Norfolk is the third-largest city in Virginia and boasts many miles of riverfront and bayfront properties since it is bordered by several bodies of water, including the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, it is because of this that the largest naval base in the world is located here, the Naval Station Norfolk. The city is known as a strategic military and transportation point since many railroad lines started there.

The seaport has a railroad that serves freight trains and is also connected to Highway 42. In 2010, a new cruise terminal was built, making Norfolk one of the largest cruise ports in the United States. The terminal had to undergo a major overhaul to allow the port to expand to domestic markets such as New York City and Los Angeles.

Amtrak offers train services to Norfolk through the Northeast Regional Service, which runs south of Boston to Washington, D.C., and at various points in Virginia. There are also privately run boat taxis to and from Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Norfolk is home to a number of restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, and restaurants, as well as a variety of resorts. All three major parts of Norfolk have a concentration of bars and nightclubs. And other cities within the Greater Norfolk area are Hampton Roads and Portsmouth.

The Naval Station Norfolk provides a variety of services to the Navy, including aircraft carriers and surface submarines for combat operations. Norfolk also works with the DLA Disposition of Norfolk for the reuse, recycling, and disposal of state property. Major customers include the Virginia Department of Transportation, Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Virginia.

The port is adjacent to Norfolk International Airport and the Marine Air Station, with additional access from roads 17 and 58. HRT has been operating a light rail line from Midtown Tunnel to downtown Norfolk and Sentara Hospital since August 2011. It is a major military port adjacent to Norfolk International Airport and the Marine Air Station and has the largest shipyard for shipbuilding and ship repair in the world. The Navy, Marines, and U.S. Coast Guard are stationed here, along with many other U.S. and foreign military personnel.

The Hampton Roads metro area is home to one of the largest natural harbors in the world, and Norfolk is home to an urban complex that includes shopping, a historic district, restaurants, and much more. Norfolk is the cultural hub of the area.

Other popular attractions in the city include the Chrysler Museum of Art, Nauticus, also known as the National Maritime Center, one of the largest marine artifact museums in the United States, the MacArthur Memorial, and many others. The city center boasts a number of historic buildings dating back 200 years. Norfolk is a historic area with a wealth of shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, parks, and venues.