PORTSMOUTH \u2013 There\u2019s a deep history among the bars and restaurants of Portsmouth\u2019s High Street and its surrounding area.<\/p>\n
Homes dating back to the 18th century line the streets of Olde Towne, while the occasional blast of a ship horn sounds from the Elizabeth River. It\u2019s a reminder of why the town even exists, when shipbuilder John Wood marked the land for his industry as early as 1620. It would take another 132 years for the area to be recognized as a town.<\/p>\n
Today, Olde Towne is a playground for adults and children alike with a number of attractions and museums all within walking distance.<\/p>\n
No cars are necessary for this trip.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth River Ferry<\/p>\n
Running every day across the Elizabeth River, there\u2019s no better way to get to your destination than a quick trip on the ferry.<\/p>\n
The Elizabeth River Ferry makes two stops in Portsmouth \u2014 at North Landing Dock and High Street \u2014 and one in Norfolk, by the Waterside marketplace. The journey takes under 10 minutes and offers views of the Norfolk and Portsmouth skylines, ships under repair at Norfolk\u2019s BAE Systems and the Naval Medical Center.<\/p>\n
Make sure to bring exact change for the journey, which is $1.75 per person.<\/p>\n
Once you disembark, it\u2019s just a short walk to the The Coffee Shoppe, where locals chat up the baristas on a first-name basis or sit to read the day\u2019s newspaper.<\/p>\n
Olde Towne<\/p>\n
With coffee in hand, it\u2019s time for a walk.<\/p>\n
Turn off of Olde Towne\u2019s economic hub \u2014 High Street \u2014 onto the many blocks of historic homes. Start on Court Street and make sure to hit up London, King, Queen and North streets on your journey.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll find many with a bit of history. The Ball House hosted Marquis de Lafayette and then-president Andrew Jackson. Along the way, check out the many churches like Trinity Episcopal and St. John\u2019s, which date back to the town\u2019s founding in the mid-1700s.<\/p>\n
Play a game of \u201cHouse Hunter\u2019s\u201d and find which home meets your requirements. Three stories? Wrap-around porch? Stained glass? Fixer-upper? Mother-in-law suite? Walking around Olde Towne, there is no limit to the houses worth gawking over.<\/p>\n
There also are private guided tours for those wanting a more context. Guides dressed in colonial garb will lead groups, with a minimum of four, around the area\u2019s homes and churches.<\/p>\n
619 Cantina<\/p>\n
It would be hard to push you in the wrong direction in dining on High Street. For me, it was a simple awning advertising burritos that pulled me into 619 Cantina.<\/p>\n
The southwestern restaurant serves up a delightful menu of tacos, burritos and even a bacon-wrapped hot dog. I somehow resisted a bacon-wrapped meal and settled on the build-your-own creation. When you\u2019ve decided, you mark up the menu, since ordering tacos and such can get a bit detailed.<\/p>\n
Cantina\u2019s build-your-own selection is well-stocked with options for tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Choose from proteins like the flavorful shredded chicken or pulled pork carnitas before moving onto hot toppings like black beans, queso or even french fries. There\u2019s also a selection of salsas from which to choose.<\/p>\n
Three tacos under under $8 seemed like a steal, but it was high-quality.<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s Museum<\/p>\n
Traveling with children? The Children\u2019s Museum of Virginia has an environment similar to that of Disney World\u2019s Hollywood Studios.<\/p>\n
The museum\u2019s main thoroughfare is set up as an old-timey Main Street featuring a theater, fire station and tugboat. Exhibits are stacked in interactive areas for children to play, dress up and learn. Some areas are tied to local industries, like the interactive port in which kids can move shipping containers. Other areas of the museum focus on firetrucks, a circus and a whole room devoted to bubbles.<\/p>\n
Easily the focal point of the museum is its train exhibit. More than 800 trains are displayed surrounding an expansive model depot. The depot features more than 160 cars, 200 animals and 500 people on display. Children can get a close-up view by crawling under the display into plastic domes within the display.<\/p>\n
No kids? Skip this step and move on to High Street.<\/p>\n
Bar hop<\/p>\n
Adults can find their own entertainment without any trouble in Portsmouth, with close to 24 restaurants along High Street and adjacent roads.<\/p>\n
Still is located in the basement of an old yellow building. The semi-prohibition-themed tapas bar has a textbook-thick cocktail and spirits menu. There are plenty of gin-, whiskey- and scotch-based drinks available \u2014 or you can opt for straight pours. Still has more than 60 types of whiskey on hand and plenty of choices for vodka, cordials and tequila. Make sure to take a look at the tapas menu as well, which includes items like baco.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re more of a beer drinker, we have the solution for you. Just a few blocks away from Still is the Bier Garden. Like the name suggests, this spot serves up German food with an overwhelming beer selection. The restaurant divides its beers into three styles: Belgian, English and German.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s plenty to try from the heavily carbonated Belgian wit style to the traditional English brown ales and ciders to the German pilsner. The restaurant\u2019s sausage selection is worth a note as well with types like bratwurst, pork and beer knackwurst and sweet-spicy currywurst.<\/p>\n
If a more traditional bar is your thing, there\u2019s Gosport Tavern, Griff\u2019s Restaurant, Longboards Lounge and Baron\u2019s Pub \u2014 all of which have outdoor seating.<\/p>\n
Nationally distinguished Commodore Theatre<\/p>\n
If there\u2019s nothing else to see in Portsmouth before nightfall, it\u2019s worth the wait to see the Commodore Theatre light up.<\/p>\n
Built in 1945, the art deco theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. It\u2019s been operating since it re-opened more than 25 years ago as a dine-in movie theater. It\u2019s won national distinction from both the Motion Picture Association of America and Bon Appetit magazine.<\/p>\n
Originally a 1,000 seat theater, the space now occupies about 500 people and has a 41-foot tall screen.<\/p>\n
Entertainment coming and going<\/p>\n
As summer approaches, Portsmouth will say goodbye to one institution and hello to another.<\/p>\n
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum will operate until the end of June before relocating to Virginia Beach, with a planned 2018 opening. The museum\u2019s board voted on the move in January.<\/p>\n
As the Sports Hall of Fame preps for its move, the Portsmouth Pavilion is announcing its concert season. The outdoor venue, within walking distance of Olde Towne, will have concerts starting in April. Acts visiting this year include Travis Scott (May 4), Bryan Adams (June 9) and the Australian Pink Floyd Show (July 23).<\/p>\n
Black can be reached by phone at 757-247-4607.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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