If you want to explore the area just a little bit more, below are some great spots to visit that are within two miles of the conference hotels.
Art & culture
Explore over 30,000 pieces of art and culture at the Chrysler Museum of Art (free), find your sea legs at the Nauticus museum and Battleship Wisconsin (tickets required), marvel at over 60 public art installations as you wander through the NEON Arts District (free), meander through the gardens at the Pagoda (free, with desserts and drinks for sale inside by Hummingbird Macarons), and enjoy the translucence on the first floor of the Glass Light Hotel.
Work spaces
You can usually find a quiet spot in the gorgeous Slover Library nearby (2 blocks away), but if you want a cafe vibe, stop in the Lizard Cafe at Prince Books (1 block away), Cafe Stella (1 block away), aLatte Cafe (5 blocks), or Cure Coffee Shop (10 blocks).
Breweries
So many beers, so little time. There are at least 7 breweries within 2 miles (and a few more coming soon). Our favorites include O’Connor Brewing Company, Smartmouth Brewing Company, and Benchtop Brewing Company.
Music
If you want to unwind with a song, catch a show at The Norva, watch entertainment at the Waterside District, listen to nightly jazz at Gershwin’s, or check out other events on the Seven Venues calendar which has all the information from organizations like the Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera.
Dining
So many great choices! See the Downtown Norfolk guide for a full list. Faculty favorites include Saltine (seafood), Luce (Italian), Greenhouse Kitchen (salads), Rama Garden (Thai), Omar’s Carriage House (Moroccan), the Grilled Cheese Bistro (grilled cheese, duh), Freemason Abbey (American), Doumar’s (creator of the waffle ice cream cone), or choose from a wide variety of food options at the nearby Waterside District.
Shopping
Exhausted from the conference? You can get your retail therapy by shopping at local small businesses within the Selden Market or go big at the MacArthur Mall, both just blocks from the hotels.