36 Hours in Norfolk and Virginia Beach

To give you a sense of our coastal city that is deeply rooted in history with southern charm, hop on the Elizabeth River Trail (ERT), a 10.5-mile pedestrian and bikeable pathway that takes you through multiple neighborhoods and intertwines with Norfolk’s Cannonball Trail (a self-guided walking tour with over 400 years of historic features). If you opt to walk, you will notice the finer details along the way, whereas biking will help you achieve more scenic mileage. 

District where the Virginia Cheese Co. can be found to create your own cheese board and wine on tap. Or, if you meander just around the corner, you’ll find Four Eleven York Restaurant where you can enjoy an afternoon cocktail. We suggest their Collins, made with cucumber sage simple syrup, blood orange juice and Citadelle Gin topped with soda and garnished with an orange and fresh sage from their garden. If you continue down the ERT, you will find yourself in the Chelsea neighborhood with Benchtop and Smartmouth Brewery and a delicious beer and cider bar called The Birch. The craft brews in this neighborhood are best consumed with brick oven pizza, found at The Bakehouse at Chelsea, or the fresh authentic Greek cuisine at Orapax, a 50-year-old third-generation family-owned restaurant. 

For a unique perspective of our city, set sail on-board the American Rover, a three-masted topsail schooner that resides in downtown Norfolk, making it an icon of our waterfront. Its distinct red sails catch the breeze and will glide you down the Elizabeth River so effortlessly. With mood-setting live music and the Norfolk skyline as your backdrop, the two hours spent out on the water will have you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. 

Marquee dotted archways illuminate Granby Street setting the scene perfectly for dinner at Luce. Their food profiles are exquisite, taking inspiration from both the northern and southern regions of Italy. Some of our locals’ favorite dishes include Mushroom Toast (Portobello, white and cremini mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, truffle oil, porcini dust and Madera), Wild Boar Ragu (ground Cinghiale ragu over house-made tagliatelle pasta topped with roasted pulled Cinghiale and rosemary-infused oil) and of course, all the divine desserts. Their dessert menu is ever-changing but to put it simply, it’s molto buono!

Hop in the car and travel 30 minutes east to Virginia Beach to visit the popular attraction, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. This aquarium is home to about 300 species of sea animals — watch turtles mosey around, penguins dive bomb into the water and even pet a stingray! Explore the deep depths of the Atlantic Ocean and experience the intricacies of coastal habitats from around the world during your underwater aquatic journey. 

A classic surf-chic waterfront shanty that is loved by locals and tourists alike is Big Sam’s Raw Bar, a 24-year-old seafood favorite nestled amongst the docks of Rudee’s Inlet with a small-scale tropical-themed dining room. Find fresh seafood caught right off the coast with mouth-watering dishes including their Hot Blue Crab Dip and Blackened Tuna Tacos, all accompanied by views of jet skiers, dolphin sightseeing tours and yachts sailing the waters.

Operating out of a restored 1912 inland farmhouse, Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Co., is where hoppy beverages may lure you, but the stunning medley of old Southern charm property will keep you there. Sip a seasonal cider on their white picnic tables that dress their front lawn and snap a photo with their old-timey classic pick-up truck, making it the perfect spot for an afternoon of sips and laughs. 

Supporting a restaurant that transforms locally sourced ingredients into umami flavored dishes is easy, but Commune stepped it up a notch and turned itself into CommunexCROP – a non-profit student-led restaurant dedicated to building the next generation of innovative and sustainably-minded young leaders in food, agriculture and hospitality. Devour Chicken and Waffles (buttermilk fried chicken, heirloom cornmeal waffles, sunny side up egg, chamomile butter, hickory syrup) for breakfast from CommunexCROP and not only are you single-handedly supporting local farmers, but you are also aiding in the education of young culinary enthusiasts. 

Stroll the sunlit streets of NEON (new energy of Norfolk) which is home to over 70 works of public art. Building-sized murals and art installations trickle the streets and pay ode to local and touring artists who have so creatively decorated every inch of this neighborhood. The creativity of the murals ranges from oversized bees on bicycles that can be spotted along Magazine Lane, to men and women in uniform elegantly painted to pay tribute to our military service members.

Once you’ve explored the painted streets of Norfolk, head over to the Chrysler Museum of Art, a museum compiled of 30,000 objects spanning over 5,000 years! The glass art exhibit that kick-started Norfolk’s glass culture lies just inside the museum’s doors. This exhibit consists of 10,000 pieces that is undoubtedly extraordinary; an art medium that captures the dance of light and color seamlessly. A glass blowing studio sits steps away from the museum, and a boutique glass-inspired hotel resides downtown with over 50 pieces of glass art inside. The appreciation for this art form is amplified once you witness glass being blown at a free demonstration at the Perry Glass Studio – a mesmerizing unique experience. 

Camouflaged amongst the quaint houses of Norfolk’s beloved Ghent neighborhood is a local favorite, Press 626 Café and Wine Bar. Housed in a historic 1906 Victorian home and former bank, Press 626 offers a casual and eclectic experience with a side of Southern hospitality. Wines are pulled from the former bank vault behind the bar and served to visitors relaxing in cozy nooks and on the front porch, alongside dishes from an ever-changing menu created from local in-season produce. With three Sommeliers on staff, visitors can be sure they’ll find the “most eclectic and coolest wine list around.”

Take one last adventure before hitting the road at the Virginia Zoo. Stroll the 53 acres of luscious gardens and visit its 700 furry, feathered and scaly animal friends. Witness the animals in their natural habitat; giraffes outstretching for leaves, monkeys swinging from branch to branch and grasp a moment of tranquility with the songs from a Magpie bird before you head home.

Strictly follow the itinerary or wander off the list and you’ll be sure to have a memorable experience in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Not only are we neighboring cities but we also have teamed up to create you the At Last Pass – a pass that brings you the best savings and deals of the year. So bring your family, your friends, or a date — your vacation is here, at last.