Christopher Newport University is a university campus in Newport News, Virginia, at One Avenue of the Arts. You can arrange a guided visit with current students, and the campus is close to several local attractions for a fuller day in Newport News.
- Address: One Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606
- Regular guided tour times: Monday–Friday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m.
- Parking: Visitors need to register for a pass before parking on campus.
- Nearby attractions: The Mariners’ Museum, the Virginia Living Museum and the Noland Trail
Where Christopher Newport University Is
Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, Virginia, at One Avenue of the Arts. CNU describes its campus as being in Newport News, making the university a useful point of reference when planning a visit around the city.
For an overnight visit, Hampton is a lodging area in the broader region. Relax Inn in Hampton offers three-star rooms for guests planning a university visit.
Campus Tours and Visitor Information
CNU offers guided campus tours led by current students, with an admission staff member available to answer questions. Tours are scheduled Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Saturday at 11 a.m.; register through the CNU Tours and Events page. Tour schedules can change, so check the official site before you go.
Middle- and high-school groups can request weekday visits. Group visits are scheduled first-come, first-served, and requests should be made at least two weeks in advance. Each group needs one chaperone per 10 students.
If you cannot attend in person, CNU also offers a virtual tour and a 360-degree self-guided tour. The self-guided option covers classrooms, residence halls and outdoor spaces.
How do you get to campus from Hampton?
CNU’s driving directions from I-64 use Exit 258-A for J. Clyde Morris Boulevard South (Route 17). Continue across Warwick Boulevard onto Avenue of the Arts, then follow the road into the University.
The university says Newport News/Williamsburg Airport is approximately 10 minutes from campus, Norfolk International Airport is approximately 1 hour away, and Richmond International Airport is approximately 1.5 hours away. These are campus-to-airport travel times, not a direct route from Hampton; check current directions when planning your trip.
If your itinerary includes a train connection, how to get from Newport News Station to Hampton is a practical detail to sort out alongside your campus plans.
Parking and Campus Access
Visitors need to register with Parking Services or University Police to park on campus. Visitor parking is in Lot B beside Trible Library, with the Parking Deck and Lot A also available.
Parking Services is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; University Police provides visitor passes 24 hours a day, every day. To get a pass, bring identification and your vehicle’s make, model, color and license plate information.
A visitor pass allows parking in visitor spaces in Lot B and in student and faculty/staff lots for up to three days at a time. Parking rules and availability may change, so check CNU’s official site before setting out.
Nearby Newport News Stops
The Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center and Ferguson Center for the Arts are among the attractions near campus. Ferguson Center hosts performances year-round, so it can make a natural addition to a campus visit.
For museums and outdoor time, nearby options include the Virginia Living Museum, The Mariners’ Museum and the five-mile Noland Trail. CNU also points visitors toward Newport News Park, which it describes as nine times the size of Central Park.
If you are spending more time in the area, a practical one-day itinerary for Hampton can help shape the rest of your visit.
FAQs
Can you visit Christopher Newport University without taking a guided tour?
CNU offers a virtual tour and a 360-degree self-guided tour covering classrooms, residence halls and outdoor spaces.
How far in advance should school groups request a campus visit?
Middle- and high-school groups should request a weekday visit at least two weeks ahead. Visits are scheduled first-come, first-served.
What information do you need for a CNU visitor parking pass?
Bring identification and your vehicle’s make, model, color and license plate information when obtaining a pass.