Overview:
Located in the heart of the mid-Atlantic, Norfolk boasts a vibrant urban renaissance and takes pride in its military and American heritage. It has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, and is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes.

A wonderful walking city, with a yearly average temperature of about 68 degrees, Norfolk is an appealing destination for visitors year-round to experience the city's diverse attractions, special events and festivities, cultural activities, waterside activities and eclectic dining. The Norfolk Tides, a AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, are based here.

History:
The City of Norfolk is an important 400-year-old port city and home to the largest naval base in the world. The history of Greater Norfolk coincides with the birth of our nation, and throughout the region, evidence of this important past can be enjoyed today.

On New Years Day in 1776, two-thirds of the city was destroyed during the Revolutionary War. A cannonball from the siege may be viewed today in the wall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

World War II hero, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) and his wife are buried in Norfolk, at the monumental rotunda of The MacArthur Memorial.

Historical Sites:
Cannonball Trail; Civil War Trail; Fort Norfolk, Freemason District; Historic Ghent; Hermitage Foundation Museum; Moses Myers House; The MacArthur Memorial; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Norfolk History Museum at Willoughby Baylor House.

Important African-American heritage sites include: Attucks Theatre, The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and West Point Memorial, dedicated to the contributions of African-Americans during the Civil and Spanish-American War.

Cruises:
An easy drive from many metropolitan cities and with non-stop flights to Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk’s Cruise Port is an important hub for cruise travel.

Construction of a $36 million, 80,000-square foot cruise terminal building wrapped in April 2007. Managed and operated by Cruise Norfolk, the sophisticated new facility includes a 4,000 square-foot entrance and rotunda, 12,000 square-feet of exterior terrace space, a 14,000 square-foot waiting lounge and a 40,000 square-foot baggage area. It is one of the largest domestic cruise ports in the country and is conveniently located in Downtown Norfolk in close proximity to shopping, dining, attractions and cultural venues.

Cultural & Performing Arts:
Attucks Theatre, Chrysler Museum of Art, Broadway America, Granby Theater, Harrison Opera House, d’ART Center, NorVa, Selden Arcade, Virginia Symphony, Virginia Opera, Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Ballet Theater, Virginia Chorale, Virginia Arts Festival, Wells Theatre.

Dining & Nightlife:
Norfolk is the region’s hub for dining and nightlife, with nearly 80 chef-owned restaurants; a Waterside entertainment center; shows, sports and other entertainment at venues such as Attucks Theatre, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk Scope, the NorVa and the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Granby Street, known as Norfolk’s downtown “Restaurant Row,” is a great place to stop for a night on the town. Dine alfresco on Colley Avenue and throughout Historic Ghent.

Festivals:
Festivals bring Norfolk to life each year with more than 100 public events including AFR’AM Fest; Norfolk’s International Azalea Festival and The Virginia Arts Festival in the spring; Harborfest and Town Point Jazz Festival in the summer; Children’s Festival and the Virginia Wine Festival in spring and fall.

Shopping:
Granby Row offers art galleries, specialty stores and upscale furnishings; antiques and flea market treasures are found in Historic Ghent and The MacArthur Center Mall, anchored by Nordstrom, contains over one million square feet and features over 120 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Accommodations:
Norfolk has more than 5,000 hotel and motel rooms from bed
& breakfasts and boutique properties to flagship hotels that will suit every budget, many in a convenient 15-minute drive of the Norfolk International Airport.

Convention & Conference Facilities:
The Waterside Convention Connection (WCC) is an alliance that provides more than 1,200 first-class rooms and suites, 55 meetings rooms and 216,000 square feet of convention space, all located in the heart of downtown Norfolk. The WCC is comprised of The Waterside Convention Center and the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, the Radisson Hotel Norfolk, Waterside Festival Marketplace and Norfolk Scope, an arena which is located just blocks away with an additional 85,000 square feet of meeting space.

Norfolk also offers many unique meeting venues such as Attucks Theatre, The Chrysler Museum of Art; Norfolk Botanical Garden; Nauticus; onboard Battleship Wisconsin or on one of several harbor cruises as well as at private venues available at many of the city’s restaurants. For more information, please consult the Unique Meeting Venues release in the Norfolk press kit, or log onto www.visitnorfolktoday.com.

Current Discounts and Specials:
Visitors and convention attendees can log onto www.visitnorfolktoday.com for the latest discounts and specials.

Climate:
Most days in Norfolk are warm, with an average annual high temperature of 68 degrees and an average annual low temperature of 51 degrees.

Getting to Norfolk:
Exploring the city is easy with pedestrian-friendly streets, scenic waterways, posted street maps and a free downtown electric NET shuttle. Being one of America’s great walking cities, it is equally enjoyed by sailing, ferry, electric shuttle, trolley, motor coach and car. New to Norfolk are Segway Tours!

Have questions or need directions while in town? Look for Norfolk’s ambassadors dressed in crisp white, navy and jade uniforms. The ambassadors are friendly walking concierges stationed throughout Norfolk’s city center.

~ Norfolk, Virginia~

Considered the dynamic heart of Virginia’s storied Hampton Roads region, Norfolk attracts thousands of travelers each year to enjoy its lively downtown waterfront and 144 miles of shimmering coastline. Offering a vibrant blend of history and heritage with contemporary attractions, outdoor adventure and the Commonwealth’s most important cultural institutions, Norfolk is an exciting destination. Here, where the Elizabeth River meets the Chesapeake Bay, visitors will find an easily walkable downtown that offers eclectic dining options, a rich arts scene, high-end shopping and year-round special events. For more information about Norfolk, visit the city on the Web at www.visitnorfolktoday.com, or call 757-664-6620 or toll free at 800-368-3097.