Things to do on a Rainy Day in Newport News
The skies are greying, clouds are rolling in and before you know it, people will be picking up their belongings and heading for the nearest dry place they can find. That is one of the downsides to travelling to a beachfront destination, storms can seemingly roll in from nowhere and disrupt your entire plans for the day. While you may have been anxiously awaiting to get to the Hampton Roads to enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation, don’t let a little precipitation in the forecast get you glum. There are a lot of great attractions and activities in the area that can keep you buy. Here is a short list of some of our favorite things to do on a rainy day in Newport News.
Things to do on a Rainy Day in Newport News
Endview Plantation
Completed in 1769 by William Harwood, Endview has been restored its 1862 appearance. In the 1850s, the home was purchased by Dr. Humphrey Harwood Curtis, William Harwood’s great-grandson. Dr. Curtis had his medical practice at Endview from 1856 to 1861. The home was used briefly as a Confederate hospital in the spring of 1862 and was then occupied by Union forces until 1864. Endview is now a historic house museum and offers guided tours. Special events and evening programs are held year-round. Parking is free and there is a gift shop. Endview Plantation is partially wheelchair accessible. There are discount tickets available for military and AAA members.
362 Yorktown Road
(757) 887-1862
James A. Fields House
James A. Fields was a teacher, lawyer and member of the Virginia House of Delegates. The house was used by Mr. Fields as his law office and primary residence from 1897 to 1908. In 1908, it housed the first Newport News hospital for blacks. Today, this restored home gives visitors a glimpse into the life of the African-American community in Newport News during the 1900s. Guided tours are available and special events are held year-round. Parking is free. Discount tickets are available for AAA members.
617 27th Street
(757) 245-1991
163 Yorktown Road
(757) 888-3371
Peninsula Fine Arts Center
Discover the every-changing world of art at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, where diverse artworks and dynamic exhibitions are just part of the fun. Children can create personal masterpieces in the interactive Hands On For Kids gallery, while adults can find original works by local artists in The Gallery Shop. Regular gallery talks and one-day workshops enhance the visitor’s experience. Shop for unique gifts in The Gallery Shop. Special events and evening programs are held year-round. Parking is free.
101 Museum Drive
(757) 596-8175
100 Museum Drive
(757) 591-5124
The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center
The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center is the restored 1899 residence of J. Thomas Newsome, a respected attorney, journalist, churchman and civic leader, who prospered as part of the post-Civil War south’s new urban African-American middle class. His Queen Anne residence served as the hub of the local black community from which he led the fight for social justice within Virginia. Special events and evening programs are held year-round. Parking is free. The Newsome House is partially wheelchair accessible.
2803 Oak Avenue
(757) 247-2360
US Army Transportation Museum
The story of the Army’s Transportation Corps, from horse-drawn wagons to all-terrain, armored vehicles, is told through models, dioramas and full-size vehicles and equipment at this unique museum. Visitors can explore the world of Army transportation with indoor and outdoor pavilions that feature wagons, trucks, airplanes, helicopters, locomotives, tugboats and experimental craft such as the “flying jeep.” Parking is free and there is a gift shop. The museum is handicapped accessible.
300 Washington Blvd
Besson Hall
(757) 878-1115
Virginia Living Museum 
Our state’s natural heritage is the star at the Virginia Living Museum. Here, visitors can see red wolves, bald eagles, a loggerhead sea turtle, and fish with no eyes and frogs that change colors. Living exhibits depict Virginia’s natural heritage from the mountains to the sea, including a cypress swamp and a mountain cove. An observatory, state-of-the-art digital planetarium theater, outdoors boardwalk. living greenhouse and conservation garden add to the experience. Shop for unique souvenirs in the Wild Wings Museum Store and dine in the Wild Side Café. Special events and evening programs are held year-round. Parking is free. Discount tickets are available for seniors, military and AAA members.
524 J Clyde Morris Boulevard
(757) 595-1900
Virginia War Museum
9285 Warwick Blvd.
(757) 247-8523
For live performances, Newport News is home to the Ferguson Center for the Arts, the Peninsula Community Theatre, and the Yoder Barn Theatre. Visitors can enjoy shopping at Patrick Henry Mall, Port Warwick, City Center at Oyster Point, Jefferson Commons, or any number of specialty shops Newport News has to offer. Special events are ongoing throughout the year. Please call the Newport News Visitor Center at 757-886-7777 or toll-free at 1-888-493-7386 for rainy day events, entertainment, and shopping.
Read some of our other recommendations:
Rainy Day Activities and Things to Do in Virginia Beach
Recommend Hotels in Newport News
Hampton Roads Vacation Specials
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