Guidebook for Portsmouth / Hampton Roads

Kathleen
Guidebook for Portsmouth / Hampton Roads

Sightseeing

Hop back and forth between Old Town Portsmouth and downtown Norfolk on the ferry. Both areas are fun and full of things to do.
10 locals recommend
Ferry Stop - High St station
10 locals recommend
Hop back and forth between Old Town Portsmouth and downtown Norfolk on the ferry. Both areas are fun and full of things to do.
Take a sunset cruise along the river while enjoying live music and drinks. Beautiful views from a historic sailboat.
16 locals recommend
American Rover Sailing Cruises
333 Waterside Dr
16 locals recommend
Take a sunset cruise along the river while enjoying live music and drinks. Beautiful views from a historic sailboat.
Check out this beautifully restored historic, ocean-front hotel. Have a cocktail in the lounge!
39 locals recommend
The Cavalier Virginia Beach, Autograph Collection
4200 Atlantic Ave
39 locals recommend
Check out this beautifully restored historic, ocean-front hotel. Have a cocktail in the lounge!
The picture doesn’t show it but this is an ENORMOUS WW II battleship that is parked right at the edge of Norfolk! Get on it and tour the inside. It’s quite a sight!
86 locals recommend
USS Wisconsin BB-64
1 Waterside Dr
86 locals recommend
The picture doesn’t show it but this is an ENORMOUS WW II battleship that is parked right at the edge of Norfolk! Get on it and tour the inside. It’s quite a sight!
Check out this company for dolphin and whale watching trips!
111 locals recommend
Rudee Inlet Parasail
200 Winston Salem Ave
111 locals recommend
Check out this company for dolphin and whale watching trips!

Arts & Culture

Home to the best glass collection in the south but it has much more. And it's free!
184 locals recommend
Chrysler Museum of Art
1 Memorial Pl
184 locals recommend
Home to the best glass collection in the south but it has much more. And it's free!
27 locals recommend
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
7637 N Shore Rd
27 locals recommend
Go see some awesome public art and shop while you're there.
49 locals recommend
ViBe Creative District
611 18th St
49 locals recommend
Go see some awesome public art and shop while you're there.
Check out homes built in the 1700s, antique stores, boutiques, a farmer's market, historical monuments and more. Use the self-guided historic walking tour available here: https://oldetowneportsmouth.com/walking-tour/ Then hop on the ferry and ride over to downtown Norfolk.
23 locals recommend
Olde Towne
23 locals recommend
Check out homes built in the 1700s, antique stores, boutiques, a farmer's market, historical monuments and more. Use the self-guided historic walking tour available here: https://oldetowneportsmouth.com/walking-tour/ Then hop on the ferry and ride over to downtown Norfolk.
12 locals recommend
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
2 High St
12 locals recommend
New arts district in Norfolk. If you’re a fan of murals and other forms of street art, you will definitely enjoy this! Plus, it’s free!
15 locals recommend
Neon District
15 locals recommend
New arts district in Norfolk. If you’re a fan of murals and other forms of street art, you will definitely enjoy this! Plus, it’s free!
Nauticus is a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia, also known as the National Maritime Center.
15 locals recommend
Norfolk Water Front Venues
1 Waterside Dr
15 locals recommend
Nauticus is a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia, also known as the National Maritime Center.
Awesome new state-of-the-art library with architecturally significant building that is both new and old.
12 locals recommend
Slover Library
235 E Plume St
12 locals recommend
Awesome new state-of-the-art library with architecturally significant building that is both new and old.

Shopping

Cute shop fill of one of kind refurbished furniture, decor, and children's clothing.
Little Shoppes on High, LLC
302 High St
Cute shop fill of one of kind refurbished furniture, decor, and children's clothing.
Kitchen Koop
638 High St
This is the main thorough fare in the "Ghent" neighborhood of Norfolk. It has lots of little boutiques and restaurants. Check out A. Dodson's, Le Marche, Palace Shops and Station, and Kitsch.
Colley Avenue
Colley Avenue
This is the main thorough fare in the "Ghent" neighborhood of Norfolk. It has lots of little boutiques and restaurants. Check out A. Dodson's, Le Marche, Palace Shops and Station, and Kitsch.
High Street is the main thoroughfare in Old Towne Norfolk. Start at the water at Legend's Brewery and walk your way up, passing cute antique shops, cafes, and restaurants along the way.
High Street
High Street
High Street is the main thoroughfare in Old Towne Norfolk. Start at the water at Legend's Brewery and walk your way up, passing cute antique shops, cafes, and restaurants along the way.
This is a really neat little antique shop filled with treasures. Sells lots of silver and dishware. The owner really knows his stuff!
Way Back Yonder Antiques
462 Washington St
This is a really neat little antique shop filled with treasures. Sells lots of silver and dishware. The owner really knows his stuff!
This is place is too interesting to be missed. It's a HUGE store that is filled with (mostly outdoor) furniture and decor. Can't do it justice in writing. There's lots of antiques, a garden in the backyard, and model rooms you can tour. Quirky and beautiful.
Anderson-Wright rooms & gardens
622 High St
This is place is too interesting to be missed. It's a HUGE store that is filled with (mostly outdoor) furniture and decor. Can't do it justice in writing. There's lots of antiques, a garden in the backyard, and model rooms you can tour. Quirky and beautiful.
You know it and you love it!
28 locals recommend
IKEA
1500 Ikea Way
28 locals recommend
You know it and you love it!
161 locals recommend
Norfolk Premium Outlets
1600 Premium Outlets Blvd
161 locals recommend
REI
350 Independence Blvd
Nordstrom Rack Pembroke Mall
4588 Virginia Beach Blvd

Essentials

This is a huge Kroger Marketplace that has just about everything. It's actually quite impressive. Has a small bar on the inside. In addition to groceries, it also sells clothing, home decor, and more!
33 locals recommend
Kroger Marketplace
1301 Frederick Blvd
33 locals recommend
This is a huge Kroger Marketplace that has just about everything. It's actually quite impressive. Has a small bar on the inside. In addition to groceries, it also sells clothing, home decor, and more!
For anything you forgot!
10 locals recommend
Walgreens
810 W 21st St
10 locals recommend
For anything you forgot!
66 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
503 Hilltop Plaza
66 locals recommend
53 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
1800 Laskin Rd
53 locals recommend
14 locals recommend
Wegmans
4721 Virginia Beach Blvd
14 locals recommend

Food Scene

My favorite restaurant in Portsmouth. Serves tapas and cocktails, all of which is delicious. Desserts are great too. Located in the basement of a Civil War era building like and fashioned a bit like an old speakeasy. Be sure to make a reservation if you’re looking to go on the weekend!
20 locals recommend
Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas
450 Court St
20 locals recommend
My favorite restaurant in Portsmouth. Serves tapas and cocktails, all of which is delicious. Desserts are great too. Located in the basement of a Civil War era building like and fashioned a bit like an old speakeasy. Be sure to make a reservation if you’re looking to go on the weekend!
Get some spatzel, bratwurst, rolladen, or goulash. 400+ global beers to choose from.
30 locals recommend
Bowman's Garden Center LLC
315 Green St
30 locals recommend
Get some spatzel, bratwurst, rolladen, or goulash. 400+ global beers to choose from.
This is a new restaurant in Norfolk that's getting a lot of buzz. French country-style food with an open kitchen.
blanca Food+Wine
4117 Granby St
This is a new restaurant in Norfolk that's getting a lot of buzz. French country-style food with an open kitchen.
Neat cafe/restaurant in the NEON arts district of Norfolk. This place used to be a performance venue so it's very spacious and features lots of exposed brick. They have their own little market and serve delicious breakfast and lunch.
65 locals recommend
Commune
501 Virginia Beach Blvd
65 locals recommend
Neat cafe/restaurant in the NEON arts district of Norfolk. This place used to be a performance venue so it's very spacious and features lots of exposed brick. They have their own little market and serve delicious breakfast and lunch.
Small without a lot of seating options but this place is so delicious! Go for breakfast or lunch. Take it with you or sit outside. Most items come fried on a sweet potato biscuit. I recommend getting the Hella Fitzgerald.
34 locals recommend
Handsome Biscuit
2511 Colonial Ave
34 locals recommend
Small without a lot of seating options but this place is so delicious! Go for breakfast or lunch. Take it with you or sit outside. Most items come fried on a sweet potato biscuit. I recommend getting the Hella Fitzgerald.
This is both a restaurant and a bar. It has beautiful outdoor space with an urban garden and lovely decor inside as well. Most menu items come on delicious homemade toast, hence the name.
10 locals recommend
Toast
2406 Colonial Ave
10 locals recommend
This is both a restaurant and a bar. It has beautiful outdoor space with an urban garden and lovely decor inside as well. Most menu items come on delicious homemade toast, hence the name.
Delicious Italian food with huge beautiful outdoor area and you can even eat beneath the stars on the roof.
Leone's on the Side
455 Granby Street
Delicious Italian food with huge beautiful outdoor area and you can even eat beneath the stars on the roof.
This is a restaurant with sit down eating and a bar inside and a patio outside. It serves Bolivian food and has delicious margaritas and chips and salsa.
19 locals recommend
Luna Maya
2010 Colley Ave
19 locals recommend
This is a restaurant with sit down eating and a bar inside and a patio outside. It serves Bolivian food and has delicious margaritas and chips and salsa.
If you like pizza, beer, karaoke, and tattoos, this place is for you.
31 locals recommend
Cogan's Pizza
1901 Colonial Ave
31 locals recommend
If you like pizza, beer, karaoke, and tattoos, this place is for you.
Southern-inspired American cuisine plus craft beer & cocktails in a warm spot with maritime accents. Try the fried chicken and mac and cheese! Trivia nights Mondays at 7pm! Live jazz most Sunday nights.
13 locals recommend
Gosport Tavern
702 High St
13 locals recommend
Southern-inspired American cuisine plus craft beer & cocktails in a warm spot with maritime accents. Try the fried chicken and mac and cheese! Trivia nights Mondays at 7pm! Live jazz most Sunday nights.
Waterside District offers choices for food and drinks to please a motley crew. Beautiful views of the river from the patio. Free outdoor concerts every Friday and Saturday in the summer.
143 locals recommend
Waterside District
333 Waterside Dr
143 locals recommend
Waterside District offers choices for food and drinks to please a motley crew. Beautiful views of the river from the patio. Free outdoor concerts every Friday and Saturday in the summer.
A Portsmouth favorite. Casual dining right on the water. Try the oysters, clams, crab cake, and fried fish, among other options. The restaurant is IN the marina!
15 locals recommend
Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill
10 Crawford Pkwy
15 locals recommend
A Portsmouth favorite. Casual dining right on the water. Try the oysters, clams, crab cake, and fried fish, among other options. The restaurant is IN the marina!
Great seafood by the ocean. Try the flounder or crab!
195 locals recommend
Waterman's Surfside Grille
415 Atlantic Ave
195 locals recommend
Great seafood by the ocean. Try the flounder or crab!
Casual seafood on the bay. Flip flops and tank tops welcome.
123 locals recommend
Chick's Oyster Bar
2143 Vista Cir
123 locals recommend
Casual seafood on the bay. Flip flops and tank tops welcome.
Vintage Tavern
1900 Governors Pointe Dr
Syd's FishPig Cafe
210 East Main Street
Closest place for pizza
Amici’s
Closest place for pizza
I haven't been able to check this place out yet myself, but I hear it's great for Sunday Brunch (with live music) or a nice dinner. Seems to be on the upscale side.
7 locals recommend
Fin & Tonic
1301 Bridgeport Way
7 locals recommend
I haven't been able to check this place out yet myself, but I hear it's great for Sunday Brunch (with live music) or a nice dinner. Seems to be on the upscale side.
Love this beautiful cafe! They make their own syrups and everything is delicious. I recommend the honey cin latte and the breakfast bagel. Check out the local art on the walls too.
Cure
725 High Street
Love this beautiful cafe! They make their own syrups and everything is delicious. I recommend the honey cin latte and the breakfast bagel. Check out the local art on the walls too.
Cute little cafe with exposed brick and black and white photographs of historic Portsmouth. Coffees and wraps are delicious.
13 locals recommend
The Coffee Shoppe
300 High St
13 locals recommend
Cute little cafe with exposed brick and black and white photographs of historic Portsmouth. Coffees and wraps are delicious.
Best burgers in town. Seriously delicious. I hear this also do a great brunch with delicious waffles. FYI: This place closes at 7pm most nights.
Gourmet Burger Bistro
6083 High St W
Best burgers in town. Seriously delicious. I hear this also do a great brunch with delicious waffles. FYI: This place closes at 7pm most nights.

Drinks & Nightlife

Like beer? We have SO MANY BREWERIES, plus a wine bar, a piano bar, a rooftop bar, and much more!
425 High St, Portsmouth, VA Good drinks and delicious tapas. Choose from over 250 wine bottles and take one home too. Serves brunch on the weekends.
6 locals recommend
Stellar Wine Co.
425 High St
6 locals recommend
425 High St, Portsmouth, VA Good drinks and delicious tapas. Choose from over 250 wine bottles and take one home too. Serves brunch on the weekends.
This is a new microbrewery and full service restaurant located in a historic building (the old headquarters for the train station) in Olde Town Portsmouth. Its patio is right on the Elizabeth River and you can watch the ferry come in and out. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
10 locals recommend
Legend Brewing Depot
1 High St
10 locals recommend
This is a new microbrewery and full service restaurant located in a historic building (the old headquarters for the train station) in Olde Town Portsmouth. Its patio is right on the Elizabeth River and you can watch the ferry come in and out. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
From Coastal Virginia Magazine: "There’s a full board of beers being served and crowlers and growlers to go. Flights give for a good chance to try different styles, including their J.I.B. Blonde Pineapple, High Rise Coffee Stout, Gose Ashore with Cullipher Farm blackberries and the bright and juicy Dinwiddie Double IPA." There's also food truck just outside.
6 locals recommend
MoMac Brewing Co.
3228 Academy Ave
6 locals recommend
From Coastal Virginia Magazine: "There’s a full board of beers being served and crowlers and growlers to go. Flights give for a good chance to try different styles, including their J.I.B. Blonde Pineapple, High Rise Coffee Stout, Gose Ashore with Cullipher Farm blackberries and the bright and juicy Dinwiddie Double IPA." There's also food truck just outside.
Newish brewery for the beer aficionados. Lots of IPAs.
16 locals recommend
Benchtop Brewing Company
1129 Boissevain Ave
16 locals recommend
Newish brewery for the beer aficionados. Lots of IPAs.
This is a neat and really large venue. It's a brewery in a remodeled warehouse but they often host interesting events as well. There's a tasting room, a stage for live music, picnic tables, food trucks in the parking lot, and more. It's particularly nice in the warm weather. Check their website for the events schedule to see what they are up to during your visit.
48 locals recommend
O'Connor Brewing Co.
211 W 24th St
48 locals recommend
This is a neat and really large venue. It's a brewery in a remodeled warehouse but they often host interesting events as well. There's a tasting room, a stage for live music, picnic tables, food trucks in the parking lot, and more. It's particularly nice in the warm weather. Check their website for the events schedule to see what they are up to during your visit.
This is a huge and chic rooftop bar/restaurant on the new Hilton in downtown Norfolk. Often features live music and events. Very cool atmosphere. Beautiful views of the city. Live music Wednesday through Sunday. Happy hour Monday through Friday 5-7pm.
71 locals recommend
Grain
100 E Main St
71 locals recommend
This is a huge and chic rooftop bar/restaurant on the new Hilton in downtown Norfolk. Often features live music and events. Very cool atmosphere. Beautiful views of the city. Live music Wednesday through Sunday. Happy hour Monday through Friday 5-7pm.
This is a unique space. They are a micro-brewery and restaurant. But their best selling point is their awesome back yard which features fire pits, oversized Jenga, bocce ball, ping pong, foosball, and (often) live music. You can sit and eat inside but I recommend going when it's reasonably warm (the fire pits help even when it's not).
11 locals recommend
Hank's Filling Station
4301 Colley Ave
11 locals recommend
This is a unique space. They are a micro-brewery and restaurant. But their best selling point is their awesome back yard which features fire pits, oversized Jenga, bocce ball, ping pong, foosball, and (often) live music. You can sit and eat inside but I recommend going when it's reasonably warm (the fire pits help even when it's not).
This new place has an awesome interior. The owner is an architect and clearly has vision! There are lots of spaces to sit and lounge and the bar staff is super friendly too.
20 locals recommend
Elation Brewing Company
5104 Colley Ave
20 locals recommend
This new place has an awesome interior. The owner is an architect and clearly has vision! There are lots of spaces to sit and lounge and the bar staff is super friendly too.
After hanging at the bay, walk over to this old fire station-turned-brewhouse.
56 locals recommend
Commonwealth Brewing
2444 Pleasure House Rd
56 locals recommend
After hanging at the bay, walk over to this old fire station-turned-brewhouse.
33 locals recommend
Smartmouth Brewing Company
1309 Raleigh Ave
33 locals recommend
15 locals recommend
Maker's Craft Brewery
735 E 23rd St
15 locals recommend
18 locals recommend
Gershwin's
332 Granby St
18 locals recommend
39 locals recommend
The Oozlefinch Craft Brewery
81 Patch Rd
39 locals recommend
51 locals recommend
Mermaid Winery
330 W 22nd St
51 locals recommend
Yet another new brewery! Has some outdoor seating.
Reaver Beach Brewing Co. NFK
3800 Colley Avenue
Yet another new brewery! Has some outdoor seating.
Weekly tastings and classes!
Vino Culture Wine Shop
130 Granby Street
Weekly tastings and classes!

Parks & Nature

Fun (but not too challenging) hiking trails, nature walks, and camping. Dog-friendly. Near the beach!
340 locals recommend
First Landing State Park
2500 Shore Drive
340 locals recommend
Fun (but not too challenging) hiking trails, nature walks, and camping. Dog-friendly. Near the beach!
This is the beach preferred by locals. It's not as crowded as the boardwalk at the oceanfront. The bay is warmer and has smaller waves (i.e. kid-friendlier). It has awesome views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Note: there are no life guards, restrooms, and very limited parking.
79 locals recommend
Chic's Beach
79 locals recommend
This is the beach preferred by locals. It's not as crowded as the boardwalk at the oceanfront. The bay is warmer and has smaller waves (i.e. kid-friendlier). It has awesome views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Note: there are no life guards, restrooms, and very limited parking.
Park along the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk that hosts festivals virtually every weekend in the summer.
32 locals recommend
Town Point Park
113 Waterside Dr
32 locals recommend
Park along the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk that hosts festivals virtually every weekend in the summer.
Go for a jog, walk the trails, fish, or birdwatch. There's also kayak/canoe launch. 11 acres of restored wetlands.
Paradise Creek Nature Park
1141 Victory Blvd
Go for a jog, walk the trails, fish, or birdwatch. There's also kayak/canoe launch. 11 acres of restored wetlands.
If you want to stay away from the tourists, this beach is further away from my house but it’s the local’s favorite for beach time.
78 locals recommend
Sandbridge Beach
78 locals recommend
If you want to stay away from the tourists, this beach is further away from my house but it’s the local’s favorite for beach time.
Come see the boardwalk, the statue of Neptune, and all the hotels and restaurants. Features life guards and bathrooms. Must pay to park.
101 locals recommend
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
101 locals recommend
Come see the boardwalk, the statue of Neptune, and all the hotels and restaurants. Features life guards and bathrooms. Must pay to park.
Lone Star Lakes Park
401 Kings Hwy
185 locals recommend
Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden Rd
185 locals recommend
15 locals recommend
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
3100 Desert Rd
15 locals recommend