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Fun in the Sun: The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Suffolk, Virginia

The Great Dismal Swamp covers well over 112,000 acres right across the two states out there. The Seaboard Station Railroad Museum sits inside a train station that was built back in 1885. 1837. Peanut soup has been eaten around here since way back in the 1800s themselves. And the Suffolk Peanut Fest runs every single year with a whole parade behind the whole of it.

Welcome to Suffolk, Virginia. If you want a trip with something in it, you have come to the right place. Suffolk covers a lot of ground, from the Great Dismal Swamp to the historic downtown. Somebody who follows the natural world, history or art, Suffolk runs all three.

If you want to be outside, the Great Dismal Swamp will hold you. This nature reserve carries a broad range of wildlife and runs hiking, kayaking and camping. If you want something slower, take the historic downtown. Here you will find shops, restaurants and museums that open Suffolk’s past up.

Whatever you follow, Suffolk runs plenty to do and plenty to see. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for a week that stays with you in one of Virginia’s better cities.

Key Takeaways

• Suffolk, Virginia offers a variety of activities for nature lovers, history buffs, and art enthusiasts.
• The Great Dismal Swamp is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts, while the historic downtown area offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
• With so much to see and do, Suffolk is the perfect destination for your next vacation.

The Great Dismal Swamp

If you want time outdoors you will not get elsewhere, the Great Dismal Swamp is the answer. This area covers over 112,000 acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Here is what not to miss:

Wildlife Spotting

The Great Dismal Swamp holds a broad range of wildlife, black bears, bobcats and red wolves among them. Keep your eyes up and a bald eagle will come over, or a river otter will work the water in front of you. Just remember these are wild animals, so keep your distance and do not feed them, however much they ask.

Hiking and Biking Trails

There are several entrances to the Great Dismal Swamp, each with its own network of trails. Walking or riding, you will find plenty here. The Washington Ditch Trail is a 7.5-mile loop that takes you through the heart of the swamp. Or, if you would rather ride, take the Railroad Ditch Trail, a 6-mile route with Lake Drummond alongside it.

Camping at Lake Drummond

If you want more than a day in the Great Dismal Swamp, camp at Lake Drummond. This clean freshwater lake is where to stop and let the place work on you. There are several campgrounds, the Lake Drummond Reservation and the Washington Ditch Primitive Campground among them. Just pack plenty of bug spray, because the mosquitoes mean it.

So somebody who follows the natural world, somebody who walks, or simply somebody after time outdoors that is not like everywhere else, the Great Dismal Swamp earns the trip. And you might see a black bear doing something ridiculous, although probably not.

Historical Suffolk

If you follow history, Suffolk, VA runs plenty. From museums to historic sites, there are plenty of ways to work the past. Here are some stops for anybody interested in the history of Suffolk.

Seaboard Station Railroad Museum

All aboard. The Seaboard Station Railroad Museum is where to work the history of rail travel in Suffolk. The museum sits in a restored train station that was built in 1885. Inside you will find exhibits on the history of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which made this city what it became.

The museum runs a broad range of artifacts on display, railroad lanterns, tools and uniforms among them. You will also work the figures who built the railroad, and what the railroad did to Suffolk’s growth.

Riddick’s Folly House Museum

If you follow architecture, the Riddick’s Folly House Museum earns the stop. The house was built in 1837 and is a strong example of Greek Revival architecture. The museum is named after its former owner, Mills Riddick, who was one of Suffolk’s leading politicians in the mid-19th century.

Inside the museum you will find exhibits on the history of the house and the people who lived in it, and on the history of Suffolk during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The museum also runs a collection of artifacts from the period, uniforms, weapons and other memorabilia among them.

Colonial Williamsburg

It is not technically in Suffolk, but Colonial Williamsburg is a short drive away and earns the stop for anybody who follows the history of the region. The site is a living history museum that rebuilds life in colonial Virginia in the 18th century.

At Colonial Williamsburg you can work the historic buildings, watch reenactments of historical events, and follow the lives of the people who lived here during the colonial period. It puts early America in front of you rather than on a page.

Architecture, railroad history or the colonial period, Suffolk runs all three for anybody who follows the past. So put your thinking cap on and go and learn something.

Artistic Suffolk

Suffolk is more than a city with country around it. It also runs arts and culture. If you follow art, there is plenty here to work. Here are the places to take:

Suffolk Art Gallery

If you want somewhere to stand in front of good work, the Suffolk Art Gallery is the place. The gallery runs a collection from local and regional artists. From paintings to sculptures, it covers the range. You can spend hours in there and lose the afternoon to it.

Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts

The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts earns the stop for anybody who follows the performing arts. The center runs events across the board, ballet performances, musical concerts, theater productions and lectures. The center also runs galleries where you can take exhibits from local and regional artists.

And if you time it, you might catch a show by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The center works for an evening and it will hold you.

Suffolk runs plenty on arts and culture. Galleries or performances, both are here. So put your artsy hat on and head over to Suffolk for it.

Outdoor Activities

Looking for time outdoors in Suffolk? You have timed it, because this city runs plenty of options. Angler, golfer, or somebody who rides, all three are covered here.

Fishing in Suffolk

Suffolk works hard for anybody who fishes, with plenty of lakes and rivers to work. Lake Meade is what people take, with largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill in it. You can also try Lake Prince, which is stocked with catfish, largemouth bass and crappie. And get your fishing license before you go.

Golfing at Newport News

If you follow golf, do not miss the chance to play at the Newport News Golf Club. Designed by the golf course architect Tom Doak, this course runs 36 holes of championship golf. With its rolling hills, its greens and the country around it, any serious golfer will want it.

Horseback Riding and More

If you would rather ride, there are several options in Suffolk. The Suffolk Horse Trail is a 12-mile trail that winds through the countryside, with the country opening out around you. You can also take lessons at the Suffolk Stables, which runs riding lessons at every level.

If you want other things to do outdoors, there is plenty. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is where people go for hiking, birdwatching and wildlife viewing. And if you hunt, Suffolk runs plenty of opportunity for it.

So get out there and take what Suffolk runs.

You would assume a swamp is somewhere to avoid, and you would be quite wrong. Lake Drummond is clean freshwater and you can camp right on it. The Washington Ditch Trail is a 7.5-mile loop through the middle of the whole thing. The Railroad Ditch Trail is a 6-mile route for the bikes. And there are black bears, bobcats and red wolves living out on that ground.

Festivals and Events

Suffolk runs festivals and events through the year that are worth turning up for. Here are two events to take:

Suffolk Peanut Fest

Do you follow peanuts? Everybody does. That is why you need to be at the Suffolk Peanut Fest. This annual festival marks the agricultural heritage this city was built on, and it is where to work everything peanut.

The festival runs live music, carnival rides, a demolition derby, and a parade with Mr. Peanut himself in it. You can also work your way through the peanut dishes and shop for peanut-themed souvenirs you will not see twice.

So put your peanut hat on and get to the Suffolk Peanut Fest.

Legends of Main Street: Suffolk Ghost Walk

Do you follow ghost stories and haunted places? Then do not miss the Legends of Main Street: Suffolk Ghost Walk.

This walking tour runs you through the historic district of Suffolk and introduces the city’s best-known ghostly residents. You will get the haunted houses, the apparitions and the things nobody has explained.

The tour is led by guides who know the ground and will hold you with the stories and the history together. So grab a flashlight and take the Legends of Main Street: Suffolk Ghost Walk.

Peanut follower or ghost hunter, Suffolk covers both. So pack your bags and head to this city for a strong few days.

Dining and Shopping

Culinary Delights

Suffolk will feed you properly. From Southern comfort food to fresh seafood, everybody is covered. Here are the strongest restaurants to try:

Restaurant Name	Cuisine	Price Range
Harper’s Table	Southern	$$$
Vintage Tavern	American	$$$
The Plaid Turnip	Farm-to-Table	$$
Decoys Seafood	Seafood	$$
Suffolk BBQ Co.	BBQ	$

If you want a run at something, take the peanut soup, a local dish that has been eaten here since the 1800s. And wash it down with a glass of sweet tea or a craft beer from one of the local breweries.

Retail Therapy

Suffolk runs plenty of shopping. From antique shops to boutiques, you will find what you came for.

Store Name	Category
The Painted Mermaid	Home Decor
Simply Selma’s	Women’s Clothing
The Suffolk Peanut Company	Food Gifts
The Plaid Turnip	Farm-to-Table Grocery
The Peanut Patch	Souvenirs

If you want a gift you will not see twice, head to The Suffolk Peanut Company, where you will find everything peanut. Or if you want fresh produce, check out The Plaid Turnip, a farm-to-table grocery store.

So go on, do the shopping and eat properly while you are at it. You have earned it.

Plan Your Visit

Visitor’s Guide

Welcome to Suffolk, Virginia. You have made a strong choice coming here. This city carries history, culture and plenty to do. Here for a day or a week, it will hold you. Here is what to know before you go:

Where to Stay

Suffolk runs a range of hotels and accommodations. If you want a bed and breakfast, check out the Page House Inn. For something more modern, try the Hilton Garden Inn or the Courtyard by Marriott. And if you want somewhere you will not get elsewhere, book a stay at the Great Dismal Swamp Lodge.

Getting Around

The strongest way to get around Suffolk is by car. There are plenty of rental options, or you can bring your own. And if you would rather not drive, there are taxi and shuttle services running.

What to See and Do

Suffolk runs more to see and do than you can get through. From museums and historical sites to time outdoors and shopping, everybody is covered. Take the Riddick’s Folly House Museum, the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum and the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Local Deals and Experiences

Looking for local deals and experiences? You have timed it, because Suffolk runs plenty.

Meet in Suffolk

If you are planning a meeting or an event, check out Meet in Suffolk. This program runs discounts and deals for meeting planners and attendees, discounted hotel rates and free transportation among them.

Travel Ideas

For travel ideas, check out Visit Suffolk VA. This site runs information on upcoming events, local attractions and more.

Local Experiences

For local experiences you will not get elsewhere, check out the Suffolk Farmers’ Market, where you can work fresh produce and local products, or take a tour of the Suffolk Peanut Factory, where you watch the peanuts roasted and packed.

Deals

For deals on eating, shopping and more, check out the Suffolk Deals page. Here you will find discounts and offers from local businesses.

So there it is, your guide to Suffolk, Virginia. With this much to see and do, the trip will hold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most romantic spot in Suffolk, Virginia?

Looking for somewhere romantic in Suffolk, Virginia? The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the answer. Nothing works like disappearing into the country with somebody. Take a walk on the boardwalk and let the place do the rest. Just do not actually get lost.

Where can I find the best seafood in Suffolk?

If you want the strongest seafood in Suffolk, head to the River Stone Chophouse. They run a selection of fresh seafood that will land properly. From crab cakes to shrimp and grits, it holds up.

What makes Suffolk, Virginia a unique destination?

Suffolk, Virginia carries a history that runs deep and country that does its own work. The city has a small-town feel with big-city amenities. You can work the historic downtown, take a walk through one of the parks, or fish the Nansemond River. Suffolk covers most of what you might want.

What are some hidden gems near Suffolk, Virginia?

If you want the places nobody sends you near Suffolk, Virginia, head to the nearby town of Smithfield. This town is known for its ham and carries a history going back to the 1600s. Take a walk through the historic downtown and visit the Smithfield Station, an inn sitting right on the river. The other one is Windsor Castle Park, a 208-acre park with trails and country around it.

Frequently asked questions about Suffolk, Virginia

What exactly is the Suffolk Peanut festival actually like out there, then, really now, in the end?

Live music, all the carnival rides, a demolition derby and a parade right through the town. You can work your way right through all of the peanut dishes and the peanut-themed souvenirs. It marks the whole agricultural heritage that this city was built on in the first place. Peanuts.

How long exactly is the Washington Ditch trail in the Great Dismal Swamp, then, really now?

A 7.5-mile loop, and it takes you straight through the heart of the whole swamp out there. The Railroad Ditch Trail is a 6-mile route with the whole Lake Drummond running alongside it. There are several entrances out there, and each one of them has its own network of trails. Spray.

Which museum in Suffolk covers all of the rail history, then, really now, these days?

The Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, which is inside a restored station built back in 1885. You get all of the exhibits on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad that actually made this city. Railroad lanterns, all of the tools and the uniforms are on display inside there too. Aboard.

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