attractions & museums
Only in Newport News will you find world-class attractions, unique travel experiences, and a wide variety of entertainment options. Here’s a small sampling of what’s available:
Curious about Virginia’s natural heritage? Then check out the Virginia Living Museum. One visit here will bring you in contact with more habitats, wildlife and plant species than would be encountered in a lifetime of outdoor adventures in Virginia! Walk through an Appalachian Mountain cove and a southeastern cypress swamp, touch a horseshoe crab or a sea star, go eye-to-eye with a red wolf and a bald eagle and watch otters frolic on the outdoor natural trail.
Interested in history? Then you’ll love seeing the treasures at the USS Monitor Center, found only at the world-renowned Mariners’ Museum. It’s here you can build your own ironclad, walk the deck of a replica of the USS Monitor, sit in an aircraft carrier ready room, and see why Congress designated this museum as America’s National Maritime Museum.
Love the nightlife? Then take in a show at CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, the nostalgic Peninsula Community Theatre, or the delightful Ella Fitzgerald Theater.
Itching for more? Then step back in time as you visit our historic homes: Historic Endview; the James A. Fields House; Lee Hall Mansion, and The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center.
Fascinated with the military? Then imagine the courage of those who fought for our freedom at the Virginia War Museum. See a truck that walks and a ship that flies at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.
Art lover? Discover the ever-changing world of art at the Torggler Fine Arts Center on the beautiful campus of Christopher Newport University.
Tickets & Discounts
For your convenience, you can purchase attraction tickets in advance before your trip or purchase the One City Pass that will give you a bundle discount to all of the attractions in Newport News. For questions, call the Newport News Visitor Center at 757-886-7777 or toll-free at 888-493-7386. Please note tickets are shipped Monday - Friday and exclude Busch Gardens tickets. You can also use our Interactive Map to find accommodations, restaurants, shopping, and more close to our attractions!
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Lee Hall Depot
Lee Hall Depot was erected circa 1881 on the Chesapeake & Ohio rail line. After construction, the village of Lee Hall rapidly developed around the train station. Serving communities in then-Warwick County as well as lower James City County, it is the only remaining station of five on the Lower Virginia Peninsula. Restored in collaboration with the Lee Hall Train Station Foundation, the depot offers exhibits highlighting the impact of the railroad on Warwick County and the City of Newport News as well as information on railroad history and Lee Hall village. It includes an interactive children’s area as well as a fully restored Chessie caboose.
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Lee Hall Mansion
Completed in 1859, Lee Hall was home to affluent planter Richard D. Lee. One of the last remaining antebellum homes on the Virginia Peninsula, Lee Hall offers visitors a step back to the mid-Victorian period with its authentically furnished rooms, including an elegant ladies parlor. During the spring of 1862, the home was used as a headquarters by Confederate generals Johnston and Magruder. Guided tours are available. Special events and evening programs are held year-round. Parking is free. Discount tickets are available for military and AAA members.
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Main Street Library
This branch of the Newport News Public Libraries is centrally-located in Newport News, and near historic Hilton Village. The library's helpful staff is available to assist library users with all Newport News Public Library resources, including free public WiFi, public computers, ancestry research, historical photos, and more.
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Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center
Serving the Christopher Newport community, Hampton Roads and all of Virginia, the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center cultivates extraordinary encounters with the visual arts. Whether viewing an exhibition, taking a class, or attending a lecture or gallery talk, the Torggler beckons you to explore compelling ideas through the transformative lens of visual art.
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Newport News Street Museum
The City of Newport News has partnered with the Contemporary Arts Network (CAN) to create the Newport News Street Museum, a city-wide mural project. This innovative initiative highlights diverse locations throughout the city while encouraging placemaking, promoting tourism, and strengthening community and regional connections. An array of murals are painted on buildings and underpasses. The Newport News Street Museum has been completed by renowned regional and national muralists.
Click here to view the photos and interactive map of the artwork.