailside hub opened during Celebrate Trails Day 2026, a free community event held as part of the national Rails to Trails Conservancy celebration. The grand opening brought together city leaders, neighborhood businesses, supporters and trail users to witness both the ribbon-cutting and the growing impact of one of Norfolk’s most recognizable outdoor attractions.
For visitors exploring Norfolk, the new center will serve as the perfect starting point for discovering the city by foot or by bike.
“This is the best way to define the gems of the best that Norfolk has to offer,” said Elizabeth River Trail Executive Director Kendra Green. “It connects all of our cultural institutions, art, culture and all of the things.”
Tailor-Made for Norfolk Visitors
Green said the new headquarters will give visitors new ways to experience the trail.
“For the first time ever, thanks to VisitNorfolk and a grant from Virginia Tourism Corporation, we have our first-ever bike fleet,” Green said. “We’ll be able to rent bikes to folks coming in and checking out the trail. We also have some cool interactive things for visitors, including a large map where people can mark where they’re visiting from.”
Check out our guide for what to see and do along the ERT.
That will be especially meaningful during Sail250® Virginia in June 2026, when Norfolk will welcome thousands of guests from around the world.
The Elizabeth River Trail stretches more than 10.5 miles through Norfolk, linking neighborhoods, waterfront views, parks, public art, universities, restaurants and historic sites. Designated a National Recreation Trail, it has become one of the city’s most popular ways to explore Norfolk’s landscape and character.
The new headquarters places the organization directly on the trail in Chelsea, a fast-growing Norfolk neighborhood with restaurants, shops, breweries, cafes and lots of space for exploration. Surrounded by local businesses and industrial history, the location reflects the trail’s mission of connection.
During the ceremony, speakers praised the public-private partnerships, volunteers and donors who helped make the headquarters possible. Green called the building “a space for the community,” noting that the trail itself was built by the community and for the community.
Guests toured the restored historic structure following the ribbon-cutting, viewing local art installations, visitor displays and the new bike amenities.
For future visitors, the trail HQ promises an ideal leaping-off point for exploring the city.
Whether riding past waterfront shipyards, strolling through neighborhoods, stopping for lunch in Chelsea or discovering parks and public art along the route, the Elizabeth River Trail offers one of the most authentic ways to experience the Mermaid City.
