Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

hi girls ... so im going to Norfolk for the first time .. any advice ? my son is on the Truman and out on work ups ... I pray to catch him on Land...IJN

I am so jealous (gonavymom)...My daughter is also on the Wasp. I wish I was traveling there to see her! Have fun!

gonavymom, I am also jealous !! My son is on the WASP too !!  Have a great visit. There is so much to see and do there. Lacysmom & I will be waiting to hear all about your trip !!

I like staying at the Navy Lodge.  Sailor has to check you in, so if he isn't available that might be a problem.  I have to admit it, but as a visitor I found Norfolk kind of boring.  Down at the waterfront is the UUS Wisconsin at Nauticus. I enjoyed visiting historic Jamestown.  Yorktown is not as impressive, but is historically significant so went there also.  In Newport News went to the maritime museum.  Parts of the The Civil War ironside ship the Monitor are there.  There is also a large park there if you like walking trails.  By the time we went through the museum it was time to head back to Norfolk, so we didn't do any trails.  Down by VA Beach there is the first lighthouse sanctioned by the fledgling country, USA.  It is on a military base, FT. Hood I think.  Since it is on a military base you will have to have your id and vehicle documents.  There are always the beaches.  These are the places we saw while visiting our son in Norfolk.

I was hoping to go to the Botanical Gardens in Norfolk.

Thanks so much; I really love botanical gardens.  It sounds really nice.  

The lighthouse is on Ft. Story. :)  We also have Williamsburg, if you're willing to pay the price.  And of course Busch Gardens.  If you like the beach, we like the beach on Dam Neck-less crowded and prettier. Those are just some additional suggestions.  If you ever get to visit here in March or April there is a Re-enactment in Yorktown which is just like being there during the civil war.  It changes months from year to year so you need to check it out in advance.

We've been here for 12 years now and have checked out and seen most of these places.  

@ John and Yvonne Wadner how close is DC and NY ? or should I say how far ? and how is the drive there ? we also have Nephew stationed in Fort Bragg in NC.....I am staying at the Navy Lodge.. his GF is traveling there as well :) I don't wan't to be a third wheel so I will give them they're time alone as well, and probably go to the hotel pool? I got a room with a kitchenette so I can cook some homecooking! ( Mexican food! since my son is Craving it!!!) we will be there 7 days 2 of which will be travel.....

blessedsailorsmom....DC is about 3 hours from Norfolk depending on the time of day.....rush hour traffic on Rt 95 is pretty bad early morning going north and very heavy heading south.  There is also lots of traffic around Norfolk/Hampton Roads area.  It would almost be worth it to leave after 9 am from Norfolk and plan on not leaving DC until after 6 or 7 pm.  NY is about 5 hours beyond DC.

blessedsailorsmom,

Ft Bragg is about a 4 hour drive from Virginia Beach....give or take. It's a nice base and area. I agree with bahkmom- DC is about a 3-31/2 hour drive and the times she gave you are the best to travel to and from there. The traffic there can be horrendous!  

WVEC.com

Posted on July 24, 2012 at 3:19 PM

Updated today at 6:41 PM

Thanks Jhn and Yvonne and Bahkmom09/86 :) that info was very useful. Geez... NY is far ... as much as I really really want to go... It is just to much.... it would be mostly driving then enjoying time.. im not the best driver and even a worse back seat driver ! LOL!!! I understand on waiting... why not have breakfast rather then sit in gridlock.....

Another area to check out is Fredericksburg, VA....it is halfway between Richmond and DC.  There is a very nice historical area with shopping and resturants and historical sites.  We live very near Fredericksburg and have worked in DC...that is how I am VERY familiar with the traffic in the area!  :)

DC is worth the drive and it's a straight shot at least; watch for and use the HOV lanes if available during your drive time.  If you want to stay overnight reasonably, try Springfield or Woodbridge on I-95 about 20 miles south of DC and outside the heaviest traffic.  In Norfolk, the Navy Lodge doesn't have a pool, but you're close to Virginia Beach, and there's lots to see and do in Norfolk - Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin, the Zoo, the Aquarium.  If your sailor can get you on base, Little Creek has a nice beach too.  Stop at Doumar's in Norfolk on Monticello for BBQ and ice cream - a true drive-in and a landmark!

PS when you drive north on 95 to DC it's so easy to sight-see - you cross the 14th St bridge over the Potomac and land right at the museums on the Mall - Smithsonian, Natural History, American HIstory, Air and Space, National Gallery of Art; and the Washington Monument and the Capital; and the White House is nearby.  The only challenge can be parking :)

Hi everyone, I'm new to this group and have never been to Norfolk before. My boyfriend is currently deployed on the USS Eisenhower and I want to be there when he comes back, which will be awhile, but I would like to know ahead of time if I would need a military I.D. to get onto the Norfolk base? I know some bases only need I.D.'s, doesn't necessarily need to be a military I.D. Thank you!

Hi and welcome Stephanie!  Yes, you need to be accompanied by someone with a military ID to get on the Norfolk base.  For homecomings, arrangements are made for family members, contact your Ombudsman and they'll explain.

Oh okay, thanks very much Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom! This is all new to me, my boyfriend's first long deployment!

hello ladies. There is a young family that needs help. From my understanding the father had to have emergency back surgery and they have 3 kids and no family in Norfolk. The mother needs help with getting food and child care. if there is anyone that can help PLEASE let me know. Thanks and God Bless

Hey all!  Excited to be going to visit our Sailor in Norfolk tomorrow!  First time visiting him on a base.  Last time seeing him before he leaves for Japan in a few weeks.

Claudia, you must really love him!  :)  Well at least in the 264 tunnel everyone's traveling the same way, it's the others where trucks are passing you going the other direction that can seem a little dicey :)  How cool for you to move there, I love the area!

I was just in Norfolk, and there's another day's drive that's great - take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel ($12 toll) north - it's 2 hours to Chincoteague Island of "Misty of Chincoteague" fame and has a great beach.  Another 2 hours north and you're at Annapolis, MD!  From the picturesque Town Dock you can walk right into the U.S. Naval Academy, tour the museum and gift shop, and have lunch downstairs at Dahlgren Hall (sandwiches, pizza, salads). 

You can stop halfway across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and walk out onto the pier, a great place to see our Navy ships head to sea when they deploy from Norfolk.  THere's a restaurant, too.  Just north of the bridge on the left is a turnoff to the little town of Cape Charles, nice beach on the bay.

Hi there, our son is on Sea Duty out of Norfolk. Looking forward to being part of the group here. I reside in Punta Gorda FL. but hope to make a trip up when he returns so it will be nice to see what everyone recommends for the area in things to do. To AM Mom hope they feel better and are able to find a place to get checked out. 

portsmouth naval has an er

gonavymom, that's so cool!!  Can't wait to hear more about your trip :)

Welcome Proud Mom to our group!  Lots of fun and good info here.

Sandra, there are lots of urgent care places in the area but also agree that Naval Medical Center Portsmouth's ER is a good idea.

Ugh is right, you just want to go stick 'em in the car and take them to the doctor, right??  "Duhhuh" had the best idea, the ER at NMCP is usually not very busy (knock on wood) and would be great care.  If NMCP is where she'll be delivering, their L&D dept is great :)

Claudia, The views from the bridge will out weigh the tunnel just make sure you have your sunglasses it can be somewhat blinding coming out of the tunnel depending what time of year and time of day.
If you are looking for other places to travel in and around the area when you get settled then if you do get to Chincoteague Island and then go to Annapolis you might like to stop on your way in St Michaels Maryland it is just a quaint town with shops, small museum, waterfront with some great places to eat. It is right off of Rte. 50. Another nice place to visit for a weekend would be to drive down to the Outer Banks, NC (Nags Head, etc.) Late spring or early fall after the summer people leave and before everything closes up for the winter. Most definitely you want to take a few days for DC to see things there and spend some time in Georgetown, a section of DC with night life and plenty of restaurants. You may want to consider if staying in the DC area for a few nights to look for a place off the Beltway even areas up in Bethesda, where the prices of rooms will be somewhat less than DC and you need to watch where you are there are some very rough areas of DC. Down around the Mall area is fine, Georgetown and I am sure others can tell you where you will be fine. It is a big move be prepared for a LOT of TRAFFIC once you get into Virginia and the DC area. It never stops!

I am not sure where you are moving from but it is an eye-opener for most especially if you are not use to driving in a major city or on expressways, highways. But you will get use to it. Just keep on moving then most will not honk and if you stay in the slower lane you will be fine. I use to live in the Phila. area and traveled a lot up and down 95 to DC and South Carolina before moving first to Charleston SC and then on down to Punta Gorda FL.Good luck you will be fine!

Sandra  I will be saying a prayers for both . Hope she get feeling better soon and all is well with the baby.  Kept us posted

Sandra, your family is in my prayers. Hope all goes well with baby.

Question: Does anyone know if there are military discount tickets for Busch Gardens VA...we are going to Norfolk towards end of August to see our Sailor just curious....if we can save a llittle $

Sandra, hopefully knowing she's being taken good care of at the hospital will alleviate some of the stress on your DIL.  Keeping you all in my prayers.

Allie, yes there are discounts available for purchase by those with military ID from the base MWR office. 

Thank you ...I will send my son the link  so he can register.  Have a good day.

Allie

Hello everyone. I dont know where to start. I am a Navy mom in Tn and a member of the HM-14 support group and there is a family that needs help. The husband had back surgery and no good. possible facing more surrgery. They have 3 kids ages 12 yr to 1 yr and the mom is wore out. If you can help this family give Melanie Henry herself and talk with her to see where you canhelp her and her family  404-423-1182. Thanks and God bless

Found a great restaurant if you are looking for a wonderful steak dinner....it was near Norfolk on independence drive...the Brass Bell....looks like a dive but great food and resonanly priced....3 steak dinners for under $60.  WE only had 2 days, we took the 2 hour Norfolk Naval Tour by boat and then walked around down by the USS Wisconsin. Also spent time at the VA beach aquarium.

Hello! My husband is an IT on the USS Anzio & just arrived in Norfolk a few weeks ago. I will be arriving on the 17th! Can't wait!

Welcome to the group, and soon to Norfolk, NorfolkNavyWife!  You'll really enjoy the area, so much to see and do.  Two more groups you might like to check out are http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ladiesofva and http://www.navyformoms.com/group/navywivesofnorfolkportsmouthva

My son complete A school at P'cola mid July and is headed to Norfolk for C school.  He is AD.  He is home right now on leave (California) and will be headed out to Norfolk early next week.  He has a 5 hour layover in Washington DC before he heads to Norfolk.  Flight arrive around 2am and leaves for Norfolk around 8am.  Any suggestions on what he can do during that 5 hour layover?  Would hate to see him sleep in the airport.  I thought maybe he can go to the nearest hotel to Dulles for a "cat nap".  However, I don't know that area well.  I'd appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!!

Hi cbc mom- have your son go to the USO at the airport. They usually have a place where they can rest and they have food too. Our son got stuck in Detroit in July overnight due to his flight being cancelled on his way home to Portland, OR. He got a bed and some food. :)  I just checked and both Washington D.C. airports have a USO.

Hi, didn't see earlier post!  Unfortunately the USO isn't 24/7 (it closes at 10 pm), and I know Dulles - your sailor won't have time to leave and return to the airport.  Looks like he'll have to camp out at his gate; his total time waiting will only be about four hours or so before they start to board for Norfolk.  Tell him to pick up snacks and water for Dulles before he boards in CA, as nothing will be open there.  Here'e the Dulles USO's link and phone # fyi Dulles USO 

Hi CBC-I agree. The USO is probably going to be the most help. Here is a different em with a phone number. Maybe they can give you and your sailor some advice even if they are not open while he is there.

http://www.usometro.org/location.php?p=14

Thanks DebbieinCa, Marcy & Proudkmom for the info.  I didn't even think about using USO.  Will definitely check them out.

Theresa Cox -- Will keep  your son in our prayers.  You might want to check into whether there is a Blue Star Mom chapter in your area.  These women are wonderful at helping with any questions you may have once your son is deployed.  Also, don't forget OPEC.  We shouldn't post too much detail (first name, last name, ship, etc) on N4M blog as ANYONE has access to reading our posts.

Here's a clever way to keep Operational Security (OPSEC) in mind, from the USS Iwo Jima Ombudsman Team:  OPSEC: the Dr. Seuss version  :)

Very cute Marcy

We are going to visit our son in Norfolk and was wondering if anyone knows of a good but reasonable rate hotel. I cant believe how much they are when I have looked online and of course I dont know the area at all. So, if anyone has suggestions I would appreciate any help at this point!

Our first night we stayed here:

http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-norfolk-virginia-VA059

Wasn't fancy, but the rate was great, the room was clean and they offer free transport to/ from the airport and breakfast buffet. Also has a pool and an exercise room. It was convenient to everything. (Just do not get a connecting room, in case the neighbors are as noisy as ours were- I think they had everybody from baby to grandma in the room but hubs slept thru it). Just about everywhere you will need a car to get around. Have a safe trip!