Norfolk is a major military center. If you visit Norfolk, VA, it would be hard not to notice the military essence that the city was built on. It has the largest naval base in the world – the Norfolk Navy Base. Portsmouth, which links directly from across the Elizabeth River (which houses the Norfolk Naval Shipyard), has formed an extensive Naval Complex. The Norfolk Navy Base also includes a naval air station and other naval facilities and is the largest and most advanced in the United States. Several vessels of the Navy have been named USS Norfolk after the city. You can also view the battleship USS Wisconsin (battleship used during World War II) berthed at Nauticus, The National Maritime Center.

General Douglas MacArthur (an American general and Medal of Honor recipient) is buried in the city. MacArthur has fought in WW1, WW2 and the Korean War – all of which earned him a rather respectable and controversial title as the man who fought for his country, against the president (Truman). There are many parts of the city that were named after him in honor to his services. There is a small museum for him and a major shopping mall across the street from his burial site named after him.

The city is home to the Old Dominion University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk State University, and Virginia Wesleyan College. The Norfolk State University is the fifth largest black university in America. The city’s public school system comprises 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 34 elementary schools and 9 special purpose schools/preschools.

Downtown Norfolk is also the headquarters for the Norfolk Southern Corporation, which is the fourth largest railroad line in America. The international headquarters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are also located on the city’s waterfront, just west of downtown Norfolk, VA. Other tourist destinations include the St. Paul’s Church, Virginia Zoo, Moses Myer’s House, Hermitage Foundation Museum, The Chrysler Museum of Arts, the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Nauticus, The National Maritime Center and the historic Ghent district.

Norfolk has a strong role in medicine because of the prominence of the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and Virginia Hospital in Hampton. These medical institutions are known for its specialists in diabetes, plastic surgery, dermatology and obstetrics. The line of obstetrics received international fame in March 1, 1980 when Drs. Georgianna and Howard Jones opened the first in vitro clinic in the U.S.