Newport News’ great location and rich history, which begins shortly after the founding of Jamestown, has shaped the city into what it is today. Located on the banks of the Hampton Roads harbor in southeastern Virginia, Newport News is minutes from Williamsburg and a short drive to Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. From this central Tidewater location, you can experience the ocean, the ships, the history and the great outdoors.From the landing at Jamestown in 1607, to the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the 1862 Peninsula Campaign where the famous Battle of the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor took place, visitors can step back in time and learn about our nation's beginning while visiting our region. With the USS Monitor Center, historic homes, battle sites, fortifications, monuments and extraordinary collections of artifacts, history will be at the top of your list! After reliving our nation's past, come and relax and enjoy one of our many scenic parks filled with every activity imaginable from hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, golf and more to fun-filled attractions that let you get up close and personal with nature and Virginia's wildlife.