Did you know that Norfolk has an Amtrak station that resides Downtown near the Harbor Park baseball stadium? The station is just steps away from connecting you to our whole city, and you can get here seamlessly and conveniently.
Whether you’re catching the train in D.C, Richmond or another Northeastern city, your trip is sure to be smooth and enjoyable. Once aboard the train, you will start soaring through the beautiful countryside of Virginia, catching glimpses of small towns along the way. As the train makes a stop in the quaint town of Ashland, crossing guards and local spectators will wave at your arrival. As the trip continues, you’ll pass marinas, worn farmhouses and small country stores.
Amtrak offers guests Wi-Fi, comfortable seating and tables in the dining car for eating or working remotely. Grab a bite to eat, a coffee or even a glass of wine as you relax and enjoy the ride to Norfolk. Taking the train has its perks for both leisure and business travelers, but the most obvious of them all is a stress-free commute. When your next meeting is in town or you want a weekend getaway, let the convenience of the train be your answer.
Once you arrive to your destination in Norfolk, exit the train and walk a short three minutes until you reach Norfolk’s light rail system, The Tide. Here, you’ll find yourself at the Harbor Park Tide Station. Once on board The Tide, take the light rail to MacArthur Square Station to land in Downtown Norfolk. With eight Downtown hotels, you’re only a short walk from your home away from home.
Walkability
After check-in, you’ll be ready to explore our beautiful city that’s full of things to do, plus amazing culinary spots. From Downtown to the NEON District, Granby Street is known as Restaurant Row and features cuisine ranging from modern American fare at 219 Bistro, Gershwin’s and Grilled Cheese Bistro to French bakeries like Lamia’s Crepes and La Brioche. The cuisine doesn’t end there. Seafood restaurants like Saltine and Stripers decorate our waterfront while juices and healthy options are frequently enjoyed at The Stockpot, Town Center Cold Pressed and Zeke’s Beans & Bowls.
You can also walk over to Freemason District, arguably the most picturesque area in the city for its cobblestoned streets, historic architecture and the perfect spot to watch a sunset. Check out the historic Hunter House Victorian Museum or Freemason Abbey, an 1870s church-turned-restaurant; we highly recommend their she crab soup. Cure Coffee House serves some of the best coffee and cocktails in town, while the Pagoda is a picturesque place that’s ideal for perusing, taking photos and simply enjoying the beautiful ambiance and trickling water.
Downtown by Bike
If walking isn’t the best option, Norfolk also has the Elizabeth River Trail (ERT), a 10.5-mile waterfront path that is perfect for biking. Discover spots on the trail by renting a bike from Pedego, an electric bike rental company located Downtown.
The ERT starts right where you exited the train at Harbor Park. Hop on the trail here for a start-to-finish ride or visit ERT’s website for a map of where to pick up the trail.
If you hop on the ERT Downtown, take a short ride over to Norfolk’s Chelsea neighborhood. Along the way, you’ll pass the Battleship Wisconsin, the Pagoda, Hague Bridge, Plum Point Park and many more picture-worthy stops. Once you arrive in Chelsea, you’ll find local food favorites and lots of craft beer including Benchtop, Smartmouth and beer bar, The Birch (named one of the top 10 beer bars in America by USA Today). Local tip: Order a brick oven pizza from the neighboring restaurant Bakehouse at Chelsea and enjoy a delectable pie at The Birch.
Continue biking through Norfolk’s beautiful neighborhoods filled with established trees and stunning historic homes. The path ends near the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, a 20th-century arts-and-crafts estate located on the shore of the Lafayette River.
To purchase your Amtrak tickets click here.
