Free walking tours will share history of downtown Norfolk, NEON District

Norfolk — Ever stumbled across a theater, church or unique building in downtown Norfolk and wondered about the story behind it? Downtown Norfolk Council’s new walking tours will satisfy your curiosities.

Starting this month, the DNC and Norfolk Tour Company will offer monthly walking tours of the NEON District and downtown, and they’re free.

The partnership’s 21 walking tours will also include:

highlights of the significance of the Granby Street corridor
the history of downtown theater
an urban design tour focusing on redevelopment
the Elizabeth River Trail
tours of historic homes and churches

“Downtown Norfolk has so many unique attributes and stories to tell that we are excited to be able to share this with the community,” said Mary Miller, president and CEO of the Downtown Norfolk Council.

Tours of the NEON District will show off more than 93 pieces of public art and the local businesses that make the District what it is.

NEON tours will begin at The Plot, located at Granby Street and Olney Road. Public parking is available on the street, at The Plot’s parking lot, or at the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Harrison Opera House lot.

“The increase in vibrant activities in the city is very encouraging,” said Joshua Weinstein, owner of Norfolk Tour Company. “We believe our tour programming will further enrich downtown Norfolk life by highlighting its attractions and architecture, as well as the beauty and intrigue of its stories.”

Because of COVID-19, all tours will be outdoors and masks are encouraged. Participants will be required to stand at least 6 feet apart, and the tour guide will have a speaker and mic so attendees may remain physically distant and hear the program.

More information about the NEON tours can be found at facebook.com/neonnfk.

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Tour schedules

NEON District walking tours

April 23, 6 p.m.

May 28, 6:30 p.m.

June 25, 7 p.m.

July 23, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 17, 6 p.m.

Oct. 21: Two tours during the NEON Festival (time TBD)

Oct. 22: Two tours during the NEON Festival (time TBD)

Nov. 13, 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m.

Downtown Norfolk walking tours

Historic houses: May 14, 6:30 p.m.

Weekend Scoop

Weekly

Check out the latest entertainment and arts news, then plan your weekend with a look ahead at what's happening around Hampton Roads.

Granby Street: June 12, 7 p.m.

Historic theaters: Sept. 24, 6 p.m.

Elizabeth River waterfront: Oct. 1, 5:30 p.m.

Urban design: Nov. 6, 2:30 p.m.

Houses of worship: Nov. 20, 6 p.m.

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Amy Poulter, 757-446-2705, amy.poulter@pilotonline.com