Welcome to Norfolk
Perched on the southeast coast of Virginia, Norfolk is the historic, urban and cultural center of the region. It hosts the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norwalk, and the North American Headquarters for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. With more than 245,000 residents, Norfolk is the second-most populous city in the state, behind neighboring Virginia beach. One things's certain in Norfolk: Visitors will never feel landlocked. The city is bordered by the Elizabeth River to the west and Chesapeake Bay to the north, boasting 7 miles of beachfront along Chesapeake Bay and a total of 144 miles of shoreline along lakes and river. It is also home to the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
There are a variety of ways to get around town. Hampton Roads Transit (HST) is the region's public transportation system, connecting the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton and Newport News. You can also take The Tide light rail, which has 11 stations across the city. For a more intimate view of Norfolk, hop on the Paddlewheel Ferry, a 150-passenger paddle wheel ferry boat that operates every 30 minutes during the summer. The downtown water taxi cruises along the Elizabeth River and takes passengers to and from Downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth. If you want your own ride, consider reserving a rental car.