Downtown Newport News is quickly evolving into a scenic and vibrant hot spot, teeming with new business, art, and events. As a result of the recent growth, the city has affectionately deemed the area as The Yard District.

A nod to being the home of the Newport News Shipyard, the largest industrial employer in Virginia and sole designer and builder of US Navy aircraft carriers, The Yard is a play on both the industrial setting and natural feel of the space.

Whether you’re visiting for dinner and drinks, a picnic in the park, or to sightsee, the Yard District is an environment where everyone can find something to enjoy.

The CAN Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Newport News, recently launched The Newport News Street Museum, the first phase of a city-wide mural project featuring an array of abstract and figurative murals executed by renowned regional and national muralists. The project aims to activate and highlight various locations throughout the City of Newport News, encourage placemaking, promote tourism, develop the creative workforce, and strengthen community and regional connections. Check out the "Best Life" mural outside of City Hall and visit our website to find more mural locations.

Originally built in 1917 as a high school, the building subsequently became an elementary school. Its next incarnation was as the Wickham Avenue Neighborhood Facility, a community social services office headed by Norvleate Downing-Gross. During the 1940s, it housed the first public library for Black residents. In 2008, it was reborn as a center for the arts with a 265-seat theater, a dance studio, rehearsal rooms, art and music studios, classrooms, and a permanent gallery for the internationally recognized Black American folk artist, Elder Anderson Johnson.

The unique architecture of Historic Hilton Village is the perfect backdrop for the eclectic collection of locally owned shops that makes this a “can’t miss” experience. Listed on the National register of Historic Places, Historic Hilton Village features quaint, locally-owned shops and services. The choices are many and varied, including vintage & consignment clothing, home furnishings & decor, antique & vintage accents, artwork, one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry and more.

Newport News Park is one of the largest municipal parks east of the Mississippi River, offering a wide variety of activities including hiking, biking, mountain biking, picnicking, paddle boating, canoeing, archery and freshwater fishing. Year-round camping is available at 188 campsites, most of which include grills, electrical hook-ups and concrete pads. The park offers a 5.3 mile, hard-packed gravel, bike loop shaded with an overhead canopy from beautiful trees. Part of the loop crosses into the Colonial National Historical Park, where you can view a placard on the site of where George Washington’s headquarters were during the American Revolutionary War.

The park also includes an 18-hole championship disc golf course and a 30-acre aeromodel flying field. Boat and bicycle rentals are available and there is a camp store.

Peninsula Family Skating Center, located at 307 Main St, Newport News, VA 23601, USA, offers a fun-filled experience for the whole family. Whether you're a seasoned skater or a first-timer, this skating rink provides a welcoming atmosphere for all skill levels. With its spacious facility and well-maintained roller skating surface, you can glide and twirl to your heart's content. The center also offers skate rentals, making it convenient for everyone to join in on the fun. Whether you're looking to host a birthday party, enjoy a family outing, or simply wanting to indulge in some active entertainment, Peninsula Family Skating Center is the perfect destination.

Port Warwick is an award-winning mixed-use community named after native and Pulitzer prize-winning author, William Styron. At the center of the community lies Styron Square, a three-acre green space designed after the great squares of London. The community was designed with sculpture in mind, adding beauty and interest to its squares, roundabouts and entrance. Here you can discover dozens of vibrant, locally-owned specialty shops and restaurants, interspersed with monumental sized works of public art.

The famous Lions Bridge, a dam that provides a breathtaking view of the James River, is the perfect place to enjoy stunning waterfront views in Newport News. The beauty of the dam is enhanced by several fine pieces of statuary designed by Anna Hyatt Huntington, sculptor and wife of The Mariners' Museum founder Archer Milton Huntington. Four stone lions were mounted on the ends of the parapets of the dam in October 1932. Anna also created and dedicated a monument entitled Conquering the Wild that overlooks the Lions Bridge, the park, and The Mariners' Lake.

The Mariners’ Museum and Park connects people to the world’s waters, because through the waters we are connected to one another. Come find your connection today for only $1 per person.

The Museum is filled with fascinating stories, captured in priceless artifacts that celebrate the spirit of the open sea. Designated by Congress as America’s National Maritime Museum, The Mariners’ Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime museums in the world. Through the stories told in the Museum’s world-class collection, guests are encouraged to explore their own history and discover their story to see how we are all connected to the water.

The Noland Trail, located within Mariners’ Park, is a peaceful sanctuary where one can exercise, enjoy nature, and spend time with loved ones. This award-winning, five-mile trail is free and open to the public and offers a variety of paths with stunning lake views.

The Trail is a dynamic home to a variety of flora, fauna, and wildlife. Noland Trail users range from dog walkers, runners, hikers, birders, photographers, and families, all eager to experience the beauty of the changing seasons and scenic views.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a wildlife lover, or simply seeking an informative and entertaining outing, the Virginia Living Museum is a place where you can deepen your understanding and appreciation for Virginia's natural heritage from the mountains to the sea. Located adjacent to Deer Park in Newport News, VA, the Museum is a unique and engaging destination that combines the allure of a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and planetarium all in one place. With a mission to educate and inspire its visitors about the natural world, the Virginia Living Museum offers an immersive experience like no other. Around every corner, interactive exhibits showcase the state’s diverse wildlife, native plants, night sky, and fossils, The Virginia Living Museum also hosts various educational programs and events that inspire the next generation of conservationists.