Naval Station Norfolk
1917The world's largest naval station, home to the Atlantic Fleet and over seventy-five ships.
7.5 mi away
Everything Newport News is known for
Newport News, Virginia, a city known for its rich history and coastal location, also has notable connections to the world of music. Situated on the Virginia Peninsula, it has been home to influential artists and is mentioned in popular songs.
Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, on April 25, 1917. The city is also the hometown of R&B artist Masego, who blends genres like trap, house, and jazz, and hip-hop artist Awon. Newport News is even referenced in music, appearing in the lyrics of "The Swish" by The Hold Steady and "Ping Pong, Pool" by Max Stalling.
The world's largest naval station, home to the Atlantic Fleet and over seventy-five ships.
The decisive battle of the American Revolution, where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in October 1781.
61 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Newport News, Virginia, hums with a unique energy, a blend of maritime grit and forward-looking innovation. The city owes its existence to its deepwater access, a feature that caught the eye of Collis P. Huntington, who…
Marvel at the Hotel Warwick, a seven-story building showcasing an eclectic mix of Gothic Revival and Art Deco styles. It was the first skyscraper, first tower hotel, and first fireproof hotel in Newport News. Built in…
Keep an eye out for a lonely sentinel rising from the water – the Newport News Middle Ground Light, the oldest caisson lighthouse in Virginia. Built in 1891, this lighthouse marked a dangerous shoal in the James River,…
Pull over for a minute and imagine a whole village springing up almost overnight! Hilton Village was built to house shipyard workers during World War I. Between 1918 and 1921, the U.S. government built this planned…
You're near a place that witnessed the very beginnings of English America: St. John's Church. Founded way back in 1610, it's the oldest continuously running English-speaking parish in the whole country. Life here in the…
Bethel High School (1067 Big Bethel Rd., Hampton, VA) produced Allen Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP, eleven-time All-Star, and Hall of Famer. What sets his origin apart is two sports at once: as a junior in the 1992-93…
Stand near this peaceful spot, and you're close to the final resting place of a true American hero. This is the Josiah Parker Family Cemetery. Colonel Josiah Parker wasn't just any soldier; he was a leader in the…
This unassuming spot was once the vibrant heart of a world's fair! It was 1907, and the United States was celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement with the Jamestown Exposition. Picture a sprawling…
Ever wonder how a town gets its name? Here in Phoebus, Virginia, it's a story of railroads and resilience. Originally named Chesapeake City in 1871, the town's fate took a turn when local businessman Harrison Phoebus…
That little island fort you see out there, Fort Wool, once played a crucial role in defending Hampton Roads. Construction began in 1819 to create a coastal defense system. The artificial island, initially called Rip…
The world's largest naval station, home to the Atlantic Fleet and over seventy-five ships.
Right here, astronauts practiced the ultimate high-stakes maneuver: docking in space. Back in the 1960s, during the Gemini program, NASA built this Rendezvous Docking Simulator at Langley Research Center. It was a…
This unassuming metal structure revolutionized aircraft design. The Variable Density Tunnel, or VDT, allowed engineers to test scale models under different air pressures, mimicking flight conditions far more accurately…
Imagine a place where dreams of faster, more efficient flight took shape. That's right here near the Eight-Foot High Speed Tunnel. Completed in 1936, this wind tunnel at NASA's Langley Research Center allowed engineers…
Buckle up, aviation buffs! We're near the Full-Scale Wind Tunnel, a place where engineers wrestled the secrets of flight from the very air itself. Back in 1929, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the…
Railroads built America, and this district shows how Norfolk rode that iron horse to prosperity. Centered around the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks, this area exploded between 1890 and 1930, becoming a hub of…
Ever wonder how America protected its harbors in the early days? Fort Norfolk is a perfect example. Built between 1795 and 1809, this fort was part of George Washington's plan for coastal defense. It played a role in…
Step back in time as you pass Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, a window into Norfolk's rich Catholic heritage. Established in 1854 by the pastor of St. Mary's Church, it became the final resting place for Catholics from…
Imagine standing guard here, knowing the fate of the colony rested on your shoulders! Fort Boykin, overlooking the James River, has been a strategic defense point since the early 1600s. While its origins date back to…
Hold onto your hats, folks, because you've stumbled upon a town frozen in time! Smithfield, Virginia, isn't just a pretty place; it's a living, breathing history book. Smithfield's story really took off in the 18th and…
Imagine the weighty decisions made within these walls – this is the Old Isle of Wight Courthouse! For half a century, starting in 1750, this building served as the center of justice for Isle of Wight County. Constructed…
Get ready to be amazed by art! The Chrysler Museum isn't just another museum; it's a testament to how one person's passion can transform a city. It all started in 1933 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. Then,…
Imagine colonial Virginians gathering here almost 300 years ago – right where you're driving now. This is Glebe Church, built in 1737, a vital part of the early Anglican community in this area. Construction began in…
Get ready to shift gears back in time! This area, now known as the Norfolk Auto Row Historic District, was once the heart of the city's car culture. Originally a low-income housing area in the early 1900s, this area…
This humble cemetery whispers tales of resilience and remembrance, a place where Norfolk's African American history is etched in stone. Established in 1873, West Point Cemetery, also known as Potter's Field, served as a…
You're now approaching the East Radford Historic District, a place that tells the story of Radford's boomtown days. It's a neighborhood that sprang to life after the railroad arrived, transforming a small depot into a…
These walls have witnessed Norfolk's transformation from a bustling colonial port to a modern city. Built around 1791, the Taylor–Whittle House is a prime example of Federal-style architecture, popular in the early days…
Step aboard, virtually, the USS Wisconsin, a WWII-era battleship that saw action in the Pacific and Korea, and now serves as a museum. Completed in 1944, she joined the fight in the Pacific. She shelled Japanese-held…
Catch a show at the Wells Theatre, a beautifully restored performing arts venue that has been entertaining Norfolk audiences for decades. Built by the vaudeville impresario Jake Wells, the Wells Theatre opened its doors…
Step back in time at this historic shopping arcade built in 1907 in the Beaux Arts style. The Monticello Arcade was built on land leased from the Selden Grandy Estate. It's a three-story building with a steel frame,…
Ever wonder what it was like to walk through a bustling colonial port city? You're standing in it! Downtown Portsmouth is a living museum, with over 200 buildings that tell the story of this historic place. This area…
You're looking at a survivor! Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is the only colonial-era building still standing after the devastating Burning of Norfolk in 1776. During the Revolutionary War, Norfolk was a key port city.…
Norfolk, Virginia, owes its name to a land across the Atlantic. Established as a borough in 1736, the city was named in honor of Norfolk, England, a county known for its flatlands, broad skies, and maritime history. The…
This spot isn't just a town square; it's a place where history grapples with memory. The Confederate Monument, erected here between 1876 and 1881, stood as a powerful symbol for decades. It was a 35-foot obelisk made of…
Step back in time to a place where movies were more than just a screen: the Commodore Theatre. Built in 1945, this Art Deco gem was *the* place to be in Portsmouth. Originally seating 1,000 moviegoers, the Commodore…
Marvel at the architecture of this late 19th-century Knights of Pythias building, a unique landmark in Portsmouth. This is the Pythian Castle, built between 1897 and 1898 for the Atlantic Lodge, Knights of Pythias. It's…
Imagine Portsmouth bustling with activity, the air thick with the scent of coal and the rumble of locomotives. This is where the Seaboard Coastline Building, originally known as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad building,…
Imagine life on the James River at Richneck Plantation, a colonial-era property that witnessed the early days of Virginia. Richneck Plantation was located on the northern shore of the James River, a prime location in…
You're looking at a true workhorse of American naval history: Drydock Number One at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. It's the oldest operational drydock in the U.S., and it's seen a *lot*. Construction began in 1827, and it…
Believe it or not, this gorgeous garden grew from a patch of barren land! The Norfolk Botanical Garden's story began in 1938 during the Great Depression. A grant of $77,000 was secured from the Works Progress…
Right here, at Lee's Mill, you're standing on ground that stalled a major Union advance during the Civil War. In 1862, Union General McClellan planned to quickly take Richmond. But as his troops approached, they ran…
Stand near Fort Crafford, and you're standing on the edge of a daring Confederate gamble. In 1862, Confederate forces built this pentagonal earthwork as part of the Warwick Line. It was meant to block Union forces from…
Pulling up to Norfolk Academy? You're near a place with some serious history – we're talking nearly three centuries of it! Chartered way back in 1728, Norfolk Academy holds the title of the oldest private school in…
Imagine the James River choked with warships, locked in a deadly dance! That's what Confederate engineers hoped to prevent when they built Fort Huger. Named for General Benjamin Huger, construction began in late summer…
Pull over and imagine weary travelers from centuries ago finding respite! Boykin's Tavern has been a welcoming landmark since the late 18th century. The original tavern was built around 1790. Over time, it expanded,…
Pull over here for a minute. This is where the fate of a nation was decided. The Moore House is where the British surrendered to the Americans, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. In 1781, representatives from the…
You're driving through ground zero for the birth of America! This isn't just another scenic route; it's where English colonists first planted roots and where the fight for independence reached its climax.Jamestown,…
Pull over here for a sec – this is Lee Hall Mansion, and it played a surprisingly important role in the Civil War. General John B. Magruder, a Confederate commander, used Lee Hall as his headquarters in 1862. From here,…
Imagine the goods that passed through here in the 1700s, funding the British Empire. This is the Old Custom House in Yorktown. It was built in 1721, when Yorktown was a bustling port. This two-and-a-half story brick…
Imagine standing where people lived and built for over 300 years! The Hermitage, also called Devereaux House, is a Virginia Beach home with sections dating all the way back to 1700. The original section was built around…
Imagine life on a Tidewater Virginia plantation almost 300 years ago. That's what the Lynnhaven House represents. Built around 1725, this house was originally part of a 250-acre plantation owned by the Thelaball family.…
Imagine witnessing centuries of history unfold from a single spot. That's Grace Church in Yorktown. Built in 1697, it served as the York-Hampton Parish Church. Over the years, it underwent changes, including a Greek…
The decisive battle of the American Revolution, where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in October 1781.
Imagine this quiet corner of Virginia buzzing with rebellion! This is Bacon's Castle, built in 1665, and it played a key role in a pivotal moment in colonial history. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a revolt against the…
Imagine gathering here for worship nearly 400 years ago – this spot is home to the oldest church in Virginia Beach. The story starts around 1637, when local folks began holding church services in the home of Adam…
You're driving near a spot that's been strategically important for centuries! Gloucester Point has been a key location for military fortifications, dating back to colonial times. Think back to the American Revolution.…
Imagine a time when the Lynnhaven River was a bustling highway, and this very spot was a vital connection. This is Ferry Plantation House, a place steeped in early Virginia history. Back in 1642, Savill Gaskin…
Imagine standing where English colonists first planted their dreams in the New World. Carter's Grove, now a 750-acre plantation, whispers tales of early settlements and grand estates. Built in 1755 for Carter Burwell,…
Imagine walking where generations have farmed the same land since before the United States even existed! Chippokes State Park isn't just a pretty spot on the James River; it's one of the oldest continuously farmed…
Hold on to your peanuts! This unassuming building played a major role in Virginia's agricultural history. Since around 1902, this site has been the heart of peanut processing in Suffolk. By 1932, the Suffolk Peanut…
Stand here at Walnut Valley and you're standing on ground that witnessed the lives of planters, enslaved people, and generations of Virginians. Around 1770, this plantation house was built, a testament to the…