| If you live, have lived, or have visited the Hampton | | | | nationally-renowned restaurant chains like Shula's |
| Roads area of Virginia, chances are you have seen | | | | Steakhouse to legendary eateries like Doumar's |
| the outstanding changes made in Norfolk. Once | | | | Cones and BBQ, Norfolk has just about every style of |
| regarded as a simple Navy town and a stop on the | | | | cuisine foodies can enjoy. Eclectic fusion dining, cozy |
| way to the beach or the more historical areas of the | | | | coffeehouses, and savory ethnic restaurants await the |
| state, Norfolk is fast becoming an impressive | | | | famished here. |
| metropolitan city. A lively cultural calendar, increased | | | | 3) Family friendly activities One can only spend so |
| interest from major corporations, and the presence of | | | | much time at the beach! A trip to Norfolk offers |
| NATO make Norfolk a city to watch in the future, for | | | | visitors (and residents) many options for family-friendly |
| potential businesses and residences. | | | | entertainment. Recent additions to the Virginia Zoo in |
| If you have never been to Norfolk, or merely drove | | | | Norfolk have made this park a growing local attraction, |
| through on the way to somewhere else, you should | | | | while the Waterside complex offers visitor a casual |
| definitely consider a stay. Here are just five reasons to | | | | day of food and fun along the Elizabeth River. |
| love Norfolk. | | | | Nauticus, Norfolk's own nautical museum, gives visitors |
| 1) Growing downtown area There used to be a time, | | | | the opportunity to experience life under the sea and on |
| friends have told me, when people were reluctant to | | | | the deck of the mighty USS Wisconsin. |
| go downtown, as it had little to offer in the way of | | | | 4) The Norfolk Tides Did you know Norfolk is home to |
| shopping and recreation. In the last five years, | | | | a professional sports team? The Norfolk Tides are |
| however, those same people have changed their | | | | AAA baseball at its best! Boasting one of the most |
| tunes! Norfolk is steadily developing the downtown | | | | beautiful ballparks on the East Coast, the Norfolk Tides |
| area to be more consumer friendly. The MacArthur | | | | are farm team to the New York Mets, and have |
| Center, one of the city's largest shopping complexes, | | | | delighted sports fans for several years. Many former |
| sits in the heart of an area revitalized by incoming | | | | Tides have gone on to successful careers with the |
| boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues. | | | | MLB, and it is always fun to watch games and see |
| Buildings on the perimeter are being renovated to | | | | tomorrow's sports stars playing today. |
| accommodate urban, loft living, while corporations | | | | 5) Year-round festivals Town Point Park in Norfolk is |
| headquartered nearby encouraged the influx of | | | | always busy, hosting festivals throughout the year on |
| employees to become residential neighbors. To have | | | | grassy lawns overlooking the Elizabeth River. From live |
| everything within walking distance - goods, services, | | | | jazz and reggae music, celebrations of Virginia wine |
| churches, and recreation - makes Norfolk a very | | | | and lowcountry cuisine, to the annual Fourth of July |
| convenient place to live. | | | | fireworks, Norfolk knows how to entertain. |
| 2) Sophisticated dining options With the growth of the | | | | The next time you consider a visit to Virginia, come to |
| downtown area, Norfolk is quickly vying other localities | | | | Norfolk and fall in love with this diverse, growing city. |
| in Hampton Roads for dining honors. From | | | | |