Where to Stay and Photograph Between Norfolk Airport and the Outer Banks
If you are flying across the country to attend the Saltwater Retreat or just heading out for a vacation in the Outer Banks, landing at Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is your best bet. But after a long day of flights and navigating rental car lines, tackling the three-hour drive down to the Outer Banks and Hatteras Island right away can feel like a lot.
A lot of our retreat attendees choose to break up the travel day by staying overnight in the Norfolk or Virginia Beach area before making the drive down, or even on their way back home. It is a great way to ease into a coastal mindset and capture some beautiful images along the way.
Depending on your timeline, your driving route, and the specific vibe you want to photograph, here are the best options for an overnight stay before you head south.
Near the Norfolk Airport
If you want a quick, convenient spot to sleep right after you land, look at Delta Hotels Norfolk Airport or Hampton Inn & Suites Norfolk-Airport. Both are reliable and right by the terminals.
The Rose Garden at Norfolk Botanical Gardens
The best part about staying over here is that the Norfolk Botanical Garden is just a few minutes away. It is an incredible place to spend a morning or afternoon wandering around with your camera. If you have a few hours to spare before departing, the lakeside views, massive canopy trees, and seasonal blooms offer endless opportunities for macro work and landscape details.
Norfolk Waterside
For a great waterfront view and a walkable vibe, check out Hilton Norfolk The Main or the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. These put you right on the downtown riverfront, directly next to the marina and a ton of excellent local restaurants.
Waterside, Norfolk, Virginia
The downtown waterfront offers a mix of urban architecture, sailboats, and beautiful views of the Elizabeth River. Walk along the promenade at sunset for incredible light reflecting off the water. I spent some time exploring this area a few years ago and put together a visual guide to downtown Norfolk photography if you want to check out the layout and get some inspiration.
Greenbrier
If you want to get a jump on the drive and stay directly along your route down to the bypass, the Greenbrier area in Chesapeake is perfect. Hotels like the Aloft Chesapeake or Hyatt Place Chesapeake/Greenbrier place you right off the highway. The big perk here is convenience, as there are endless restaurant options right down the street, making it incredibly easy to grab dinner after a long flight.
Stumpy Lake Natural Area, Virginia Beach, VA
Just a short hop over the Chesapeake-Virginia Beach city line from the hotel area is Stumpy Lake Natural Area. It is an incredible pocket of nature to explore with your camera, especially if you can catch it in the right atmosphere. The glassy water is filled with standing bald cypress trees, making it a beautiful spot for capturing clean reflections, kayakers gliding through the trees, and the soft, moody mist rising off the lake.
Virginia Beach Town Center
About halfway between the airport and the oceanfront sits Town Center. It is a modern shopping and dining district. The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center or Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Town Center are great choices if you want a clean, suburban downtown feel with plenty of places to walk to for breakfast or dinner.
Virginia Beach Town Center
This area is perfect for practicing street or cityscape photography without the hustle and bustle of a big city. The sleek lines of the high-rises, urban plazas, outdoor dining spots, and constant movement offer a great environment for playing with shadows, reflections in glass facades, and architectural framing.
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
If you want to wake up right on the Atlantic Ocean and stretch your legs on the long boardwalk, look at The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, or for a very special experience - the historic Cavalier Resort. Going out to the oceanfront is a bit of a detour from the direct route down to Hatteras, but it is a fun experience if you have the extra time to spare.
King Neptune, Virginia Beach, VA
The classic Virginia Beach boardwalk stretches for three miles and is packed with photographic potential. Capture the wide-open views of the Atlantic Ocean, the colorful beach umbrellas, old-school surf shops, and the towering King Neptune statue. Sunrise over the ocean here is spectacular and well worth waking up early for.
No matter which route you choose, breaking up the trip turns the travel day into part of the vacation. Take your time, pull over to stretch your legs, and enjoy the changing landscape as you head down to the coast!
