Overnight in Norfolk
Jun 22nd, 2011, 08:10 AM
#1
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Overnight in Norfolk
HI all,
We scored some awesome tickets on SWA thanks to their $40 airfare sale so now we are flying instead of driving to the OBX in September. Woohoo! No 16 hrs in the car with 2 kids! Anyhow, We can't get into our rental until noon on Sunday and we arrive in Norfolk around 3 on Saturday. Can anyone suggest where to stay and eat and play to kill our time before our Sunday morning drive to Nags Head? We have a 2 and 5 yr old.
Thanks!
We scored some awesome tickets on SWA thanks to their $40 airfare sale so now we are flying instead of driving to the OBX in September. Woohoo! No 16 hrs in the car with 2 kids! Anyhow, We can't get into our rental until noon on Sunday and we arrive in Norfolk around 3 on Saturday. Can anyone suggest where to stay and eat and play to kill our time before our Sunday morning drive to Nags Head? We have a 2 and 5 yr old.
Thanks!
Jun 22nd, 2011, 05:28 PM
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You want to stay as far south as possible. There are many reasonably priced motels in the area (it's been awhile, so they have probably all have changed hands). Getting onto the island can really back up, Sunday is somewhat better than Saturday. I am NOT an early person, when we used to do the trip, we got up early and got on the road. When you get to the OBX if you are too early to check in, get some lunch do a little shopping.
Jun 22nd, 2011, 05:41 PM
#6
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Any suggestions for places near the beach but not quite as far as OBX. We want to get about 30-45 mins under our belt but still have time for the kids to vent some energy when we get there late afternoon.
Jun 24th, 2011, 04:06 AM
#7
I was going to suggest that you stay in downtown Norfolk and walk over to Nauticus, or drive to the zoo, or go to the Children's Museum in Portsmouth but all close at 5. That really doesn't make it worthwhile for you.
You can go to the children's garden at the Norfolk Botanical Garden but it is next door to the airport so you won't get 45 minutes under your belt.
http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.or...ildrens-garden
You could find a hotel in Chesapeake to get you a little closer to the OBX:
http://www.visitchesapeake.com/
If I can think of anything else, I'll add it.
You can go to the children's garden at the Norfolk Botanical Garden but it is next door to the airport so you won't get 45 minutes under your belt.
http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.or...ildrens-garden
You could find a hotel in Chesapeake to get you a little closer to the OBX:
http://www.visitchesapeake.com/
If I can think of anything else, I'll add it.
Jun 24th, 2011, 07:04 AM
#8
This is a bit of a quandary since you're arriving in later part of Saturday. Great fare, BTW!
There are the gamut of chains, Hampton Inn et all, near the ocean front in Va Beach. That option will give the kids a chance to expend some energy but it's not really going to get you closer to OBX. You'll still have an hour and a half drive on Sunday morning.
I don't think there's much in the way of hotels lower Chesapeake.
If were me, I'd head to the OBX. Unless it's Labor Day weekend, traffic getting onto the OBX shouldn't be an issue. There's a Hilton Garden Inn on the ocean front right after you cross onto the island. But I don't have a 2 & 5 YO.
There are the gamut of chains, Hampton Inn et all, near the ocean front in Va Beach. That option will give the kids a chance to expend some energy but it's not really going to get you closer to OBX. You'll still have an hour and a half drive on Sunday morning.
I don't think there's much in the way of hotels lower Chesapeake.
If were me, I'd head to the OBX. Unless it's Labor Day weekend, traffic getting onto the OBX shouldn't be an issue. There's a Hilton Garden Inn on the ocean front right after you cross onto the island. But I don't have a 2 & 5 YO.
Jun 26th, 2011, 11:13 AM
#9
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At this point I think we'll just play it by ear and see how the kids are when we get off the plane. How far is the drive from Norfolk to Va. Beach? I'd like to get this kids to the beach if they are stir crazy but if they are ok, probably hit the road and get closer. Does anyone forsee not having reservations for a hotel being a problem on a Sept. Saturday night?
Jun 26th, 2011, 11:26 AM
#10
Airport to oceanfront area of VB is 30 minutes or so depending where you are staying. VB is east of the airport which is why it really doesn't get you any closer to the OBX.
>> Does anyone forsee not having reservations for a hotel being a problem on a Sept. Saturday night?
>> Does anyone forsee not having reservations for a hotel being a problem on a Sept. Saturday night?
Jul 7th, 2011, 02:41 PM
#13
There really aren't any hotels on the direct route (158) to the OBX except a couple of petrified motor courts and maybe a B&B.
You could drive to Elizabeth City (@ 1 hour from the airport) where you'll find a small cluster of the standard chains. EC doesn't have much going on (sorry EC) but if you're looking to crash in a known entity hotel to let the kids decompress you'll do fine there. Approx travel time to OBX from EC is an hour and I'm guessing that last minute ressies on a Saturday night won't be an issue. But you aren't talking about Labor Day, right?
You could drive to Elizabeth City (@ 1 hour from the airport) where you'll find a small cluster of the standard chains. EC doesn't have much going on (sorry EC) but if you're looking to crash in a known entity hotel to let the kids decompress you'll do fine there. Approx travel time to OBX from EC is an hour and I'm guessing that last minute ressies on a Saturday night won't be an issue. But you aren't talking about Labor Day, right?
Jul 11th, 2011, 08:28 AM
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Nope. We're arriving the 10th of Sept. I'm thinking we'll just stickin Norfolk and get up and go Sunday morning. We're staying in Nags Head but maybe this will be a good opportunity to check out some of the northern towns on our way down to Nags Head. Any suggestions for stops along the way on Sunday?
