Norfolk, Virginia, is a 400-year-old port city located on 144 miles of coastline. Well known as the home of the world’s largest naval base, Norfolk has much more to offer including a lively downtown, world class museums, first rate hotels, top restaurants and lively festivals. The city is blessed with many attractions and places to visit, but if your time is limited here are some highlights:
WHAT TO SEE
Nauticus & Wisconsin
Nauticus is a contemporary museum showcasing global maritime commerce and the world’s largest Navy. The museum is also the berthing place of the Wisconsin, the largest and last battleship ever built by the US Navy.
Chrysler Museum of Art
The Chrysler Museum of Art features a collection of 30,000 objects and over 50 galleries filled with paintings, sculpture, glass, photography and decorative arts. One of the museum’s top attractions is the Glass Studio, where guests can attend workshops and glassmaking demonstrations.
Hermitage Museum & Gardens
The Hermitage Museum & Gardens is an early 20th century estate consisting of a historic house museum with an art collection, and galleries surrounded by twelve acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands.
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
The 175 acre Norfolk Botanical Gardens is home to 52 distinctive themed gardens, 95 species of birds and 30 kinds of butterflies. The Gardens features seasonal events such as the dazzling LanternAsia exhibit this spring.
WHAT TO EAT
You can learn everything about Norfolk as a foodie destination by reviewing the Visit Norfolk website. Here are some popular restaurants:
Nouvelle Restaurant — A casual restaurant featuring popular French fusion fare from Steak Frites to a mouthwatering Bouillabaisse.
Saltine — An elegant restaurant specializing in shellfish, seafood and spirits.
Doumar’s — A family-owned restaurant featuring North Carolina-style barbecue, shakes and their famous made on the premises ice cream. This is the home of the original waffle cone machine built in 1904 and still in operation.
Commune — A sustainable eatery, bakery, café using local ingredients. A great place to enjoy breakfast or lunch.
WHERE TO STAY
Hilton Norfolk The Main
The Hilton Norfolk The Main is the city’s newest upscale hotel located on Main Street and overlooking the Elizabeth River waterfront. The hotel is hip and elegant with floor to ceiling windows and luxurious touches. It offers three dining venues, Saltine for Seafood, Varia for Italian fare and Grain, a hip rooftop terrace patio Beer Garden. The hotel is centrally located, within walking distance to many city attractions. A great base for your Norfolk visit.
* The aerial image is courtesy of www.visitnorfolk.com.
