Discover Suffolk City: Nature, Water and History

Suffolk City combines impressive natural experiences with an unusually rich history. Between the trails of the Great Dismal Swamp, the waterways along the Nansemond River and historic neighborhoods, you will find a variety of ways to spend your holiday. Families can combine active excursions, cultural discoveries and quieter hours by the water. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth first deciding on the main focus of your trip.

Nature Trails, Lakes and Waterways

The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge has more than 40 miles of trails and boardwalks for hiking and cycling. The trails can be accessed via four named entrances: Portsmouth Ditch Entrance, Jericho Lane Entrance, Washington Ditch Entrance and Railroad Ditch Entrance, also known as Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset. The Great Dismal Swamp is home to black bears, bobcats, rare plants, rattlesnakes and river otters. Lake Drummond lies near the center of the swamp and covers 3,108 acres.

There are also several different places to spend a day by the water. Lone Star Lakes Park covers 1,063 acres and has eleven lakes for freshwater fishing. Sleepy Hole Park covers 73.6 acres and offers natural areas, trails and views of the Nansemond River. At Bennett’s Creek Park, three boat ramps lead via Bennett’s Creek to the Nansemond River. There is also a pier for crabbing and fishing with accessible access. The 22-mile-long Dismal Swamp Canal connects Deep Creek with South Mills in North Carolina.

Historic Places and Distinctive Buildings

The history of Suffolk City is reflected in individual buildings as well as entire Historic Districts. Riddick’s Folly served as headquarters for Union Major General John J. Peck and his staff of Union Army officers during the Union occupation of Suffolk. The building has four floors, 21 rooms and 16 fireplaces; guided tours are offered during regular opening hours. Glebe Church was built in 1737–1738 as a chapel of ease for Suffolk Parish. Its original fabric includes brick walls laid in Flemish bond dating from 1738. St. John’s Church was built in 1755 as the third church on this site and overlooks a lake on the upper reaches of Cedar Creek.

Those wishing to compare historic architecture will find several distinct examples. The Chuckatuck Historic District developed in the mid-17th century and includes about 62 contributing buildings, predominantly 19th-century frame houses. The Suffolk Historic District includes more than 200 houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in various architectural styles. The Holland Historic District is home to Holland Christian Church, built in 1918, as its most important building. The Whaleyville Historic District includes three churches built between 1870 and 1920 in the vernacular Gothic Revival style. The Driver Historic District contains two Gothic Revival churches dating from between 1890 and 1910, as well as two school buildings, both built in 1926.

Culture, Local Products and Special Evening Ideas

The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is housed in a 1922 Greek Revival-style building that previously served as Suffolk High School. Its theater has 500 seats for concerts, ballets, musicals, films and other performances. The history of the economy is also visible: Suffolk Peanut Company was founded in 1898 and was the first successful peanut operation in the region. Its complex includes a double-track spur and a long loading platform alongside a historic Norfolk & Western railway line. Phoenix Bank of Nansemond, a building constructed in 1921, represents the efforts of African Americans in Virginia to establish independent businesses.

For regional impressions, the Suffolk Farmers’ Market offers local produce, meat, eggs, honey, baked goods, jams and handicrafts on Saturdays from May through mid-November at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion. Another perspective on historic Main Street is provided by the Suffolk Ghost Walk: By lantern light, a costumed guide leads visitors along the street and tells stories, legends and accounts of “unexplained occurrences.”

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

Whether you primarily want to hike and cycle, fish by the water or explore historic buildings and cultural attractions, your choice of accommodation can be guided by your preferred daily routine. Plan the excursions that are particularly important to your family, then look for a holiday apartment or holiday home that suits your personal travel plans. For further guidance, the page on Suffolk is also available.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Orange County, Buckingham County, Essex County, Accomack County, Goochland, Staunton, Prince George.

For the overarching travel overview: Virginia.