This vibrant city, situated next to the James River, offers a variety of activities for tourists to experience.
It offers some great views and attractions, along with fantastic shops and restaurants.
It’s also known for its wealth of historical landmarks relating to the Civil War, making it a great destination for history buffs.
One of its most noteworthy attractions is the Virginia Living Museum, an open-air museum that includes live animal exhibits, an aquarium, an aviary, a science center, botanical gardens, and a planetarium.
There is also the Mariners’ Museum and Park, one of the largest maritime museums in the United States.
Newport News is also popular among adrenaline junkies since it’s close to several thrilling rollercoaster rides at Busch Gardens, a Euro-themed amusement park in the neighboring town of Williamsburg.
Does this sound like the kind of place you’d like to visit? If so, continue reading for a list of all the other exciting activities and attractions this vibrant coastal city has to offer
The 81 Most Popular Things To Do In Newport News, Virginia
81. Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: VA Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), License, Flickr
Location: 7581 Spencer Road Gloucester Point VA
Tel: 804 684 7135
Web Address: http://vims.edu/cbnerr/
80. Hog Island
5.0 (1 review)
79. Busch Gardens – Williamsburg
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
78. Prince Elmo’s Spire
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Emma Clarke, Google Maps
Location: Williamsburg VA
77. Oscar’s Whirly Worms
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: James Maxwell, Google Maps
Location: Williamsburg VA
76. Malibu Pipeline
4.5 (2 reviews)
Credit: Nathan Falk, Google Maps
Location: bu Pipeline Williamsburg VA
75. James A. Fields House
4.3 (3 reviews)
Credit: JERRYE ROY KLOTZ., License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 617 27th Street Newport News VA
Web Address: http://jamesafieldshouse.blogspot.com/
74. Li’l Clydes
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: James Maxwell, Google Maps
73. Ragged Island
4.4 (5 reviews)
Credit: Virginia Sea Grant, License, Flickr
72. Kinder Karussel
4.8 (5 reviews)
Credit: Pedro Diaz, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/family-carousel/
71. Le Catapult
4.3 (6 reviews)
Credit: Are you mad I have, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/le-catapult/
70. Rock n’ Roll Island
4.4 (8 reviews)
Credit: Krystal Ducharme, Google Maps
Location: Williamsburg VA
69. Der Wirbelwind
4.2 (10 reviews)
Credit: Nick Coccagna, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/swing-ride/
68. Yorktown National Cemetery
4.2 (10 reviews)
Credit: Kevin Stewart, Google Maps
Location: Virginia
Tel: 757 898 2410
Web Address: https://nps.gov/york/yorktown-national-cemetery.htm
67. Der Autobahn
4.3 (10 reviews)
Credit: Joshua Hoover, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/bumper-cars/
66. Vanish Point
5.0 (11 reviews)
Credit: photolibrarian, License, Flickr
Location: Vanish Point Williamsburg VA
65. Abbey Stone Theatre
4.9 (12 reviews)
Credit: Jonah Baksa, Google Maps
Location: Williamsburg VA
64. Lee Hall Depot
4.9 (16 reviews)
Credit: C Watts, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 9 Elmhurst Street Newport News VA
Tel: 757 888 3371
Web Address: https://newportnewshistory.org/lee-hall-depot/
63. Sesame Street Forest of Fun
4.9 (19 reviews)
Credit: Paul Granger, Google Maps
Location: Unnamed Rd. Williamsburg VA
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/kid-friendly/sesame-street-forest-of-fun/
62. Civil War At Endview
4.6 (21 reviews)
Credit: JERRYE ROY KLOTZ, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 362 Yorktown Road Suite 1017 Newport News VA
Tel: 757 887 1862
Web Address: https://newportnewshistory.org/historic-endview/
61. Surfer’s Bay
4.5 (22 reviews)
Credit: Qiana Hawkins, Google Maps
Location: Surfside Streeteps Williamsburg VA
60. Matthew Jones House
4.3 (22 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Harrison Road Newport News VA
59. Grover’s Alpine Express
4.4 (23 reviews)
Credit: Kai Toz68, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 800 343 7946
58. Rhine River Cruise
4.0 (26 reviews)
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/rhine-river-cruise/
57. The Mariners’ Museum and Park, And Mariners’ Lake
4.8 (29 reviews)
Credit: Mr.TinMD, License, Flickr
Location: Boundary Road Newport News VA
56. Poquoson Museum
4.6 (29 reviews)
Credit: Diane Leiter, Google Maps
Location: 968 Poquoson Ave Poquoson VA
Tel: 757 868 6830
Web Address: http://poquosonmuseum.com/
55. Finnegan’s Flyer
4.5 (31 reviews)
Credit: R Painter (paintervision), Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/extreme-swing-finnegans-flyer/
54. Land of the Dragons
4.2 (35 reviews)
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/kid-friendly/land-of-the-dragons/
53. Mäch Tower
4.4 (49 reviews)
Credit: Charles Caron, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/mach-tower/
52. Fort Huger
4.5 (52 reviews)
Credit: Virginia. Engineer Dept;, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 15080 Talcott Ter Smithfield VA
Tel: 757 357 0115
Web Address: http://historicisleofwight.com/fort-huger.html
51. Willoughby Beach
4.6 (54 reviews)
Credit: Jamie Patterson, Google Maps
50. Tyndall’s Point Park
4.2 (54 reviews)
Credit: Travis Bourgeois, Google Maps
Location: 7418 Battery Dr Gloucester Point VA
Tel: 804 693 2355
Web Address: http://beaverdampark.org/facilities/facility/details/Tyndalls-Point-Park-10
49. The Mariners’ Lake
4.7 (58 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
48. Kingsmill Plantation
4.7 (59 reviews)
Credit: Matt Jenkins, Google Maps
Location: Williamsburg VA
Tel: 800 832 5665
Web Address: http://kingsmillcommunity.org/
47. Le Scoot
4.5 (68 reviews)
Credit: Mick Lerlop, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 800 343 7946
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/log-flume/
46. The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center
4.5 (68 reviews)
Credit: Kim Hodge, Google Maps
Location: 2803 Oak Ave Newport News VA
Tel: 757 247 2360
Web Address: http://newsomehouse.org/
45. Hog Island Wildlife Management Area
4.2 (73 reviews)
Credit: geonardo kirby, Google Maps
Location: Surry VA
Tel: 804 367 1000
Web Address: https://dgif.virginia.gov/wma/hog-island/
44. Newport News Victory Arch
4.8 (76 reviews)
Credit: Smash Iron Cage, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: West Ave Newport News VA
43. Colossal Curl
4.8 (77 reviews)
Credit: Nathan Falk, Google Maps
Location: Water Country Pkwy Williamsburg VA
Tel: 410 288 4076
42. Huntington Beach
4.5 (77 reviews)
Credit: Tony Alter, License, Wikimedia commons
41. Hilton Fishing Pier
4.4 (94 reviews)
Credit: Tony Alter, License, Flickr
Location: 225 River Road Newport News VA
Tel: 757 886 7912
Web Address: http://newport-news.org/visitors/things-to-do/outdoors-and-recreation/31/hilton-pier-and-ravine/
40. Redoubt 9
4.8 (97 reviews)
Credit: Alexa Ficke, Google Maps
39. Lee Hall Mansion
4.4 (105 reviews)
Credit: HimalayanSnowLeopard, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 163 Yorktown Road Newport News VA
Tel: 757 888 3371
Web Address: http://newportnewshistory.org/
38. Endview Plantation
4.5 (108 reviews)
Credit: HimalayanSnowLeopard, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 362 Yorktown Road Suite 1017 Newport News VA
Tel: 757 887 1862
Web Address: http://newportnewshistory.org/
37. James River Drawbridge
4.0 (109 reviews)
Credit: Ben Schumin, Google Maps
Location: Newport News VA
Tel: 800 367 7623
Web Address: https://virginiadot.org/travel/hro-tunnel-default.asp
36. Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum
4.7 (135 reviews)
Credit: Anne Margaret White, Google Maps
Location: 868 Plantation Road Surry VA
Tel: 757 294 3439
Web Address: https://dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/chippokes-farm-museum
35. Escape from Pompeii
4.4 (144 reviews)
Credit: Chris Hale, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/escape-from-pompeii/
34. Tempesto
4.3 (162 reviews)
Credit: R Painter (paintervision), Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/tempesto/
33. InvadR
4.4 (184 reviews)
Credit: Ashleigh C, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/invadr/
32. Sandy Bottom Park Playground
4.6 (188 reviews)
Credit: Lizbeth Young, Google Maps
Location: 1255 Big Bethel Road Hampton VA
Tel: 757 825 4657
Web Address: http://hampton.gov/142/Sandy-Bottom-Nature-Park
31. Surrender Field Revolutionary War
4.8 (203 reviews)
Credit: Kera Ellingson, Google Maps
Location: Yorktown VA
Web Address: https://nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
30. Fort Boykin
4.6 (204 reviews)
Credit: Cliff, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 7410 Fort Boykin Trail Smithfield VA
Tel: 757 357 0115
Web Address: https://historicisleofwight.com/fort-boykin.html
29. Moore House
4.5 (208 reviews)
Credit: Lynn Terrebonne, Google Maps
Location: 228 Nelson Road Yorktown VA
Tel: 757 898 2410
Web Address: https://nps.gov/york/learn/historyculture/moore-house.htm
28. Virginia War Museum
4.7 (268 reviews)
Credit: Waud, Alfred R., License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 9285 Warwick Blvd Newport News VA
Tel: 757 247 8523
Web Address: https://newportnewshistory.org/virginia-war-museum/
27. Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
4.7 (281 reviews)
Credit: Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, Google Maps
Location: 2410 Wickham Ave Newport News VA
Tel: 757 247 8950
Web Address: http://downinggross.org/
26. Fort Fun
4.7 (292 reviews)
Credit: Mytwocents, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Fort Fun Cir Newport News VA
Tel: 757 886 7912
Web Address: https://nngov.com/914/Playgrounds
25. Bacon’s Castle
4.6 (325 reviews)
Credit: Wikideas1, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 465 Bacons Castle Trail Surry VA
Tel: 757 357 5976
Web Address: http://preservationvirginia.org/visit/historic-properties/bacons-castle
24. Victory Landing Park
4.6 (335 reviews)
Credit: Smash Iron Cage, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 50 26th Street Newport News VA
Tel: 757 886 7912
Web Address: http://newport-news.org/visitors/things-to-do/outdoors-and-recreation/22/victory-landing-park/
23. Kiln Creek Park
4.5 (369 reviews)
Credit: Cheryl Babin, Google Maps
Location: 2901 Kiln Creek Pkwy Tabb VA
Tel: 757 890 3500
Web Address: https://yorkcounty.gov/1842/Kiln-Creek-Park
22. Loch Ness Monster
4.5 (438 reviews)
Credit: deependablereviews, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/loch-ness-monster/
21. Gloucester Point Beach Park
4.5 (441 reviews)
Credit: Chances Paine, Google Maps
Location: 1255 Greate Road Gloucester Point VA
Tel: 804 693 2355
Web Address: https://gloucesterva.info/1295/Gloucester-Point-Beach-Park
20. Army Transportation Museum Foundation
4.8 (454 reviews)
Credit: train friend, Google Maps
Location: 300 Washington Blvd Fort Eustis VA
Tel: 757 878 1180
Web Address: http://atmfoundation.org/
19. Colonial Escape Room
4.9 (456 reviews)
Credit: Colonial Escape Room, Google Maps
Location: 206 Packets Ct Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 603 2594
Web Address: http://colonialescape.com/
18. King-Lincoln Park
4.3 (575 reviews)
Credit: Petty Officer 3rd, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 600 Jefferson Ave Newport News VA
Tel: 757 888 3333
Web Address: http://nnparks.com/
17. James River Fishing Pier
4.3 (746 reviews)
Credit: Tony Alter, License, Flickr
Location: 2019 James River Bridge Newport News VA
Tel: 757 247 0364
16. Yorktown Victory Monument
4.8 (786 reviews)
Location: 803 Main Street Yorktown VA
Tel: 757 898 2410
Web Address: http://nps.gov/yonb/learn/historyculture/vicmon.htm
15. Riverview Farm Park
4.7 (1,234 reviews)
Location: Riverview Pkwy Newport News VA
Tel: 757 886 7912
Web Address: http://nnparks.com/parks_riverview.php
14. Chippokes State Park
4.7 (1,260 reviews)
Credit: Chippokes State Park, Google Maps
Location: 695 Chippokes Park Road Surry VA
Tel: 757 294 3728
Web Address: http://dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/chippokes-plantation.shtml
13. Yorktown Beach
4.6 (1,813 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: https://yorkcounty.gov/facilities/facility/details/Yorktown-Beach-14
12. Sandy Bottom Nature Park
4.6 (1,979 reviews)
Credit: Cody J Anderson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1255 Big Bethel Road Hampton VA
Tel: 757 825 4657
Web Address: http://hampton.gov/sandybottom/
11. Huntington Park
4.4 (2,277 reviews)
Credit: Mytwocents, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Newport News VA
10. Newport News Park
4.7 (2,863 reviews)
Credit: Mytwocents, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 13560 Jefferson Ave Newport News VA
Tel: 757 886 7912
Web Address: https://nnparksandrec.org/
Our Top picks
9. Alpengeist
4.6 (346 reviews)
Credit: Kai Toz68, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/alpengeist/
8. Apollo’s Chariot
4.8 (513 reviews)
Credit: Steven Smith, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/apollos-chariot/
7. Verbolten
4.7 (640 reviews)
Credit: deependablereviews, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/verbolten/
6. Griffon
4.8 (815 reviews)
Credit: Matt Karls, Google Maps
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/griffon/
5. The Mariners’ Museum and Park
4.8 (2,496 reviews)
Credit: Mobilus Mobili, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 100 Museum Dr Newport News VA
Tel: 757 596 2222
Web Address: http://marinersmuseum.org/
4. Virginia Living Museum
4.7 (3,734 reviews)
Credit: ocelotsloth, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 524 J Clyde Morris Blvd Newport News VA
Tel: 757 595 1900
Web Address: http://thevlm.org/
3. Yorktown Battlefield
4.7 (7,030 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1000 Colonial Nat’l Historical Pkwy Yorktown VA
Tel: 757 898 2410
Web Address: https://nps.gov/york/index.htm
2. Water Country USA
4.5 (8,721 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 176 Water Country Pkwy Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/water-country-usa/
1. Busch Gardens Williamsburg
4.5 (31,923 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd Williamsburg VA
Tel: 757 229 4386
Web Address: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Newport News, Virginia! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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