Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

The seaport city of Portsmouth has been recommended to us by several travelers. It has one of the oldest working harbors in the USA. The historic Olde Towne is on the waterfront. There is two-hour free parking near most of the shops and restaurants, and parking garages with reasonable rates. Be sure to see the shops and galleries on High Street. The trolley tour, that includes old homes, sounds very interesting.

If you are considering vacationing here, there is plenty to do in this region of Virginia. Norfolk is just across the Elizabeth River. The resort city of Virginia Beach is a short drive east. The QuaintVillage of Smithfield is only about 16 miles west. The James River valley is rich in history: Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and much more.

Location

Where the James River flows into the

Chesapeake Bay

Adjacent to Norfolk
Across the river from Newport News
Map

Population of city

About 100,000

Museums

Childrens Museum of Portsmouth

www.ChildrensMuseumVA.com

Courthouse Galleries

www.CourthouseGalleries.com

Lightship Museum

www.PortsNavalMuseums.com

Naval Shipyard Museum

www.PortsNavalMuseums.com

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

www.VirginiaSportsHallofFame.com

Other features

Antique shops
Art galleries
Bakery
Bed and breakfast inns
Boat tours (harbor and bay)
Boutiques
Cafes and restaurants
Campgrounds and RV parks nearby

Check Woodall's guide

Gourmet coffee shop
Ghost walk (October)
Golf courses (nearby)
Historic homes and gardens
Hotels and vacation rentals in this area

Advantage rate

HotelDiscount

Family Vacation Rentals

Trolley tour (narrated)
Visitor center
Walking tour (self-guided)
Waterfront

Nearby

Battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin (Norfolk)

www.BattleshipWisconsin.org

Nauticus (National Maritime Center, Norfolk)

www.Nauticus.org

Smithfield (a QuaintVillage)
Virginia Beach (resorts)

Hours

Most shops are open 7 days per week.
Some are closed on Mondays
Most shops close at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.

Festivals

First Saturday each month:

Olde Towne Flea Market

May: Gosport Arts Festival

Olde Towne Tastings (wine festival)

June: Cock Island Race

(sailboat race in Portsmouth harbor)

Summer: Olde Towne Lantern Tours

(call 1-800-PORTSVA for dates)

August: Seawall Arts Show

October: Olde Towne Ghostwalk

November:

Olde Towne Arts and Antique Open House

Coleman's Winter Wonderland in Olde Towne

December:

Coleman's Winter Wonderland in Olde Towne
Olde Towne Candlelight Home Tour
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Historic Holiday Trolley Tours

Recommended stay

Full day

Two days to include a festival, museums,

or boat tours

Tourist information

Portsmouth Convention and Visitors Bureau:

www.PortsVA.com/tourism 1-800-PORTSVA

Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau:

www.NorfolkCVB.com

Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau:

www.VBfun.com

Virginia Tourism Corporation (Official):

www.Virginia.org

Colonial Williamsburg:

www.history.org www.VisitWilliamsburg.com

Jamestown Settlement:

www.historyisfun.org

Cruises to and from Norfolk harbor

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Bahamas Bermuda Caribbean Europe
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Last Minute Mexico Other

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Discounts for U.S. veterans and active duty

Join Veterans Advantage and get discounts on Amtrak, Greyhound, hotels, car rentals, etc. Save up to 70%. Magazine. Many benefits.

Spas and other experiences

Spas, balloon rides, wine tasting, hang
gliding, rafting, adventures in and near
major US cities. Packages make good gifts.

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Please check local sources for the latest official times, costs, availability, etc.
This page was last updated on 01/20/2006 .

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