Mariners' Museum and Park
Explore global maritime history, from the iconic USS Monitor to diverse small craft, complemented by scenic park trails.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Mariners' Museum and Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore global maritime history, from the iconic USS Monitor to diverse small craft, complemented by scenic park trails.
"An absolute awesome museum, shocked that it cost $1.00, kind of unheard of nowadays."
🎯 Unbeatable $1 Admission
Don't miss the incredible $1 admission fee – a steal for hours of historical exploration!
🚶♀️ Explore the Noland Trail
Lace up for the 5-mile Noland Trail; it's safe and beautiful for walking or jogging.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
USS Monitor Turret
Museum Interior
Witness the iconic USS Monitor's gun turret, a centerpiece of naval history. See it up close during rare conservation viewings!
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Noland Trail
Park Exterior
Explore 5 miles of scenic, well-maintained trails winding through beautiful parkland. Perfect for walking, jogging, or a peaceful nature escape.
Small Craft Collection
Museum Interior
Discover a fascinating exhibit of small boats from around the world, showcasing diverse maritime traditions and craftsmanship.
Interactive Scavenger Hunts
Museum & Park
Engage kids of all ages with fun scavenger hunts, offering prizes and an interactive way to explore both the museum and park.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Budget-Friendly Admission
Cell Service & Digital Detox
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Unbeatable $1 Admission
Don't miss the incredible $1 admission fee – a steal for hours of historical exploration!
🚶♀️ Explore the Noland Trail
Lace up for the 5-mile Noland Trail; it's safe and beautiful for walking or jogging.
📱 Embrace the Digital Break
Enjoy spotty cell service as a chance to disconnect and immerse yourself in history.
👨👩👧👦 Kid-Friendly Fun
Kids will love the scavenger hunts and the playground with a mini USS Monitor.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Unbeatable $1 Admission
Don't miss the incredible $1 admission fee – a steal for hours of historical exploration!
🚶♀️ Explore the Noland Trail
Lace up for the 5-mile Noland Trail; it's safe and beautiful for walking or jogging.
📱 Embrace the Digital Break
Enjoy spotty cell service as a chance to disconnect and immerse yourself in history.
👨👩👧👦 Kid-Friendly Fun
Kids will love the scavenger hunts and the playground with a mini USS Monitor.
☕ Grab a Coffee
New cafe 'Column 15' offers coffee and pastries with indoor/outdoor seating.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Mariners' Museum and Park for its incredible value, especially the $1 admission fee. The USS Monitor exhibit and the scenic Noland Trail are major highlights, offering a rich historical and natural experience. While cell service can be spotty, many see this as a positive opportunity for a digital detox.
"Whether you are a tourist or a local trying to decide how to spend some free time, the Mariners' Museum and Park is a clean place to get away from the noise. There are a ton of ways to mix-and-match features of this space to make for a fun and informative day! A few highlights:
- Admission to the air-conditioned Museum is just $1. Realistically speaking, even if museums (or this particular subject matter) are not the vibe of everyone in your party, it is a very reasonable amount of money to pay to occupy a decent amount of time if you're looking for something to help fill the day's itinerary. For those who ARE into this type of thing, though, you could easily spend hours looking through the exhibits. Not to mention the docents are INCREDIBLY knowledgeable and excited to share their wisdom with you. :) Complete with a clean bathroom, activities for kids, and a small gift shop!
- New inside of the Museum as of Spring of 2025 is Column 15, a pleasant cafe offering a variety of coffees, teas, and pastries. There is indoor and outdoor seating available.
- The VERY well-kept Noland Trail that is generally open from sunrise to sunset-ish hours. There is ample parking, as it is intended for visitors to both the Museum and the Noland Trail. The full Trail is an approximately 5.0-mile loop, but there are a few alternate access points along the way. I have walked and jogged the full distance alone at all hours of the day and have always felt safe! The only thing that spooked me was the occasional deer. :)
BE AWARE: I believe the Museum has a copper roof, so cell service inside the building and around the Noland Trail is quite spotty. Though it may be a bit inconvenient, couldn't we all use a break from our phones from time to time? :)"
Rachel Bocwinski
"Absolutely loved it. One wing of the building is dedicated to the USS Monitor and the Battle of Hampton Roads, including a partial reconstruction of a Confederate Ironclad (Maybe the Virginia, don't remember) and a reconstruction of the Monitor you can walk on the surface of and ring the bell. The video was really good, surround sound, screens all around while we sat on swivel chairs, and a handy map showing where the ships were so the battle made sense.
Tucked out of the way is an exhibit of small craft from around the world that was fascinating! The room with the models had a volunteer there actively building models.
They have a variety of scavenger hunts for the kids if varying difficulty, which my kids were super dedicated to.
The small playground outside had good shade and a little wooden USS Monitor to play on.
I would love to come back again if we are ever in the area"
Noemi Lynch
"The Mariners' Museum and Park is a wonderful place to see many fascinating boats and dive into history! I spent a few great hours there. Definitely worth a visit if you’re passing by."
Stervogon L
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Mariners' Museum and Park is located in Newport News, Virginia. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available for both museum and park visitors. If you're using GPS, input 'Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, VA'. Public transportation options may be limited, so driving is generally recommended.
Yes, there is ample parking available at the Mariners' Museum and Park, catering to both museum visitors and those planning to explore the Noland Trail.
Absolutely! The Mariners' Museum and Park is a great stop for bikers. The surrounding area offers scenic routes, and the park itself is a beautiful place to ride through.
The Noland Trail in the park is generally open from sunrise to sunset. The museum hours may vary, so it's best to check their official website for the most up-to-date information.
The museum is generally accessible for wheelchairs. The Noland Trail is well-maintained, but some sections might be more challenging depending on mobility. It's advisable to check with the museum directly for specific accessibility details.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to the Mariners' Museum is remarkably affordable at just $1 per person. This low price makes it an accessible attraction for everyone.
While booking in advance isn't typically required due to the low admission fee, it's always a good idea to check the official Mariners' Museum and Park website for any special events or potential changes to ticketing procedures.
The museum's standard admission is already incredibly low at $1. They also have partnerships, such as with the YMCA, offering reciprocal benefits during specific periods.
Yes, the Noland Trail is free to access and is open from sunrise to sunset, offering a beautiful outdoor experience.
The $1 admission grants you access to the museum's extensive exhibits, including the USS Monitor, small craft collection, and other fascinating maritime displays.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The USS Monitor turret is a major highlight, offering a glimpse into Civil War naval history. Don't miss the small craft collection from around the world and the immersive Battle of Hampton Roads exhibit.
Yes, the museum offers a variety of scavenger hunts for different age groups, designed to make learning fun and engaging. There's also a small playground with a wooden USS Monitor replica.
You could easily spend several hours exploring the museum's exhibits, especially if you're interested in maritime history. The Noland Trail can add another 1-2 hours depending on how much of the 5-mile loop you complete.
The Noland Trail is a 5-mile loop that is generally well-maintained and safe for walking and jogging. It offers beautiful views and a peaceful escape into nature.
Cell service and Wi-Fi can be quite spotty inside the museum and around the Noland Trail due to the building's copper roof. It's a good opportunity for a digital break.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, a new cafe called Column 15 is now open inside the museum, offering a variety of coffees, teas, and pastries. It has both indoor and outdoor seating.
While there are no specific restrictions mentioned for bringing your own food, the presence of the new cafe suggests that dining options are available. It's best to check their policy if you plan to picnic.
Column 15 cafe offers a selection of coffees, teas, and pastries, providing a pleasant spot for a snack or a light refreshment.
Yes, Column 15 cafe provides both indoor and outdoor seating options for visitors to enjoy their refreshments.
Newport News offers a variety of dining options outside the museum. You can find numerous restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets within a short driving distance.
📸 📸 Photography
The USS Monitor turret offers a unique and dramatic photo opportunity. The Noland Trail provides scenic natural backdrops, and the various boat exhibits inside the museum are also visually interesting. +1
Generally, photography for personal use is allowed inside the museum, but it's always a good idea to check for any specific restrictions on flash photography or certain exhibits.
There are typically restrictions on drone usage in and around museums and parks for safety and privacy reasons. It's best to assume drones are not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise.
The golden hours, shortly after sunrise and before sunset, offer the most beautiful natural light for photography along the Noland Trail, enhancing the scenic beauty.
The USS Monitor's gun turret is the most iconic photo opportunity. Seeing it out of the water during conservation periods offers a rare and striking visual.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond the dedicated kids' features, the museum's exhibits, like the USS Monitor and the small craft collection, are visually stimulating and can capture the imagination of younger visitors. The Noland Trail also offers a safe and scenic space for kids to burn off energy.
💰 Budget Travelers
Combine your museum visit with a walk or jog on the free Noland Trail, and you have a full day of exploration for minimal expense. The new cafe offers affordable options for snacks and drinks, further keeping costs down.
🚶♀️ Active Explorers & Nature Lovers
For those interested in maritime history, the museum itself provides a deep dive into naval innovation. The combination of indoor historical exploration and outdoor natural beauty offers a balanced experience for those who enjoy both physical activity and learning.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The USS Monitor and the Battle of Hampton Roads
Visitors can get up close to the Monitor's turret, which was raised from the seabed in 2001. The conservation team works diligently to preserve this massive piece of history, and there are often opportunities to witness their work or learn about the complex process. The museum also features a partial reconstruction of the CSS Virginia, allowing visitors to understand the scale and design of both ironclads.
+1Beyond the main turret exhibit, the museum delves into the broader context of naval history, showcasing vessels from across history and the America's Cup exhibition. This comprehensive approach ensures that visitors gain a deep appreciation for maritime innovation and the courage of those who sailed these ships.
Exploring the Noland Trail
Many visitors rave about the safety and serenity of the Noland Trail, noting that it's pleasant to explore alone at various times of the day. The trail provides lovely views of the water and surrounding woodlands, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous run. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including deer, which are often spotted along the path.
With ample parking available, the Noland Trail is easily integrated into a visit to the museum. Whether you're looking for a short walk or a longer hike, the trail offers a refreshing complement to the historical exhibits within the museum, providing a well-rounded experience of the Mariners' Museum and Park.
Family Fun and Educational Activities
For younger visitors, the museum boasts a small playground complete with a charming wooden replica of the USS Monitor, providing a fun space for imaginative play. The exhibits themselves are designed to be engaging, with interactive elements and captivating displays that can hold a child's attention.
The museum's commitment to education extends to its knowledgeable docents, who are eager to share their insights and answer questions, making the experience even more enriching for families. The low admission cost further enhances its appeal as a budget-friendly family outing.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit