Newport News - independent city in Virginia, United States

Newport News is a city in Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It's on the James River, and much of the area has been developed into a city starting in the late 19th century.

Understand

Location of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and a number of industrial complexes, most notably Newport News Shipbuilding.

Get in

By plane

• Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (IATA: PHF), 900 Bland Blvd, 37.1319°, -76.4931°, +1 757 877-0221.
• Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF), 36.8947°, -76.2011°. About 20-25 miles to the southeast with more discount flights (including Southwest Air).

By train

• Amtrak There are generally at least two trains a day in each direction between Newport News and Boston, stopping at all major points along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. The trip to Washington, DC is four hours and 20 minutes.

By car

• Interstate 64 eastbound will take you straight into Newport News. It intersects Interstate 95 in Richmond and Interstate 81 near Staunton.

Get around

• HRT - Hampton Roads Transit provides local bus routes, as well as express buses across the tunnels to the southside of the Hampton Roads area.
• Main Roads - Jefferson Avenue and Warwick Boulevard are the two main north/south routes through the city. All directions lead you down one of these streets.

See

• Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center, 36.9897°, -76.405°. 2020-04-26
• James A. Fields House, 36.9847°, -76.4219°. 2020-04-26
• Virginia War Museum, 37.0197°, -76.4517°. 2020-04-26
• Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd, 37.0546°, -76.4887°, +1 757 595-1900. Summer: daily 9AM-5PM; winter: M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. The museum's living exhibits and hands-on experiences engage groups of all ages. Outdoors, groups can stroll the elevated boardwalk to view coastal birds, beavers and other animals in naturalized habitats, plus native plant gardens. Adult $15, child 3-12 $12
• The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Dr, 37.055°, -76.4878°, +1 757 596-2222. M–Sa 10AM-5PM; Su noon-5PM. One of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world, this museum is the home of the USS Monitor Center. $12.50 adults; free for children 5 and under
• Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center, 1 University Pl (on Christopher Newport University Campus), +1 757-594-0800. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. An ever-changing array of exhibitions, programs, events and studio classes.
• U.S. Army Transportation Museum, 37.165°, -76.5756°. 2020-04-26
• Lee Hall Mansion, 37.1997°, -76.5756°. 2020-04-26
• Endview Plantation, 37.211111°, -76.569167°. 2020-04-26

Do

• Newport News Park, 37.1792°, -76.5519°. One of the largest municipal parks in the country, this 8,000 acre park is home to a variety of native wildlife, including deer, foxes, otter, raccoon and beaver. Miles of walking and biking trails wander through woods, swamps and meadows. Rowboats, paddleboats and canoes are available for rent, and there are over 180 campsites available for reservation.
• Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center (Downing-Gross), 2410 Wickham Avenue, 36.98445°, -76.4125°, +1 757-247-8950, downing-gross@nnva.gov. M-F 9AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, Su closed. Multi-purpose space owned and operated by the City of Newport News Parks Recreation and Tourism Department. Throughout the year, the center features various theatrical productions and shows on the Ella Fitzgerald Theater stage, as well as gallery exhibits, classes, and workshops for all ages. Free 2018-10-24
• Ferguson Center for the Arts, 37.061°, -76.49°. Part of Christopher Newport University 2020-04-26
• Peninsula Community Theatre, 37.03195°, -76.460307°. 2020-04-26

Buy

• Patrick Henry Mall, 12300 Jefferson Ave, 37.1124°, -76.4955°, +1 757 249-4305. M–Sa 10AM–9PM, Su noon–6PM. Dozens of stores await you in the only fully-enclosed mall on the peninsula.
• City Center at Oyster Point, 37.0872°, -76.473°. City Center at Oyster Point is one of two large shopping centers in Newport news, the other being Port Warwick. City Center is home to the Marriott hotel, and many shops and restaurants.
• Hilton Village, 37.029444°, -76.460833°. Hilton Village is recognized as the United States' first Federal war-housing project, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are dozens of shops and cafes in Hilton, so do go and spend the afternoon in this quaint neighborhood.

Eat

• Crab Shack on the James Seafood Restaurant, 7601 River Road (take Mercury Blvd south, and turn right at the last stop light before the James River Bridge; it's on the left side of the park near the beach), 37.01339°, -76.45634°, +1 757 245-2722. Su-Th 11AM-11:30PM; F Sa 11AM-12:30AM. During the Spring and Summer, eat out on the covered patio and enjoy the views of the James River.
• Vinny's Pizza & Pasta, 748 J Clyde Morris Blvd, 37.07863°, -76.46241°, +1 757 594-3354. M-Sa 10AM-10PM. You have to peruse the pizza case before you sit down and order, otherwise you'll never believe half of what's on the menu. Baked ziti pizza? Cheesesteak pizza? This place is good, authentic Italian food housed in an old Hawaiian-style Pizza Hut building!

Drink

Sleep

• Kiln Creek Golf Club and Resort, 1003 Brick Kiln Blvd, 37.11839°, -76.48165°. Kiln Creek is in the middle of the lush countryside. It features an all-inclusive resort facility, including the remodeled inn, restaurant, day spa, and championship golf course.
• Best Western Newport News Inn & Suites, 500 Operations Dr, 37.10865°, -76.49986°, +1 757 952-1182.
• Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 943 J. Clyde Morris Blvd, 37.09290°, -76.46034°, +1 757 596-6417. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
• Marriott Newport News at City Center, 740 Town Center Dr, 37.08711°, -76.47152°, +1 757 873-9299.
• Microtel Inn & Suites, 501 Operations Dr, 37.10990°, -76.50067°, +1 757-525-4688.
• Comfort Suites Airport - Newport News, 12570 Jefferson Ave, 37.13186°, -76.51237°, +1 757-947-1333. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Off Interstate 64 (at Exit 255 B). The hotel is on the right directly behind Red Lobster and Olive Garden.
• Holiday Inn Newport News - Hampton, 980 Omni Blvd, 37.08988°, -76.46193°, +1 757 223-2110. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 2021-12-21

Go next

• Colonial Williamsburg - 20 miles northwest of Newport News on I-64 in the historic district of the town of Williamsburg, this "living history museum" in recreates Virginia's 18th-century capital as it appeared preceding and during the American Revolution.