The MacArthur Square Station is located on East City Hall Ave. in Norfolk. It's in the heart of the…read morearea where there's many things to do around that area. I generally come to this station monthly for an in-person work meeting that's only 0.1 miles away from this station. I start my ride at the Newtown Rd. Station. My most recent ride was on May 15, 2026. The Eastbound and Westbound Stations on opposite sides of the road. You want to make sure that you are on the correct platform. The area around the station can be quite busy. I love that they have a braille sign for the station too, so those that can't see can tell which station they are at. You can see you're in the heart of the city. There are many things to do nearby as well. I've never felt unsafe in this area. I was able to see places such as Nauticus and Waterside Dr. that weren't too far from the station too, so that's a great way to get there too. The ferry to get over to Portsmouth isn't too far away either. As of May 2026, they have changed how you pay for riding The Tide Light Rail System. Discounted tickets are no longer available at the new ticket vending machines. You will need to get a GoMobile Fare Card, or now, as of May 18, 2026, you can just tap to pay by using a credit or debit card at the Fare Validator (photos included). To use the Fare Validator, you would open the GoMobile App, use a physical GoMobile Card, or Credit/Debit Card. In the app, you need to choose the card you are using and place it towards the top part of the validator. If you have a QR code, you can go down just a bit to that other reader on the fare validator. It costs $2 to get the fare card itself, and then you can load funds to it at the ticket vending machine or through the GoMobile app. The total cost for a day will be no more than $4.50. The first two rides will be $2, followed by the third being $0.50. Any further rides on the light rail that day will incur no additional charges. Overall, this is a great way to get to the heart of the city through the light rail system. You get to save some miles and gas/electricity for your vehicle too. Even better, you don't have to deal with accidents and such that may occur on Interstate Two-Sucksty Four (I-264) in Norfolk. You don't have to deal with the costs of parking in Norfolk since parking is free at their park and ride lots available at select stations (not at this one). All in all, this is a great way to get around.

I'm going out of the country soon and needed to exchange some currency…read more The Currency Exchange International Corp, and my cashier Katherine, made the process fast and easy. This mall is beautiful. I hope it can be infused with new business to keep it going.

Another fabulous trip hoping on the Tide & heading to see the Tides play!…read more I can appreciate how cool the light rail is during the toasty summer months

A good stop if you want to exercise - the downtown Norfolk YMCA is right there - the folks on the…read morebikes are watching you get on or off the train! It's also a short walk to several eating establishments, and to the Chrysler Museum.

If the Tide, Norfolk's light rail transportation system, had a heart then it would probably be this…read morestation at Monticello. It doesn't get much more urban than this, ladies and gentlemen. Nestled in the median of Monticello Avenue, near the Freemason Street intersection, this station serves the central area of the downtown Norfolk urban core. The MacArthur station, serves more of the lower downtown/waterside areas, the Civic Plaza station serves the eastern side while the York/Freemason station serves the northwestern portion of downtown. Monticello station is not a park and ride location and accessing the station can be dangerous due to the busy traffic and moving trains. Do NOT access the station from its north side. This places you directly in the tracks which is not only a safety issue but also can land you a summons to appear in court. Enter the station from the south side where you'll be greeted by a ramp that has tiled artwork. Also, for you smokers, beware, The platform areas are no smoking zones. Getting caught smoking will also land you a summons that will lead to a fine. Once in the platform area, the station is well laid out where you can purchase your ticket and benches to sit down while you wait for the train. This is one of the busier stations on the entire line so keep your head on a swivel. There are a lot of nearby attractions within walking distance headlined by the mammoth-like MacArthur Center Mall. The Tidewater Community College Norfolk campus, the Scope, and the Norva are also nearby. Granby St, Norfolk's version of Broadway (lol), is one block over. You'll find plenty of shopping and places to hang out over there. Monticello station is easily one of my favorite stations on the Tide. I'm looking forward to when I'll be able to ride the system up to ODU and eventually the Naval Base. It's amazing how this train has given Norfolk an entirely upgraded urban feel by connecting various parts of downtown together.

This is a great spot to get on or off the Tide. Located close to Scope or Chrysler Hall, and to…read moreMacArthur Mall, and to the TCC-Norfolk campus. Not to mention all the great places to eat in downtown Norfolk. Neat decorations at the station, too.

Clean and safe Tide station that is perfect for anything related to the Norfolk Court complex. The…read morestation is steps from the main entrance.

The Civic Plaza station of the Tide light rail system is located at the heart of Norfolk's…read moreadministrative and judicial complex. The location and orientation lends it to serve the eastern portion of downtown Norfolk. Accessing the station isn't difficult by foot, however, crossing a busy Saint Paul's boulevard will require you to employ your eyes and ears in a major way. The intersection of St. Paul's and East Plume Street isn't typical in layout as you have to avoid being hit by cars, buses (nearby bus transfer station) and yes, the Tide itself. I don't mean to make it sound like suicide alley or anything but clearly there's a bit of concern by the city as well to justify the security guard in place assisting pedestrians in navigating the area safely. There's a new court building rising up adjacent to the station and when you combine that with inattentive people glued to their smartphones it spells a recipe for potential disaster. I have visited these courts many a times but those stories are reserved for an entirely different social networking site altogether, namely Wordpress! Lol! But before I leave this paragraph I do want to clarify that I've been to COURT many times here...not the jail! Alright, so now that I've got that tidbit out of the way...lets see...what else? City Hall is at this station as well and I will usually park at Harbor Park and ride the train in to handle my affairs with the city. The less driving I have to do the better and I'm hoping that eventually the system will expand to a point where I can leave the swagger wagon parked like I used to when I lived in Washington DC. Be aware of your environment from all of the activity in the area and the freshly bailed inmate and you'll be fine. LOL! I'm just kidding! I'm just kidding! Er, I think....?

Clean with its own dedicated parking lot for riding into downtown? Yes please. This is probably the…read moreeasiest and most accessible metro station on the Tide line in my opinion.

The Tide is by far the best way to go downtown. On my way to a Tides baseball game now. Would l,…read moreof course, be nice if it went into Virginia Beach, but that's not Norfolk's fault. Beats paying $6 to park at the stadium! No traffic worries either. Plenty of free parking at the station too.

You really just can't beat riding the Tide to/from the baseball games!…read more This station is so well lit & is only a short walk to the stadium. It runs very periodically so even if you miss the, another will be on the way soon!

I had a great experience with Amtrak. It was easy to board and the attendants were all very…read morefriendly and helpful. The trains could be updated for the passengers....kind of look like it's from the early 90's. (Not that it's a bad thing) I just feel like you could smell all the years it's been since they opened. At the station, there's a lot of construction currently for the casino and a very little drop off/pick up area. Don't bother leaving your car because the only parking is across the street under the interstate without supervision. I suggest a ride or the Tide to drop you off. I'll definitely use the train again!