Newport News is located just west of the city of Hampton Roads on the James River. Newport News is not only a bustling center of boating activity in the region, but also has rich maritime roots (the U.S.S. Merrimac sailed here) and is home of the company that builds the biggest warships on Earth - United States Navy aircraft carriers. There are a few marine facilities here, but most of the Newport News waterfront is dedicated to commercial shipping and shipbuilding.
The most famous bit of history in these parts is the battle of the Merrimac and the Monitor, which took place just downstream at Hampton Roads. This was the first battle of ironclad warships, and resulted in the sinking of the Merrimac. The Merrimac and her guns were later recovered, and are now part of a new display at the Newport News Mariners’ Museum.
Use NOAA Charts 12222 and 12248.
Newport News is reached via Hampton Roads, which is also the mouth of the James River at its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay. On entering the Hampton Roads area from the Chesapeake Bay, be advised that this is a high traffic area for commercial freighters, tugs with tows and some of the largest Naval vessels on Earth.
From the Chesapeake Bay, pick up the Thimble Shoal Lighthouse about four nautical miles east of Old Point Comfort to enter the Hampton Roads Channel. Once you have cleared Thimble Shoals, pick up quick flashing red buoy “16,” and then set a course for quick flashing green bell buoy “21” near the Hampton Roads opening at Old Point Comfort.
Once you have cleared the opening in the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, set a course towards Newport News via the Hampton Roads Channel. Past the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, you will find Newport News on the northern side of the James River Channel.
One of the most popular attractions in Newport News is the Mariners’ Museum, which has dozens of interactive exhibits on the maritime history of the Newport News area, including an exhibit on the U.S. S. Monitor, an ironclad ship of war that was recently retrieved from local waters.
If you do not mind hopping on the bus or grabbing a cab, Hampton Roads, Norfolk and Virginia Beach are all close by, each with their own unique list of activities. See the “Helpful Links” section below for more detailed information and a calendar of events for the Newport area.
Local public transportation is provided by Hampton Roads Transit, which runs on regular schedules around the area and also to the Norfolk International Airport.
The Norfolk International Airport features regularly scheduled major air service with connecting service to larger locations. Shuttle and taxi service to and from the facility is available by making arrangements with the airport. For transit schedules and shuttle service to the airport, see the “Helpful Links” section below for more details.
