Portsmouth Virginia offers great sightseeing, seafood and a view into U.S. naval history

Anchor in front of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum.

Virtual Cruise of the East Coast: Portsmouth, Virginia

 Re-posted in part from the article written by George Sass Sr. / Published: October 1, 2013 Yachting Magazine. Photos added for story enhancement.

Our next leg takes us 50 miles south to Portsmouth, Virginia, where we plan to stay a couple of days to re-provision, see the sights and visit family in Virginia Beach. The marinas in the area are spread out between Hampton and Newport News on the north side of the Hampton Roads waterways, and Norfolk and Portsmouth on the south. Virginia Beach, southeast of Norfolk, also has a number of marinas accessible from the Atlantic Ocean by navigating the sometimes-tricky Rudee Inlet.

As we make our approach to Portsmouth, we pass Naval Station Norfolk on Sewell’s Point, where we get a glimpse of a couple of aircraft carriers and guided-missile destroyers in port. Naturally, we give this area a wide berth, staying closer to the west side of the deep channel. This impressive facility supports up to 75 ships serving in the Atlantic and Indian oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

Mile marker "0" AICW is located between Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia.  Photo by Allen Graves.

Over the years, we've found the Portsmouth area to be the most accommodating for us when traveling up and down the ICW. It’s close to mile zero of the ICW, and its renovated waterfront provides an attractive expanse of public green space and walking paths. An added bonus is that it’s just across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk’s Nauticus marine museum and science center, the tour-able battleship USS Wisconsin and the Waterside Festival Marketplace. We choose the Tidewater Yacht Marina for its comfortable amenities and convenient location to Portsmouth’s Olde Towne section.

After getting settled in at the marina, we walk to North Landing Park, one of the landings for the ferry to Norfolk’s Waterside. Following the waterfront for a couple of blocks, we come to High Street Park, another ferry landing where we find a number of cruising boats tied to the bulkhead for free. There’s no electricity or water, and while there are signs posted that say overnight docking is not allowed, we’re told that a couple of these snowbirds have been here for a day or two without being hassled by city officials.

On the corner of High and Water streets is the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Covering 250 years of maritime history, the museum offers a look back at how America’s oldest and largest naval shipyard came to be so influential during Colonial days, the Civil War and especially recent times. Nearby, the U.S. lightship Portsmouth, built in 1915, is on display. We continue our walk along the city’s Path of History and discover a pavilion displaying the immense Fresnel lens from Hog Island Light, which began its service in 1896. At 10 feet high and weighing 1,500 pounds, it’s one of the largest and brightest lenses of its kind.

Riverfront pavilion displaying the immense Fresnel lens from Hog Island Light. Photo by Joe Elder.

Walking west on High Street toward Olde Towne, we pass the Children’s Museum of Virginia, which we've heard is the perfect place to stop when cruising with kids. Fun train rides and the new Bubble Room are designed to keep the little ones entertained for hours. For us, though, it’s happy hour, so we stop at the recently reopened Gosport Tavern on High Street for an early dinner of good old-fashioned fish ’n’ chips.

The Gosport Tavern located at 702 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA  Photo by Joe Elder.

Here is a link to the complete article online from Yachting Magazine website.

Mile Marker "0" AICW Entertainment: Portsmouth Native Joins Joe Maniscalco for First Local Performance on May 1st

By David Cartier

Author "A New Day in Olde Towne"



Mile marker "0" on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway AICW is the place to be this weekend. There's a lot happening here in Olde Towne Portsmouth that you won't want to miss!

When Portsmouth native Sherri Williams Holland steps up to the microphone at The Deck Restaurant (Tidewater Yacht Marina) on May 1, for the first time performing in her hometown as key member of a band. It’s no secret that other venues around Hampton Roads (and beyond) have enjoyed Holland’s singing talents and she has quickly become a favorite around the area.

Holland performs regularly with well-known, Hampton Roads performer Joe Maniscalco as part of the Two*Can Jam Band. The group features Maniscalco, MargaritaBill on vocals (Bill Kendra) and Sherri Linn on vocals and harmonica (Sherri Williams Holland).

The Deck Restaurant in Olde Towne Portsmouth will be hosting an Oyster Roast and Deck Party on May 1, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy all you can eat oysters and a bottomless cup.

So, how did Holland land this gig with one of Hampton Roads most noted performer? It's an interesting story that I enjoy telling. She was in the audience about 18 months ago - on summer evening - enjoying Maniscalco's performance. A friend wanted to hear Holland sing and approached Maniscalco with the idea. He invited her to join him on stage and after two show-stopping numbers, Holland had his attention. They started a dialogue about performing together.

About the same time, Kendra had a similar experience with Maniscalco.

Then, in August 2009, the three of them performed together at a Sandler Center Why Not Wednesdays! event and introduced the band. By the crowd's response they knew they were on the right track. Since then they have performed in venues from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg.

The custom of recognizing talent was not new to Maniscalco. He regularly invites local musicians to join him on stage and perform a song or two with him. That’s the kind of person he is. He always available to help -- and support - others anyway he can - as a business partner, entertainment director. fellow musician and/or mentor. Maybe that's why 54 Hampton Roads musicians came together for a benefit to help their friend last February (click here, to see related story about Maniscalco)

Maniscalco has been entertaining professionally for more than three decades - as a solo act, duo or trio - in 38 states and 11 counties. While versatile in most genre, his trademark is Trop Rock tunes -- a musical gumbo of reggae, soca, calypso, beach music, surf instrumentals, celtic rock, oldies, blues and steel drum sounds. Also, during a performance, you can expect him to cover a few Motown, Buffett, country as well as Beatles tunes. Maniscalco’s song list comprised of more than 1,000 songs.

At 56, Maniscalco is a multi-instrumentalist, playing six- and 12-string acoustic guitars, flute, harmonica, autoharp and steel drum/steel pan. He frequently amazes his audiences by playing two trumpets -- simultaneously and in harmony. According to Maniscalco, most horn players play in the middle of their mouths and use the muscles from both sides, but he plays each off to one side or the other.

On the national stage, Maniscalco has opened for a long list of acts including Jimmy Buffett, Faith Hill, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Daryl Worley, B52 and Lee Greenwood.

Locally - and around the country - Maniscalco has appeared in venues from Portsmouth and Richmond to Key West and Seattle. Portsmouth residents will recall him performing at a number of local establishments including: Griff's Restaurant, Barons Pub, The Flagship Restaurant, Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel and Mario’s Restaurant. Last February I had the pleasure of hearing Maniscalco and Kendra perform at Montgomery Grill in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Holland was on vacation at the time.

Everything I heard about Maniscalco was true. He is every bit the outstanding musician and entertainer as others had told me! Combined with the talented vocals of Kendra, it was an enjoyable evening. Kendra adds his own personality to the show and the two really work well together.

I expect the three of them combined will be performing more around Portsmouth in the weeks and months to come. That’s why I am looking forward to hearing Holland sing in Portsmouth.

For more information on the Two*Can Jam Band, contact Fran Pigott Harding via email at fpharding@gmail.com or at 757.353.0711.

If you plan to go this Saturday...
The Deck Restaurant is located at 10 Crawford Parkway (Tidewater Yacht Marina) Portsmouth, Virginia. 757.398.1221. Call for tickets in advance - $25 each.

Would you care to make a 'Comment' or want to 'Reply'? Click the 'Comment' button below. If you're not registered, just Email me, at cjosephelder@gmail.com. I would be pleased to post your reply as a 'Comment' without using your name and e-address (your privacy will be maintained if requested). Please share your experience with other boaters (both good and bad). We would also love to post your comments and pictures that you've taken while visiting us here in Olde Towne Portsmouth as well as your travels along the AICW.