Palmer - Newport News, VA Area Guide

The founding of Newport News by the British colonists dates back to 1610. Nearby settlers had abandoned their Jamestown home because of harsh conditions but returned after they encountered Capt. Christopher Newport here on the Virginia Peninsula, with his good news that reinforcements had arrived – thus “Newport’s News.”

The area’s location along the James River and the sheltered Chesapeake Bay by the Atlantic Ocean has created a diverse business atmosphere. The economy embraces trades such as shipbuilding, technological research and international commerce as well as a strong military presence.

Newport News played parts in America’s Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War’s 1862 Peninsula Campaign, where the famous Battle of the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor took place. You can learn more about this history at the area’s Mariners’ Museum and USS Monitor Center, the Virginia War Museum, and the Virginia Air and Space Center.

National chains dominate Patrick Henry Mall and the main avenues running through Palmer, with recognized names as T.G.I. Friday's, Plaza Azteca, Outback, Red Robin and Umi Sushi Express.

Fall in love with Yanna's Taverna thanks to its authentic Greek cuisine. The lucaniko on a pita contains Greek sausage, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and tzatziki sauce for a spicy sandwich. The freshest food comes from the catch of the day, a platter that arrives at your table as a whole fish baked in the restaurant's blend of herbs and spice. Make sure to try imported Greek beer and wine with your order.

Find the best local night-time entertainment, as well as more locally owned restaurants, at nearby City Center at Oyster Point. At Neo Kitchen + Bar, located in the Paragon cinema theater, you can combine fine food and beverage with cinematic entertainment. Neo's kitchen presents creative reinventions of classic comfort foods, plus 18 taps and an assorted list of bottled beers and wine. Dine in the restaurant, or take your meal into the theater as you watch the movie.

The Summer Concert Series in Port Warwick hosts a variety of musical acts, including jazz, blues, light rock and roll, samba, and folk.

Automobile is the most common mode of transportation for this busy, sprawling neighborhood. Sidewalks along Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road encourage walking or biking, although there are no bike lanes along the busy roads. Local businesses and malls provide free parking.

The important east-west highway, Interstate 64, bisects the area, with easy access from Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road.

Hampton Roads Transit provides economic public transportation for the region. Bus stops are scattered throughout Palmer, especially along Jefferson Avenue. A phone call can summon a cab. Uber also services Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads.

Although Palmer is packed with business and residences, you’ll find Riverview Farm Park a mere 3 miles away. Families are especially intrigued by the park’s Fantasy Farm Playground, a 30,000-square-foot community playground. You can also hike or bike on the park’s 2 miles of paved multi-use trails or stroll along the trail leading to the shore of the Warwick River.

Riverview Farm Park hosts the city’s dog park, Fido Field. The pet park includes a 1/8-acre yard for small dogs (under 20 pounds) and a 1-acre play area for large dogs. Fido Field, open year-round from sunrise to sunset, provides a water fountain for dogs and their humans. You’ll need to register your pet before playing at Fido Field.

Another perk at the park is a 3,100-square-foot modular skate park, with two quarter pipes, two bank ramps, two grind rails and two wedge flats. Be sure to register before playing at the skate park and wear your registration sticker on your helmet.

You’ll also appreciate the park’s picnic areas and restrooms. Other amenities include a soccer field, large picnic shelters and concession stands (open on Saturdays and Sundays, April through October). Use of the park is free, excepting rentals or registrations when needed.

Nearby Port Warwick hosts annual festivities, including an indoor art show and a summer concert series. The Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival, in its 10th year, presents the works of over 100 selected artists from all over the United States, plus live music, food vendors, and a children’s pavilion. The Summer Concert Series, in its 14th year, hosts a variety of musicians, such as jazz, blues, light rock and roll, samba and folk. Each concert draws from 500 to over 1,500 people.

Palmer, a neighborhood of Newport News, Virginia, hosts a range of residential options, from apartments and trailer parks to middle-income suburban homes. The cost of living lies slightly below the national average and below nearby downtown Newport News. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom residence is $929.

Economic public transportation for the entire region is available through Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). A single trip costs $1.75, while the 1-day HRT GoPass costs $4.00. This fare takes passengers to downtown Newport News as well as other regional stops.

At a local pub, beer ranges from $2 for domestics at happy hour to $5, with higher prices for craft beers when available. The gas average generally rests at seven percent less than the national average.

The largest mall on the Virginia Peninsula, Patrick Henry Mall, attracts shoppers looking for national names. The mall hosts several anchor stores – Dillards, Macy’s, Dick’s, and JCPenney – plus 120 specialty stores, diverse brands from high-end to budget, including Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Christopher & Banks, Journeys, Old Navy, Payless, Dollar Village and Zumiez. The mall features national restaurants like Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Chipotle Mexican Grill in addition to a food court.

Other busy shopping centers lie along Oyster Point Road and Jefferson Avenue, providing retail and services including Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Costco, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, and much more.

You find the best selection of locally owned boutique stores at nearby City Center at Oyster Point. At Land of Lapis, look for a wide variety of Afghan imports, along with some Turkish and Indian goods including clothing, authentic Lapis Lazuli jewelry and other colorful accessories. At Hi-Ho Silver, browse their handmade sterling silver designs from all around the world, including some exclusive designs as well as coveted names like Alex and Ani or Chamilia.

You can fill your grocery needs at Farm Fresh or Food Lion or you can shop a little more upscale at The Fresh Market on Jefferson Avenue, a regional chain of grocery stores that focus on providing fresh local ingredients in a smaller store emphasizing the customer and the shopping experience. Nearby Games Farmers Market, a year-round enclosed grocery store, stocks an array of local meats and produce as well as bulk, Amish-style products.