Monday, February 6, 2023

Get your 2023 Newport News Visitor Guide

The 2023 Newport News Visitor Guide is available! Now called our Breakthrough Guidebook, this document highlights things to do, places to see, and breakthrough adventures waiting to happen in Newport News. Pick up your copy at the Visitor Center at Newport News Park (13560 Jefferson Avenue) or the Tourism Office in City Center (702 Town Center Drive). You can also request a copy through the Tourism website at www.newport-news.org/visitors/request-brochures or by calling the Visitor Center at 757-886-7777.

From museums to parks and shopping to fine dining, new and unique opportunities wait around every corner in Newport News.  Reconnect with nature at Newport News Park, one of the largest municipal parks east of the Mississippi. Explore more habitats, wildlife, and plant species than you would in a lifetime of outdoor adventures at the Virginia Living Museum (and marvel at their adorable and famous otters)! Enjoy incredible cuisine at hidden restaurants that are locally owned and operated. Expand your horizons through a variety of cultural experiences, from small art studios and nostalgic theaters to off-Broadway performances, along with one of the newest and one-of-a-kind arts facilities in Virginia, the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center. 

Whatever you want to experience – adventure, relaxation, culture, events, arts, nature, museums, cuisine, or history – you can find it in Newport News. You bring your sense of adventure, and we’ll supply the breakthroughs!

NNPL Celebrates Black History Month

We Stand for Justice Honorees Induction, Feb. 11

Newport News Public Library (NNPL) celebrates Black History Month with a variety of exciting programming! On Feb. 11 at the Main Street Library, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., NNPL and guests will gather to honor African Americans whose activism produced an enduring historical legacy, and contributed to the cause of social justice in the City of Newport News at the annual the Library’s annual We Stand for Justice Event. This year recognizes William Davis Butts, Sr.; Oscar Pretlow, and Irma B. Thompson. These honorees are three individuals that are relatively unknown, but their activism had major impacts on civil rights in Newport News and beyond.

Oscar Pretlow led the initiative to bring the United Steelworkers union to Newport News Shipbuilding. His work improved conditions for shipyard workers. William Davis Butts, Sr. was a civil rights attorney and represented many African Americans in their pursuit for social justice and equality. He successfully used the judicial system to integrate local school systems. Irma B. Thompson fought for school integration and equal pay for African American teachers. She was a fierce advocate for her community. These three honorees will join the 39 eminent individuals previously honored by We Stand for Justice. The event includes a mini-documentary on the contributions of these three unsung heroes and performances by Dreams In Motion Dance Company and the Say It Loud Band. Admission is free, no registration required.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Pearl Bailey Library and 3:30 p.m. at the Main Street Library; and on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Grissom Library, discover the art of storytelling through movement at The Rhythm of the Story: Storytelling Through the Performing Arts. Enjoy live performances by the Dreams in Motion Dance Company and the Tidewater African Cultural Alliance. Samples of African food will be provided by Lormnava Afrik Cuisine. Admission is free, no registration required.

A variety of additional Black History programs will be offered all month, at all Newport News Public Library branches. Programs are free, some require registration. Check out the full list of events on the NNPL Events Calendar or visit nnpl.org for more information. 

VLM - You Otter Check it Out!

The new River Otter Experience at the Virginia Living Museum offers the opportunity to join an animal keeper behind the scenes to learn more about river otters. Guests will get a behind-the-scenes tour of where animal diets are prepared daily, and learn about enrichment and how it keeps the animals mentally and physically healthy. You will also have the opportunity to meet and feed the otters, Moe and Molly, from the observation deck.

The tour is approximately 35-45 minutes long and tickets are $30. Children (suggested age 4 and up) must be accompanied and closely monitored by an adult for the entire tour. Please dress for the weather as most of the tour is outside and includes walking. Masks are required for all guests during certain parts of the tour, including inside the otter building.

Tours are held on selected Saturdays during June, July, and August, and are subject to change based on the animals' behavioral or health needs. Purchase your River Otter Experience at the VLM today!