Braun, Janine Dvm

The kids will go absolutely wild when you take them to visit the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Dismal has the impressive distinction of serving as the home of more mammals than any other local preserve. Among the more popular residents are the black bears and the endangered Dismal Swamp shrew. The refuge sprawls out 750 miles and includes Lake Drummond

The Norva, one of Norfolk's favorite places to see cutting edge live music, started out as a movie palace and vaudeville house in the 1920s. This entertainment venue is a three-story, state-of-the-art music lovers' paradise, as it can accommodate 1,500 people while still allowing every audience member a great view of the musical action taking place on stage. The schedule of performances is busy, so make sure to check the website before venturing out.

The magnitude and majesty of the United States Navy is clearly the focal point of Naval Station Norfolk. This is the largest naval base in the world and features the nuclear powered USS Theodore as well as more than 100 ships from the Mediterranean and Atlantic fleets. Learn about the base's history and inner workings when you take this highly impressive tour. Groups for the tour depart at 1:30pm daily from the Naval Tour and Information Center which is located at 9079 Hampton Blvd.

The United States Navy has been a vital part of life in Norfolk for generations. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum does an impressive job of collecting the Navy's history and contributions to the growth and prosperity of the area. Those stories are what fill the museum in various forms. They include hundreds of artifacts, including more than 60 ship models, uniforms and vintage instruments used for navigation. Through fascinating exhibits and attractions, the museum chronicles 220 years of the Navy's history in the Hampton Roads region, which is considered to be the Navy's most important port.