Portsmouth’s Waterfront Gateway

Portsmouth, Virginia is a small seaport that has managed to hold onto its 18th-and 19th-century charm for over 250 years. At the heart of the waterfront revitalization is Historic Olde Towne with the largest collection of period homes between Alexandria, VA and Charleston, S.C. The area, located north of High Street, has been listed as the Olde Towne Historic District and is primarily residential.

Nineteenth century Portsmouth relied heavily on shipbuilding. In 1894, the Seaboard Airline came to town. The passenger rail terminal was located at High Street Landing. For the next sixty-years, the railroad dominated Portsmouth, giving the city its motto, “where the rail meets the sea".

Today, High Street Landing has become a symbol of the rich maritime history of Portsmouth.  It features a scenic waterfront and has become Portsmouth’s Waterfront Gateway. On July 19, 2007, High Street Landing celebrated its’ 10th anniversary.

You’ll find the Elizabeth River Ferry’s dock adjacent to the Seaboard Building.  The original Seaboard Building is known today as Number One High Street.  It houses the Riverview Gallery, featuring the work of local and national artists. It is also home to La Tolteca, an authentic Mexican restaurant. 

From High Street Landing, you can stroll up High Street to discover a plethora of antique and boutique shops, museums and art galleries. You’ll find a number of restaurants from upscale dining to pubs and outdoor cafes. Two of the “Top 10 Restaurants in Hampton Roads” are located in Olde Towne.  Click here for a map of Historic High Street provided by the Olde Towne Business Association.

Ferry Service to High Street Landing

The Elizabeth River Ferry travels to High Street Landing in Portsmouth from downtown Norfolk at The Waterside Marketplace – a ten minute ride. This system includes three 150-passenger paddle-wheel ferryboats, one of which is the world’s largest natural gas-powered pedestrian ferry. It’s fast, economical and offers a panorama harbor view. The ferry operates every 30-minutez, with 15-minute service at peak times and on weekends. The ferry is wheelchair accessible and allows boarding passengers to walk on with their bicycles. For more information, contact HRT (Hampton Roads Transit) at 757.222.6100 or www.gohrt.com.

Water Taxi Service Available

Locals and visitors can bypass heavy traffic and enjoy the Elizabeth River while heading toward a Portsmouth-Norfolk destination on a new water taxi service operated by Squires Marine Services.

Stops on the river include any destination in the Olde Towne area of Portsmouth or the downtown area of Norfolk, including service to moored vessels in the Crawford Bay anchorage. See some of the more popular stop’s including Olde Towne’s High Street Landing and North Landing, along with Norfolk’s Waterside Marketplace and Harbor Park. Taxi Service is provided to any destination in the defined zone or a 20-minte guided tour.  To call for a ride or to arrange a charter, call 757.439.TAXI (8294).

Ride "The Downtown Loop" -  Shuttle Service

Starboards  

 A Local Landmark Since 2004.   Starboards features Seattle’s Best Coffee®, espresso, latté, and cappuccino – all brewed with natural spring water. The Signature Iced Coffee is made with regular or decaffeinated Koffee Kubes™.  Non-coffee drinks include fruit juices, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty iced tea, Tazo® hot teas, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Choose from fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scones, biscotti, gourmet cookies and brownies.  Newspapers available.  Visitor information and services include local maps, visitor guides, brochures and restaurant menus and referrals.  Outdoor bistro seating.  Open year-round.  Summer Hours: Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Winter Hours: Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday closed for the winter months.  Located at High Street Landing across from the Elizabeth River Ferry.  High Street Landing, 101 High Street. 757.478.0056. info@starboards.biz or www.starboards.biz.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum pays tribute to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, a government-owned shipyard in Portsmouth and the oldest shipyard in the country. Memorabilia includes uniforms, cannon balls, models of ships and a piece of the CSS Virginia (the Merrimac). The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum offers a unique perspective on U.S. history, from Colonial to Civil War times and beyond. You’ll find beautiful ship models, uniforms, military artifacts and exhibits portraying life in 18th, 19th and 20th century Portsmouth.

Winter Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; open on Mondays that fall on a holiday.  Summer Hours: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day; Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 2 High Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.8591. Admission.

Fresnel Lens

The Fresnel Lens at High Street Landing.  Having begun service in 1896 as part of the Hog Island Light off the Great Machipongo Inlet on the Eastern Shore, today this first order Fresnel lens is valued between $750,000 and $1 million.  It stands about 10 feet high, weighs 2,500 pounds and is among the largest and brightest of its kind, with more than 250 prisms of optical glass.

This type of lens was invented in 1822 by French physicist Augustin Fresnel. Rather than merely reflecting light, it used hundreds of prisms to bend and concentrate the light in a powerful beam.

Housed in a 16-foot-wide pavilion, this lens is the only one displayed outside of a museum setting.  Located on the waterfront at High Street Landing across from La Tolteca, the Mexican restaurant.        

How does a Fresnel lens work?

Riverview Gallery

Riverview Gallery offers art for discerning collectors.   The Riverview Gallery features a collection of original fine crafts and art representing more than 300 North American artists, exhibited in a waterfront gallery. The collection includes pottery, raku, blown glass, stained glass, metal sculpture, photography, jewelry, paintings, fountains, and Judaica.

Local artist Robbie Garrity has her artwork on display at Riverview Gallery.  Her well-known art includes "High Street Landing", a graphite drawing of a river view of the Elizabeth River Ferry and the old Seaboard building in Portsmouth.  Print available online.

Hours: 11:00 a.m.  to 8:00 p.m.  Wednesday thru Saturday, 11:00 a.m. thru 5:00 p.m.  Sunday thru Tuesday.  One High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704.  757.397.3207.