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Newport News vacations offer the ultimate getaway for history buffs

| July 1, 2010 2:00 PM

Have a love of history? A desire to learn more about our country's past? Then Newport News vacations may be of interest to you.

Virginia's fifth largest city is believed to have been named for Capt. Christopher Newport, captain of the three-ship fleet that landed at Jamestown in 1607. His "news" was that the settlers had arrived safely.

Today, the city is known for its shipbuilding and coal shipping industries, as well as its many Civil War battle sites. Those interested in learning more about the incredible influence this area has had on our nation's history are sure to enjoy its many tourist attractions.

Newport News vacations have a lot to offer. Among the most popular attractions:

* Mariner's Museum Park is a place where visitors young and old can celebrate man's relationship with the sea. The facility is built on beautiful grounds with plenty of well-maintained trails and open areas where you can walk and stretch after your trip to get there. Inside, visitors can explore a 60,000-square-foot gallery which houses rare figureheads, handcrafted ship models, Civil War artifacts, paintings and much more.

* If you have even a passing interest in history, you'll enjoy a visit to Virginia War Museum. It documents the colonists' and the United States' involvement in all of our wars, beginning with the revolution.

* The Virginia Living Museum is the perfect place to bring the entire family. Visitors are transported into a steamy cypress swamp and cool mountain cove to explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay. The facility also has a 3/4 mile boardwalk that features animals native to Virginia in naturalized habitats. You'll also find an observatory and planetarium theater on site for exploring the nighttime skies.

Many travel companies offer vacation packages that give you great rates on hotel and airfare in Newport News, so start planning your trip today. Travelocity.com lets you track changes in airfares and search for the best hotel prices so that you can devote your dollars to bringing home souvenirs of your trip.

Courtesy of ARAcontent