Your host city is located on the banks of the Elizabeth River and just inside the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Founded in 1752, the city is one of the oldest in our nation, is the home to one of the oldest naval shipyards in operation, and various naval museums. Historic Norfolk is only a short water taxi ride from the Renaissance Hotel, while Virginia Beach, Virginia’s most populous city is only twenty minutes away by land travel. Colonial Williamsburg is within an hour away.
Olde Towne Lantern Tour: A walking tour of the Olde Towne Historic District. Available Tuesday June 7, 2011. Call: 757-393-5111
Path of History Walking Tour: A self-guided tour that takes you to 45 sites in the Historic District, including close proximity to the Naval Shipyard. Call: 757-393-5111
Horse & Carriage Rides: Only by appointment. Call: 7575-635-9963
nTelos Wireless Pavillion: An outdoor concert venue located on the waterfront.
Willet Hall: A 2,000 seat hall with excellent acoustics known for concerts, guest speakers, musicals, lectures and more.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum: Established in 1949 within the nation’s oldest shipyard, this site is perfect for naval history enthusiasts.
Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery Hold a collection of maritime art, antiques, furnishings and décor.
Norfolk:
Norfolk Botanical Garden A 155 acre site that includes a lake, butterfly, rose, Japanese garden and more.
Virginia Zoo The premier zoo for the state of Virginia.
Chrysler Museum Free to public, this site holds various collections including a large collection of glassworks. 
Chrysler Hall An indoor venue known for concerts, dance, music, lectures and more.
Norfolk Tides The area's premier minor league baseball team.
Virginia Beach:
Cape Henry Lighthouse Completed in 1792, Cape Henry is the longest standing government build light house in America.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center The Virginia Aquarium offers more than the typical aquarium experience. Enjoy 3D shows or schedule a whale watching tour, or a wildlife boat trip to make your visit complete.
Beaches Virginia Beach is Virginia’s prime location for ocean-front beaches. Visit this site to choose which beach is best for your needs.
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts The premier performance site in Virginia Beach known for concerts, theatre performance, lectures and more. 
Military Aviation Museum Located at the Virginia Beach Airport, this site holds one of the largest collections of World War II and Korean War period fighters, bombers, trainers, and seaplanes.
Hampton/Newport News:
Virginia Air & Space Center: Home to the Welcome Center for the NASA-Langley Research Center and the Langley Air Force Base, this museum also holds an IMAX theater. The VASC also contains 100 interactive exhibits that detail NASA’s achievements.
Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts Located at Christopher Newport University. The Ferguson Center is Newport News’s premier location for theater, musicals, symphony orchestras, and more.
Mariners Museum Located next door to Christopher Newport University and the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts, the Mariners Museum holds one of the largest collections of maritime artifacts in the United States. It also maintains a library, and an entire exhibit dedicated to Civil War era ironclads.
Williamsburg:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg There's something for everyone in the family at this theme park, from thrill rides to fantastic cuisine and all-around family-friendly entertainment, including roller coasters, 3D shows, restaurants, shopping, and more. 
Water Country USA This water park is the perfect place to spend the day, whether you enjoy sliding through tubes, or just floating down waterways.
Colonial Williamsburg; CW, as it is known locally, offers historical reenactments, tours through colonial period streets and buildings, and excellent shopping and restaurants.
Jamestown Settlement This historical attraction offers a museum and on site tours of the first permanent English settlement in North America.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Portsmouth is located within the greater area of southeastern Virginia known as Hampton Roads. Due to its presence on the Bay and the many rivers that cut through the land, Hampton Roads is connected via a system of bridges, tunnels, and ferries. Hampton Roads Transit, which provides the areas public transportation, operates with a system of buses. The best way to get around Hampton Roads including within Portsmouth would be to obtain a Metro Area Express pass.
Transit at the Renaissance Portsmouth:
Water Taxi: The Downtown Water-Taxi provides service between the Portsmouth waterfront and Downtown Norfolk. 20 minute guided-tours are also available, which include a close up view of the battleship USS Wisconsin.
Rates for travel for Portsmouth to Norfolk: Adult $5.00 Children $3.00
Rates for Guided Tours: Adults $10.00 Children $5.00
Hours of Operation:
April – November: Friday & Saturday:
757-439-8294
Elizabeth River Ferry: (HRT Paddle-Ferry): A collection of three 150 passenger ferry boats that operate between Portsmouth and Downtown Norfolk. They runs at 30 minute intervals - 15 during peak travel times.
Rates per adult: $1.50
Car Rentals:
Hertz
999 Waterside Drive
Norfolk, VA 23510
1-757-627-7121
*It is possible to reserve a vehicle. Credit Card & other personal information will be collected during the rental agreement.
Enterprise
1220 High Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
1-757-399-5262
*It is possible to reserve a vehicle. Credit Card & other personal information will be collected during the rental agreement.
Taxi Service:
Andy’s Taxi Group
Norfolk, VA
Toll Free: 1-866-840-6573
View their rates.
Public Bus Service
Provides an excellent, efficient way to travel within Portsmouth & Norfolk.
Hampton Roads Transit
Portsmouth Bus Routes
*All HRT buses operate with a fare card pass. Fare Card machines will accept cash and coins.
A GO-1 Day Pass can be purchased for $3.50 per individuals or at a bundle of five rate of $16.50
A GO-7 Day Pass can be purchased for $17.00 per person.
More Fare information.
For trips to Newport News, or Virginia Beach, schedule a MAX ride.
Hampton Roads Transit
Metro Area Express
*A single adult pass can be purchased for $3.00
* A single all-day adult pass can be purchased for $5.50
Train/Subway Station: This travel source is only appropriate traveling far distances outside of Hampton Roads, it is not appropriate for travel within the area of Portsmouth/Norfolk.
· The nearest Train Station is located in Newport News, VA (appx. 21.2 miles away)
· The nearest Subway Station is located in Newport News, VA (appx 15 miles away)
Long Distance Bus Service: Only appropriate for long distance travel outside of Hampton Roads
Greyhound Bus Station (appx. 1 mile away)
DINING
Portsmouth: For a listed of restaurants sorted by cuisine type, click here.
Norfolk: For a list of restaurants and other attractions categorized by location within the city, click here.
Virginia Beach: For a list of restaurants that can be sorted by location and price, click here.