Backyard Bliss. Cruising the Southern Chesapeake Bay

October 2011 issue of Yachting Magazine

In a recent article written by George Sass, Sr., the Cruising Yachtsman for Yachting Magazine (October 2011 issue), George reviews some of his favorite destinations of the southern section of the Chesapeake Bay. No wonder that Portsmouth, Virginia was included in the mix. 

The article covers a wide range of favorite boating destinations, from Washington D.C. and Old Towne Alexandria on the Potomac River to Crisfield and Smith Island in Maryland. The author continues his adventure into Virginia where he visits Deltaville on the Rappahannock River and then on to Norfolk and Portsmouth on the Elizabeth, mile marker "0",  the gateway to the 1000-mile journey south down the AICW. 

Portsmouth, Virginia is a good stop for museums, shops and fine dining. Photo by George Sass, Jr.

Portsmouth, Virginia -- mentioned with its waterfront revival and two large marinas, Tidewater Yacht  and Ocean Marine Yacht Center -- is considered by the author as a good place to stay because of the short walking distance (along High Street) to our restaurants, shops and museums.

Though it's a short article and even smaller mention about Portsmouth in this Yachting Magazine article, it is still worth visiting the idea behind the inclusion. Portsmouth, Virginia's prime location on the Intra-Coastal Waterway is certainly a growing attraction and stop-over for the traveling yachtsman headed south in the fall and again north in the spring. 

The waterfront does boast two exceptional marinas with Tidewater and Ocean Marine. Boaters can also take advantage of short stays at both the North basin and the High Street basin, both with ferry stops and a short ferry ride to Norfolk's waterside and its big city offerings. 

Boaters arrive at the High Street basin at the foot of High Street, Downtown Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is known as one of Virginia's earliest and most historic seaports with the Gosport Navy Yard, now known as the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and its very long and distinguished history of maritime "firsts". Portsmouth's maritime history dates back to 1620, when the land that is now Portsmouth was recognized as a suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, a shipbuilder, who petitioned King James for the land grant. Portsmouth's shipyards have played a major role in every war since the settlement of our country and in 2012 celebrates its role during the 200th anniversary of  the War of 1812.  Portsmouth and the Navy Yard were attacked by the British under Adm. Sir John B. Warren and Brigadier Gen. Sir Sydney Beckwith, who were defeated at the Battle of Craney Island.  2012 is also the 150th anniversary of the "Battle of Hampton Roads," the first ironclad battle in naval warfare between the USS MONITOR and the CSS VIRGINIA. The VIRGINIA was built in 1862 on the burned out hull of the USS MERRIMAC at the Gosport Navy Yard.

The CSS VIRGINIA being constructed in 1862 at the Gosport Navy Yard.

Today, Portmouth's downtown boasts some of the finest restaurants, sports bars and pubs along the seven block High Street corridor, mostly chef and family owned and managed eateries with fast food selections around the London-Effingham Streets crossing. Portsmouth also has five interesting museums all within a short walking distance of the waterfront, including the newly renovated and expanded Children's Museum. The Olde  Towne historic district is filled with period homes and is one of the largest collections of early properties in the Mid-Atlantic.

Portsmouth offers a fine selection of antique shops and unique specialty stores.

You will also find a selection of antique shops and unique boutiques along the 12 historic squares of High Street and at the High Street basin on the riverfront. Though the downtown selection of stores have certainly dropped since the 2007 and beyond recessionary years, the small, privately owned stores are starting to slowly return and hopefully will again fill the empty voids that now line our downtown streets.

As an added note, Portsmouth has certainly seen a big increase in the number of visiting yachtsmen that have now discovered our quaint historic seaport and the wonderful offerings that are available to them. Find out for yourself why Olde Towne/downtown Portsmouth is considered "the best kept secret" of Hampton Roads. Not many cities can boast such a prime location on such a busy boating highway!