Guidebook for Portsmouth / Hampton Roads

Kathleen
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.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Ferry Stop - High St station
10 recommandé par les habitants
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.
16 recommandé par les habitants
American Rover Sailing Cruises
333 Waterside Dr
16 recommandé par les habitants
Take 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!
39 recommandé par les habitants
The Cavalier Virginia Beach, Autograph Collection
4200 Atlantic Ave
39 recommandé par les habitants
Check 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!
86 recommandé par les habitants
USS Wisconsin BB-64
1 Waterside Dr
86 recommandé par les habitants
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!
Check out this company for dolphin and whale watching trips!
111 recommandé par les habitants
Rudee Inlet Parasail
200 Winston Salem Ave
111 recommandé par les habitants
Check 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!
184 recommandé par les habitants
Musée d'art Chrysler
1 Memorial Pl
184 recommandé par les habitants
Home to the best glass collection in the south but it has much more. And it's free!
27 recommandé par les habitants
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
7637 N Shore Rd
27 recommandé par les habitants
Go see some awesome public art and shop while you're there.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Quartier artistique ViBe Creative District
611 18th St
49 recommandé par les habitants
Go 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.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Olde Towne
23 recommandé par les habitants
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.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
2 High St
12 recommandé par les habitants
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!
15 recommandé par les habitants
Neon District
15 recommandé par les habitants
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.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Norfolk Water Front Venues
1 Waterside Dr
15 recommandé par les habitants
Nauticus 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.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Slover Library
235 E Plume St
12 recommandé par les habitants
Awesome 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 St
Cute shop fill of one of kind refurbished furniture, decor, and children's clothing.
Kitchen Koop
638 High St
This 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 Avenue
This 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 Street
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.
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 St
This 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 St
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.
You know it and you love it!
28 recommandé par les habitants
IKEA
1500 Ikea Way
28 recommandé par les habitants
You know it and you love it!
161 recommandé par les habitants
Magasins d'usine Norfolk Premium Outlets
1600 Premium Outlets Blvd
161 recommandé par les habitants
REI
350 Independence Blvd
Nordstrom Rack Pembroke Mall
4588 Virginia Beach Blvd

Essentials

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!
33 recommandé par les habitants
Kroger Marketplace
1301 Frederick Blvd
33 recommandé par les habitants
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!
For anything you forgot!
10 recommandé par les habitants
Walgreens
810 W 21st St
10 recommandé par les habitants
For anything you forgot!
66 recommandé par les habitants
Trader Joe's
503 Hilltop Plaza
66 recommandé par les habitants
53 recommandé par les habitants
Whole Foods Market
1800 Laskin Rd
53 recommandé par les habitants
14 recommandé par les habitants
Wegmans
4721 Virginia Beach Blvd
14 recommandé par les habitants

Food 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!
20 recommandé par les habitants
Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas
450 Court St
20 recommandé par les habitants
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!
Get some spatzel, bratwurst, rolladen, or goulash. 400+ global beers to choose from.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Bowman's Garden Center LLC
315 Green St
30 recommandé par les habitants
Get 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 St
This 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.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Commune
501 Virginia Beach Blvd
65 recommandé par les habitants
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.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Handsome Biscuit
2511 Colonial Ave
34 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Toast
2406 Colonial Ave
10 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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 Street
Delicious 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.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Luna Maya
2010 Colley Ave
19 recommandé par les habitants
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.
If you like pizza, beer, karaoke, and tattoos, this place is for you.
31 recommandé par les habitants
Cogan's Pizza
1901 Colonial Ave
31 recommandé par les habitants
If 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.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Gosport Tavern
702 High St
13 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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.
143 recommandé par les habitants
Waterside District
333 Waterside Dr
143 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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!
15 recommandé par les habitants
Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill
10 Crawford Pkwy
15 recommandé par les habitants
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!
Great seafood by the ocean. Try the flounder or crab!
195 recommandé par les habitants
Waterman's Surfside Grille
415 Atlantic Ave
195 recommandé par les habitants
Great seafood by the ocean. Try the flounder or crab!
Casual seafood on the bay. Flip flops and tank tops welcome.
123 recommandé par les habitants
Chick's Oyster Bar
2143 Vista Cir
123 recommandé par les habitants
Casual seafood on the bay. Flip flops and tank tops welcome.
Vintage Tavern
1900 Governors Pointe Dr
Syd's FishPig Cafe
210 East Main Street
Closest place for pizza
Amici’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.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Fin & Tonic
1301 Bridgeport Way
7 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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 Street
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.
Cute little cafe with exposed brick and black and white photographs of historic Portsmouth. Coffees and wraps are delicious.
13 recommandé par les habitants
The Coffee Shoppe
300 High St
13 recommandé par les habitants
Cute 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 W
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.

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.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Stellar Wine Co.
425 High St
6 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Legend Brewing Depot
1 High St
10 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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.
6 recommandé par les habitants
MoMac Brewing Co.
3228 Academy Ave
6 recommandé par les habitants
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.
Newish brewery for the beer aficionados. Lots of IPAs.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Benchtop Brewing Company
1129 Boissevain Ave
16 recommandé par les habitants
Newish 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.
48 recommandé par les habitants
Brasserie O'Connor
211 W 24th St
48 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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.
71 recommandé par les habitants
Grain
100 E Main St
71 recommandé par les habitants
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.
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).
11 recommandé par les habitants
Hank's Filling Station
4301 Colley Ave
11 recommandé par les habitants
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).
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.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Elation Brewing Company
5104 Colley Ave
20 recommandé par les habitants
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.
After hanging at the bay, walk over to this old fire station-turned-brewhouse.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Commonwealth Brewing
2444 Pleasure House Rd
56 recommandé par les habitants
After hanging at the bay, walk over to this old fire station-turned-brewhouse.
33 recommandé par les habitants
Brasserie Smartmouth
1309 Raleigh Ave
33 recommandé par les habitants
15 recommandé par les habitants
Maker's Craft Brewery
735 E 23rd St
15 recommandé par les habitants
18 recommandé par les habitants
Gershwin's
332 Granby St
18 recommandé par les habitants
39 recommandé par les habitants
The Oozlefinch Craft Brewery
81 Patch Rd
39 recommandé par les habitants
51 recommandé par les habitants
Mermaid Winery
330 W 22nd St
51 recommandé par les habitants
Yet another new brewery! Has some outdoor seating.
Reaver Beach Brewing Co. NFK
3800 Colley Avenue
Yet another new brewery! Has some outdoor seating.
Weekly tastings and classes!
Vino Culture Wine Shop
130 Granby Street
Weekly tastings and classes!

Parks & Nature

Fun (but not too challenging) hiking trails, nature walks, and camping. Dog-friendly. Near the beach!
340 recommandé par les habitants
Parc d'État de First Landing
2500 Shore Drive
340 recommandé par les habitants
Fun (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.
79 recommandé par les habitants
Chic's Beach
79 recommandé par les habitants
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.
32 recommandé par les habitants
Town Point Park
113 Waterside Dr
32 recommandé par les habitants
Park 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 Blvd
Go 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.
78 recommandé par les habitants
Plage de Sandbridge
78 recommandé par les habitants
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.
101 recommandé par les habitants
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
101 recommandé par les habitants
Come 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 Hwy
185 recommandé par les habitants
Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden Rd
185 recommandé par les habitants
15 recommandé par les habitants
Refuge faunique national de Great Dismal Swamp
3100 Desert Rd
15 recommandé par les habitants