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Sunday Afternoon, July 20 

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CPAP Project

Time: TBD

Transportation Mode: Bus 

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More information coming soon!

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Tides Baseball Game

Time: 12pm Departure 

Transportation Mode: Ferry 

More information coming soon!

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Bricks of Time: Olde Towne Portsmouth Walk

Time: 1PM Departure 

Transportation Mode: Walking

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Step into Olde Towne Portsmouth, a 20-block National Register Historic District cradling Crawford Bay, where history whispers through one of the densest collections of period architecture between Alexandria and Charleston. Recognized in the City’s Zoning Ordinance and safeguarded by a Historic Preservation Commission, this vibrant residential enclave dazzles with its Federal and Greek Revival townhouses, accented by a rich tapestry of post-Civil War and early-twentieth-century homes. On this engaging two-hour walking tour, uncover the stories behind these architectural gems, from their origins to their preservation, set against the backdrop of a neighborhood that pulses with historical significance. Pause at the iconic Trinity Episcopal Church, a cornerstone of local heritage, and delve into how the City’s innovative planning and zoning strategies—through ordinances, commissions, and community vision—ensure Olde Towne’s legacy endures. This is a journey through time, where every brick and cornice tell a tale of resilience and renewal.

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Kayaking at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

Time: 1PM Departure 

Transportation Mode: Bus & Kayak

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More information coming soon!

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Zoning the Jackpot: Rivers Casino Portsmouth Tour for Planners

Time: 1PM Departure 

Transportation Mode: Bus & Walking 

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Join us for an exclusive front and back of the house tour of Rivers Casino Portsmouth, tailored for urban and regional planners eager to explore the nexus of economic development, urban design, and the planning processes that brought this project to life. Begin with the dynamic front-of-house experience, featuring a 50,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, and a cutting-edge BetRivers Sportsbook, complemented by top-tier dining options like Admiral’s.

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Monday Morning, July 21

 

VIG & PMT Port of Virginia Tour

Time: 8:30AM Departure

Transportation Mode: Bus 

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More information coming soon!

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Chesapeake Industrial Waterfront 

Time: 8:30AM Departure

Transportation Mode: Boat 

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Boat tour of the area studied in Chesapeake's award-winning Industrial Waterfront Study. This tour offers a unique perspective of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and will highlight key industrial sites and resilient natural areas. Participants will explore Chesapeake's future plans for preserving the balance between industrial development and environmental sustainability. The tour will be between 2-3 hours.​​

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Transit Tour

Time: 8:30AM Departure

Transportation Mode: Ferry, Bus, Light Rail 

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Ferry Tour from Portsmouth to Norfolk; Light-Rail Station; Light Rail Facility/Control Room; Elizabeth River Trail

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Monday Afternoon, July 21

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Elizabeth River Trail: Norfolk's Waterfront Reimagined

Time: 1:45PM Departure

Transportation Mode: Ferry & Walking 

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Take a walk through the heart of Norfolk's iconic waterfront on the Elizabeth River Trail (ERT). Once a forgotten industrial rail line, the ERT has grown into a 10.5-mile urban trail connecting 28 neighborhoods and redefining how cities build trails that center people, place, and possibility. What began as a grassroots effort to reclaim a working waterfront has evolved into a bold vision of resilient infrastructure, inclusive design, and public space with purpose- and the journey isn't over yet. This guided mobile tour will showcase a vibrant stretch of the ERT, starting with a scenic ferry ride across the Elizabeth River and winding through Norfolk's Downtown Waterfront. Along the way, you'll explore how the trail activates space through public art, stormwater infrastructure, pop-up parks, and creative placemaking, with a refreshing stop at Neptune's Fury Café to soak it all in. This walk offers a glimpse into how the ERT is shaping the city today, while building toward a future regional trail network that connects to Virginia Beach, the Virginia Capital Trail, and beyond. You'll hear how the ERT is transforming the trail into a national model for equity, connectivity, and resiliency. Whether you're here for the history, the planning innovation, or the views, this trail truly has something for everyone.

 

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High Street Revival: Adaptive Use in Downtown Portsmouth

Time: 2:45PM Departure

Transportation Mode: Walking 

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Discover Downtown Portsmouth, a National Register Historic District that traces its roots to the 1752 town plan, expanded in 1763 and 1909, and now thrives as a testament to adaptive ingenuity. Anchored by the bustling High Street corridor, this eclectic district blends late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture, reflecting the town’s evolving story of growth and resilience. On this captivating two-hour walking tour, explore how major structures along High Street have been reimagined for 21st-century vitality, balancing economic revitalization with the preservation of their historic charm. Highlights include the Seaboard Coastline Building, the interactive Children’s Museum of Virginia, the innovative Mustard Seed Place, the timeless Commodore Theater, and an exclusive inside look at the Professional Building at 505 High Street—freshly transformed from office space into a dynamic mixed-use hub. This tour unveils how Portsmouth harnesses adaptive use to breathe new life into its past, forging a future where heritage and progress coexist seamlessly.

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Tuesday Morning, July 22​

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Roots & Resilience: Portsmouth’s African American Legacy

Time: 8:30AM Departure

Transportation Mode: Bus & Walking 

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Uncover the profound legacy of African Americans in Portsmouth, whose indelible mark spans the city, region, and nation from the Revolutionary War to the present day. This tour weaves a powerful narrative through time—tracing their resilience and achievements across the Civil War, both World Wars, the struggles of segregation, the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing echoes of Black Lives Matter. Celebrate the trailblazers who shaped education, journalism, arts and culture, sports, politics, and national security, leaving an enduring imprint on American history. Journey through Portsmouth’s key sites and stories, spotlighting the people and places that illuminate Black heritage, with a special stop at the Portsmouth Community Colored Library Museum—a treasure trove of local history and a testament to community strength. This is more than a tour; it’s an exploration of courage, creativity, and contributions that continue to resonate.

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Resilient Hampton

Time: 8:30AM Departure

Transportation Mode: Bus & Walking 

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Visit Lake Hampton to observe the recent renovation of Lake Hampton to include replacing a spillway and removing land from the center of the lake to convert into a functioning stormwater BMP as well as the addition of a couple of four-bays. Project also includes extending trail loop around the lake which connects into the City's Water Walk Trail. Also, visit the Big Bethel Blueway, a recent project start to include renovation of a large drainage way into a better functioning stormwater BMP, which extends through existing neighborhood. The project also includes a multi-use path along the drainway that will provide much needed pedestrian connectivity in this area of the City.

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Tuesday Afternoon, July 22​

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Urban Eden: Paradise Creek to Ryan Resilience Lab

Time: 1:45PM Departure

Transportation Mode: Bus & Walking 

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Embark on a journey of ecological transformation with the Elizabeth River Project, a local nonprofit championing the restoration of the Elizabeth River through innovative education and hands-on projects. This tour kicks off at Paradise Creek Nature Park, a 40-acre urban oasis in Portsmouth, born from a partnership with the City and reimagined from a former Superfund site into the city’s third-largest public park. Stroll through forested trails and restored wetlands nestled within a bustling industrial harbor, just steps from residential neighborhoods, and hear the inspiring tale of how this land was reclaimed to foster healthy shores and vibrant recreation along the Elizabeth River.

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HRSD SWIFT Research Center Tour

Time: 1:45PM Departure

Transportation Mode: Bus & Walking 

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The SWIFT Research Center is located at our Nansemond Treatment Plant, 6909 Armstead Road, Suffolk, VA. The plant has a check-in guard so you will need to announce yourself to the guard and you will be permitted through. The SWIFT Research Center is the first building on the right as you enter the gate, and parking is available in front of the building. The tour will take approximately one hour, and part of the tour takes place outdoors, weather permitting. Tours last approximately 60-75 minutes depending on attendee questions and engagement, and typically concludes outside, weather permitting. *Please note the Nansemond Treatment Plant is under construction. You will need to take a right into the SWIFT Research Center entrance sign before you reach the construction zone. If you drive past the “detour” sign, you’ve gone too far. 

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