Things to Do in Newport News

ArtInspired pools together various forms of art to spark creativity and help members make positive lifestyle changes. In one part of the facility, visitors wade through the depths of their imagination during educational programs, including in graphics, photography, marketing and design. To burn off stored up energy, those same visitors may want to slide into their workout gear and partake in ArtInspired's collection of dance-based fitness classes. Those classes–which steer away from typical group fitness routines–include Zumba, Bollywood dance, and hip-hop, amongst others.

The picturesque waters of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean gently lap against the alabaster hull of the Sally T, beckoning passengers to cast a line to the abundant wildlife swimming under the water's surface. Aboard the vessel—a head boat with Coast Guard approval for ocean trips—experienced nautical leader Captain Pete grants aspiring fisherpeople a chance to land prize catches with charter trips that explore the natural beauty of the famed waterscapes. Under the captain's guidance, a friendly crew sniffs out areas teeming with susceptible targets and bestows fishing tips and gear to blossoming seafarers. Groups then practice the skills necessary to catch and clean aquatic fauna and pursue underwater booty such as croakers, flounder, and pictures of Scott Baio taped inside Davy Jones's locker.

Comics such as late-night TV regular Bobby Collins aren't the only ones penciled in on Cozzy's packed schedule. In addition to weekend standup sets, the tavern hosts weekly Texas Hold'em tournaments, karaoke, open mic nights, and private events. Full brunch, lunch, and dinner menus slake appetites with a wide range of pub grub, from salmon cakes benedict to blackened ahi tuna bites. Cozzy's Comedy Club & Tavern also books comics and DJs for outside events.

Resting on the site of several Civil War battles, the course at Nansemond River Golf Club drapes over the bluffs lining the titular river and follows a winding path for more than three miles through the riverfront marshland. In total, 14 holes encounter the water's route, forcing players to take special care when striking golf balls off the hybrid bermuda fairways and onto the bentgrass greens.

A relatively lengthy endeavor at 7,241 yards from the back tees, the course's overall difficulty and inherent pressure builds steadily over the 18-hole trial. The 476-yard, par 4 fifth hole leaves little room for error, calling for two long carries over marshy wasteland—one off the tee and one on the approach. And the intensity comes to a head on the famous 17th hole, a par 4 measuring just 365 yards from the back tees. Here the smart play is a careful 250-yard shot off the tee, leaving players with a 100-yard approach onto an island green that could cause the hips of any hula dancer or PGA professional to sway with awe.

The practice facilities provide ample space for warm-ups and concentrated game improvement, from the 1-acre driving range to the 12,000-square-foot putting green. The range's tees are also covered in hybrid bermuda grass, just like the course's fairways, giving players a chance to practice iron approaches and celebratory break dances in real-world conditions.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 7,241 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 75.3 from the back tees
• Course slope of 141 from the back tees
• Five sets of tees per hole
• Scorecard