Newport News Virginia Museums and Attractions - By: J.C. Banks

Newport News is one of the independent cities of Hampton Roads, Virginia. This historic Virginia city is located along the James River and the port of Hampton Roads. The city has an excellent selection of museums and attractions for tourists and local residents.

Museums

The Mariners' Museum - USS Monitor Center

The Mariners' Museum has been designated by Congress as America’s National Maritime Museum, The museum features maritime exhibits from around the world. The USS Monitor Center showcases the “Battle of the Ironclads” display and as well as a full-scale Monitor replica.

Virginia Living Museum

This attraction has nature-related exhibits where visitors learn about animals such as wolves, eagles, sea turtle, fish, frogs and more. Special sections encourage enthusiasts to touch live crabs and fossils and other forms of nature. Living exhibits depict Virginia’s widely varying environments from the mountains to the coast including representations of the Chesapeake Bay and limestone caves. The museum also houses an observatory, state-of-the-art digital planetarium theater, live animals and native plant gardens. Shops include the Wild Wings Museum Store and the Wild Side Café.

Virginia War Museum

The Virginia War Museum has U.S. military displays including collections of personal artifacts, weapons, vehicles, uniforms, posters and more from 1775 through the present. Galleries include Women at War and Marches Toward Freedom which document the roles of women and African-Americans in the military. The Visions of War exhibit showcases the museum's outstanding propaganda poster collection. Gifts are offered for sale in The Duffle Bag gift shop.

Theatre

Several venues host theatrical events in or near Newport News. The Christopher Newport University's Ferguson Center for the Arts holds performances in its 1,700-seat concert hall, 500-seat music and theater hall, and 200-seat studio/children's theater. The Peninsula Community Theater, located in Newport News, offers several plays throughout the year. Their Children's Theatre also features productions. The Virginia Shakespeare Festival, held annually at the College of William and Mary, presents performances of Shakespeare.

City Parks

Newport News Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. This 8,000 acre park is occupied by wildlife including deer, foxes, otter, raccoon, beaver and more. The Newport News Park is a favorite destination for campers who find a natural setting while being so close to the activities and attractions of Hampton Roads. The park is located at 13564 Jefferson Avenue, just off I-64 (Exit 250B). Newport News Park events and festivals include the Newport News Children’s Festival of Friends, the Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife and the Celebration in Lights.

Favorite attractions of Newport News Virginia include the Mariners' Museum - USS Monitor Center, Virginia Living Museum and Virginia War Museum.

The author writes for travel destination websites including Virginia Beach Virginia and Tidewater - Hampton Roads Virginia.