Location: Newport News
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What to do and see in Newport News, Virginia (VA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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.
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1. The Mariners' Museum & Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 911 reviews
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.
Reviewed By TravelNut12309 - Newport News, United States
There is more to see here than than can fit in a day. The Monitor-Merrimack exhibit is top-notch, with Monitor wreck artifacts dredged up off the North Carolina coast undergoing restoration and, when ready, being installed inside the building in the equivalent location as a parallel outdoor mockup of the exterior. The international small craft building is fascinating, the intricate ship models can occupy you for hours, plus there is a full-scale, many-room exhibit of the history of mankind’s endeavors in the world’s seas. This is a must-see complement to the other maritime sights of Tidewater Virginia, like the Hampton Roads boat tours. Special thanks to the gentle, informative, highly-motivated volunteer docents who enliven the Monitor-Merrimack exhibition.
2. USS Monitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By J1548SWdanielb - Elmira, United States
One portion of the Maritime museum and entry to the entire museum for $1.00. A short drive (30 min) from WIlliamsburg and a great option for any poor weather during your vacation. Contains the actual Monitor as well as reconstructions of the Monitor and Merrimac and history of the sea campaigns of the Civil War.
3. The Noland Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 308 reviews
Reviewed By 559albertd
The locals know how awesome the Noland trail is so if you are in town and want an awesome trail to walk or jog, this is your place. Well marked and maintained, shaded and plenty of parking.
4. Newport News Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
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.
Reviewed By jehenson81 - Washington DC, United States
I am so happy I stopped at the Newport News Visitors Center after hiking at Newport News Park (they are at the same location). The ladies were super friendly and after giving me a map guided me to their tourism pamphlet which had coupons in it for most of the places I was going. This rocked and saved me a few bucks. They also had a ton of brochures for not only the area but all over VA. SCORE!!
5. Virginia War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By RLWOrangePark - Ponte Vedra Beach, United States
AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT MUSEUM that unfortunately receives very little publicity but actually we enjoyed this museum much more than we did Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. It is one of the most in depth museums we've seen. All American wars from the Revolution to the current War on Terror were highlighted and thoroughly covered with photos, artifacts, exhibits, etc. There were also exhibits on the Evolution of Weaponry, Women in the Military and Prisoners of War. Lots of displays of military equipment, artifacts, weaponry, photos, newspaper articles, and personal collections, including tanks and artillery pieces. We were the only sightseers there but we stayed for more than two and a half hours. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for AAA members/Seniors/military and $6 for children. Hours of operation are Mon-Sat 9 AM to 5 PM and Sun 12 Pm to 5 PM. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
6. Virginia Living Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 740 reviews
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.
Reviewed By prancingdeer - Tucson, United States
It’s great for all ages and has a little bit of something for everyone! From animals to space it truely is great
7. U.S. Army Transportation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
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"
Reviewed By 940patrickg - Virginia Beach, United States
This museum is very well organized, with detailed exhibits and broad collection. I was expecting a smattering of older vehicles, but was very pleasantly surprised. The core of the museum is a linear story of Army transportation from the Revolution until current conflicts. The centerpieces are full size dioramas with authentic pieces from wagons to trucks to helicopters. They have multiple detailed descriptions and supporting photographs, items, maps, documents, period uniforms, as well as smaller dioramas. It includes uniforms and stories of soldiers who served in transportation units of the Army through it's history. One could whip through quickly with the kids just looking at the highlights or spend hours (like I did) reading most of the supporting material. Outside the museum are four large collections of vehicles divided into trains, trucks, water vehicles, and aircraft. Interspersed with the many classic trucks and jeeps are some truly unique museum pieces. If you have interest in the military or history, you will find this museum fascinating. I suspect most will get through the exhibits in 2-3 hours. I spent 4 hours and skipped some (but not many) of the write ups. Be prepared for the driver to present driver's license, proof of insurance and registration to drive onto the base and to have your car inspected. The museum is within sight of the security checkpoint, across the road. It's free, but you're a chump if you don't drop a donation to this really cool museum!
8. Newport News Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Reviewed By DaveNewportNews - Newport News, United States
Love walking and biking on the 5.3 miles path at the Newport News Campground. You can exit to the Yorktown Battlefields and George Washington's headquarters at the halfway point.
9. Lee Hall Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By drivers1
A beautiful country home. The staff very knowledgeable and the tour guide of the home was very good. Well worth the visit when in the Yorktown area. My wife and I are seniors and it was $12.00 for both of us.
10. Peninsula Fine Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Explore the visual arts at Pfac with an ever-changing array of exhibitions, programs, and events for kids and adults. Our Hands On For Kids gallery has self-guided activities year-round and Paint Days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first weekend of the month is free, with volunteer-led family activities on Saturday. Join us on the third Thursday of the month for Art After 5, Pfac’s free live music, poetry and art happening. Show us your creative side; there is something for everybody. Art is what you make it!
Reviewed By kimsatty - Newport News, United States
This is a small nice museum that is not over whelming. It has changing exhibits that are very interesting and different. They offer children's classes and events as well as classes for adults. It is worth a visit.
