Sometimes it's fun to play tourist in your own town, and right now there is a ton of free stuff to do. First stop is the NEON District, Norfolk's official art district. Neon stands for the New Energy of Norfolk, and it has socially distance-approved offerings. Stop by The Plot which often is full of events by Open Norfolk before making your way through the district looking at the hundreds of murals and works of public art.
Heading down Granby Strreet, we stopped at Lamia's Crepes to recharge. Open for breakfast and a crepe covered with Nutella is a win! Walking further down Granby we stopped at the corner for what we call "the steps" but I'm sure is something very profound and artsy, but fun to climb on. From here, cross the street to check out this huge tree, which looks like it plays to music and lights when it's dark.
The MacArthur Memorial is always free, and we popped into the small building to see the 1,000 paper cranes on display. At the age of two, Sadako Sasaki was exposed to radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima. At age 12 she began making paper cranes as a wish for a long, healthy life. She folded more than 1,000, but died in 1955. This year on the 75th anniversary of the bomb dropping, students in Virginia and North Carolina volunteered their time to fold 1,000. Japanese culture says that anyone who folds 1,000 cranes is granted a wish, good luck, or a long life.
Last step on our journey was Selden Market. Selden Market offers short-term leases for small businesses that are looking for their start. Right now at Selden the Atlantic Coast Gaugers Tidewater Division has set up their train exhibit! Check our daily calendar for hours. It was a huge high to end on for a group of four little boys and some tired mamas!
