Guidebook for Portsmouth / Hampton Roads
Sightseeing
Hop back and forth between Old Town Portsmouth and downtown Norfolk on the ferry. Both areas are fun and full of things to do.
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Ferry Stop - High St station
Hop back and forth between Old Town Portsmouth and downtown Norfolk on the ferry. Both areas are fun and full of things to do.
Take a sunset cruise along the river while enjoying live music and drinks. Beautiful views from a historic sailboat.
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American Rover Sailing Cruises
333 Waterside DrTake a sunset cruise along the river while enjoying live music and drinks. Beautiful views from a historic sailboat.
Check out this beautifully restored historic, ocean-front hotel. Have a cocktail in the lounge!
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The Cavalier Virginia Beach, Autograph Collection
4200 Atlantic AveCheck out this beautifully restored historic, ocean-front hotel. Have a cocktail in the lounge!
The picture doesn’t show it but this is an ENORMOUS WW II battleship that is parked right at the edge of Norfolk! Get on it and tour the inside. It’s quite a sight!
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USS Wisconsin BB-64
1 Waterside DrThe picture doesn’t show it but this is an ENORMOUS WW II battleship that is parked right at the edge of Norfolk! Get on it and tour the inside. It’s quite a sight!
Check out this company for dolphin and whale watching trips!
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Rudee Inlet Parasail
200 Winston Salem AveCheck out this company for dolphin and whale watching trips!
Arts & Culture
Home to the best glass collection in the south but it has much more. And it's free!
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Chrysler Museum of Art
1 Memorial PlHome to the best glass collection in the south but it has much more. And it's free!
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
7637 N Shore RdGo see some awesome public art and shop while you're there.
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ViBe Creative District
611 18th StGo see some awesome public art and shop while you're there.
Check out homes built in the 1700s, antique stores, boutiques, a farmer's market, historical monuments and more. Use the self-guided historic walking tour available here: https://oldetowneportsmouth.com/walking-tour/
Then hop on the ferry and ride over to downtown Norfolk.
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Olde Towne
Check out homes built in the 1700s, antique stores, boutiques, a farmer's market, historical monuments and more. Use the self-guided historic walking tour available here: https://oldetowneportsmouth.com/walking-tour/
Then hop on the ferry and ride over to downtown Norfolk.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
2 High StNew arts district in Norfolk. If you’re a fan of murals and other forms of street art, you will definitely enjoy this! Plus, it’s free!
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Neon District
New arts district in Norfolk. If you’re a fan of murals and other forms of street art, you will definitely enjoy this! Plus, it’s free!
Nauticus is a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia, also known as the National Maritime Center.
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Norfolk Water Front Venues
1 Waterside DrNauticus is a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia, also known as the National Maritime Center.
Awesome new state-of-the-art library with architecturally significant building that is both new and old.
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Slover Library
235 E Plume StAwesome new state-of-the-art library with architecturally significant building that is both new and old.
Shopping
Cute shop fill of one of kind refurbished furniture, decor, and children's clothing.
Little Shoppes on High, LLC
302 High StCute shop fill of one of kind refurbished furniture, decor, and children's clothing.
Kitchen Koop
638 High StThis is the main thorough fare in the "Ghent" neighborhood of Norfolk. It has lots of little boutiques and restaurants. Check out A. Dodson's, Le Marche, Palace Shops and Station, and Kitsch.
Colley Avenue
Colley AvenueThis is the main thorough fare in the "Ghent" neighborhood of Norfolk. It has lots of little boutiques and restaurants. Check out A. Dodson's, Le Marche, Palace Shops and Station, and Kitsch.
High Street is the main thoroughfare in Old Towne Norfolk. Start at the water at Legend's Brewery and walk your way up, passing cute antique shops, cafes, and restaurants along the way.
High Street
High StreetHigh Street is the main thoroughfare in Old Towne Norfolk. Start at the water at Legend's Brewery and walk your way up, passing cute antique shops, cafes, and restaurants along the way.
This is a really neat little antique shop filled with treasures. Sells lots of silver and dishware. The owner really knows his stuff!
Way Back Yonder Antiques
462 Washington StThis is a really neat little antique shop filled with treasures. Sells lots of silver and dishware. The owner really knows his stuff!
This is place is too interesting to be missed. It's a HUGE store that is filled with (mostly outdoor) furniture and decor. Can't do it justice in writing. There's lots of antiques, a garden in the backyard, and model rooms you can tour. Quirky and beautiful.
Anderson-Wright rooms & gardens
622 High StThis is place is too interesting to be missed. It's a HUGE store that is filled with (mostly outdoor) furniture and decor. Can't do it justice in writing. There's lots of antiques, a garden in the backyard, and model rooms you can tour. Quirky and beautiful.
IKEA
1500 Ikea WayYou know it and you love it!
Norfolk Premium Outlets
1600 Premium Outlets BlvdREI
350 Independence BlvdNordstrom Rack Pembroke Mall
4588 Virginia Beach BlvdEssentials
This is a huge Kroger Marketplace that has just about everything. It's actually quite impressive. Has a small bar on the inside. In addition to groceries, it also sells clothing, home decor, and more!
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Kroger Marketplace
1301 Frederick BlvdThis is a huge Kroger Marketplace that has just about everything. It's actually quite impressive. Has a small bar on the inside. In addition to groceries, it also sells clothing, home decor, and more!
Walgreens
810 W 21st StFor anything you forgot!
Trader Joe's
503 Hilltop PlazaWhole Foods Market
1800 Laskin RdWegmans
4721 Virginia Beach BlvdFood Scene
My favorite restaurant in Portsmouth. Serves tapas and cocktails, all of which is delicious. Desserts are great too. Located in the basement of a Civil War era building like and fashioned a bit like an old speakeasy. Be sure to make a reservation if you’re looking to go on the weekend!
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Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas
450 Court StMy favorite restaurant in Portsmouth. Serves tapas and cocktails, all of which is delicious. Desserts are great too. Located in the basement of a Civil War era building like and fashioned a bit like an old speakeasy. Be sure to make a reservation if you’re looking to go on the weekend!
Get some spatzel, bratwurst, rolladen, or goulash. 400+ global beers to choose from.
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Bowman's Garden Center LLC
315 Green StGet some spatzel, bratwurst, rolladen, or goulash. 400+ global beers to choose from.
This is a new restaurant in Norfolk that's getting a lot of buzz. French country-style food with an open kitchen.
blanca Food+Wine
4117 Granby StThis is a new restaurant in Norfolk that's getting a lot of buzz. French country-style food with an open kitchen.
Neat cafe/restaurant in the NEON arts district of Norfolk. This place used to be a performance venue so it's very spacious and features lots of exposed brick. They have their own little market and serve delicious breakfast and lunch.
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Commune
501 Virginia Beach Blvd
Neat cafe/restaurant in the NEON arts district of Norfolk. This place used to be a performance venue so it's very spacious and features lots of exposed brick. They have their own little market and serve delicious breakfast and lunch.
Small without a lot of seating options but this place is so delicious! Go for breakfast or lunch. Take it with you or sit outside. Most items come fried on a sweet potato biscuit. I recommend getting the Hella Fitzgerald.
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Handsome Biscuit
2511 Colonial AveSmall without a lot of seating options but this place is so delicious! Go for breakfast or lunch. Take it with you or sit outside. Most items come fried on a sweet potato biscuit. I recommend getting the Hella Fitzgerald.
This is both a restaurant and a bar. It has beautiful outdoor space with an urban garden and lovely decor inside as well. Most menu items come on delicious homemade toast, hence the name.
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Toast
2406 Colonial AveThis is both a restaurant and a bar. It has beautiful outdoor space with an urban garden and lovely decor inside as well. Most menu items come on delicious homemade toast, hence the name.
Delicious Italian food with huge beautiful outdoor area and you can even eat beneath the stars on the roof.
Leone's on the Side
455 Granby StreetDelicious Italian food with huge beautiful outdoor area and you can even eat beneath the stars on the roof.
This is a restaurant with sit down eating and a bar inside and a patio outside. It serves Bolivian food and has delicious margaritas and chips and salsa.
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Luna Maya
2010 Colley AveThis is a restaurant with sit down eating and a bar inside and a patio outside. It serves Bolivian food and has delicious margaritas and chips and salsa.
If you like pizza, beer, karaoke, and tattoos, this place is for you.
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Cogan's Pizza
1901 Colonial AveIf you like pizza, beer, karaoke, and tattoos, this place is for you.
Southern-inspired American cuisine plus craft beer & cocktails in a warm spot with maritime accents. Try the fried chicken and mac and cheese! Trivia nights Mondays at 7pm! Live jazz most Sunday nights.
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Gosport Tavern
702 High StSouthern-inspired American cuisine plus craft beer & cocktails in a warm spot with maritime accents. Try the fried chicken and mac and cheese! Trivia nights Mondays at 7pm! Live jazz most Sunday nights.
Waterside District offers choices for food and drinks to please a motley crew. Beautiful views of the river from the patio. Free outdoor concerts every Friday and Saturday in the summer.
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Waterside District
333 Waterside DrWaterside District offers choices for food and drinks to please a motley crew. Beautiful views of the river from the patio. Free outdoor concerts every Friday and Saturday in the summer.
A Portsmouth favorite. Casual dining right on the water. Try the oysters, clams, crab cake, and fried fish, among other options. The restaurant is IN the marina!
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Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill
10 Crawford PkwyA Portsmouth favorite. Casual dining right on the water. Try the oysters, clams, crab cake, and fried fish, among other options. The restaurant is IN the marina!
Waterman's Surfside Grille
415 Atlantic AveGreat seafood by the ocean. Try the flounder or crab!
Chick's Oyster Bar
2143 Vista CirCasual seafood on the bay. Flip flops and tank tops welcome.
Vintage Tavern
1900 Governors Pointe DrSyd's FishPig Cafe
210 East Main StreetAmici’s
Closest place for pizza
I haven't been able to check this place out yet myself, but I hear it's great for Sunday Brunch (with live music) or a nice dinner. Seems to be on the upscale side.
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Fin & Tonic
1301 Bridgeport WayI haven't been able to check this place out yet myself, but I hear it's great for Sunday Brunch (with live music) or a nice dinner. Seems to be on the upscale side.
Love this beautiful cafe! They make their own syrups and everything is delicious. I recommend the honey cin latte and the breakfast bagel. Check out the local art on the walls too.
Cure
725 High StreetLove this beautiful cafe! They make their own syrups and everything is delicious. I recommend the honey cin latte and the breakfast bagel. Check out the local art on the walls too.
Cute little cafe with exposed brick and black and white photographs of historic Portsmouth. Coffees and wraps are delicious.
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The Coffee Shoppe
300 High StCute little cafe with exposed brick and black and white photographs of historic Portsmouth. Coffees and wraps are delicious.
Best burgers in town. Seriously delicious. I hear this also do a great brunch with delicious waffles.
FYI: This place closes at 7pm most nights.
Gourmet Burger Bistro
6083 High St WBest burgers in town. Seriously delicious. I hear this also do a great brunch with delicious waffles.
FYI: This place closes at 7pm most nights.
Drinks & Nightlife
Like beer? We have SO MANY BREWERIES, plus a wine bar, a piano bar, a rooftop bar, and much more!
425 High St, Portsmouth, VA
Good drinks and delicious tapas. Choose from over 250 wine bottles and take one home too. Serves brunch on the weekends.
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Stellar Wine Co.
425 High St425 High St, Portsmouth, VA
Good drinks and delicious tapas. Choose from over 250 wine bottles and take one home too. Serves brunch on the weekends.
This is a new microbrewery and full service restaurant located in a historic building (the old headquarters for the train station) in Olde Town Portsmouth. Its patio is right on the Elizabeth River and you can watch the ferry come in and out. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
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Legend Brewing Depot
1 High StThis is a new microbrewery and full service restaurant located in a historic building (the old headquarters for the train station) in Olde Town Portsmouth. Its patio is right on the Elizabeth River and you can watch the ferry come in and out. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
From Coastal Virginia Magazine: "There’s a full board of beers being served and crowlers and growlers to go. Flights give for a good chance to try different styles, including their J.I.B. Blonde Pineapple, High Rise Coffee Stout, Gose Ashore with Cullipher Farm blackberries and the bright and juicy Dinwiddie Double IPA." There's also food truck just outside.
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MoMac Brewing Co.
3228 Academy AveFrom Coastal Virginia Magazine: "There’s a full board of beers being served and crowlers and growlers to go. Flights give for a good chance to try different styles, including their J.I.B. Blonde Pineapple, High Rise Coffee Stout, Gose Ashore with Cullipher Farm blackberries and the bright and juicy Dinwiddie Double IPA." There's also food truck just outside.
Benchtop Brewing Company
1129 Boissevain AveNewish brewery for the beer aficionados. Lots of IPAs.
This is a neat and really large venue. It's a brewery in a remodeled warehouse but they often host interesting events as well. There's a tasting room, a stage for live music, picnic tables, food trucks in the parking lot, and more. It's particularly nice in the warm weather. Check their website for the events schedule to see what they are up to during your visit.
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O'Connor Brewing Co.
211 W 24th StThis is a neat and really large venue. It's a brewery in a remodeled warehouse but they often host interesting events as well. There's a tasting room, a stage for live music, picnic tables, food trucks in the parking lot, and more. It's particularly nice in the warm weather. Check their website for the events schedule to see what they are up to during your visit.
This is a huge and chic rooftop bar/restaurant on the new Hilton in downtown Norfolk. Often features live music and events. Very cool atmosphere. Beautiful views of the city. Live music Wednesday through Sunday. Happy hour Monday through Friday 5-7pm.
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Grain
100 E Main StThis is a huge and chic rooftop bar/restaurant on the new Hilton in downtown Norfolk. Often features live music and events. Very cool atmosphere. Beautiful views of the city. Live music Wednesday through Sunday. Happy hour Monday through Friday 5-7pm.
This is a unique space. They are a micro-brewery and restaurant. But their best selling point is their awesome back yard which features fire pits, oversized Jenga, bocce ball, ping pong, foosball, and (often) live music. You can sit and eat inside but I recommend going when it's reasonably warm (the fire pits help even when it's not).
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Hank's Filling Station
4301 Colley AveThis is a unique space. They are a micro-brewery and restaurant. But their best selling point is their awesome back yard which features fire pits, oversized Jenga, bocce ball, ping pong, foosball, and (often) live music. You can sit and eat inside but I recommend going when it's reasonably warm (the fire pits help even when it's not).
This new place has an awesome interior. The owner is an architect and clearly has vision! There are lots of spaces to sit and lounge and the bar staff is super friendly too.
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Elation Brewing Company
5104 Colley AveThis new place has an awesome interior. The owner is an architect and clearly has vision! There are lots of spaces to sit and lounge and the bar staff is super friendly too.
After hanging at the bay, walk over to this old fire station-turned-brewhouse.
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Commonwealth Brewing
2444 Pleasure House RdAfter hanging at the bay, walk over to this old fire station-turned-brewhouse.
Smartmouth Brewing Company
1309 Raleigh AveMaker's Craft Brewery
735 E 23rd StGershwin's
332 Granby StThe Oozlefinch Craft Brewery
81 Patch RdMermaid Winery
330 W 22nd StReaver Beach Brewing Co. NFK
3800 Colley AvenueYet another new brewery! Has some outdoor seating.
Vino Culture Wine Shop
130 Granby StreetWeekly tastings and classes!
Parks & Nature
Fun (but not too challenging) hiking trails, nature walks, and camping. Dog-friendly. Near the beach!
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First Landing State Park
2500 Shore DriveFun (but not too challenging) hiking trails, nature walks, and camping. Dog-friendly. Near the beach!
This is the beach preferred by locals. It's not as crowded as the boardwalk at the oceanfront. The bay is warmer and has smaller waves (i.e. kid-friendlier). It has awesome views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Note: there are no life guards, restrooms, and very limited parking.
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Chic's Beach
This is the beach preferred by locals. It's not as crowded as the boardwalk at the oceanfront. The bay is warmer and has smaller waves (i.e. kid-friendlier). It has awesome views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Note: there are no life guards, restrooms, and very limited parking.
Park along the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk that hosts festivals virtually every weekend in the summer.
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Town Point Park
113 Waterside DrPark along the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk that hosts festivals virtually every weekend in the summer.
Go for a jog, walk the trails, fish, or birdwatch. There's also kayak/canoe launch. 11 acres of restored wetlands.
Paradise Creek Nature Park
1141 Victory BlvdGo for a jog, walk the trails, fish, or birdwatch. There's also kayak/canoe launch. 11 acres of restored wetlands.
If you want to stay away from the tourists, this beach is further away from my house but it’s the local’s favorite for beach time.
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Sandbridge Beach
If you want to stay away from the tourists, this beach is further away from my house but it’s the local’s favorite for beach time.
Come see the boardwalk, the statue of Neptune, and all the hotels and restaurants. Features life guards and bathrooms. Must pay to park.
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Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
Virginia Beach Fishing PierCome see the boardwalk, the statue of Neptune, and all the hotels and restaurants. Features life guards and bathrooms. Must pay to park.
Lone Star Lakes Park
401 Kings HwyNorfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden RdGreat Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
3100 Desert Rd