Located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk boasts a vibrant urban renaissance and takes pride in its military and American heritage. It has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, and is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes. A wonderful walking city, with a yearly average temperature of about 68 degrees, Norfolk is an appealing destination for visitors year-round to experience the city's diverse attractions, special events and festivities, cultural activities, waterside activities and eclectic dining. The Norfolk Tides, AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, are based here.

The City of Norfolk is an important 400-year-old port city and home to the largest naval base in the world. The history of Greater Norfolk coincides with the birth of our nation, and throughout the region, evidence of this important past can be enjoyed today. Norfolk celebrates the 400-year-anniversary of the Jamestown Expedition, with many other important cities in the region including Jamestown, Charles City and Williamsburg.

On New Years Day in 1776, two-thirds of the city was destroyed during the Revolutionary War. A cannonball from the siege may be viewed today in the wall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

World War II hero, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) and his wife are buried in Norfolk, at the monumental rotunda of The MacArthur Memorial.

Cannonball Trail; Civil War Trail; Fort Norfolk, Freemason District; Historic Ghent; Hermitage Foundation Museum; Moses Myers House; The MacArthur Memorial; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Norfolk History Museum at Willoughby Baylor House.

Important African-American heritage sites include: Attucks Theatre, The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and West Point Memorial, dedicated to the contributions of African-Americans during the Civil and Spanish-American War.

Armed Forces Memorial; Festivals at Town Point Park; Norfolk Botanical Garden; Virginia Zoo; Harbor cruises and tours – Spirit of Norfolk, Victory Rover and American Rover; Harbor Park (home of the AAA Norfolk Tides baseball team) and Norfolk Scope (home of the AHL Norfolk Admirals) Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base; Ocean View Beach; The MacArthur Memorial; Nauticus; Hampton Roads Naval Museum; Battleship Wisconsin; The Waterside Festival Marketplace.

Thousands of cruise passengers will depart from Norfolk’s shores, aboard Holland America and Carnival Cruise Line ships. With regular service to Bahamas and the Caribbean, and an easy drive from many metropolitan cities and non-stop flights to Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk’s Cruise Port is poised to be an important hub for cruise travel.

The newly constructed $36 million 80,000-square foot Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, the first in the nation to fully comply with Homeland Security standards, sits on the picturesque Elizabeth River. The facility is more than 80,000 square-feet and includes a grand rotunda along with 13,000 square-feet of outdoor deck space.

Attucks Theatre, Chrysler Museum of Art, Broadway Across America, Harrison Opera House, d’ART Center, NorVa, Selden Arcade, Virginia Symphony, Virginia Opera, Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Ballet Theater, Virginia Chorale, Virginia Arts Festival, Wells Theatre.

Norfolk is the region’s hub for dining and nightlife, with nearly 80 chef-owned restaurants; a Waterside entertainment center; shows, sports and other entertainment at venues such as Attucks Theatre, Chrysler Hall, Granby Theater, Norfolk Scope, the NorVa and the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Granby Street, known as Norfolk’s downtown “Restaurant Row,” is a great place to stop for a night on the town. Dine alfresco on Colley Avenue and throughout Historic Ghent.

Festivals bring Norfolk to life each year with more than 65 public events including AFR’AM Fest; Norfolk’s International Azalea Festival and The Virginia Arts Festival in the spring; Harborfest and Town Point Jazz Festival in the summer; Children’s Festival and the Virginia Wine Festival in fall.

Granby Row offers art galleries, specialty stores and upscale furnishings; antiques and flea market treasures are found in Historic Ghent and The MacArthur Center Mall, anchored by Nordstrom, contains over one million square feet and features 140 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Norfolk has more than 5,200 rooms from bed & breakfasts and boutique properties to flagship hotels that will suit every budget, many in a convenient 15-minute drive of the Norfolk International Airport.

The Waterside Convention Connection (WCC) is an alliance that provides more than 1,200 first-class rooms and suites, 55 meeting rooms and 121,000 square feet of convention space, all located in the heart of downtown Norfolk. The WCC is comprised of The Waterside Convention Center and the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, the Radisson Hotel Norfolk, Waterside Festival Marketplace and Norfolk Scope, an arena which is located just blocks away with an additional 85,000 square feet of meeting space.

Norfolk also offers many unique meeting venues such as Attucks Theatre; the Chrysler Museum of Art; Norfolk Botanical Garden; Nauticus; onboard Battleship Wisconsin or on one of several harbor cruises as well as at private venues available at many of the city’s restaurants.

Visitors and convention attendees can purchase the Passport to Fun, which offers discounted admission to Norfolk’s most popular attractions including the Chrysler Museum of Art, Nauticus, Norfolk Botanical Garden and Virginia Zoo. The passport also includes dining and retail discounts.

Most days in Norfolk are warm, with an average annual high temperature of 68 degrees and an average annual low temperature of 51 degrees.

Norfolk International Airport is located six miles northeast of the central business district and offers over 200 flights daily by a dozen major and regional carriers, including American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways.

Located within a day’s driving distance from two-thirds of the U.S. population, makes Norfolk a central meeting spot for groups. Driving distances in miles from major U.S. cities are: New York, NY: 372; Washington, D.C: 195; Philadelphia, PA: 276; Baltimore, MD 232.

Exploring the city is easy with pedestrian-friendly streets, scenic waterways, posted street maps and a free downtown electric NET shuttle. Being one of America’s great walking cities, it is equally enjoyed by sailing, ferry, electric shuttle, trolley, motor coach and car.

Have questions or need directions while in town? Look for Norfolk’s ambassadors dressed in crisp white, navy and jade uniforms. The ambassadors are friendly walking concierges stationed throughout Norfolk’s city center.

Anthony DiFilippo, President and CEO
Location: 232 Main Street Norfolk, VA 23510
For information: www.norfolkcvb.com or 800-368-3097