Things to do & places to visit in Newport News, Virginia, United States

Jutting into the water on the Virginia Peninsula, the city of Newport News has played an important part in the maritime history of the United States. A leader in shipbuilding since 1886, the booming shipyard is still producing nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. Learn about naval history and the Golden Age Exploration at The Mariners' Museum, with 60,000 square feet of rare maps, nautical instruments and the USS Monitor Center, preserving the remains of the first ironclad warship.

Newport News city in Virginia, United States. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Thursday, May 09, 2024, 13:47.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 The Mariners' Museum and Park (949 reviews)
- Home of the USS Monitor
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Parks • Playgrounds

The Mariners' Museum, America's National Maritime Museum, includes the USS Monitor Center, home to the Civil War Ironclad's iconic gun turret. The Museum has over 35,000 maritime artifacts, including ship models, paintings and small craft. Located on a 550-acre park, they also feature a 5-mile hiking trail and paddleboat rentals. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Museum galleries are temporarily closed but we remain committed to bringing you fascinating stories from our Collection. Many favorite lecture series and family-friendly programs are being offered virtually for free, and we invite you to connect online with us. In addition, our Park and the Noland Trail are open and free to the public. We apologize for any inconvenience, and wish you good health until we can safely reopen our galleries. See more..
5.0 The Noland Trail (314 reviews)
- Hidden Gem in Newport News
Hiking Trails

Walked the Noland Trail at the Mariner's Museum in Newport News yesterday (9/10/21). It is a great, well-marked 5 mile trail around Lake Maury. (We actually walked about 6 miles because we went out to each overlook along the trail.) There are options (study the map at the trailhead) for shorter hikes to leave the trail. Tree roots are marked with bright paint and the trail is well maintained. Perfect for all ages though not wheelchair friendly. So nice to have a walking/running trail like this in the City. We felt like we were in a nice shaded forest the whole walk. Highly recommend a walk on the Noland Trail if you are looking for exercise or a fun nature experience. See more..
5.0 USS Monitor Center (107 reviews)
- Interesting to see USS Monitor preservation efforts
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

I visited the USS Monitor Center at the Mariners' Museum in July 2021. The museum does an excellent job of covering the history of the ironclads, the battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, and related Civil War history. It was interesting to see the preservation efforts for the USS Monitor which sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras later on in the Civil War. Looking at the preservation efforts is a quick visit as part of a longer visit to the Mariners' Museum. See more..
5.0 Newport News Visitor Center (37 reviews)
- One Really Nice Visitor Center
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visitor Centers

Make plans to begin your adventure at the Newport News Visitor Center. Here our well-trained travel counselors stand ready to assist you with your itinerary and to help you make the most of your Newport News experience. The counselors can supply you with a variety of information including a Visitor Guide, directional maps, attraction fees and hours, accommodation information, and special event happenings. See more..
5.0 Breakout Games - Newport News (27 reviews)
- Birthday Breakout Game!
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

This isn’t your average outing or everyday experience—Breakout is for those who would rather solve mysteries than watch someone else have all the fun. With different rooms that follow unique story-lines, you and your friends will have 60 minutes to escape your adventure of choice by cracking codes, solving puzzles and following clues. Part problem solving, part adrenaline, end-to-end fun! See more..
5.0 Zenith (14 reviews)
- Astounding experience
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games • Character Experiences • Game & Entertainment Centers

Locally-owned, family-friendly business 4 Unique Things About Zenith VR ESCAPE : 1) Virtual Reality headset for complete IMMERSION 2) Clue- Escape room, an adventure of solving puzzles and bonding with your friends. 3) Competition style Escape rooms. Attempt to sink the other battleship. 4) ESCAPE-to-GO™ -- we DELIVER escape rooms in Newport News, Yorktown, Hampton, and Poquoson as a 24-hour rental. Have an ESCAPE-to-GO™ delivered to your party, office, or hotel room and you'll be solving an intense mystery or getting yourself untrapped from a situation in no time! Fun for 6-8 people. See more..
5.0 Ironclad Distillery (9 reviews)
- Family-run Whiskey
Thursday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Distilleries

Nice spot inside a refurbished storehouse from the era of shipbuilding days long gone. Even have some of the old blast doors in place. The family running this distillery has done a great job renovating this building and turning it into a great spot for hanging out. Good whiskey and fun company here. Highly recommend taking the tour, if available. It's a nice local hangout with a relaxed atmosphere. The name comes from the famous battle of ironclads, which took place just south of the building in the James River during the Civil War, between the USS Monitor and CSS Merrimack. Thus, students of history will also have special appreciation for the location and the meaning behind the name. See more..
5.0 Newport News Park (2 reviews)
- Great walking trails, paddle boats, picnic shelters
Scenic Walking Areas
Dog friendly. Over 7,500 acres of walking, camping, golfing, paddleboating, archery and picnicking. Beautiful trees and walking paths. Festival yearly in October, juried crafts, food, live music, $10 admission. Great playground for kids. See more..
5.0 Skiffes Creek Redoubt (2 reviews)
- Peninsula Campaign
Historic Sites
Great sites of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign can be found along Virginia's Civil War Trail. Skiffes Redoubdt, Lee's Mill and Dam #1 offer good interpretation and trails. Well preserved earthworks of the Magruder Line. A must for anyone interested in the Civil War. See more..
5.0 Paul & Rosemary Trible Library (1 review)
- Best Library in Newport News by Far
Spent More than 3 hours Libraries
I'm a bit surprised that this fantastic library wasn't already on here with plenty of reviews. The facilities are gorgeous, the resources and staff are excellent, and I'm thankful that it's local to me. Whether you're a student or not, this library is a significant asset to the Newport News community. Newport News has some fine libraries, but nothing that can compare to this one. I'm a bit timid to even write this review because I don't want too much of the public to start going there and right now the absence of other reviews on places like here likely contributes to it not being very crowded. See more..
5.0 St. Matthew's Anglican Church (1 review)
- Ancient Liturgical Service
Religious Sites
An Anglican church located in Newport News, VA near Hilton Village. Services 7 days a week. See more..
4.5 Virginia Living Museum (753 reviews) from $22.39
- The Virginia Living Museum is Amazing!
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Science Museums • Zoos

View endangered red wolves. Get up close to a loggerhead turtle and moon jellies. See fish with no eyes and frogs that change colors. Touch live spider crabs and fossilized dinosaur tracks. It's all at the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, where living exhibits depict Virginia's natural heritage from the mountains to the sea. Experience a steamy cypress swamp and cool mountain cove. Explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay and the underground realm of a limestone cave. See flying squirrels, stingrays and other creatures of the night. Touch famous Bay creatures. Kids will especially enjoy the Touch Tank with its sea stars and horseshoe crabs. Enjoy hands-on activities. See spectacular views of the sun from the observatory and travel the universe in the state-of-the-art digital planetarium. Outdoors, stroll the boardwalk to view coastal birds, beavers, otters, coyotes, endangered red wolves and other animals in naturalized habitats. Butterfly Garden, Virginia Garden and landscape plantings display one of the most extensive displays of native plants in Virginia. Learn how to live, build and garden green in the Conservation Garden and Green Living House. See more..
4.5 Newport News Park (291 reviews)
- Great park
Biking Trails • Parks

I love this park. It is beautiful and I hike there often. You can walk numerous trails and the bike trail which is 5 miles as well. I'd say you could walk a good 10 miles hike if you utilize all the trails in the park and campground, The one trail to avoid is Wyman's Creek loop. I came across 2 cotton mouth snakes directly on the trail and they would not move. They both opened their mouths to hiss at me and took an aggressive pose. Both were blocking the trail in 2 different spots so I could not pass. It was an awesome trail but I won't take it again. See more..
4.5 U.S. Army Transportation Museum (207 reviews)
- Trucks, trains, helicopters ! How the military moves STUFF!
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Our museum heritage spans the breadth of transportation multi-modal delivery which has given the Nation and our Army the ability to globally deploy, engage and defeat the enemies of the United States in close combat. To do so, the Transportation Corps has grown and evolved in capability since its Rail and Movement Control beginnings. During Vietnam, Army Transportation added helicopter deliveries of man and equipment on the battlefield in support of intratheater operations. Today, Army transportation includes Air, Rail, Container, ship, and truck transport having divested its rotary capability to the Army Aviation Corps to give intertheater clout. With units spread throughout the Active, Guard and Reserve, Army transportation both here and abroad has created a culture within the logistics community who are risk takers on the battlefield as its people depart ports and Forward Operating Bases to sustain and bring capability which embraces its motto as the "Spearhead of Logistics" See more..
4.5 Virginia War Museum (162 reviews)
- Oh so much military stuff both big and small
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Military Museums

I was amazed at the breath and depth of items so nicely displayed. The museum is organized and arranged by US conflicts with a couple of special display rooms. Cannons and tanks are everywhere and can be found both inside and outside on their park like grounds. In addition, outside are several monuments and tributes such as: Pearl Harbor survivors, USS Scorpion, Vietnam War Veterans. See more..
4.5 Paragon City Center 12 (84 reviews)
- Best movie theater in the area!
Movie Theaters

Amenities include: Leather Reclining Seats with Footrests and Tray Tables Two Extreme Screen Large Format Auditoriums Reserved Seating Digital Projection and Sound Beer, Wine & Expanded Food Offerings at Concession Free Diamond Rewards Loyalty Program Print at Home Ticketing Dine in the theater with food from one of two on site restaurants: My Pi Custom Pizza and Neo Kitchen & Bar - Now you can Earn Diamond Rewards pointst at Neo! FREE Parking ~ Available for all guests in any one of three convenient parking garages located in City Center. The most convenient garage is the Fountain Way garage, which is entered from Fountain Way directly across from the theater, Neo and My Pi. The Mariners Row garage (next to the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center) is also FREE, conveniently located and available for parking. The Mariners Row garage may be accessed from Town Center Drive, Canon Boulevard, or Mariners Row. Please refrain from parking in the private lots along Sun Way, Thimble Shoals Boulevard, and Mobjack Place. See more..
4.5 Lee Hall Mansion (66 reviews)
- Lee Hall
Historic Sites

Lee Hall Mansion is located in the north end of Newport News, Va. Built in the 1850's the mansion was built by the Richard Lee family and was used as a HQ by several confederate generals during the civil war. Has a number of displays from the civil war and they have a small gift shop. The home became the property of Bill Carlton around 1960 and he & his wife renovated it and lived in it for around 20 years if memory serves me. In later years they went into a retirement home and donated it to the city which refurbished it and turned it into a museum. I visited the home many times when the Carltons lived there. Obey the speed limit on Yorktown Road as enforcement is strict and the speed limit is 25. See more..
4.5 Ferguson Center for the Arts (49 reviews)
- Great Date Night!
Spent 1-2 hours Theatre & Performances

A wonderful venue for entertainment. This was our 6th visit - We saw Jason Mraz in concert and it was comfortable with great acoustics. The theater is well kept and the infrastructure and resources put toward assisting visitors is top notch! There is available valet parking (on-line/ in-advance). Tickets can be purchased in a number of ways. The Balconies and Mezzanines are great choices and some seating has partial obstructions. See more..
4.5 Tagtime Laser Tag (9 reviews)
- SO MUCH FUN!!
Thursday: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers

Tagtime Laser Tag brings you a unique tactical laser tag experience featuring high tech realistic simulated weapons, a 10,000 square foot indoor arena, and all of our games are mission based. Forget what you think you know about Laser Tag, because this isn't it. We promise, you've never played anything like this! See more..
4.5 Battle of Lee’s Mill -Dam Number 1 (7 reviews)
- Hidden treasure
Dams

Well preserved fortifications - Hidden jewel. Well marked trails - good signs - quiet - Lots of deer. See more..
4.0 Endview Plantation (50 reviews)
- Summer camp
Historic Sites

Living history museum recounts how America's Civil War had shaped the country's culture, lifestyle, economy and technology. See more..
4.0 Victory Arch (33 reviews)
- Newport News hidden gem
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Newport News was a major departure point for soldiers for both World War 1 and World War 2. This arch remembers those who passed through the arch to ships that took them across the ocean and those who came home - and those who didn't. Veterans names are engraved for the major conflicts of the 20th century. The arch sits on a beautiful plaza. Another piece of history in an area known for history. See more..
4.0 Patrick Henry Mall (18 reviews)
- One of only 2 Full Malls in Tidewater
Spent 2-3 hours Shopping Malls

The wife and I go here often but this is my first review. The Mainstays of this mall are JC Penny's, Dick's, Dillards, and Macy's. There is a full food court with. Chick-fil-A, two Oriental joints, a Dairy Queen, and Charlie's subs, and a few more. They keep it very clean here too. The walk areas are nice and wide, well lit, and air conditioned nicely. Parking is without a problem. See more..
4.0 Dean and Don's Farmer's Market (18 reviews)
- Great fruits and vegetables
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Flea & Street Markets
We have been buying fresh fruit and vegetables from here for years. Not sure where they get their fresh corn from, but it is always good from early spring to late fall. They have local stuff when in season, and make sure to note it as local. Most of it comes from small farms out of the area, but is much better than the stuff are grocery stores. See more..
4.0 The Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center (17 reviews)
- Great home...
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM History Museums

Very interesting history of this museum. Parking in the back. Make sure that you go 10 blocks away to the waterfront. Beautiful view and nice houses. See more..
4.0 Hampton Roads Iceplex (15 reviews)
- You Should Visit IcePlex!
Arenas & Stadiums
Not so crowded all the time. It's a fun place with a low price to make things affordable. It's a great place to hangout with friends and few family members. It isn't so well with huge groups, but it's a great place for 3-5 people. It's very enjoyable there! There was an inappropriate thing that happened in the girls bathroom this month but otherwise, it's so fun! You should visit IcePlex! See more..
4.0 SPCA Petting Zoo (15 reviews)
- Great Time Spent Here!
Spent 1-2 hours Zoos

I visited with my friends and for the small entry fee we were able to meet many cute animals. The goats were adorable and I would for sure go back! See more..
4.0 Victory Landing Park (1 review)
- Nice & safe walking area with a beautiful view
Parks

The view on James River is spectacular. Parking in the area is not dedicated but you can find it on the street. See more..
3.5 Huntington Park (66 reviews)
- A pleasant little beach
Parks

Not far off the beaten path, this little beach is a gem. There are life guards which make swimming a safe bet. You can launch boats and various water craft. It's a good spot for fishing or wandering along the water's edge. It has historical interest, a nice place for children to play (Fort Fun) and a marvelous little rose garden. Be sure and bring your camera. See more..
Congregation Zion's Sake Messianic Synagogue (0 review)
Religious Sites
See more..