Travel – Norfolk, VA

Norfolk (locally /ˈnɔːrfək/ ^ⓘ 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.^[4] The city holds a strategic position as the historical, urban, financial, and cultural center of the Hampton Roads area (sometimes called “Tidewater“), which has more than 1.8 million inhabitants and is the 37th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S.^[5]

Norfolk was established in 1682 as a colonial seaport. Strategically located at the confluence of the Elizabeth River and the Chesapeake Bay, it quickly developed into a major center for trade and shipbuilding. During the American Revolution and War of 1812, its port and naval facilities made it a critical military target. Norfolk’s prominence grew in the 20th century with the expansion of the U.S. Navy, particularly through the establishment of Naval Station Norfolk in 1917, which remains the world’s largest naval base.

Norfolk is an important contributor to the Port of Virginia and houses one of NATO‘s two Strategic Command headquarters. It is home to Maersk Line, Limited, which manages the world’s largest fleet of US-flag vessels. The city has numerous cultural institutions including the Nauticus maritime museum, Chrysler Museum of Art, and Virginia Zoo. Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bayfront areas, including beaches on the Chesapeake Bay.