Suffolk City offers two compelling perspectives: nature experiences around water and trails, and a rich architectural and urban history. Between the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, historic churches and places of cultural life, there are many different reasons to get to know the region.
Trails, Lakes and Water Access
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge has more than 40 miles of trails and boardwalks for hiking and biking. You can reach the trails via four named access points: Portsmouth Ditch Entrance, Jericho Lane Entrance, Washington Ditch Entrance and Railroad Ditch Entrance. The last is also called Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset; check the hours before you arrive.
The lake itself is also a prominent landmark: Lake Drummond covers 3,108 acres and lies near the center of the Great Dismal Swamp. The swamp is home to black bears, bobcats, rare plants, rattlesnakes and river otters. Alongside the trails, the lake and its wildlife and plant life are also focal points in their own right.
The parks offer other water experiences. Lone Star Lakes Park covers 1,063 acres and has eleven lakes for freshwater fishing. At Bennett’s Creek Park, three boat ramps provide access to the Nansemond River via Bennett’s Creek. A pier there is used for crabbing and fishing and has accessible access. The 73.6-acre Sleepy Hole Park rounds out the selection with natural areas, trails and views of the Nansemond River.
Churches, Houses and Historic Sites
Riddick’s Folly combines impressive scale with a clearly defined historical role: the building has four floors, 21 rooms and 16 fireplaces. During the Union occupation of Suffolk, it served as headquarters for Major General John J. Peck and his staff of Union Army officers. Tours are offered during regular opening hours; check the hours before your visit.
At Glebe Church, the early construction history can be read in its brick walls: its original Flemish-bond masonry dates to 1738. The church was built in 1737–1738 as the lower church of Suffolk Parish. St. John’s Church was built in 1755 as the third church at this site and overlooks a lake at the headwaters of Cedar Creek. The two churches offer a tangible glimpse into different historical contexts and building periods.
The historic districts also reveal different chapters. The Chuckatuck Historic District developed in the mid-17th century and includes about 62 contributing buildings, mostly 19th-century frame houses. More than 200 houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in a range of architectural styles, stand in the Suffolk Historic District. Cedar Hill Cemetery offers a different perspective: its hilly, cedar-dotted grounds cover 26.4 acres and contain memorials to veterans, as well as the graves of numerous Confederate generals and soldiers.
Another historic building is the Phoenix Bank of Nansemond, built in 1921. Its history represents African Americans’ efforts in Virginia to establish independent business enterprises. The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is housed in a 1922 Greek Revival-style building that formerly served as Suffolk High School. The theater has 500 seats for concerts, ballets, musicals, films and other performances.
Local Offerings Throughout the Year
The Suffolk Farmers’ Market is held on Saturdays from May through mid-November at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion. It offers local produce, meat, eggs, honey, baked goods, jams and crafts. If the market is part of your travel plans, check the dates in advance.
These discoveries range from trails through an expansive protected area to individual buildings whose history is revealed through their function, materials or former use. Which of these perspectives interests you most can help determine the focus of your stay in Suffolk City.
Discover more destinations: Suffolk, Northumberland County, Rockbridge County, Prince Edward County, Galax, Fairfax County, Newport News, Arlington.
For the main travel overview: Virginia.
