The MacArthur Square Station is located on East City Hall Ave. in Norfolk. It's in the heart of the area 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. read more

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I'm going out of the country soon and needed to exchange some currency. 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. read more

This location conveniently is in the heart of downtown Norfolk. Within one minute you can be inside the awesome Slover Library and Selden Market, and a few minutes after that Nauticus or the Waterside District. I appreciate Norfolk supporting the infrastructure to have a quiet, clean, and safe mass transit option that drops off in the middle of downtown and I hope The Tide expands throughout the city. read more

Central location for the station for everything Downtown Norfolk related. Plenty of good lighting. read more

The Tide MacArthur Square Station - East bound side facing MacArthur Center. - Train Stations Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Some station names are confusing, some are not. This one is quite obviously located exactly where it says it is - in MacArthur Square. Right next to the MacArthur memorial and MacArthur Center shopping plaza, this station is well lit even at night. A decent amount of cover from the elements and you'll be able to hear the train coming before you see it as it goes around a bend before it gets here. I thought that the stock looked familiar and after I read up on The Tide, I see that it's the exact same fleet that we use in Charlotte! This station is on the light rail line between Civic Plaza and Monticello. read more

The Tide MacArthur Square Station - The station, as seen from the mall - Train Stations Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I love this light rail! I give it 3 stars only because there is no access to Virginia Beach. Also it stops running too early. If the rail extends to the oceanfront it would be awesome! The train is always clean and they come every 15-20 minutes read more

The Tide MacArthur Square Station - On my way to the kickoff for the light the night leukemia walk. The walk is later this year. Being a 2x APL Leukemia survivor I have to go! - Train Stations Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The Tide stop at MacArthur Square Station has a great location! This stop is right next to the MacArthur Center entrance and Dillard's. It's also the closest stop to the new Waterside District (I believe), being just around 3 blocks away. The stop itself can be enjoyed during the day for a nice spot to eat lunch or relax. The area has an open green area for kids to run around, and a gravel seating area with tables, umbrellas, benches, and chairs. You can also take advantage of the Hot Dog Vendor that is there Monday through Friday around lunch hours. He sells a Hot Dog, Chips, and a Drink for $5. I have also seen a few food trucks drop by this spot in the past. More frequently during Summer. Great spot for an outdoor lunch! Check it out if you're in the area. read more

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MacArthur Square is my go-to spot if I am looking for a nice outside area to enjoy my lunch. Centered in between MacArthur Center's Dillard's entrance, Java Surf Coffee Shop, The MacArthur Memorial Visitors Center, and all of the downtown buildings by Waterside it has a great location! The location has a hot dog vendor that comes Monday - Friday about mid morning to 2 or 3pm that serves $5 hot dog, chips, and drink combos. I have often seen a Jamaican food truck at this location as well, although it does not come as regularly as the hot dog vendor. From what I can tell, this is the closest stop to the harbor and Waterside District being only approximately 2 blocks away. Pictures taken on a gloomy day, but the area is beautiful on a nice one! read more

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This is the best Tide station in Hampton Roads! This was our first ride on the Tide. We were able to purchase tickets through the machine at the MacArthur Square Station and ride all day. This particular station, to me, is the best one since it is in the middle of everything. We were there on a Sunday mid morning and so there wasn't many people out. It's centered around many businesses such as MacArthur Center, Java Surf Coffee, and the MacArthur Memorial. Harbour Park and Waterside is only a couple blocks or so. Ride the Tide! read more

I came to Norfolk from Tennessee to visit my son in the US Coast Guard -"Semper Paratus" !! He had told me that he rode the train to work from a station closer to his home to avoid downtown traffic and parking. I decided to do the same to go have lunch with him near MacArthur Center. I picked up the Tide at the Military Hwy station Westbound. I was amazed at how clean the stations and trains were here after having ride light rail trains in Atlanta, Dallas, DC and Baltimore where cleanliness isn't always a priority. The ride was quick and quiet into downtown and a nice change from driving in traffic and hunting a parking space. Many people are concerned about safety on these type trains; personal safety, that is. I have no reservations about it. I ended up riding several times and saw Norfolk Police officers regularly on the trains checking tickets..... armed conductors, if you will! All-in-all, is was a positive experience and one I will probably repeat the next time I visit my son. read more

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Love, love, love the Tide!! Anyone who has become accustomed to mass transit is excited by its convenience & potential. I lived in Atlanta when MARTA was built. And I am a subway lover in NYC. So the Tide has been a very welcome addition to Tidewater. The MacArthur Station is the perfect stop for so many wonderful destinations. Cross the street and enjoy the shopping at MacArthur Mall. How could I live without the Apple Store, Coldwater Creek or Aveda? Cross in the opposite direction and experience the Bean There Cafe. If one wasn't aware of the outside surroundings, the atmosphere, decor, and creative coffee choices would convince you that you were in a coffee shop in SoHo or a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood. Walk a couple of blocks and you are at one of the many activities hosted at the Half Moon Cruise Center. Just to its east is Town Point Park with its many festivals and events. Walk along the harbor and you might just see a tall ship, moored in all its majesty. As you walk back to the station, stop in the newly expanded Main Norfolk Library. Visit the Sargeant Memorial Collection of local and family history. Explore the documents and resources that unravel the history of our beautiful area and possibly even your own family. But wait!! How could we forget about theater row? See a play or musical at the Wells Theater, the Governor's School for the Arts black box theater or the Roper Center for Performing Arts. Walk a little further or hop back on the Tide for Chrysler Hall, Perry Family Theater, the Harrison Opera House or the Generic Theater. Don't you love it, when dining on Granby Street, to have your server ask if you have theater tickets. They cater to your time schedule as nicely as NYC. But, enough about the many reasons to take the Tide to the MacArthur Station. Let's talk about the station itself. It has a very aesthetic blend with its surroundings. Walking down the street one is tempted to stop and admire the layout, modern art sculpture and architecture, located on an island in the midst of several streets. The same feeling applies when riding the Tide. Approaching the MacArthur Station one first notices the art sculpture at the clean and inviting island station. That morphs into the feeling that this is a safe and inviting place. Let's get off the Tide at the MacArthur Station. And let's come back again, and again, and again. Always on the Tide..... read more

Chooo-Choo! Conveniently located right in front of Dillards of MacArthur Mall! There are 2 platforms so dont get confused! Eastbound is furthest away from the mall! I think this is the prettiest station of the Tide. It's surrounded by topiary, a mini-mini garden of sort. It's cute. The Tide schedule is posted. $3 round-trip. Takes cash and credit card. read more

Quick easy convenient. I grab the ferry and can get all around norfolk easily. I like that I can just grab my bike get on and go unlike the bus system where I have to fiddle with the racks. read more

Can pay with cash or card, schedule is clearly posted, trains are clean and in good condition. I'm a fan.

Great location for this station - very close to MacArthur Center mall, MacArthur Memorial and lots of great places to eat and shop. Not too far from The Plot, either! read more