4 Norfolk
Norfolk is the home of
Naval Station Norfolk
(%757-444-7955; http://www.cnic.
navy.mil/norfolksta; 9079
Hampton Blvd; adult/child
$10/5), the largest naval
base in the world. Even if
you’re not into boats, it’s
hard not to be awed at
the sight of the stunningly
enormous warships at
berth here. Depending on
which ships are in, you
might see aircraft carriers,
destroyers, frigates,
amphibious assault
ships and submarines.
The 45-minute bus tours
are conducted by naval
personnel and must be
booked in advance (hours
vary).
Nauticus (%757-664-
1000; http://www.nauticus.org; 1
Waterside Dr; adult/child
$16/11.50; h10am-5pm,
Tue-Sun) is a massive
interactive maritime-
themed museum that
has exhibits on undersea
exploration, the aquatic
life of Chesapeake Bay
and US Naval lore.
Clambering around the
decks and inner corridors
of the USS Wisconsin is a
definite highlight.
Although closed at
the time of research,
Norfolk’s excellent
Chrysler Museum of
Art (%757-664-6200; http://www.
chrysler.org; 245 W Olney Rd;
h10am-9pm Wed, to 5pm
Thu-Sat, noon-5pm Sun) is set
to reopen with a brandnew facade and interior
in April 2014.54 p330
The Drive » In Norfolk,
hop on I-264E and follow the
highway about 16 miles east to
downtown Virginia Beach.5 Virginia Beach
The largest city in
Virginia. The longest
pleasure beach in
the world. A location
along the Chesapeake
Bay bridge-tunnel, the
longest bridge-tunnel
complex in the world.
There’s a lot of
superlatives going on in
Virginia Beach, which
sprawls in several
directions and consists
of several distinct areas.
The resort beach is the
main strip of golden
sand, with a 3-mile
boardwalk and loads
of beach games, greasy
food and amusement
park tat.
The Chesapeake Bay
Beaches line Shore Dr
on the northern side
of the city. These are
calmer, more nature-
oriented beaches,
for those who prefer
waterfront forest to
sandy coast. South of
the resort beaches,
along Sandbridge Rd, is
Sandbridge Beach. This
is a more upscale area
of vacation rentals and
seasonal condos.
Just north of
Sandbridge is theVirginia Aquarium &
Marine Science Center
(%757-385-3474; http://www.
virginiaaquarium.com; 717
General Booth Blvd; adult/child
$22/15; h9am-5pm). If you
want to see an aquarium
done right, head here.
The harbor seals and
komodo dragons are a
lot of fun, and there’s an
IMAX cinema on site.54 p330
The Drive » Follow signs
north to US 13 N and the
Chesapeake Bay bridge-tunnel.
You’ll pay a $12 toll to cross
23 miles of bridge and tunnel,
one of the most impressive
engineering feats anywhere. US
13 runs the length of the Virginia
Eastern Shore.6 Virginia Eastern
Shore
This long, flat peninsula
is separated from
Virginia by Chesapeake
Bay, culture and history.
The main town for eating
and lodging (p331) is
Chincoteague Island,
at the other end of the
peninsula, some 68 miles
north by the Maryland
border, covered in Trip
19: Delmarva (p227).
Wild dunescapes are a
disappearing feature of
the American landscape –
they’re often swallowed
by developments or
erosion. The 300-acre
Savage Neck Dunes
Natural Area Preserve
(%757-787-5989; Savage Neck
Dr; hsunrise-sunset) protects
a small patch of dustyTRIP HIGHLIGHTTRIP HIGHLIGHTTRIP HIGHLIGHTVIRGINIA.TRIPS.27
(^) BRACKETING THE BAY