Year-Round Local Activities In And Near Newport News
Are you coming to Newport News, Virginia for an heirloom photo session? You’re in for a treat! This charming city, nestled in the heart of Hampton Roads, offers a variety of fun activities for families with little ones. From outdoor adventures to educational experiences, Newport News has a little something for everyone. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your day in and around Newport News!
Virginia Living Museum
Kick off your trip with a visit to the Virginia Living Museum. This interactive museum combines an aquarium, natural history exhibits, and a botanical garden. Kids will love seeing native animals, including otters, turtles, and raptors, while the hands-on exhibits provide a fun and educational experience. Don’t forget to check out the planetarium for a stellar show! The VLM is less than 10 minutes from my studio.
The Torggler Fine Arts Center
If you love art you may like a to take a quick stop at The Torggler Fine Arts Center located in the Christopher Newport University Campus. Exhibits change every so often and are free and open to the public except on Mondays and holidays where the campus is closed.
The Mariners Museum
If someone in your crew is a water and boat-lover, the Mariners Museum is the perfect place to visit. This museum is only $1 per person for entry. This museum includes learning for both adults and children with interactive activities. There is a wonderful playground beside the museum as well as the Noland Trail.
The Noland Trail is a 5-mile loop but includes several kid-friendly walking paths.
Colonial Williamsburg
If you’ve never been, Colonial Williamsburg is a stop I wouldn’t want to miss. CW is packed with incredible history, delicious restaurants, and places to shop. Each season truly provides such a unique experience. Some of my favorite places:
Monkee’s of Williamsburg
The Carousel Children’s Boutique
Brick & Vine
The Cheese Shop
Fort Monroe
Pack a picnic, bring your bathing suits or bikes and enjoy the afternoon exploring Fort Monroe. Fort Monroe is located in Hampton, Virginia and is packed with a lot of history. David and I were even married there!
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens and Water Country in Williamsburg are beautiful theme parks for families of all ages. Water Country is obviously seasonal, but Busch Gardens has several seasonal events that make each season even more special. If you’re thinking to go to BG during fall, be ware that after dark Howl-O-Scream starts and is NOT little kiddo friendly. We’ve yet to take out children and they are 11 and 7. Christmas Town on the other hand is amazing! Our family loves looking at all the lights and heading in to catch a Christmas show or two!
BEST RESTAURANTS
When you’re traveling with little ones not trip is complete without a bite to eat! The Peninsula has a variety of family-friendly restaurants, coffee shops and desserts. From casual diners to delicious seafood spots. Don’t miss the chance to try some fresh catch or classic Southern dishes. Many restaurants offer kid-friendly menus for even the pickiest eaters!
COFFEE
We’ve got your Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts just like most cities, but we also have some really great coffee shops in Newport News! I’ve found that most of the local coffee shops have really created businesses built on connection and community. There’s no need to rush through your cup of coffee.
Not only is Indulge a great breakfast or brunch spot, but its also the perfect place to pop in for a cup of coffee. Theres outdoor seating and is overall such a great place to sit and sip a cappuccino!
Grounded
Grounded is one I go to often for meetings and things. It feels open enough that the tables aren’t right on top of each other, which I love, but it also has the warmth you’d expect of a coffee shop.
Busy Nothings Coffee
I’ve yet to visit Busy Nothings Coffee shop, but I love how Lady Carroll invites community and connection through silent book clubs or local crafters (like knitters and crochet) to bring their work along!
Persnickety Crane Cafe
Persnickety Crane Cafe is a little bit of a drive from Newport News, but is loved by so many mamas! This coffee shop features a little play area for your kiddos, which means you’ll actually get to enjoy a HOT cup of coffee.
Sidenote: Persnickety now also serves lunch and dinner!
brunch
Indulge Bakery & Bistro
Indulge Bakery & Bistro is the perfect stop for authentic French cuisine breakfast or lunch right in Hilton Village.
Taste Unlimited
Taste Unlimited has made for you sandwiches, soups, and salads. I personally suggest the Lynnhaven! The roasted chicken breast and pimento is so good.
Byrds
Byrds is a popular breakfast and brunch spot so there may be a little bit of a wait, but its southern flare and good service make it worth it!
LUNCH/DINNER
Jose Tequila’s
Jose Tequilas is a delicious Mexican restaurant! It can be noisy and busy in the evenings but there’s great food and quick service.
Harpoon Larry’s
Harpoon Larry’s has fresh seafood and oysters for all you seafood lovers.
Smoke
Smoke is a laid-back BBQ restaurant. They’ve got a yummy Sunday BRUNCH as well as pizzas in the evening on select days. Our favorite is the Tarte Flambe pizza, it has caramelized onions, bacon, ricotta, and mixed greens on a garlic oil base… DELICIOUS!
County Grill – BBQ & Smokehouse
County Grill – BBQ & Smokehouse is one of my kiddos favorite places. They love the corn muffins and honey butter they bring to the table. They also bring paper table “clothes” and crayons so if you can draw and play games while you wait for your food. Their dinner portions are BIG and usually provide another meal as a leftover for lunch the next day.
INDULGE WITH A SWEET TREAT
Newport News offers several dessert spots perfect for families looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. Whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, cupcakes, or a unique treat, these local businesses something for everyone:
Aux Délices has WONDERFUL crepes and small-batch ice cream. If you like to relax with a cool treat, this is the place to do it!
The Hilton Creamery is the cutest little shop in Historic Hilton Village. Enjoy an ice cream or milkshake while you pop in and out of the cutest shops!
The Cobbler Cafe is honestly still on our to-try list but I’ve seen more and more people talking about how delicious their Cobblers, Banana Puddings, Cinnamon Rolls, Sundaes are!
WHERE TO SHOP
Newport News has a lot of small businesses that you may not have heard of if you aren’t from the area. Hilton Village has quite a few I’d love to share:
The Georgia Peach is the cutest little shop with seasonal home decor, jewelry, womens, mens and childrens clothing. There’s even a prayer room filled with prayer cards and other meaningful products. If you get a chance to meet Claire, the owner, she’s just the best!
Rooms Blooms and More is an antique and fine home furnishing consignment, special event floral design and interior decorating business. They often have Henkle Harris or blue and white chinoiserie that I love so much.
Design & Consign is really unique and just a short drive from Hilton Village. This consignment has booths set up for local small businesses to display antiques, unique finds as well as handmade luxury wreaths like The Wellbourn Table.
Lily and Lane Co. is technically in Yorktown, BUT, it is hands down one of the BEST consignment shops for classic children’s clothing. Lily and Lane have brands like Beaufort Bonnett, Feltman Brothers, Little English etc.
