Visit Norfolk

Visit Norfolk
Name	Visit Norfolk
Caption	Skyline and waterfront of Norfolk, Virginia
Established	20th century
Type	Destination marketing organization
Location	Norfolk, Virginia
Coordinates	36°51′00″N 76°17′00″W

Visit Norfolk Visit Norfolk is the destination marketing and tourism development organization serving Norfolk, Virginia and the surrounding Hampton Roads region. It promotes attraction sites such as Chrysler Museum of Art, Nauticus, and the Norfolk Botanical Garden, while coordinating with stakeholders including Port of Virginia, Norfolk Southern Railway, and the Norfolk International Airport. The organization engages partners across Old Dominion University, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and regional hospitality groups to increase visitor numbers and event bookings.

Overview

Visit Norfolk operates as a convention and visitors bureau advocating for Norfolk, Virginia as a leisure, meeting, and cultural destination. It markets waterfront experiences on the Elizabeth River and historic assets in neighborhoods like Ghent, Norfolk and the Freemason District, Norfolk. The bureau partners with municipal entities such as Norfolk City Council and regional bodies including the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission to align tourism strategy with Portsmouth, Virginia and Virginia Beach, Virginia initiatives. Visit Norfolk also liaises with cultural institutions like the Hermitage Museum and Gardens and performance venues such as the Norfolk Scope arena and Attucks Theatre.

History

The promotional activities that evolved into Visit Norfolk trace back to early 20th‑century civic boosterism in Norfolk, Virginia and the post‑World War II expansion of the Hampton Roads maritime economy. Earlier chambers of commerce and travel bureaus worked to attract trade to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and to promote seaside resorts on Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; these efforts intersected with regional transportation developments like the C&O Railway and later the expansion of Norfolk International Airport. Through periods of urban renewal involving the Broad Creek corridor and waterfront redevelopment near Waterside District, Norfolk, the organization adapted to shifting markets including military families from Naval Station Norfolk and cultural tourists drawn by institutions such as the Chrysler Museum of Art and the MacArthur Memorial.

Attractions and Landmarks

Norfolk’s visitor portfolio includes maritime, military, and cultural attractions. Prominent sites promoted include the Nauticus maritime center and the retired battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64), alongside naval landmarks tied to Naval Station Norfolk. Art and history venues include the Chrysler Museum of Art, the MacArthur Memorial, and the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. Outdoor and recreational draws feature the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the urban trails of Elizabeth River Trail, and waterfront redevelopment at the Waterside District, Norfolk. Historic neighborhoods and buildings such as Freemason Street Historic District, Cedar Grove Cemetery (Norfolk, Virginia), and the Larchmont-Edgewater Historic District are highlighted for heritage tourism. Nearby gateways and related attractions promoted regionally include Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Accommodation and Dining

The hospitality mix in Norfolk ranges from convention hotels near the Downtown Norfolk core and the Norfolk Scope to boutique properties in Ghent, Norfolk and historic inns proximate to the Freemason District, Norfolk. Major hotel brands operating in the city align with bookings for events at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott and meeting space associated with the Norfolk Convention Center (operated in partnership with regional convention bureaus). Culinary offerings promoted through Visit Norfolk showcase restaurants on Granby Street, Norfolk, waterside seafood near the Elizabeth River, and farm‑to‑table partnerships with producers in Southampton County, Virginia and Suffolk, Virginia. The bureau highlights establishments participating in local initiatives and awards such as recognitions from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Events and Festivals

Annual and recurring events are central to Norfolk’s draw. Visit Norfolk promotes festivals and series including waterfront concerts at Harbor Park (Norfolk, Virginia), cultural programming at the Norfolk Festival of the Arts and seasonal markets at the Norfolk International Air Show (when scheduled in coordination with military displays from Naval Station Norfolk). Civic celebrations tied to historic commemorations occur near the MacArthur Memorial and in partnership with regional arts organizers such as the Virginia Arts Festival. Sporting events at TowneBank Stadium or minor league baseball at Harbor Park (Norfolk, Virginia) are integrated into sports tourism packages alongside convention bookings for associations like Virginia Dental Association or academic gatherings involving Old Dominion University.

Transport and Access

Norfolk’s accessibility is emphasized through multimodal links promoted by Visit Norfolk. The city is served by Norfolk International Airport with ground connections to downtown, and by regional interstates including Interstate 64 in Virginia and Interstate 564. Rail and ferry connections involve services to Hampton, Virginia and regional transit connections through Hampton Roads Transit including the Tide Light Rail and ferry routes across the Elizabeth River. Port access via the Port of Virginia supports cruise and commercial visitation, while surface routes connect Norfolk with Richmond, Virginia and Newport News, Virginia.

Visitor Information and Practicalities

Visit Norfolk provides resources on lodging, meeting venues, and visitor services, coordinating with municipal offices such as the Norfolk Department of Parks and Recreation and safety services including the Norfolk Police Department for large events. Practical guidance covers seasonal climate considerations tied to Chesapeake Bay weather patterns and recommendations for visitor passes at institutions like the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The bureau also offers accessibility information for sites such as Nauticus and works with regional partners including Virginia Tourism Corporation and local chambers of commerce to facilitate group travel, convention planning, and promotional partnerships.

Category:Tourism in Norfolk, Virginia