Greenwood/Newport News - Newport News, VA Area Guide

The land for Newport News was cleared by the Jamestown settlers. A rural area for centuries, Newport News has been developing since the 1880s. Today it has become largely dependent on the military and the shipping industry, with Yorktown Naval Weapons Station and the joint base of Langley Air Force and Army Fort Eustis nearby, and the Newport News Shipbuilding and naval shipyards at the south end of the city.

Museums in the city include the Virginia War Museum, U.S. Army Transportation Museum, Virginia Living Museum, The Mariner’s Museum and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. Lee Hall Mansion and Endview Plantation sit right outside the Greenwood neighborhood, inviting the public to stop in and visit these historical places.

The Fine Arts Center holds a wide variety of art classes and one-day workshops, as well as hosting fine art exhibitions.

South of the neighborhood on Route 60 sits Mystic Jamaica Restaurant. Enjoy the reggae music that plays as you dine-in, or if you’re in a hurry, order take-out. The Jamaican restaurant features a low-spice jerk chicken, oxtails and sweet plantains in addition to other authentic food. With limited seating, this popular restaurant fills up fast, especially at lunch when you can get the special, which features a main dish, two sides and a drink for around $6.

Located just down the interstate, Pho 79, a noodle soup and grill restaurant, remains a top choice for Vietnamese food by the locals. Stop in, and see why people rave about the trendy atmosphere while you try the pho soup, banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea.

When it comes to enjoying the nightlife, drop by Craft 60 Ale House, open until 2 a.m. Operating under the phrase ‘not just handmade, handcrafted’ the restaurant serves a full menu featuring seafood, chicken and burgers. For drinks, this establishment has a full bar that serves custom cocktails, a small wine list and a large selection of craft beers.

Newport News happens to be a city where having a car comes in handy, but public transportation also provides options.

The Hampton Roads Transit services the city, with several local bus routes in addition to commuter routes and a more direct-max service route. Fares on the HRT buses cost $1.75 for one way, but for frequent riders, 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day passes can be purchased at a slight discount.

The city has plenty of parking available, including a Park-and-Ride right in the neighborhood, a parking garage downtown, and spaces at all of the restaurants and shops.

While the city doesn’t have a lot of dedicated biking lanes, bikers find many bicycle-friendly roads throughout the city.

Cab companies such as Yellow Cab of Newport News and James River Transportation serve the area, as does app-based company Uber.

The Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport can be found a short 6 miles south on Interstate 64.

Newport News Park invites the neighbors to enjoy nature in over 7,500 acres of woodlands, meadows and lakes. Different animals, including deer, foxes and beaver, can be seen. Visitors can come for the camping, and with 188 spaces scattered throughout the woods, it doesn’t feel crowded.

The park also allows for fishing in its two lakes, has 30 miles of biking and hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, an 18-hole disc-golf course and an archery course. The park remains free, except for campground and boat rentals.

If you enjoy history, the park also features Civil War fortifications and earthworks, and has been made a stop on the official Virginia Civil War Trails.

Every spring the park holds a children’s Festival of Friends, in the fall the Festival of Folklife, and during the holidays, drive the 2 mile route through the park that has been lit up with 450,000 lights.

The city also runs a community garden in the area. A fee of $30 reserves your 18 by 40 feet plot, and with 112 spots, plenty of space exists.

When you want to take your dogs out to play, head over to Fido Field, where vaccinated, registered dogs are welcome with a $10 annual fee. With one acre of open area, both you and your dog can enjoy coming here.

The cost of living in Newport News sits at nearly two percent lower than the state average. The cost for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood runs an average of $722. Your average beer at Craft 60 costs between $4 and $6.

Gas in Newport News costs the same as the state average, which sits at three percent lower than the national average.

The shopping corridor in Newport News can be found south of the Greenwood neighborhood, right off Interstate 65. Most national chains can be found along here, including Michaels, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, and PetSmart.

For higher-end shopping, head the seven miles over to historic Yorktown, and step out onto the Riverwalk Landing. You can find those unique shops, such as Auntie M's American Cottage, which sells handcrafted upcycled gifts. Auntie M’s also holds workshops on various crafting topics, such as creating with felt or making homemade books.

Other shops include the used bookstore Yorktown Bookshop, Black Dog Gallery, and the Gallery at York Hall, which showcases fine art by local artists.

For your grocery needs, many stores serve the area, including Food Lion, Save-A-Lot, Walmart, Farm Fresh, Kroger and Trader Joe’s. For farm-fresh items, check out the two farmers markets nearby. The City Center market operates on Thursdays April through September, and Game's Farmers Market remains a locally owned grocery store open daily that provides locally grown produce, Amish-style products and meat.