I like to say Newport News is like my second home. Growing up in Smithfield, VA, Newport News was the closest big city to us. It's where the Wal-Mart's and Costco's of the world were, and it didn't hurt that my grandmother lived there and my father worked there, too.
Yes, Newport News has a special place in my heart. Denbigh, a section in uptown Newport News near the airport, was the gathering place for many a Thanksgiving, Christmas, and numerous other family occasions. At that time, Newport News was home to a small liberal arts college called Christopher Newport College. Today, it's Christopher Newport University. And today, Newport News is a much different city than it was when I was a kid. Newport News is a narrow city. If you look at the map, it's quite interesting. It's basically a city located on the James River that just goes from one end of the city to the other. That's it. But in between, there's a lot of history, opportunity, and good to be had. Downtown Newport News Home to the Northrop Grumman, one of the world's largest shipbuilders, this employment titan really anchors Newport News and its surrounding cities. The Shipyard is located in Downtown Newport News which, prior to the 1960's, was a bustling city. But in the 1970's, the downtown saw a steady decline in real estate values. The Shipyard still remains a key component to downtown's survival, and it even has its own trade school, called the Apprentice School. Although a trade school, the Apprentice School offers intercollegiate athletics, and is home to several USCAA National Championship teams. 
Midtown Newport News
Basically, downtown Newport News stretches from the low numbered streets on Jefferson Avenue to Newmarket, a shopping center where Jefferson Avenue meets Mercury Boulevard. From there, you begin to enter into Midtown Newport News, which is where the city has invested millions of dollars. A commercial development in Oyster Point called City Center, which is a mixed use development that features a movie theater, apartments, retail space, and office complexes, has become one of the central hubs of the city. In what seemed in tandem with CNU, Midtown Newport News experienced a boom from 2000-present. CNU, once a tiny 2-year community college, is now one of the finest universities in the Mid-Atlantic. It features NCAA Division III athletics and is nationally-recognized for its immaculate campus aesthetics. A word about CNU, and that section of town: CNU is located on Warwick Boulevard, which is just minutes from the James River. The neighborhoods behind CNU are some of the priciest homes you will find on the Peninsula, and all along Warwick are vibrant neighborhoods such as Hilton Village, Merry Point, and Hidenwood. Many people who live in this section of town are sent to Menchville High School, which is widely-considered Newport News' top-rated high school. All of the shopping is located in Midtown, too. Patrick Henry Mall, Tech Center, and all of the big box stores are located here. Canon has a manufacturing plant, and the world-famous Jefferson Labs back up to all of the activity. |
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Uptown Newport News
This section of Newport News brings to you Denbigh and Woodside, which is close to Fort Eustis. Known for its transportation school, Fort Eustis was once a bustling military base. However, many of its past duties have been shipped to Fort Lee in Petersburg. Fort Eustis is still an active base, but it does not draw the thousands of soldiers to Newport News that it once did.
Still, though, this section of town his holding its own. Living in Denbigh and Woodside is only a 15 minute ride to Yorktown, Hampton, and only 20 minutes to Williamsburg. It's very close to the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), so for the business traveler, it's very convenient to jump on a flight.
A popular destination for area residents, the Newport News City Park offers camping, paddle boating, and many more fun outdoor activities to do. It's really kind of remarkable: tucked away from all of the traffic, this park gives people the opportunity to escape without having to drive far at all.
This section of Newport News brings to you Denbigh and Woodside, which is close to Fort Eustis. Known for its transportation school, Fort Eustis was once a bustling military base. However, many of its past duties have been shipped to Fort Lee in Petersburg. Fort Eustis is still an active base, but it does not draw the thousands of soldiers to Newport News that it once did.
Still, though, this section of town his holding its own. Living in Denbigh and Woodside is only a 15 minute ride to Yorktown, Hampton, and only 20 minutes to Williamsburg. It's very close to the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), so for the business traveler, it's very convenient to jump on a flight.
A popular destination for area residents, the Newport News City Park offers camping, paddle boating, and many more fun outdoor activities to do. It's really kind of remarkable: tucked away from all of the traffic, this park gives people the opportunity to escape without having to drive far at all.