Downtown Norfolk - Norfolk, VA Area Guide

Norfolk’s roots reach back to 1619 and the early English settlers to the Americas. Norfolk quickly became prosperous as a port for exporting goods.

Early history was marked by the Revolutionary War, a citywide fire in 1804 and a yellow fever epidemic in 1855. Early in the Civil War, Norfolk provided a safe haven for runaway slaves.

In the latter half of the twentieth century, Norfolk experienced the emigration of the middle-class to the suburbs. Leaders began to promote renewal along the city’s waterfront, creating a new boulevard called Waterside Drive, which became home to the city’s high-rise buildings.

Downtown Norfolk is now the cultural heart of Hampton Roads, offering live theatre and comedy shows as well as numerous museums. The Generic Theater produces innovative plays, while Harborfest entertains tourists and locals each year and First Friday and Norfolk Fest provide special events seasonally.

Independent restaurants reign in downtown Norfolk’s waterside and historic districts. Seafood is a given for this waterfront region, with traditional and new-American choices and a variety of ethnic cuisine as well.

456 Fish is housed in a historic building on Granby Street, features plenty of seafood selections, with meat and vegetarian options. At 456 Fish, the potato-chip-encrusted crab cakes delight and surprise. There’s next-to-no filler, just crab, as the potato chips hold the cakes together while adding an atypical crunch. The cakes pair well with the garlic-whipped potatoes, seasoned broccoli, and remoulade on the side. For dessert, check out the bread pudding or Billy’s cola cake with pralines; the amazing taste is beaten only by the artistic presentation. Reservations are recommended, especially if there’s an event downtown.

Diners at Vintage Kitchen feast on the sweeping views of the Elizabeth River as well as the award-winning modern cuisine, prepared simply and presented stylishly in an elegant setting. The chefs use fresh local and regional produce, and the beverage program focuses on artisan-crafted Virginia wines and craft beers. Try the tenderloin – it’s so tender, it falls apart – and the truffle mac and cheese – rich, creamy and delightfully distinctive.

There’s no anticipating Chartreuse Bistro, an organic, sustainable, farm-to-table European bistro in the historic district, because the menu changes daily, based on what’s fresh and in season. However, expect to be pleased with the modern European cuisine, such as the house-made fettuccini or the pan-seared rockfish with arugula risotto, brushed with shellfish nage. Tables can be hard to come by at this popular restaurant, but sitting at the bar gives you a better experience, since they have an open kitchen. You can watch the chef and staff at work and see the care that they put into each dish.

Hell’s Kitchen offers live music every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m. Primarily for the young adult crowd, the music tends to be edgy and high-energy. The largest popular music venue is Granby Theater, a Friday and Saturday night dance club featuring international DJ's, bands and singers. This historic landmark has been renovated to its original splendor but with a modern, state-of-the-art light and sound system. Ask about VIP access to the upper level bar, where you can mingle with other guests (and sometimes even the performers).

Downtown Norfolk is easily walkable within a 10-minute radius, but cabs are plentiful, and Uber is available as well. Biking is safe, and the city has installed numerous bike racks for securing your wheels. Public parking lots are scattered throughout downtown, so you can park close to your destination.

The HRT is the region's public transportation system, connecting the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton and Newport News, but taking public transit isn’t necessary for navigating downtown Norfolk. The Tide light rail reaches approximately 7 miles east of downtown. Three Paddlewheel ferries travel between downtown at The Waterside and Portsmouth, while a water taxi services the area on weekends.

Highway 264 runs just south of downtown, providing access to the Hampton Roads interstate system.

Downtown Norfolk hosts several walkable cultural trails, including the Cannonball Trail, Civil War Trail, and the Heart and Art Mermaid Story Trails.

The most extensive park, however, is the 7-acre waterfront Town Point Park, in the heart of the city's business, shopping and entertainment district. This free park is an oasis of green between the city and the Elizabeth River, including fountains and carefully chosen trees, shrubs and perennials, making it a tranquil place to picnic, visit with friends, stroll, work on the wireless network or simply chill. Town Point Park also hosts festivals and special events throughout the year. Children are welcome, but there are no playgrounds. No animals are allowed, except service animals or animals utilized in law enforcement.

The cost of living in downtown Norfolk is average for the United States, with costs slightly higher in the city than in outlying neighborhoods. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Norfolk city averages about $706 a month. The average price of fuel in York County is 5 percent less than the national average.

The price of draft beer at local pubs runs from $2 to $4. Craft beers hover around $4.50, with higher prices for more specialized, high-gravity beers.

Downtown Norfolk’s MacArthur Center, a spacious three-story shopping mall, features upscale retail. Dillard's and Nordstrom serve as the anchor department stores for 140 other stores, including some chains and a few one-of-a-kind boutiques, numerous restaurants, plus an 18-screen stadium-seating movie theater.

Another popular shopping district is on Granby Street, a hub for the sophisticated segment of Hampton Roads' shopping and nightlife.

Bridging the cultural and socioeconomic gaps, the d'ART Center brings together the artist and the art, making the creative process and the visual arts more accessible and presenting working artists, exhibitions and classes.

In the historic Monticello Arcade, the Norfolk Fair Trade Co. offers a selection of unique, fair-trade products from local makers and global craftspeople. The business also offers apprenticeship programs for those interested in starting benefit corporations.

The Five Points Community Farm Market is open Thursday through Sunday. It offers fresh, locally-grown produce, local honey, free-range eggs from local farms, and local businesses like Pinch Spicery and the Get Fresh Cafe. The market is located near the corner of Church Street and 26th Street.