A Peek at What’s Unique in Downtown Norfolk
There’s no end of things to see, do and experience Downtown. Whether it’s a night on the town, a table for two, an adventure in shopping or an inspiring taste of the arts, it’s all right here.
Harbor Park
Take me out to the ball game! Harbor Park is proud to be the home of the Norfolk Tides, the Baltimore Orioles AAA baseball team. Catch a home game and get ready for some good old fashioned fun with Rip Tide and Triton, the mascots for the Norfolk Tides!
MacArthur Center
MacArthur Center is right in the heart of Downtown on Monticello Avenue to cover all your shopping needs, including the region’s flagship Dillard’s department store. The mall always has something fun going on, from art galleries to holiday installations and outdoor activations.
Scope | Chrysler Hall
Part of the SevenVenues family, Scope Arena is the host to a wide variety of events and is currently home to the Norfolk Admirals hockey team, Virginia International Tattoo, the MEAC Basketball Tournament, conventions, concerts, family shows and much more!
Chrysler Hall, the performing arts center of the Scope complex, is handsomely appointed for distinctive theater and concert events. The theatre seats 2,500 and is home to the Virginia Symphony and the Norfolk Forum. Chrysler Hall also hosts the popular Broadway series!
NorVa
Get ready to rock out at The NorVa, Downtown's general admission music venue. The NorVa has hosted (and continues to host) some amazing acts over the years — and continues to be a favorite venue for bands to play because of the many backstage perks, including a hot tub, sauna, and indoor basketball court.
Wells Theatre | Virginia Stage Company
Part of the SevenVenues family, The Wells Theatre is home to the Virginia Stage Company, the region's only fully professional theatre company, serving an audience of more than 100,000 yearly. It has achieved a national reputation as one of the country's foremost regional theatres, attracting leading theatre artists to the Wells Theatre stage.
Slover Library
Slover Library might be the coolest library there is: it blends traditional library functions with the best of contemporary library resources and services in a building that is, architecturally, an incredible mix of old and new, combining the renovated historic Seaboard building, a retrofitted Selden Arcade (home to the Selden Market), and a modern six-story addition that connects that two with a three-story glass atrium and tower featuring custom ornamentation by sculptor/architect Kent Bloomer . The innovative space design creates a vital and dynamic center of community learning, leading-edge technology and civic engagement available to all citizens of the region, and is known as an attraction for residents and visitors alike.
Selden Market
Selden Market is a retail incubator with a rotating lineup of the city's up-and-coming concepts in retail, food, and more. It's a one-of-a-kind experience in a historic venue — where entrepreneurs grow new ideas. Selden Market has 11 storefront shops, including Vessel Craft Coffee, Sugar & Grace Candle Co., S'mores Amore, KOR Vintage, and more, along with ever-changing rotating pop-ups and is anchored by a few favorite local restaurants, including The Stockpot Norfolk, d'Egg Diner, and Syd's FishPig Cafe. Selden Market has absolutely become the go to for the very best in small, local shopping.
Nauticus | Battleship Wisconsin
Nauticus is Norfolk's exciting 120,000 square-foot maritime-themed science & technology center that inspires and educates visitors about the naval, economic, and nautical power of the sea. The Battleship Wisconsin is a part of the Nauticus experience, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore one of the largest and latest battleships built by the U.S. Navy.
Town Point Park
Town Point Park is the People's Park. Anchored at both ends with attractive fountains, this beautiful waterfront park provides eight acres of peaceful outdoor spaces located on the riverbanks of the Elizabeth River, right in the heart of Downtown Norfolk. Town Point Park is more than a premier waterfront park with incredible views of the Elizabeth River harbor: it is a social space where friends meet, eat lunch, chat, stroll, listen to music, work on the wireless network, or simply relax, taking a break from a busy schedule. Town Point Park is also an epicenter of activity, hosting a 10-month schedule of award-winning festivals, concerts, military tributes, tall ship visits, holiday programs, and recreation and athletic events. A variety of public art elements are placed throughout the park as well, including the Armed Forces Memorial, the Homecoming statue, a restored 19th century cannon retrieved from the river, a large Navy anchor, and a new installation of tiled images capturing Norfolk's military and maritime past.
Pagoda & Oriental Garden
The Pagoda is a peaceful oasis just off the Elizabeth River featuring a tranquil garden complete with gently swaying bamboo, winding walkways, gorgeous landscape, a peaceful fountain, and plenty of shaded seating. It is a serene oasis where East meets West on more than an acre of urban space and a welcome break from the bustling city just a few blocks away. This respite also boasts exquisitely arranged landscape of plants, water, stone and architectural features. This unique spot provides a panoramic view of the beautiful garden, the USS Wisconsin, and sunsets over the Elizabeth River; views along the path framing the Pagoda change by season, revealing a layered beauty of both natural form and culture.
Freemason Historic District
The Freemason Historic District is located on the Elizabeth River just to the west of Downtown and is Norfolk's oldest standing neighborhood. Named a Top 10 Great Neighborhood, its cobblestone streets and mature trees are the backdrop for the city's only neighborhood that presents a visible chronology of three centuries of architectural styles. Converted turn-of-the century warehouses boast trendy loft-style housing while mansion-like homes built by some of the city's earliest residents are just footsteps away from waterfront contemporary, state-of-the art condominiums and apartments. The Freemason Historic District is more than a neighborhood, it's an attitude.
Hunter House Victorian Museum
The Hunter House Victorian Museum tells the human stories of late 19th and early 20th century life through the lens of the everyday experiences and collections of the Hunter Family, their staff, and their local community in order to foster a commitment to preserving local heritage, inspire an appreciation for the broader historical narrative, and reach diverse communities through inclusive, accessible, educational, and innovative programming. The museum is located in the Freemason Historic District. Guided walking tours are offered periodically throughout the season; groups desiring guided tours may make advance reservations through the museum. While visiting in the Historic District you will be close to several other historic and cultural sites as well as unique eateries and shopping. Visit their website for tour schedules and more information.
Chrysler Museum of Art & Glass Studio
The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The Museum has growing collections in many areas and mounts an ambitious schedule of visiting exhibitions and educational programs each season. The Chrysler Museum Perry Glass Studio is a state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus and the only one of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Studio brings the Museum’s internationally-acclaimed glass collection to life by showing how these masterworks were created. Classes and programming appeal to aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking and neon. Visitors can also enjoy free noon demonstrations, cutting-edge performance evenings and appearances by world-acclaimed artists.
Harrison Opera House
Part of the SevenVenues family, the Harrison Opera House is home to the Virginia Opera, one of the finest opera companies in the nation and the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues (though we like to think of Norfolk as their home). Virginia Opera's Education Program reaches more students and adults in the classroom and community than any other opera company in the United States - including more than 180,000 students and community members.
The NEON District
Norfolk’s first official arts district, the NEON District, is home to a new wave of passion and creativity in downtown. NEON, or New Energy Of Norfolk, draws from the neighborhood’s history with the automobile industry as it moves into a new and vibrant future. The District is overflowing with creative murals and public art pieces. Within a few short blocks you can see a muralist at work, take in an improv comedy performance at Push Comedy Theater, watch a live glass-working demonstration, shop for unique home goods, get a tattoo or dine out at an eclectic restaurant. We're pretty proud of the NEON District and encourage you to go explore. Check the NEON's Facebook page to see if there are any guided mural tours coming up, or go on a self-guided mural tour using the NEON's website to guide you -- just be sure to check it out!
The Tide Light Rail
Who doesn't love riding a train? The Tide light rail is an easy-to-navigate, 7.4 mile route and a fun opportunity to see Norfolk in a whole new way! Simply get to a Light Rail station, buy a ticket, and you're on your way! Here's a quick video that shows how easy it is to ride. Eleven stations are located along the route with four park and ride facilities that provide access to major areas such as Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College (Norfolk Campus), Harbor Park, City Hall, MacArthur Center, and the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. For a map of the system and stops please click here.
Elizabeth River Trail
The Elizabeth River Trail is a 10.5 mile urban biking and pedestrian trail that runs right through Downtown Norfolk along the gorgeous waterfront, through Town Point Park, and stops by the picturesque Pagoda Gardens. The trail is the perfect place to walk, run, bike, relax, picnic, and play in free, open space. With easy-to-follow trail signage, the trail is a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful day in any season — and to get a little exercise while you're at it! The trail serves as a recreational, social, and educational destination that improves environmental awareness, neighborhood connectivity, and innovative economic development in Norfolk. The trail offers scenic views of the Elizabeth River and interpretive markers tell the history of the area and environment.
Restaurant Row
Downtown Norfolk restaurants and bars are the best in Norfolk: unique, independent, chef-inspired, and all within our very walkable Downtown district. Where else can you find the perfect spot for a romantic dinner, a power lunch or an evening out with a tableful of friends all within a few blocks of each other? Check out our dining page to explore all of Downtown's top-notch restaurants and plan your next meal.
Waterside District | Marina
Located in the heart of the Downtown and adjacent to the City of Norfolk's world class waterfront and festival site Town Point Park, the Waterside District is a central gathering place for local residents and visitors to eat and be entertained. Enjoy some of the best national, regional, and local restaurants and live music, festivals, and more in an atmosphere that integrates Downtown with its glorious waterfront.
Grocery | Pharmacy
On Granby Street, you will find Granby Bistro & Deli and MacArthur Pharmacy, ready to help you with your grocery and pharmaceutical needs.