A great place to live, work and play. When I worked in public affairs for military posts and bases, I included this line in quite a few marketing materials for the installations. It’s a great slogan, and I can personally apply it to Newport News, Va., (no snarky comments from you Southsiders!) since that was my last permanent home in the States. I miss much and more about this port town, and I enjoy visiting any chance I get.
Favorite Newport News Places
Hilton Village
This neighborhood of Newport News feels like Main Street USA. When you walk down the boutique-lined Main Street, you can find clothes, antiques, hand-crafted jewelry, bistros and more. My top three places to visit in Hilton Village are The Magickal Attic where my friend Melissa Kepley can supply any of your Pagan needs, Couture Cakes by Nika where the Orange Dreamsickle Cupcake is simply to die for, and Plantiques where you can get your fill of vintage antiques and try out some delicious Southern favorites in the cafe.
Virginia Living Museum
If you’re an animal lover, then you’ll love the Virginia Living Museum with all its natural habitats and wild species exhibits. The museum offers hands-on learning activities and an outdoor nature walk through woodland animal spaces.
Funny story, when we first moved into our house in Newport News, we kept finding these enormous jumping spiders in the basement. I hate detest these eight-legged monsters, and I kept telling Chris they were radioactive freaks of nature since we lived across the street from the Newport News Shipyard where some of the ships in port used nuclear materials aboard. My theory, some normal spiders had gotten into the radioactive waste aboard these ships and then made their way across the street to our basement. It wasn’t until we visited the VLM for the first time that I learned the creatures weren’t actually spiders but a type of cave cricket common to Southeast Virginia. Even though I was no longer afraid of becoming SpiderWoman if bitten, I still did not like to find these awful insects that are completely different than the nice little crickets I used to catch as a kid in Georgia.
Mariners’ Museum
As home to the great Civil War naval battle of the Monitor and Merrimack, the Mariners’ Museum focuses on the nautical history of the area. With exhibits and collections that feature vessels, tools and other seafaring items, the museum is known as “America’s National Maritime Museum.” Within the museum grounds, you can also take a walk or run through pristine nature on the Noland Trail. A 5-mile walking/running path along the edge of Lake Maury cutting through the 550 acres of the Mariners’ Museum Park, the trail is an active place for walkers/runners of all caliber.
Huntington Park
Within walking distance of our old neighborhood, North End Huntington Heights, was a man-made beach on the James River, beautiful rose garden, walking trail, play area and fishing pier at the Huntington Park. Also located in the park is the Virginia War Museum where you can learn about the commonwealth’s key roles in major American conflicts and the large military presence in Hampton Roads.
City Center at Oyster Point & Port Warwick
A mixed-use development, City Center at Oyster Point is a one-stop location for shopping, dining and entertainment. Chris and I especially enjoyed the outdoor concerts at the pavilion around the lake. Across Jefferson Avenue is another similar mixed-used development with another variety of shops, Port Warwick. Instead of a lake, this area is centered around an open green where many festivals and farmers markets are held.
Fort Eustis & The Transportation Museum
The Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis relives the history of military transportation and its role in protecting our nation. From tanks to planes, you can find exhibits of all modes, shapes and sizes. Half of Joint Base Langley-Eustis and an active military installation, Fort Eustis is home to many commands and the main training ground for transportation soldiers. Be prepared to have your vehicle inspected upon entering the installation, and have valid driver’s license or identification card and insurance ready to receive a visitor’s pass.
Newport News Eats
Newport News offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and bistros to meet your tastes. Circa 1918 in Hilton Village is an excellent option for a date night with its unique menu and chef’s daily creations. If you’re looking for a Latin American taste, try Mambo Grill or La Pena Horeb where Spanish and Caribbean flavors combine. If Mexican is what you crave (like me!) check out the many Plaza Aztecas in town – my favorite Mexican restaurants outside of El Paso, Texas. For pizza, check out The Brickhouse Tavern in Port Warwick where the specialty is thin crust. My favorite pho place is Bamboo One with delicious bubble teas. Finally, The Train Station provides a wonderful evening meal with wine and live jazz.
Working in Newport News
Home to Virginia’s largest industrial employer, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News is a pro-business city. Along with healthcare services, manufacturing, printing, and wholesale distribution, the fastest growing employer segment in the city is technology.
For an insider perspective, I spoke with Gail Benge Kent about why she has based her business, The Buzz Factoree, a public relations and marketing firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses and non-profits tell their stories to achieve goals through traditional and new media, in the city. Working in Newport News since the late 1970s, Gail has seen the area grow in terms of technology, higher education with Christopher Newport University and cultural arts. “There are lots of opportunities for doing business here, and the people, for the most part, are really diverse and friendly. I think that’s because there are so many people from other parts of the country who came here by virtue of the military at some point in their lives. I think that allows us to maintain a fresher perspective.”
When she’s not meeting with clients, writing copy, updating websites, or pitching a story idea to the media, Gail enjoys spending time with family and friends at one of the city’s many entertainment venues, such as the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center, Peninsula Fine Arts Center or the Ferguson Center for the Arts. “When I first moved to the Virginia Peninsula after having lived in Norfolk for a year, I was told ‘It’s a great place to live, but you wouldn’t want to visit there,’ meaning it’s a great place to raise a family, but there’s not much to do. That’s really not true any longer.”
Rating Newport News
I give Newport News a 8+. What is your favorite “hometown”?
-Monica
Hey, Had to change my email. some of those places I have not gone to. amazing, when I return will have to go there. At least I don’t remember Hilton Village. But I used to love to go to Williamsburg the old town. take care, keep in touch. btw, thank God I did not have those crickets in Glousterpoint!
Donna
Donna, Hilton Village is a must-see in Newport News. If we’re ever there at the same time, we’ll have to grab lunch. P.S. Lucky for you that you never had to encounter those monster crickets!