OK, fodorites, need some good info on this one. I'm meeting an old friend next weekend who'll be in Norfolk on business next week. It's a girls weekend out with no kids or husbands. Please help with some suggestions of things to do in that area (we will have a car). Also, any recommendations for some nice restaurants as we'll be celebrating her 40th b'day while we're there. Also, is VA Beach worth it for a day at the beach in August or should we steer clear? One last question: I'll be coming into Newport News via train and I wonder if there are any nice restaurants there since I'll be getting in close to 7:00. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

The closest restaurant to NN train station is The Crab Shack about half mile away at the foot of the James River Bridge. From the train station, turn left, bear right towards the bridge (there's a big YMCA on the right), and take the next right at the light--before crossing the bridge--to Huntington Park and Beach. Car park adjacent to beach. Fresh seafood as the name implies, not fancy-smanshy but nice enough. Not into seafood? How about German food? If you turn right as you drive from the train station, stay on that road (Warwick Blvd.) for about 2 miles, there is a very good German restaurant called Das Waldcafe on the left. You will pass through scenic Hilton Village enroute.

In Norfolk, assuming your friend is staying at one of the downtown hotels, best dining options are along Colley Avenue in Ghent--only 7-8 blocks from most hotels. Magnolia Steakhouse is excellent, as is Colley Cantina, but there are many good choices in this area. Also, MacArthur Center has some decent options, but those are mostly the chain-restaurants. For good barbeque, walk out of the main entrance of MacArthur Center (where valet parking is located) and you will see The Wells Theater and The Norva. On the other side is a great little barbeque place. Also consider the restaurant inside the Chrysler Museum--and have a look around the museum itself which is world-class for a "small" city like Norfolk (about 5 blocks from MacArthur Center).

Other suggestions: take the water taxi across to Portsmouth for antique shopping along High Street and good views from the water (75 cents each way). More expensive harbour cruises--including dinner cruises and tours of the naval base--can be booked at the kiosk beside the water at Town Point Park, adjacent to Waterside Festival Marketplace (which itself has many food-court style dining options, many with fresh seafood). The USS Wisconsin is moored next to this park; take the Nauticus entrance and patrons may stroll the decks for free.

The beach is about 30 minute drive from downtown, an easy half-day trip. The north end is less crowded (around 50th Street and higher). The exressway from downtown Norfolk drops you at 22nd Street--turn left on either Pacific or Atlantic Ave to head toward quieter sands.

Enjoy the Hampton Roads area!

Don: Thanks for your quick reply. Great suggestions. Can I bug you with a few more? We are staying at the Sheraton waterside so most of the places you mention will be convenient. And you're right about not wanting chain restaurants. I'm coming from N.VA so I'm sure most of those would be the same places. The seafood place in NN and Magnolia Steakhouse are right up my alley. Do we need reservations for a Friday or Saturday down there? Someone recommended a place called Mangos. Do you know it?
The quieter end of the beach sounds great (I'm not anti-social but I'll be without my children for the first time and I think I'd appreciate the quiet). How hard is it to find parking??
Thanks again for your suggestions.

I would make a reservation for Magnolia's if you choose to go there. Also try Luna Maya in Ghent- best Mexican around (but they don't take reservations). From Waterside you can take a free trolley (called the NET) that will take you over to Colley Avenue (mentioned above). I agree with the water ferry to Portsmouth... there's a new amphitheater over that way that may have something interesting going on. Staying at the Waterside, there are several night clubs next door, if you're into that sort of thing. There is a comedy club and also dueling pianos (Crocodile Rocks). The humor is a little juvenile, but the music can be good. If you are really looking for a beach where you can get away from it all, try the state park near Sandbridge (south of Virginia Beach, about 1 hour drive). You can walk for miles and miles and get away from it all. Have fun!

Just a teeny warning, not to worry you but so you don't make your travel-day plans too airtight: We just took the train from DC to Williamsburg, which goes on to Newport News, and we were told by a number of "regulars" that that train is "always" late. We were almost 45 minutes late getting into Williamsburg; the train was "only" 20 minutes late leaving D.C. At Union Station, one regular rider said she's had as much as a two-hour wait at Union Station for that train. I hope these instances were in the minority and that all goes well for you. (By the way, coming back, everything was exactly on schedule.)

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Chris, thanks for your train tip. I will be disappointed if the train is too late as I will only have until Sunday with my friend but at this point we don't have anything set in stone. Since I only have a hold and haven't booked my train tickets yet, can anyone recommend a cheap, faster way to get there? From the research I've done, all the flights are close to $400 (especially since i'm less than 2 weeks out).

We just took the train last week from Newport News to NYC- on the way we were delayed 3 hours, but on the way home we were 10 minutes early. Hope that helps.

I would take the train, but if concern about time is an issue, while others might scoff, you COULD consider Greyhound or Trailways between DC and Norfolk ... I think you would find it takes about the same amount of time, certainly is cheap, and I bet they stick closer to schedule than Amtrak. It's not the worst way to go to your destination. You could always take the train on the way home....I can hear folks gagging at this suggestion now ... but I've driven that trip, taken the train, and taken the bus...if you aren't driving and arrival time is an issue, I'd take the bus!!

Ok, here is my 2 cents worth. There is a GREAT restaurant about 15 minutes from the airport in Gloucester Point. On the water, in a marina it is called The Rivers Inn. They have a crab deck and an inside dining room - great seafood and they will do something very classy and special for dessert if they know it is a birthday ( no singing waiters or anything). Probably one of the nicest retaurants in the Tidewater area.

If you get into NNews in the evening, don't try to get to Norfolk before 7 p.m. Trafic is terrible. Go to Williamsbur via the Colonial Parkway - a beautiful drive along the York River.
Nauticus in Norfolk and the Chrysler are really good picks. Take the ferry to Portsmouth and do the ghost tour in the evening...the beach is crowded and set for a college crowd. An evening cruise from Waterside or from Rudee Inlet in Va Beach is always nice. Be careful walking in Norfolk at night - not safe. Have fun!