BY JANET STEINBERG
PART FOUR OF A SERIES
How
would you pronounce the name of that bustling seaport town in Virginia?
Is it Nawr-fek Nah-fic, Naw-fok, or any combination of the above? Or
would you call it just plain Nor-folk?
would you pronounce the name of that bustling seaport town in Virginia?
Is it Nawr-fek Nah-fic, Naw-fok, or any combination of the above? Or
would you call it just plain Nor-folk?
 |
| WELCOME TO NORFOLK |
No
matter how you pronounce it, Norfolk is a nifty and new 333-year old city that
was the third port stop (390 nautical miles from Charleston) on my Silversea
Atlantic Coastal Adventure aboard the Silver Shadow. Located in the heart
of the mid-Atlantic, at the crossroads of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic
Ocean, Norfolk is a lively international seaport fronting one of the largest,
naturally deep, ice-free harbors in the world. In sharp contrast to its
old image as a neglected rough and rowdy Navy town, Norfolk has undergone a
mighty metamorphosis. Signs of a once run-down seaport have vanished and many
historical points of interest have been restored.
matter how you pronounce it, Norfolk is a nifty and new 333-year old city that
was the third port stop (390 nautical miles from Charleston) on my Silversea
Atlantic Coastal Adventure aboard the Silver Shadow. Located in the heart
of the mid-Atlantic, at the crossroads of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic
Ocean, Norfolk is a lively international seaport fronting one of the largest,
naturally deep, ice-free harbors in the world. In sharp contrast to its
old image as a neglected rough and rowdy Navy town, Norfolk has undergone a
mighty metamorphosis. Signs of a once run-down seaport have vanished and many
historical points of interest have been restored.
 |
| NORFOLK IS A NIFTY AND NEW 333-YEAR OLD CITY |
The
lifeblood of this city, steeped in nautical lore and naval history, is the
water surrounding it. Little wonder then, that I chose Silver Shadow’s
“Tall Ship Cruise” aboard the American Rover as my shore excursion du jour.
lifeblood of this city, steeped in nautical lore and naval history, is the
water surrounding it. Little wonder then, that I chose Silver Shadow’s
“Tall Ship Cruise” aboard the American Rover as my shore excursion du jour.
Excitement
mounted as I boarded the magnificent three-masted topsail schooner American
Rover for a two-hour cruise through the beautiful Hampton Roads Harbor.
Cruising under sail on the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River, we were given
the opportunity to help hoist the 125-passenger schooner’s distinctive red
sails, take a turn at the helm, or just relax as the captain points out the
sights of the historic Norfolk Harbor. Seated on the shaded upper deck,
enjoying light refreshments, I opted for the latter choice.
mounted as I boarded the magnificent three-masted topsail schooner American
Rover for a two-hour cruise through the beautiful Hampton Roads Harbor.
Cruising under sail on the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River, we were given
the opportunity to help hoist the 125-passenger schooner’s distinctive red
sails, take a turn at the helm, or just relax as the captain points out the
sights of the historic Norfolk Harbor. Seated on the shaded upper deck,
enjoying light refreshments, I opted for the latter choice.
 |
| RAISING THE RED SAILS ON THE AMERICAN ROVER |
Also
berthed in the historic Elizabeth River, is America’s largest and last
battleship, the USS Wisconsin. Affectionately dubbed “Wisky” or “WisKy”,
this Iowa-class battleship is the second ship of
the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state of
Wisconsin. Her mighty 16-inch guns boldly and proudly project
toward the City of Norfolk that was her homeport during much of her
distinguished 45-year career.
berthed in the historic Elizabeth River, is America’s largest and last
battleship, the USS Wisconsin. Affectionately dubbed “Wisky” or “WisKy”,
this Iowa-class battleship is the second ship of
the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state of
Wisconsin. Her mighty 16-inch guns boldly and proudly project
toward the City of Norfolk that was her homeport during much of her
distinguished 45-year career.
Admission
fee to the adjacent Nauticus (The National Maritime Center and the Hampton
Roads Naval Museum) includes access to selected
interior areas of the Battleship Wisconsin as well as the new exhibit For
All Those in Uniform Who Have Served. Two favorites, from the ten
permanent exhibits at Nauticus, are the following: “Our Mighty Seaport” is
an engaging exhibit that introduces visitors to maritime commerce and allows
them to navigate a tugboat down a busy waterway and receive “real-time”
information on ships sailing past Nauticus. The “Tsunami Ready” exhibit
explores the destructive power of these frightening natural occurrences and
shows how tsunamis form and how to be prepared for them. Norfolk is the
first tsunami-ready city on the Atlantic Seaboard.
fee to the adjacent Nauticus (The National Maritime Center and the Hampton
Roads Naval Museum) includes access to selected
interior areas of the Battleship Wisconsin as well as the new exhibit For
All Those in Uniform Who Have Served. Two favorites, from the ten
permanent exhibits at Nauticus, are the following: “Our Mighty Seaport” is
an engaging exhibit that introduces visitors to maritime commerce and allows
them to navigate a tugboat down a busy waterway and receive “real-time”
information on ships sailing past Nauticus. The “Tsunami Ready” exhibit
explores the destructive power of these frightening natural occurrences and
shows how tsunamis form and how to be prepared for them. Norfolk is the
first tsunami-ready city on the Atlantic Seaboard.
 |
| NAUTICUS MUSEUM |
And what would a day on the Norfolk waterfront be without
lunch at one of Norfolk’s finest waterfront restaurants? Todd Jurich’s
bistro is unique in the fact that you can dine on five-star cuisine in a casual
relaxed atmosphere. For starters, try the Chesapeake Bay She Crab Soup.
And, I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you ask nicely, you may be
able to order the Jumbo Flounder Norfolk that is only listed on the dinner menu.
lunch at one of Norfolk’s finest waterfront restaurants? Todd Jurich’s
bistro is unique in the fact that you can dine on five-star cuisine in a casual
relaxed atmosphere. For starters, try the Chesapeake Bay She Crab Soup.
And, I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you ask nicely, you may be
able to order the Jumbo Flounder Norfolk that is only listed on the dinner menu.
On the other end of the dining spectrum, but equally
delicious, is a mouth-watering barbeque sandwich and ice cream cone at Doumars,
Hampton Road’s landmark diner complete with curb-side service and car-hops. Doumars is the home of the original waffle ice
cream cone and their handmade waffle cones are rolled right in front of your
eyes on the original four iron waffle machine built in 1904.
delicious, is a mouth-watering barbeque sandwich and ice cream cone at Doumars,
Hampton Road’s landmark diner complete with curb-side service and car-hops. Doumars is the home of the original waffle ice
cream cone and their handmade waffle cones are rolled right in front of your
eyes on the original four iron waffle machine built in 1904.
 |
| THE LEAST EXPENSIVE AND BEST BARBEQUE EVER AT DOUMARS |
In
addition to the waterfront, Norfolk also has its share of other interesting
attractions. The MacArthur Memorial, situated in downtown Norfolk, is the
final resting place of the colorful, corncob pipe-smoking, General of the Army
Douglas MacArthur. The MacArthur Memorial is a
museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of
the life of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.
addition to the waterfront, Norfolk also has its share of other interesting
attractions. The MacArthur Memorial, situated in downtown Norfolk, is the
final resting place of the colorful, corncob pipe-smoking, General of the Army
Douglas MacArthur. The MacArthur Memorial is a
museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of
the life of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.
The Memorial also pays tribute to the millions of men and
women who served with General MacArthur in World War I, World War II, and the
Korean War. Located inside Norfolk’s restored 1850 City Hall, this
museum complex houses an extensive collection of exhibits and memorabilia
tracing his controversial life and military career. Mrs. MacArthur, who
died at the age of 101, joined her husband when she was buried in the
monumental rotunda in the year 2000. The Memorial Gift Shop offers a wide variety items relating to the time periods
of General MacArthur’s life and the events of those periods. MacArthur
Center, adjacent to the General
Douglas MacArthur Memorial, is an upscale shopping destination in
the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
women who served with General MacArthur in World War I, World War II, and the
Korean War. Located inside Norfolk’s restored 1850 City Hall, this
museum complex houses an extensive collection of exhibits and memorabilia
tracing his controversial life and military career. Mrs. MacArthur, who
died at the age of 101, joined her husband when she was buried in the
monumental rotunda in the year 2000. The Memorial Gift Shop offers a wide variety items relating to the time periods
of General MacArthur’s life and the events of those periods. MacArthur
Center, adjacent to the General
Douglas MacArthur Memorial, is an upscale shopping destination in
the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
The
domed structure dominating downtown Norfolk is SCOPE, Norfolk’s cultural,
entertainment, convention, and sports complex where a kaleidoSCOPE of
ever-changing events takes place. Featuring the world’s
largest reinforced thinshell concrete dome, its logo features a
multi-colored, abstracted kaleidoscope image.
domed structure dominating downtown Norfolk is SCOPE, Norfolk’s cultural,
entertainment, convention, and sports complex where a kaleidoSCOPE of
ever-changing events takes place. Featuring the world’s
largest reinforced thinshell concrete dome, its logo features a
multi-colored, abstracted kaleidoscope image.
 |
| SCOPE |
Adjacent
to Scope, Chrysler Hall provides the best of the performing arts in
Norfolk. Built in 1972, the venue hosts Broadway plays and is home to the
Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Virginia Ballet.
to Scope, Chrysler Hall provides the best of the performing arts in
Norfolk. Built in 1972, the venue hosts Broadway plays and is home to the
Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Virginia Ballet.
The
Federal-style Moses Myers House was built in 1792 for Myers and his wife
Eliza. Moses Myers was one of America’s first millionaires and
Norfolk’s first Jewish citizen. For over
a decade, the Myers family composed
the region’s entire Jewish population. This stately historic
house, one of the first brick homes built in
Norfolk after the Revolutionary War, interprets 18th-century
life of a prosperous American family. Much of the furniture is original to the
house.
Federal-style Moses Myers House was built in 1792 for Myers and his wife
Eliza. Moses Myers was one of America’s first millionaires and
Norfolk’s first Jewish citizen. For over
a decade, the Myers family composed
the region’s entire Jewish population. This stately historic
house, one of the first brick homes built in
Norfolk after the Revolutionary War, interprets 18th-century
life of a prosperous American family. Much of the furniture is original to the
house.
Greatly
enhanced by a gift from Walter P. Chrysler Jr., the Chrysler Museum of Art is
one of the South’s finest museums. Nearly every important culture,
civilization, period, and artist is represented in the Chrysler Museum that
spans 5000 years of art. The museum houses the original ceremonial
Norfolk Mace, the Emblem of Office of the City. Taken out periodically for
parades, the dignity and beauty of the pure silver Mace (weighing 104 ounces)
can still be enjoyed after more than 250 eventful years. The museum’s
glass collection, displaying more than 7000 pieces including Tiffany, Sandwich,
Art Deco and Roman glassware, is acknowledged as one of the nation’s
best.
enhanced by a gift from Walter P. Chrysler Jr., the Chrysler Museum of Art is
one of the South’s finest museums. Nearly every important culture,
civilization, period, and artist is represented in the Chrysler Museum that
spans 5000 years of art. The museum houses the original ceremonial
Norfolk Mace, the Emblem of Office of the City. Taken out periodically for
parades, the dignity and beauty of the pure silver Mace (weighing 104 ounces)
can still be enjoyed after more than 250 eventful years. The museum’s
glass collection, displaying more than 7000 pieces including Tiffany, Sandwich,
Art Deco and Roman glassware, is acknowledged as one of the nation’s
best.
 |
|
YES,
IT’S A HAND-BLOWN GLASS CHEESEBURGER AT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM |
Norfolk,
Virginia is a dynamic city with deep ties to its past and a genuine passion for
its future. While maintaining its small town charm and southern hospitality,
Norfolk has successfully fused its nearly 400 years of history with 140 miles
of scenic shoreline and cosmopolitan amenities.
Virginia is a dynamic city with deep ties to its past and a genuine passion for
its future. While maintaining its small town charm and southern hospitality,
Norfolk has successfully fused its nearly 400 years of history with 140 miles
of scenic shoreline and cosmopolitan amenities.
JANET
STEINBERG is an International Travel Consultant, Travel Writer, and the winner
of 40 National Travel Writer Awards.
STEINBERG is an International Travel Consultant, Travel Writer, and the winner
of 40 National Travel Writer Awards.