No Green Thumb Needed
Look around. What do you see? Cherry blossoms. Daffodils. Azaleas. Tulips. They’re all in bloom – and they’re all over the place! You don’t have to be born with a green thumb to enjoy the beauty of spring. There are a number of beautiful gardens in Newport News where you can “stop and smell the roses” without getting your fingernails dirty. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Rose Garden at Huntington Park features over 74 rose varieties in its 1,000-bush garden. A beautiful setting for outdoor weddings, the garden also serves as a rose grower’s classroom. Complete with trellises, brick borders, and a gazebo, the rose garden remains in bloom until late October or early November. And speaking of roses, did you know that Newport News was named an American Rose City by the American Rose Society? We were the first city in Virginia to earn that distinction, back in 2002!
Newport News is also home to a Japanese Garden, located in Newport News Park. You’ll enter the garden through a “torii,” a traditional Japanese gate that marks the entrance to a sacred place. The garden, about one mile inside the park’s main entrance, is home to cherry and dogwood trees, low-growing junipers, azaleas, a variety of bulb flowers, a small pond – plus a 16th-century reproduction of a Japanese teahouse. It sits on a ½-acre piece of land and is another popular spot for weddings.
Once home to a white-tailed deer game preserve, Deer Park is now known for its gorgeous azaleas, which bloom year after year. The flowers come in a variety of colors, from pink and red to white and purple. The park is also home to camellias and rhododendron blooms.
If during your visit to all the beautiful gardens in Newport News, you become inspired to grow your own, you may want to consider a community garden plot. These plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis for residents of the city. For just $20, you’ll receive a plot of approximately 18′ X 40′ in size, located in the large open field at 75 Yorktown Road, in the Lee Hall area of Newport News.
Whether you live or work in Newport News or are just visiting us for a few days, call the Newport News Visitor Center at (888) 493-7386 or visit us at www.newport-news.org for additional scenic jaunts throughout the city.
A Toast To Virginia Wine & Dine Month!
How many of you knew that March was “Love by the Glass: Virginia Wine and Dine Month?” Probably not many since this is a fairly new statewide promotion. In past years, “Love by the Glass” lasted a mere week, but it grew so popular that the Virginia Tourism Corporation decided to expand it to the entire month of March!
“Love by the Glass: Virginia Wine and Dine Month” features Virginia wines at restaurants and wine shops throughout the state, plus it includes special events and travel packages. What better way to give visitors a lot to love about wine travel in Virginia?
One of the best wine travel packages is available at the Point Plaza Suites at City Center in Newport News. This package includes deluxe accommodations, a bottle of premium wine from our fabulous local Williamsburg Winery (choice of red or white), two keepsake etched wine glasses, a deluxe fruit & cheese tray, and a full hot breakfast buffet the following morning. Packages start as low as $99.00 (plus tax), with advanced reservations required.
And while in Newport News, check out the wine collections sold at the Warwick Cheese Shoppe, Taste Unlimited at City Center, Trader Joe’s, World Market, and more!
March is an ideal time to take a wine trip to the state, as Wine Enthusiast Magazine recently named Virginia as one of the 10 best wine travel destinations for 2012. The other regions named were Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Hungary, Germany, France, Chile, along with two areas of California. And did you know Virginia is home to nearly 200 wineries statewide, employing more than 4,750 people full-time? That’ll make you want to raise your glass in a toast to Virginia wine!
For more wine fun, visit www.virginia.org/wine, call the Newport News Visitor Center at (888) 493-7386 or visit us at www.newport-news.org. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Summer Celebration Wine Festival, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Lee Hall Mansion. The finest vintages from Virginia’s best wineries – combined with live music and good food – make this one of the most popular events on the Peninsula!
Love is in the Air
It’s February, the month of “love.” Have you given any thought to how you’re going to share that love with the person who matters most to you? Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape with that special someone, a one-of-a-kind dining experience or something classic like an old-fashioned picnic with your loved one, Newport News is the place to be!
For a great start to a romantic weekend, consider taking advantage of one of these weekend getaways:
- The Comfort Inn Newport News promises to provide the perfect atmosphere for your romantic getaway. The hotel is spoiling its guests with a bottle of sparkling cider, chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petals, and breakfast for two (757-249-0200).
- The “Romantic Getaway Package” at the Comfort Suites Airport includes a deluxe king suite, a complimentary hot breakfast in the morning, a bottle of champagne upon arrival, a fresh bouquet of flowers and a box of assorted chocolates (866-348-7755 or 757-947-1333).
- The “Make Life a Little Sweeter” special at Courtyard by Marriott Newport News Airport wants you to take a vacation from the ho-hum of everyday life and enjoy a special rate for the entire Valentine’s Day season (through March 11). Call the hotel for details (757-842-6212 – ask about the “deal of the day”).
- The romance package at the Hampton Inn & Suites Newport News includes a 2-room suite – with a fireplace – along with chilled champagne, and a hot breakfast for two (800-426-7866 or 757-249-0001).
- The Newport News Marriott at City Center is offering a special “Escape to Romance Package” that includes chilled champagne, strawberries and truffles with your overnight stay, plus breakfast for two the following morning (866-329-1758 or 757-873-9299).
- The Omni Newport News has created the “Omni Romance Package,” which includes deluxe king guestroom accommodations, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a champagne split (800-843-6664).
- A “Romantic Rendezvous” awaits you at Point Plaza Suites @ City Center, complete with deluxe accommodations, a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, a hot breakfast buffet, a late check-out, and either chocolate-covered strawberries, a fruit & cheese tray, or a cheese & cracker tray with an array of imported cheeses (757-599-4460, Ext 405 or 800-841-1112).
- Starting Feb. 9, the Residence Inn by Marriott Newport News Airport is offering a “This Is a Suite Deal” special through March 11. Call the hotel for details (757-842-6214 – ask about the “deal of the day”).
- And don’t forget our bed-and-breakfast, The Boxwood Inn, whose “Getting Away Close to Home” package includes a four-course dinner, a rose-petal-covered bed for your overnight stay, champagne and chocolates, topped off with a gourmet breakfast for two the following morning (757-888-8854).
If your busy schedule doesn’t allow for an overnight stay, perhaps an evening of great food and drink is your ticket to romance. For a special treat, choose one of the many fine dining options available in Newport News. Restaurants run the gamut from 99 Main and Circa 1918 in historic Hilton Village to Schlesinger’s Chop House and Fin Seafood in charming Port Warwick. We’re also proud to be home to Pearl French Bistro and Hayashi Sushi & Grill, both in City Center at Oyster Point. Bailey’s Sports Grille, located in Patrick Henry Mall, is throwing a singles party on Valentine’s Day, featuring fun games and yummy snacks.
A simple picnic is another popular way to spend time with a loved one, plus it’s easier on the budget! Who wouldn’t enjoy a tasty meal on a cozy blanket spread out in the middle of beautiful Newport News Park?
And, finally, the Virginia Living Museum is showing “My Laser Valentine” in its planetarium at 6:30 p.m. and again at 8:00 p.m. on the day of love itself, Feb. 14. The program features love songs matched with swirling laser lights! Come with your valentine and listen to great selections from the Beatles, N’ Sync, The Doors, Santana, U2, Carrie Underwood, Metallica, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Sting, and more!
For additional romantic ideas, just call the Newport News Visitor Center at (888) 493-7386 or visit us at www.newport-news.org.
Big plans for the end of Summer!
Hello friends of Newport News! We have really had a very unique couple of weeks in Virginia haven’t we? We’ve had history making events that shook us up and strong weather systems “blow” through town. A lot of our friends out there are still waiting on their electricity to be turned back on. If you are reading this, you must be one of the lucky ones whose power has been restored or maybe you’re reading this on your mobile phone. Last week you were probably locked down inside your homes riding out the storm. You probably played every board and card game to keep everyone entertained and now you are looking for a release for all that pinned up energy before the summer is over. In either case, it just might be time for a weekend of fun or you might prefer a little relaxation!
Whether a weekend getaway or a staycation, there is still time to plan! With so many things to choose from in Newport News there is something for everyone. Perhaps you are looking for a fun weekend with the kids at the wonderful attractions around Newport News such as the Virginia Living Museum or The Mariners’ Museum/USS Monitor Center. Maybe you want to sneak away for a couple more rounds of golf while the weather is still pleasant or take a walk in one of our parks.
Of course, you might be looking for a quiet retreat away from everything for just the two of you. Why not take a romantic stroll around the fountain at City Center, topped off with a little shopping, a massage and a romantic dinner for two. You might want to book a room too, especially if you don’t have power. Wouldn’t it be nice to have air conditioning and TV, not to mention a nice hot shower? No matter what you might be interested in, all of this and more is available right here in Newport News and there is still time for a great weekend full of fun and adventure or relaxation.
Call the Newport News Visitor Center at (888) 493-7386 and speak to one of our friendly travel counselors who will help you plan your getaway and provide a wealth of ideas. Also check out our website at www.newport-news,org where you will find all the information you will need to plan an end of summer mini-vacation. We can’t wait for you to spend the end of summer with us in Newport News, Virginia!
Planning your next special event in Newport News
Newport News Tourism recently sponsored a Reunion Planning seminar and it went really well. The topics ranged from places to stay in Newport News, things to see and do, and unique places to host your reunion and how to plan a successful event so we thought we’d share just a few ideas and offer help should you ever be tasked with planning an event.
We’re sure many of you have had the task of planning something whether it was a family or class reunion, wedding, meeting, birthday party, outing, wedding or baby shower, birthday event or something, haven’t you? Or maybe you wanted to plan an event but just the thought of all of the things involved was a bit overwhelming. Overall, planning events of any kind can be a daunting task and that is why there are professional event planners. In fact, some people we have assisted have confessed their fear of planning prevented them from organizing an event but that’s where we can HELP!
Our dedicated staff with the Newport News Tourism Development Office is here to assist you. We’re very knowledgeable when it comes to planning events of all sizes and types and we’re here to help you with ideas and provide the tools that can assist you with planning. Remember, we are in the hospitality industry and we know of a lot of what there is to see and do since it’s our job to promote and market our great City and all that we have to offer. Newport News’ central location is the perfect destination for family & friends of all ages to gather. You just can’t beat our location next to Williamsburg and our short drive to Virginia Beach. We have so much to offer in our City and we are surrounded by a lot of fantastic things to do and unique places to visit. For those who live here, have you ever wondered why your relatives always want to visit you? Well it’s because you’re in the PERFECT location!
Our Web site at www.newport-news.org offers a wealth of information of where to host your event. From the First Lady’s Tea Parlor in Port Warwick to one of more than 200 restaurants in our City, to the grand ballrooms at the Marriott, Omni, or Point Plaza to our 30+ outdoor parks, the options are plentiful. Think about how beautiful a wedding would be around the Fountain at City Center. Or perhaps you’d like to get married with some “wild new friends” at the Virginia Living Museum. Did you know they bring in animals for your guests to get up close and personal with while others are dancing the night away? Or, what about an event at The Mariners’ Museum where your guests can stand on the deck of the USS Monitor? The options to host events are endless and the choices are unique and we’re here to give you lots of ideas!
So let us help you plan your next event in Newport News. We’ll always offer ideas and suggestions to help you with your plan and we won’t let you forget what you need to do to plan a successful, unique event.
To get started, check out our website at www.newport-news.org or call 757-926-1400 or toll free at: (888) 493-7386 to speak with one of our group marketing representatives who can provide you with a wealth of information, ideas and help in planning your next special event.
If you have any suggestions for our readers on unique places in Newport News, please share. We’d love to hear your ideas for showers, wedding venues, reunion banquets, etc. in Newport News!
Welcome to the brand new Newport News blog!
Whether you are planning a visit to Newport News or are tasked with finding things to do with visiting family and friends, we want to be a resource for thought provoking and creative ideas and suggestions. Each month we will cover a new topic. From places to have your birthday celebrations and wedding reception venues, beautiful locations in Newport News to shoot your engagement photos, to upcoming events and festivals and summer fun! We will try to cover everything. As we are sharing our ideas, we would also love to hear from you with your own unique ideas! Post to our blog, call us at (757) 926-1466 or email tourism-promotions@nngov.com with topics you’d like to hear about or ideas you might offer! Also check out our website at www.newport-news.org for a wealth of information on Newport News!
