The coastal city of Norfolk, Virginia, sits a short three miles east of Portsmith and 19 miles west of Virginia Beach. It is protected by the Lafayette River to the north and the south branch of the Elizabeth River.
Norfolk is known as a Military town primarily because it is home to the world’s most extensive naval base. It is also the location of the North American Headquarters for NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
USA Today lists the city as a Top 10 booming downtown, recognizing the excellent and endless opportunities for continued growth and small business success. But this small Chesapeake Bay city is so much more. It is the ideal mixture of historical importance and seaside charm.
And who could not admire a city with 13 dog parks and a cruise ship pier? Norfolk has over 68 community parks and miles of intercity and coastal trails. One of the unique trails is the Cannon Ball Trail, allowing hikers to follow a self-guided tour reviewing 400 years of American history.
For those that love scavenger hunts, Norfolk is home to the Mermaids, over two dozen Mermaid statues that pepper the city.
If you are lucky enough to be in the city during the Virginia Arts Festival don’t miss the annual Virginia International Tattoo. Roughly 1000 military musicians, from bagpipers to drill and drum corps, exhibit artistic excellence in this colorful display.
Norfolk is a great place to visit for history buffs and art lovers. It has over ten maritime museums, including Nauticus Maritime Museum, featuring the WWII warship – U.S.S. Wisconsin.
The Chrysler Museum of Art houses glass art, and the Children’s Museum of Virginia is the state’s largest children’s museum. For plant lovers, the Norfolk Botanical Garden covers nearly 175 acres with a Children’s Adventure Garden where kids of all ages can explore the world’s biomes.
A popular Norfolk attraction is the Virginia Zoo — home to lions, tigers, birds, and bears. Every once and a while, you may hear someone called a Norfolk Dumpling – this is an endearment referring to the flour dumplings, which were a local food staple.
But the city’s food scene has come a long way from flour and water. Norfolk’s Waterfront District has many top-notch restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and even a baseball stadium on the river.
If you are planning to visit Norfolk, the attraction pass and discount book have discounts and free passes to…
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