Away Game Travel Guide: Norfolk
So you're heading to Norfolk?
The Hokies open up their football season on Friday night Sept 2 at S. B. Ballard Stadium against Old Dominion University.
Norfolk is a bit of a trek from Blacksburg (5+ hour drive), but it's pretty convenient for alumni living in the Northern VA and Richmond areas, as each region is under 3 hours away.
If you're just going for the day or for the whole weekend Norfolk has plenty to occupy your time outside of the football game on Friday night!
Chrysler Museum of Art
Founded in 1933 this museum is one of the most prominent art museums in the Southeastern United States. This museum grew through a large donation from Walter Chrysler back in the day and is now home to over 30,000 items that span thousands of years through history.
The museum houses collections from artists such as Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and more.
This spot is a great break from the heat and humidity and you may learn a few things while inside!
Battleship Wisconsin
The USS Wisconsin served in World War II throughout the Pacific and later in the Korean War. It was then decommissioned but reactivated in 1986 and was used in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. In late 1991 it was decommissioned again and officially became a museum ship.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour which gives them access to officers' staterooms, offices, the mess hall, and much more. Also, visitors can take a 90 minute guided tour, where they can access the captain's cabin, the admiral's cabin, among other places.
Where to eat and drink...
Saltine
Norfolk is situated right on the Elizabeth and James River and the Chesapeake Bay, so you know their restaurants have to come to play with seafood.
Saltine is among one of the best restaurants in all of Norfolk and the fact that it is a seafood spot is no coincidence.
Established in 2017, this spot quickly became one of the most highly rated restaurants in all of Norfolk. The menu includes items such as oysters on the half shell, middle neck clams, shrimp ceviche, butter poached lobster tail, whole roasted bronzino, and whole roasted stuffed trout.
None of those peak your fancy? They also have Virginia blue crab cakes, filet mignon, bone in Hereford ribeye, and much more.
Grain
Who doesn't love a rooftop bar? Take that and add a rooftop beer garden and you've got Grain.
Housing one of the best selections of craft beer in the city Grain has local to international options. Want some local beer? Try the Alter Ego (Norfolk), Euphonia (Virginia Beach), Peach Tea Blonde (Bedford), Proper Lager (Norfolk), Blood Orange PHunk (Cape Charles), German Shepheweizen (Virginia Beach), and many other local options!
Grain is also a great spot to catch some live music as they have entertainment each night Wednesday to Sunday.
If you prefer a more "hole-in-the-wall" vibe...
Through the numerous seasons of Fieri's hit Food Network show he has traveled all over the country visiting low key restaurants that make delicious food.
In Norfolk alone he has featured six spots!
Those are Doumar's, The Dirty Buffalo, The Grilled Cheese Bistro, Pendulum Fine Meats, Alkaline, and Jessy's Taqueria.
These offer options that range from ice cream to buffalo wings to grilled cheese to tacos. It will be tough to go wrong with any of them.
Guy even linked up with Norfolk legend, Virginia Tech icon, and NFL Hall-of-Famer Bruce Smith for his visit to The Dirty Buffalo for some banging wings.
Enjoy Norfolk! Go Hokies!
Visit one of the many spots featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives"
Chick's Oyster Bar
It wouldn't be a travel guide for a weekend, and especially a holiday weekend, without a visit to Chick's Oyster Bar.
Chick's is situated right on the water near Chesapeake Beach as you head east from Norfolk towards Virginia Beach.
This spot backs right up to a dock where it's common for people to stop by on their boat to grab some ice cold drinks and seafood.
Pop in for their signature raw bar which includes jumbo steamed shrimp, steamed crab legs, and house oysters. Then wash in down with one of their 10+ iconic crushes. From the classic orange crush to the more exotic coconut lime crush, there is one for everyone.
