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DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT

113 waterside dr

trail section = 1.14 miles
The Downtown Waterfront section includes some of Norfolk’s most-loved treasures. Waterside Marina, Town Point Park, Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin all reside along this portion of the trail.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

points of interest
Whaling Wall #47 Mural
The mural depicts humpback whales off the Virginia Coast. Artist Wyland painted 100 life-size public marine murals to increase awareness and appreciation of the world's oceans and aquatic animals.
Norfolk Law Library
Location in Dominion Tower, the public library aims to serve the legal research needs of the general public, lawyers, and the courts with its 40,000 volumes.
Tower of Light Sculpture
Created by William Wainwright, the Tower of Light is a triangular, stainless steel form composed of hundreds of small pieces of polished steel on a tall, tapered pole, which move with the breeze and light coming off the Elizabeth River.
Waterside District
Waterside District features the best of national, regional and local restaurants and offers live music, festivals and more. Located in the heart of the central business district and adjacent to the City of Norfolk’s world-class waterfront and festival site.
Waterside Marina
Formerly home to the Spirit of Norfolk, the marina offers many amenities for the boating enthusiast who needs a place to tie up.
American Rover Sailing Cruises
A three-masted topsail schooner, the American Rover offers cruises along the Downtown Norfolk waterfront and is docked at Waterside Marina.
Towne Bank Fountain Park
Fountain Park offers daily, family oriented activities from Memorial Day through Labor Day, which include an interactive fountain, children's activities, lawn games, and more.
Revolutionary War Cannons
Unearthed in 1982 from Otter Berth and Town Point Park, the were presented to the Citizens of Norfolk by the Norfolk Rotary Club on July 4, 1986.
Norfolk 1682 Plaque
Donated by the Norfolk Rotary Club, the bronze plaque is inscribed with a 1682 map of Norfolk.
Waterwork Art Piece
The piece consists of 24 photographic-glazed ceramic tile murals mounted within steel frames. These images were found in the archive collection at the Norfolk Public Library.
Homecoming Statue
The Homecoming by artist Stanley Bleifeld is a larger than life size statue of a US Navy sailor being greeted by his family upon his return from sea duty.
USS Antietam Anchor
Donated by the Naval Historical Center, the anchor is a surplus battleship anchor that sits directly on a paved walkway leading into Town Point Park.
Town Point Park
8 acres of green space on the banks of the Elizabeth River, Town Point Park hosts Downtown Norfolks' biggest outdoor events.
Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises
The Victory Rover offers 2 hour narrated naval base cruises daily from Nauticus, home of the Battleship Wisconsin.
Armed Forces Memorial
160-foot monument with 20 bronze cast letters scattered across the base of a flagpole. The bronze pieces are actual letters written to loved ones by members of the Armed Forces who never returned from war.
Sail Nauticus
US Sailing-certified, nonprofit sailing school and community sailing center located at Nauticus.
Nauticus
Located on Norfolk's downtown waterfront, Nauticus is a 120,000 square-foot science and technology center exploring the power of the sea.
Peter G. Decker Jr. Half Moone Center
Port of call for a variety of cruise liners, and a world-class event space.
Battleship Wisconsin
Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the US Navy.
The Virginia Schooner
Wooden schooner that is a modern replica of an early twentieth century pilot vessel of the American name. It was refurbished for educational and special event use in 2017.
The Lone Sailor Statue
Life-sized sculpture of a sailor and his duffel bag in cast bronze, and located on a brick plaza in Wisconsin Square.
USS Norfolk Bell
Following the decommissioning of the USS Norfolk, the ship's bell was put on display in Wisconsin Square. The giant brass bell is one of the last remaining pieces of the destroyer Norfolk.
parking
Bus Stop - Waterside and Commercial
Supporting bus routes 6, 8, 45, 960, and 961.
Ferry Stop - Waterside
HRT operates three 150-passenger ferries on the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth. They travel between North Landing and High Street in Portsmouth and the Waterside District in Downtown Norfolk.
parks & more
Wisconsin Square
Small park on the Norfolk waterfront, across from the docked USS Wisconsin and Nauticus.
Bike Fix-It Station (Downtown Waterfront)