Newport News Real Estate
Newport News at a Glance
Welcome home to Newport News! A moderate cost of living, schools, proximity to the coast and friendly neighborhoods are part of the inviting charm of Virginia’s fifth most populous city. Located on the Virginia Peninsula where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay, this region is a shipbuilding mecca where aircraft carriers including the Enterprise, Kennedy and Roosevelt were built. Newport News’ distinct neighborhoods range from Hilton Village to historic Hidenwood to Kiln Creek, also known as “A Great Place to Be,” to outdoors-oriented Menchville. The city is a history lesson, where students and enthusiasts can experience historic homes, battle sites and artifacts from colonial America. Newport News is a Virginia Green Partner, recognized for its commitment to sustainability and green tourism. You’ll love living here where the pace of life is slower than a big-time city without sacrificing many of the urban amenities.
ARTS, MUSEUMS & ENTERTAINMENT
Discover more than 35,000 artifacts at The Mariners’ Museum that celebrates the history of the open sea. On a seasonable day, hike its 550-acre park, which includes the five-mile Noland Trail that leads to picturesque Lions Bridge overlooking the James River.
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center is a multi-purpose space that contains multiple event spaces including the 276-seat Ella Fitzgerald Theater (Ella was born in Newport News).
Ferguson Center for the Arts is a theater and concert hall on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
Virginia Living Museum connects people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. The kids will love the Dinosaur Discovery Trail. The Abbitt Planetarium offers public shows on select days.
Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center is a restored Victorian landmark that received a National Historic Preservation Award.
From horse-drawn wagons to armored vehicles, explore the Army’s Transpiration Corps at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.
Virginia War Museum contains exhibits on American military history dating back to 1775.
Starving Artist Studio offers workshops in pottery, resin, mixed media, glass fusion and more.
Newport News Park hosts a Fall Festival every October. Its drive-thru Celebration of Lights opens on Thanksgiving and transforms the park using more than one million lights over three miles.
Newport News Greek Festival has been a community staple every summer for more than 50 years.
Golf courses are located seemingly everywhere, including Kiln Creek Golf Club & Resort, voted one of the five best courses in the Commonwealth by Golf Digest.
EAT & DRINK
You’ll find every kind of food in Newport News and the surrounding region. Just a few of the major restaurants are:
- Second Street American Bistro is famous for its Carolina burger.
- Fin Seafood features local ingredients and uses sustainable produce.
- Harpoon Larry’s Oyster Bar showcases in fresh, local seafood.
- Craft 60 Taphouse & Grill is a go-to for craft beer and great food.
- Savor prime rib and crabcakes at Schlesinger’s Chop House
Tradition Brewing Company is among the first craft breweries in Newport News; relax in the 4,000 square-foot taproom. Hilton Tavern Brewing Company has been a staple in the coveted Hilton village neighborhood for decades. Coastal Fermentory started out of a garage and includes Jun, a sparkling fermented beverage made from organic green tea and local honey. Pay-as-you pour beer and wine at Beervana Taphouse.
EDUCATION
Newport News Public Schools are the largest on the Virginia Peninsula with an enrollment of nearly 30,000 students in five early childhood centers, 24 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five high schools and nine program sites.
Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News and Hampton University is nearby. Students also have easy access to William and Mary, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Virginia Peninsula Community College and Tidewater Community College.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Riverside Regional Medical Center is the most comprehensive medical facility in the region. Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital earned the nation’s top grade for patient safety with an “A” grade for patient safety.
Newport News is centrally located to all the multiple major medical centers throughout Hampton Roads.
PARKS & RECREATION
The climate makes being outside ideal whether you’re walking, bird watching, cycling, boating, golfing or fishing. Newport News Park is one of the largest municipal parks east of the Mississippi with almost 8,000 acres. The park includes an 18-hole disc golf course, a 30-acre aeromodel flying field, bike rentals and a Japanese Peace Garden with an authentic tea house.
A public beach fronting the James River is part of Huntington Park’s 60 acres. In fact, Huntington Park’s James River Fishing Pier is the longest on the East Coast. Don’t miss the Rose Garden when it’s in bloom or Fort Fun, a 13,000 square-foot playground. Twenty lighted tennis courts and fishing are additional recreational options.
Saltwater fishing and beach access make a visit to Anderson Park worthwhile. You’ll find the historic Monitor Merrimac Overlook here where the Battle of the Ironclads took place in 1862.
Launch into the Warwick River at Denbigh Park, where saltwater fishing is also available.
SHOPPING
All the major food chains are in Newport News, including Food Lion, Harris Teeter, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Costco.
Shops, a movie theater, hotels and restaurants make City Center at Oyster Point a go-to destination. Find a farmers market there on Thursdays. Don’t overlook family owned Dean & Don’s Farm Market, open April-October and in November and December. Find everything from apples to zucchini there and pick up your fresh holiday tree!
Patrick Henry Mall is just off Interstate 64 and the lone enclosed mall between Norfolk and Richmond.
WORK
Major employers in Newport News are Huntington Ingalls Industries, Riverside Health System, Spectrum, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Canon, Ferguson, Langley Federal Credit Union and Jefferson Lab.
Army installation Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base have combined for Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Newport News is located off Interstates 64 and 664 and is home to the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and within a half hour from Norfolk International Airport.
You’ll find an Amtrak Station in Newport News, with daily rides to Washington, D.C., Richmond and farther up the East Coast.