Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Norfolk (City of Norfolk County, Virginia; pop. 238,005) sits at 2 m (7 ft) elevation near Berkley Bridge, with regional transit access via Norfolk Airport (1.1 km). Visitors pair Norfolk landmarks with signature Virginia specialties including Country-cured Virginia ham on warm biscuits and Chesapeake Bay Rappahannock oysters & blue crabs.
Within Virginia, Norfolk (Norfolk, VA) serves as a us city in virginia. Travelers exploring Virginia often combine a stop in Norfolk with state highlights such as Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive, Monticello (Charlottesville), Colonial Williamsburg & Historic Jamestown, Mount Vernon, Arlington & Virginia Beach.
| Fact | Details for Norfolk (Norfolk, VA) |
|---|---|
| City & State | Norfolk, VA |
| County & Role | US City in Virginia |
| State & Major Hubs | Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Richmond, Charlottesville & Virginia Beach) |
| Population | 238,005 residents |
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) above sea level |
| Nearest Airport / Transit Hub | Norfolk Airport (1.1 km) |
| Coordinates | 36.8468°N, 76.2852°W |
Getting to Norfolk & Getting Around
Via the regional hub (Norfolk Airport (1.1 km)): Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), Richmond (RIC) and Norfolk (ORF) airports; frequent Amtrak Northeast Regional & Virginia service.
- Public transit & contactless payment: Major US metro areas use tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets (NYC OMNY, SF Clipper, Chicago Ventra, DC SmarTrip, LA TAP), while smaller towns and National Park gateways are best explored by rental car or intercity coach.
- Airlines & baggage rules: Flying domestically into IAD Dulles, DCA Reagan & RIC Richmond Airports + Amtrak Northeast Regional? Check your 22×14×9 inch carry-on and $35 checked bag fees in our TSA & Airline Baggage Checker.
- Driving & National Parks: If your route from Norfolk includes National Parks or Scenic Byways, use our $80 America the Beautiful Pass Calculator to see if the annual pass saves you money.
What Locals Eat in Norfolk (Virginia)
1. Signature Regional Dish
In Norfolk (City of Norfolk County, Virginia), local tables feature: Signature Virginia dishes—Country-cured Virginia ham on warm biscuits, Chesapeake Bay Rappahannock oysters & blue crabs, and Southern Brunswick stew & roasted Virginia peanuts.
2. Diner, Smokehouse & Market Staples ($14–$28)
Around Norfolk and across Virginia, local beverage lists highlight: Regional pours and beverages in Virginia: Monticello & Shenandoah Valley Viognier and Cabernet Franc, alongside independent American craft breweries, local roasters, and regional vineyards.
3. Local Craft Beverages & Regional Produce
At farmers markets and specialty shops in Norfolk (Virginia), look for: Local specialties across Virginia: Shenandoah apple butter & chess pie, farmers-market seasonal produce, and regional smokehouse or bakery traditions.
4. American Dining & Tipping Rhythm (18%–22%)
Classic Virginia dining—hearty diner or café breakfasts, casual lunch counters and food trucks ($12–$20), and evening neighborhood restaurants where 18%–20% table-service tipping and state/local sales tax apply at checkout. In Norfolk (pop. 238,005), diverse neighborhood dining districts, food halls, James Beard-recognized kitchens, and late-night spots across City of Norfolk County offer everything from $12–$18 counter lunches to chef-driven tasting menus.
GeoNames Local Data: Elevation, Nearest Hub & Neighboring US Cities
- Elevation: 2 m (7 ft) above sea level
- Nearest Airport / Rail Hub: Norfolk Airport (1.1 km)
- Nearby Landmarks & Points of Interest: Berkley Bridge (0.6 km) · Chrysler Museum of Art (1.2 km) · Lightship Museum (1.5 km) · Naval Shipyard Museum (1.6 km) · Portsmouth Olde Town Historic District (1.8 km)
- Local Districts & Neighborhoods: Swanson Homes, Dale Homes, Oregon Gardens, Norport Homes, Hatton Point
5 Nearest Neighboring US Cities & Towns
- Portsmouth, VA (1.7 km)
- Chesapeake, VA (3.2 km)
- Avalon, VA (4.6 km)
- Portsmouth Heights, VA (8.0 km)
- Newport News, VA (19.6 km)
Regional Specialties Across Virginia
- Country-cured Virginia ham on warm biscuits — a signature specialty across Virginia.
- Chesapeake Bay Rappahannock oysters & blue crabs — a signature specialty across Virginia.
- Southern Brunswick stew & roasted Virginia peanuts — a signature specialty across Virginia.
- Shenandoah apple butter & chess pie — a signature specialty across Virginia.
- Monticello & Shenandoah Valley Viognier and Cabernet Franc — a signature specialty across Virginia.
For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our American English Idioms & Allergy Show-Cards.
Best Time to Visit & Practical Tips for Norfolk
Best time to visit Virginia: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov.
- Sales Tax & Tipping: Menu and shelf prices in Norfolk exclude state and local sales tax. At sit-down restaurants, plan on an 18%–22% pre-tax tip. Use our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
- Cards & Contactless: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere in Norfolk; keep $20–$40 in $1 and $5 bills for hotel bellhops, valet parking, and roadside farm stands.
- Emergency & Visitor Info: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies anywhere in the US, and dial 511 for state highway and weather road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Norfolk (Norfolk, VA) located in the United States?
Norfolk (Norfolk, VA) is a us city in Virginia, United States (coordinates: 36.8468°N, 76.2852°W, elevation: 2 m (7 ft)). It has a population of approximately 238,005.
How do I get to Norfolk by plane, Amtrak, or car?
Most visitors reach Norfolk via Norfolk Airport (1.1 km). Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), Richmond (RIC) and Norfolk (ORF) airports; frequent Amtrak Northeast Regional & Virginia service. You can compare Amtrak fares and passes using our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($).
What local food is Norfolk and Virginia known for?
In Norfolk and across Virginia, signature regional dishes include Country-cured Virginia ham on warm biscuits, Chesapeake Bay Rappahannock oysters & blue crabs, Southern Brunswick stew & roasted Virginia peanuts, as well as Shenandoah apple butter & chess pie and Monticello & Shenandoah Valley Viognier and Cabernet Franc. Remember that menu prices exclude state sales tax and 18–22% tipping—check our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
When is the best time of year to visit Norfolk?
Best time to visit Virginia: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Check our US Seasonal Travel Calendar to compare month-by-month weather and National Park crowd levels.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: