Wednesday, April 19, 2006

GETTING THERE: Norfolk is about 200 miles and three hours by car from Washington. Take I-95 south to exit 84A (I-295) just north of Richmond, then to I-64 east to Norfolk. US Airways flies there from National Airport, and United departs from Dulles, both in about an hour. Round-trip fares start at $237.

Virginia Arts Festival: Ticket prices vary by event and can be ordered through Ticketmaster (757-671-8100, http://www.vafest.com)/ or at the box office in MacArthur Center (300 Monticello Ave., Norfolk). Festival highlights, at various venues, include: Pianist Lang Lang , April 20 (tickets from $20); Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra , April 30 (from $35); the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater , May 2 and 3 (from $20); violinist and composer Mark O'Connor , joined by Natalie Hass , cellist, and Carol Cook , violist, performing as the Appalachia Waltz Trio, May 4 (from $25); the Miami String Quartet, playing five chamber music concerts with guest artists, May 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17 (from $17); the Virginia Symphony Orchestra with pianist Van Cliburn , May 31 (from $50); the Virginia International Tattoo in a "Tribute to Military Families," April 28, 29 and 30 (from $20); and " Oz with Orchestra ," a screening of the "Wizard of Oz" with accompaniment by an orchestra, June 4 (from $25).

STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Page House Inn (323 Fairfax Ave., Norfolk, 800-599-7659, http://www.pagehouseinn.com/ ) start at $140 weekdays, $150 weekends. The Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (777 Waterside Dr., 800-325-3535, http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ ) is convenient to many festival events. Rooms start at $165. In Virginia Beach, the Cavalier Hotel (4201 Atlantic Ave., 800-446-8199, http://www.cavalierhotel.com/ ) is a festival venue. Rooms start at $105, higher after May 25.

EATING THERE: Next door to the Sheraton, with a stunning view of the Elizabeth River, is Vintage Kitchen (999 Waterside Dr., in Dominion Tower, 757-625-3370), offering Southern-style nouvelle cuisine with entrees starting at $17. Crab is king at 456 Fish (456 Granby St., 757-625-4444), a block from Chrysler Hall, with entrees from $11 to $33.

INFORMATION: Virginia Arts Festival, 757-282-2822, http://www.vaartsfest.com/ . Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau , 800-368-3097, http://www.norfolkcvb.com/ .