High Street Landing - Portsmouth, Virginia
The Elizabeth River Project
For too long, the Elizabeth River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, has been infamous for pollution. Instead of lamenting the problem, we prefer to take hope from her strengths. From Great Bridge Lock to the naval base, you can see the importance of the Elizabeth River every day in Hampton Roads. She gives us our work and our play.
The Elizabeth River Project is the catalyst for restoring the environmental health of this great harbor river while affirming her value to our port economy.
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".
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).
Starboards Coffee Kiosk
A Local Landmark Since 2004. Starboards features Seattle’s Best® Coffee, espresso, lattés, and cappuccinos.
The Signature Iced Coffee is made with regular or decaffeinated coffee ice cubes. Non-coffee drinks include fruit juices, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty iced tea, Chai tea. Tazo® hot teas, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Choose from fresh fruit, assorted muffins, biscotti, gourmet cookies and brownies. Vienna® Beef frankfurters and savory soup specials.
Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery
Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery offers exceptional marine art and antiques, nautical furnishings and accessories inspired by seafaring traditions.
Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery has a custom framing and design center in its Olde Towne Portsmouth riverfront showroom.
They are also just a few steps away from the Historic Hog Island lighthouse fresnel lens.
Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12 Noon to 5 p.m. Also by appointment. 757.399.5012. www.skipjacknauticalwares.com
One High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704.
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.
Hog Island Lighthouse
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
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.
Visitor information and services include local maps, visitor guides, brochures and restaurant menus and referrals. Outdoor bistro seating. Open year-round. Located at High Street Landing across from the Elizabeth River Ferry. High Street Landing, 101 High Street. 757.478.0056. info@visitstarboards.com or www.visitstarboards.com
2 High Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.8591. Admission.
Housed in a 16-foot-wide pavilion, this lens is the only one displayed outside of a museum setting. Located on the riverfront at High Street Landing across from Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.
One High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704. 757.397.3207
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, 2012, High Street Landing will celebrate its’ 15th anniversary. Today, High Street Landing has become a symbol of the rich maritime history of Portsmouth. It features a scenic waterfront and has truly become Portsmouth’s Waterfront Gateway.
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.
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.
A plaque behind the Old Seaboard Building on Water St. commemorates the event
William F. Cody, associated with a Western exhibition titled “Buffalo Bill (Himself) and the 101 Ranch Wild West Combined,” passed by this spot on a route that would take the parade to the intersection of Washington and Lincoln Streets, site of the “Grand Finale.”
The success enjoyed by the Fourth of July celebration known as “The Old Glory Blowout” at North Platte, Nebraska, on July 4, 1882, convinced William F. Cody to organize “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” and tour the United States and parts of Europe. Buffalo Bill was and is a symbol of a glamorous and colorful era in United States history.
On July 18, 2012,
High Street Landing
celebrated its'
15th anniversary.
'Buffalo Bill' Cody's
Last Public Appearance
Portsmouth, Virginia
November 11, 1916.
Eventually, Everybody Lands at Starboards.
Admirals Landing, 475 Water Street, Suite 103A, Portsmouth, VA 23704 757.399.7487
"This year-round waterfront coffee shop has become a hotspot for locals, visitors and boaters alike."
- Examiner.com
