Newport News Area Attractions for a Short Stay

The Virginia Living Museum presents Virginia’s natural heritage through exhibits featuring more than 250 living species native to the state. It is at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, and makes a focused choice if you want to pair wildlife exhibits with outdoor habitats.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with outdoor areas closing at 4:30 p.m. It closes on Thanksgiving, December 24, December 25 and January 1.

Adult admission for ages 13 and above is $21.95–$23.95; children ages 12 and below pay $16.95, and children age 2 and under enter free. Members with valid membership also receive free admission. Buy tickets online in advance or in person.

Free parking is available in lots beside the museum. Public areas and classrooms are accessible to mobility-aid users, and wheelchairs and strollers are available at no charge from the Admissions Desk on a first-come, first-served basis.

Service dogs are the only animals allowed on the grounds. For more planning details, read how to plan a visit to the Virginia Living Museum.

Before you go, check the official site before you go for current hours and admission details.

The Mariners’ Museum and Park pairs maritime history with a large public park and lake. The museum interprets maritime art, culture, science and history, and has been working to fulfill its charter since 1930.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is $1 per person; children age 3 and under and museum members enter free.

Its galleries cover more than 90,000 square feet. The Explorers Theater charges $1 for non-members, while members and children age 3 and under enter free; movie tickets are additional to museum admission and can be purchased at the door.

Outside, Mariners’ Park covers 550 acres. The five-mile Noland Trail loops around the 167-acre Mariners’ Lake. The park and trail are free and open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, when the park is closed.

Parking is free, with accessible spaces near the Museum entrance, Business entrance and Noland Trail entrance, as well as at Harvey Field. The address is 100 Museum Drive, Newport News. Get the practical details in a guide to The Mariners’ Museum and Park.

Newport News Park is another outdoor stop in the city’s attractions mix. It offers a change of pace from museum galleries, making it a natural alternative if you want to spend your outing outdoors rather than indoors.

You can shape a short visit around time in the park, or set it alongside a museum stop on a longer day. For specifics on planning time there, use this visitor’s guide to Newport News Park.

The U.S. Army Transportation Museum is about a 12-minute drive from a two-star inn in Newport News, making it a practical addition to a short city stay if you want to include a military transportation museum.

What can you see at the Virginia Living Museum?

The museum presents Virginia’s natural heritage and features more than 250 living species native to Virginia.

Is the Noland Trail free?

Yes. The Noland Trail and Mariners’ Park are free to access during their daily open hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with holiday closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

How much does it cost to visit The Mariners’ Museum?

Museum admission is $1 per person. Children age 3 and under and museum members enter free.

Can you visit the Virginia Living Museum with a mobility aid?

Public areas and classrooms are accessible to mobility-aid users. Wheelchairs are available at no charge from the Admissions Desk on a first-come, first-served basis.