Click on any of the questions below to view their answers.

1. How can I see the Navy ships?
2. Can I go on the ships?
3. Where is the Norfolk Naval Base Tour office?
4. What are the major attractions in Norfolk?
5. What shopping malls are nearby?
6. What restaurants can accommodate large groups/buffets?
7. How do I get to Nauticus?
8. Where can I get festival information, dates & locations?
9. Where are the public beaches?
10. What should I know about the public beaches?
11. What are the Visitor’s Centers Hours of Operation & their locations?
12. What semi-pro sports can be attended?
13. Are there any antique shops in Norfolk?
14. What golf courses are in Norfolk?
15. What seafood restaurants are in Norfolk?
16. Where can I find fishing information?
17. What public transportation is available?
18. Where can I find cruise ship Information?
19. Where are the libraries in Norfolk?
20. What is the significance of the Norfolk Mermaids?

1. How can I see the Navy ships?
There are bus tours conducted by Tidewater Tours of the base. Boat tours that depart from downtown Norfolk are: naval base cruises: and American Rover. (Back To Top)

2. Can I go on the ships?
No. Due to security concerns, boarding the ships is not possible. The only ship you can board is the USS Wisconsin, a semi-retired battleship located in Downtown Norfolk. (Back To Top)

3. Where is the Norfolk Naval Base Tour office?
I-64 exit 276-A to I-564. Follow I-564 to Hampton Blvd. Turn left on Hampton Blvd, the tour office is on the right side of the road at 9079 Hampton Blvd. Visit Norfolk Base Tour office web site for detailed information. (Back To Top)

4. What are the major attractions in Norfolk?
Please see attractions section of this website. (Back To Top)

5. What shopping malls are nearby?
The Gallery at Military Circle
Macarthur Center (Back To Top)

6. What restaurants can accommodate large groups/buffets?
Baxter's A Sports Lounge 500 Granby St, 757 622-9837
Enrico's 4012 Colley Ave 757 423-2700
Freemason Abbey 209 W. Freemason Ave. 757-622-3966
Golden Corral 6103 N. Military Hwy 757 855-8170
Kincaid’s 300 Monticello Ave, 757-622-8000
Max & Erma's Restaurant 1500 North Military Highway, 757-466-8000
Nawab Indian Cuisine 888 N. Military Hwy 757 455-8080
O'Sullivan's Wharf 4300 Colley Ave 757-423-3746
Piccadilly The Gallery at Military Circle 530 N. Military Hwy 757 461-2477
Rajput Indian Cuisine 742 W 21st St 757 625 4634
Ramada Norfolk Airport 1450 N Military Hwy 757-466-7474
Shoney's 2437 E Little Creek Rd 757 583-1867 & 6667 E Virginia Beach Blvd 757 461-4068
Todd Jurich's Bistro 150 W Main St, 757 622-3210
Velvet 25 Bistro 332 Granby St 757 961-7143
Waterside Festival Marketplace has a selection of restaurants and food court (Back To Top)

7. How do I get to Nauticus?
I-64 to I-264 West to exit 9 to One Waterside Drive
Turn right on Main St. for garage parking. No parking directly in front of Nauticus, drop off and pick up only. (Back To Top)

8. Where can I get festival information, dates & locations?
Please see Events section of our website. Visit Festevents web site. (Back To Top)

9. Where are the public beaches?
Community Beach, 601 E. Ocean View Ave, Norfolk Ocean View Beach Park, 100 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk Sarah Constant Shrine Beach, 300 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk (Back To Top)

• No alcohol, littering, glass containers, fires or vehicles allowed.
• Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend from 10-6 daily.
• No dogs or domestic animals allowed from 9-7 from April 15 to September 30. During allowable times, dogs or domestic animals must be on a leash. Owners must pick up after dogs.
• Skateboards, skates or bicycles are not permitted on beach access or ramps.
• Loud music or disturbing noises are regulated as to not disturb other beach patrons.
• Illegal activities and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
• Do not swim or wade more than 50 yards from shore.
• Swimming not allowed when red flags are posted. (Back To Top)

11. What are the Visitor’s Centers Hours of Operation & their locations?
Ocean View Visitor Center, 9401 4th View St, Norfolk, VA 23503, 9-5 daily. See Visitors section of our website, click on Getting Here and Around, click on Visitor Centers for locations or click on Area Map to download.
Administrative Office, open Mon-Fri 8:30-5 (see instructions above for actual location)
Desk inside Nauticus Museum, Sat & Sun 12-5 (see instructions above for actual location) (Back To Top)

12. What semi-pro sports can be attended?
Norfolk Tides are the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, April thru Sept, Norfolk Admirals are the city’s AHL (American Hockey League) and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightening, Oct thru April. (Back To Top)

13. Are there any antique shops in Norfolk?
Numerous antique and consignment shops are located along W. 20th Street, W. 21st Street and Granby Street (Back To Top)

14. What golf courses are in Norfolk?
Lake Wright Golf Course 757-459-2255
Lamberts Point Golf Course 757-489-1677
Ocean View Golf Course 757-480-2094 (Back To Top)

15. What seafood restaurants are in Norfolk?
A.W. Shucks Raw Bar & Grill, 2200 Colonial Ave, and 757-664-9117
Captain Groovy’s Grill & Raw Bar, 8101 Shore Dr, 757-965-4667
Freemason Abbey, 209 W. Freemason Ave. 757-622-3966
Joe’s Crab Shack, 333 Waterside Dr. 757-625-0655
Kincaid’s, 300 Monticello Ave, 757-622-8000
Ocean View Fishing Pier Restaurant, 414 W Ocean View Ave, 757-583-6000
O’Sullivan’s Wharf, 4300 Colley Avenue, 757-423-3746
Ship’s Cabin, 4110 E Ocean View Ave, 757-362-4659
Snappers, 245 Granby Street, 757-625-3366
Surf Rider, 8180 Shore Drive 757-480-5000
Tabb’s at Riverview 4019 Granby St 757-626-0871
456 Fish, 456 Granby St, 757-625-4444 (Back To Top)

16. Where can I find fishing information?
Ocean View Fishing Pier, 400 W Ocean View Ave, 757-583-6000
Willoughby Fishing Pier, 1525 Bayville St, 757-583-4150
*Saltwater fish include: croaker, spot, bluefish, flounder, trout and striper (Back To Top)

Fishing licenses may be purchased at K-mart and Wal-Mart in their sporting goods department, or the Virginia Marine Resources Commission 757-247-2200, 16 or older, no license required if over age 65. (Back To Top)

17. What public transportation is available?
HRT Bus Service, Norfolk Electric Transit (NET) (Back To Top)

18. Where can I find cruise ship Information?
Cruise Norfolk 1-800-664-1080 (Back To Top)

19. Where are the libraries in Norfolk?
Norfolk Main Library 235 West Plume, Seaboard Building (757) 664-7323,
Mary D. Pretlow, 111 W. Ocean View Ave. Phone: (757) 441-1750 (Back To Top)

20. What is the significance of the Norfolk Mermaids?
From Mayor Paul D. Fraim, November 2000: Folklore tells us that mermaids are whimsical, fun, water-loving creatures who have been known, on rare occasions, to adopt a person or town. Norfolk adopted mermaids as a celebration of how far the city has come in the past four decades and as a way to celebrate and support our very talented and deserving regional arts community. More than four dozen charitable and arts organizations have benefited from the Mermaids on Parade auction. Colorful mermaids on corners and in fountains prompt comments from visitors and lifelong Norfolk residents who want to know more about the mermaids and more about us. (Back To Top)