Hopewell

Hopewell combines impressive river landscapes with a multifaceted history. Those planning a trip involving activities on the water, nature observation, and historical discoveries will find a range of options for planning their days here. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it can therefore be important to consider whether you primarily want to experience paths along the water, cultural history, or a combination of both.

Riverbanks, Trails, and Nature

The Hopewell Riverwalk follows the banks of the Appomattox River as a 2,600-foot-long boardwalk. From there, it offers expansive views of historic City Point. The boardwalk is therefore particularly suitable for a stay in which the river experience itself is intended to be an integral part of the trip.

Two trails with different characteristics offer further impressions of the landscape. The paved Cabin Creek Nature Trail runs through wooded areas and the pavilion area of Crystal Lake Park. The Cattail Creek Nature Trail is 900 feet long and offers views of the Cattail Creek wetland floodplain. Those who enjoy getting to know different types of landscapes can include these trails alongside the Riverwalk in their plans without making the entire stay revolve around a single activity.

City Point and Civil War History

Hopewell is closely connected with the history of City Point. Appomattox Manor served as General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters from June 1864 to April 1865. The General Grant's Headquarters Unit features informational panels about the site’s history, including the living conditions of the free and enslaved people who lived at Appomattox Plantation.

The City Point Historic District also offers several historical perspectives. The district was the site of a significant 18th-century port and, during the ten-month siege of Petersburg in the Civil War, the site of a US military headquarters. City Point also served as a supply base for the Union troops involved in the fighting for Petersburg. Many buildings and properties in the Historic District are visible from public rights-of-way. City Point National Cemetery occupies part of the grounds of the large Union supply depot established in Hopewell in June 1864.

Culture and Water Access for Different Days of Travel

Opened in 1928, the Beacon Theatre, originally known as the “Broadway Theatre,” reopened in 2014 as a venue for performances, a conference center, and a facility for special events. Visits are possible by prior appointment only. St. Denis Chapel was built in 1887 as a Catholic chapel for US Navy personnel in the surrounding area.

For days on the water, Hopewell City Marina is the city’s primary river access point and provides direct access to the Appomattox River. The boat ramp is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Riverside Harbor Kayak Launch provides people of all abilities with easy access to the water and, unless otherwise indicated, is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

Plan Visits to Historic Interiors

Weston Manor is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and preserves much of its original interior, including distinctive cornices, wall paneling, and chair rails. Tours of the house and grounds are offered from April 1 through December 15, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For the overarching travel overview: Hopewell.