Virginia · United States
Where to stay in Norfolk
Norfolk is a city in Virginia, United States, home to about 238,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- ORF9 km · Norfolk International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Norfolk
Norfolk (locally NOR-fək) is an independent city in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. It had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in both the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and in Virginia, after neighboring cities Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, as well as the 101st-most populous city in the United States.
Norfolk has always been a Navy town, home to the world's largest naval base. Town Point Park is a waterfront park area right downtown that hosts several festivals and events throughout the year. Granby Street is the main downtown thoroughfare, lined with restaurants and bars. Ghent is a historic district adjacent to downtown. Filled with historic homes, tree-lined streets and beautiful old churches, it is a good mix of residential and business.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Norfolk
See
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Nauticus - National Maritime Center
- West Freemason Street Area Historic District
- MacArthur Memorial
- Moses Myers House
- Willoughby–Baylor House
- Mile Marker 0 of the Intracoastal Waterway
- Fort Norfolk
- Virginia Zoo
- Barry Art Museum
- Naval Station Tour
- Ocean View Station Museum
Do
- Spirit of Norfolk cruise / tour
- Harbor Park
- Norfolk Scope
- NorVa Theatre
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Norfolk
5 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| The Monticello Hotel | 1898 | 0.5 km |
| Norfolk Waterside Marriott | 1991 | 0.5 km |
| Hilton Norfolk the Main | 2017 | 0.6 km |
| Delta Hotels by Marriott Norfolk Airport | 7.5 km | |
| The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center | 13.3 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Norfolk
Norfolk has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; July is the wettest, with about 139 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Norfolk: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Norfolk International Airport (ORF), about 9.2 km from the city centre in a straight line; Newport News Williamsburg International Airport (PHF, 37 km) and Richmond International Airport (RIC, 117 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates the bus service in Norfolk. There are many routes in Norfolk, and the service can get you to almost any spot in Norfolk. Most buses run seven days a week early morning to late evening, and are relatively reliable. The fare is $2.00 for a single trip. $4.50 will get you an all-day pass which is usable on most buses, the ferry, and Tide Light Rail. Certain express buses cost more ($4.00 single, $2.00 supplement on a regular all-day pass, $7.50 for an all-day express pass). Bus drivers do not carry cash, so be sure to bring the exact fare for each rider.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
ORF · Norfolk International Airport
PHF · Newport News Williamsburg International Airport
RIC · Richmond International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Norfolk
Drink
Three sections of Norfolk have concentrations of bars and nightclubs: Ghent, Granby Street, and the Waterside Festival Marketplace. Ghent is the most laid-back, Granby Street is a trendy place for dates, and the Waterside is the wild place for the kids. Just follow the noise.
Stay safe
Crime levels have lowered since the 1990s, but is still higher than the national average. Use caution at night, especially alone, as there's been a recent spike in violence in the Granby Street area at night. Make sure to lock your car doors, as car theft is not uncommon. As the city is close to sea level, intense rain or high winds often can cause localized flooding on roads especially near the downtown area.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Norfolk: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Norfolk?
Norfolk has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; July is the wettest, with about 139 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Norfolk?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Norfolk International Airport (ORF), about 9.2 km from the city centre in a straight line; Newport News Williamsburg International Airport (PHF, 37 km) and Richmond International Airport (RIC, 117 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Norfolk?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Norfolk
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.