Suffolk Tours
GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION
• Smoking of any type during tours is prohibited.
Advance reservations are required for all tours. Payment is required at time of reservation.
— TOUR DESCRIPTIONS AND DATES —
Headlines and Footnotes:
A Downtown Suffolk Walking Tour
Downtown Suffolk contains a multitude of antique buildings, new businesses, old stories, and fresh food! “Headlines and Footnotes: A Downtown Suffolk Walking Tour” explores the streets of downtown Suffolk’s historic district, complete with revived century-old mansions, repurposed schools and warehouses, forgotten architectural gems, and a glimpse into future developments.
Tour departs at Nansemond Brewing Station, 212 E. Washington Street.
Fee: $8 adults; $5 seniors (60+), military, children 12 and under
Available 2022 Tour Dates:
April 9 - 5pm
July 23 - 2pm
November 12 - 3:30pm
Historic Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour
March 19
April 30
May 21
June 25
July 30
August 27
September 24
October 22
November 5
December 3
Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk
A hair-raising encounter with the "spirited" side of Suffolk. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street, discovering stories, legends, and "unexplained occurrences" by lantern light. Tales of unsolved mysteries and unresolved affairs abound throughout Suffolk's historically hip Ghost Walk.
See specific tour date for departure time. This walking tour is approximately 90 minutes and covers about 1.5 miles; comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate dress are recommended.
Fee: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+), military, and children ages 9-12; not recommended for children under 9.
Available 2022 Tour Dates:
Saturday, March 19 at 7pm
Saturday, April 30 at 8pm
Saturday, May 21 at 8pm
Saturday, June 25 at 8pm
Saturday, July 30 at 8pm
Saturday, August 13 at 8pm
Saturday, September 24 at 7pm
Saturday, October 22 at 7pm
Saturday, October 29 at 7pm
Saturday, November 5 at 7pm
Great Dismal Swamp National
Wildlife Refuge "Swamp Safari"
The Great Dismal Swamp is anything but dismal. Despite its foreboding moniker, the Great Dismal Swamp is one of few remaining American wildernesses and is home to the black bear, bobcats, rare plants, snakes, and river otters. It is the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Especially attractive to birders and nature lovers. the Great Dismal Swamp boasts 200 species of birds, frogs, lizards, salamanders, yellow-bellied and spotted turtles. Despite its impressive size and age, the Great Dismal Swamp remains a mystery to most people. Its thick forests protect its wildlife and ward off intruders. But for those who venture in, the Dismal Swamp shelters a wealth of history and lore, flora, and fauna. One of Suffolk's most popular attractions, narrated Swamp Safaris fill up quickly. The tour is led by a biologist specializing in the unique habitat of the Great Dismal. Learn about the history, lore, vegetation, and wildlife with this adventure that includes a stop at Lake Drummond.
Departs at 9:30am. This bus tour is approximately 4 hours. This tour involves walking. Sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended (flip flops and other exposed footwear is not recommended). Snack and water provided. Fee: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+), military, and children ages 8-12. Not recommended for children under 8.
Available 2022 Tour Dates:
March 9 | March 19
April 13 | April 16 | April 30
May 21 | May 25
June 8 | June 22 | June 25
July 6 | July 16 | July 20 | July 30
August 3 | August 13 | August 17
September 14 | September 24 | September 28
October 12 | October 22
November 5 | November 16
December 3 | December 14 | December 28
Kayak Excursions
Participants must be at least 10 years of age or older. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Participants are encouraged to bring a snack and bottled water.
Great Dismal Swamp's Lake Drummond Kayak Excursion
Nansemond River at Constant Wharf Park Kayak Excursion
Located on the Nansemond River, John Constant founded this important trading center and village known as Constant's Warehouse, which would become the Town of Suffolk in 1742.Available 2022 Tour Dates:
Saturday, May 29
Saturday, September 25
Bennett's Creek Kayak Excursion
Available 2022 Tour Dates:
Saturday, June 26
Saturday, October 30
Lone Star Lakes Kayak Excursion
Available 2022 Tour Dates:
Saturday, July 31
Saturday, November 6
Great Dismal Swamp's Washington
Ditch Boardwalk Nature Stroll
February 16 | February 19
March 13 | March 16
April 20 | April 23
October 15 | October 19 | October 23
November 2 | November 19 | November 30
December 7 | December 17 | December 21
Great Dismal Swamp's Underground
Railroad Pavilion Tour
The Great Dismal Swamp has long been known for its impenetrability, as a place where travelers could easily lose their way. Yet in the early centuries of American history, many of the people who vanished into the swamp were lost by their own choice. The swamp was a sanctuary for thousands of fugitive African American slaves. For more information, visit the Great Dismal Swamp website at: www.fws.gov/refuge/Great_Dismal_Swamp/
Available 2022 Tours:
Saturday, February 12
Saturday, February 26
Saturday, March 12
Cedar Hill Cemetery Guided Stroll
Available 2022 Tours:
March 19
April 4 | April 30
May 2 | May 21
June 6 | June 25
July 30
August 1 | August 27
September 24
October 3 | October 22
November 5 | November 7
Historic Cedar Hill Cemetery
Hometown Heroes Walking Tour
March 19
April 16
May 14
June 11
July 9
August 20
September 17
October 15
Victorian Suffolk: Dying To Be There,
A Guided Discovery of Cedar Hill Cemetery
This 75-minute walking tour explores the hidden meanings buried in Suffolk’s Historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The tour will feature Victorian-era symbolism, burial practices, funerary industries, and mourning rituals. This intriguing and educational excursion will highlight how the residents of Suffolk both lived and died in the 19th century. Cedar Hill Cemetery is more than two centuries old, with roots that harken back to the founding of Suffolk. With keen eyes and curious minds, this tour will bring into focus the fascinating world of Victorian America, their obsession with death, dying, and living beyond the grave.
Participants are asked to park in the lot adjacent to the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, 326 North Main Street and meet at the Cedar Hill Cemetery gate adjacent to the parking lot.
This walking tour includes walking on uneven and elevated surfaces. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate dress are recommended.
Fee: $7 adults; $5 seniors (60+), military, and children 12 and under.
Available 2022 Tour Dates:
March 19 - 6pm
April 23 - 3:30pm
June 4 - 7pm
July 16 - 7pm
August 13 - 6:30pm
September 10 - 2pm
October 1 - 5pm | October 15 - 5pm | October 29 - 5pm
MUSEUM TOURS
Riddick's Folly House Museum
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: 1-5pm
Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum
326 N. Main Street
757-514-4135
SuffolkTrainStation.com
This restored Main Street station displays a two-room HO-scale model of Suffolk in 1907 that was built by the Tidewater Division of the National Model Railroad Association. The museum features railroad memorabilia and changing exhibits. The station was built in 1885 and has remained basically unchanged over the years. The Queen Anne style building is reminiscent of the Victorian age. It has an interesting tower with a beautiful, walnut spiral staircase.
Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum is open daily, 10am-12pm and 1-5pm; the last entry is 4:30pm. Admission is free. We encourage groups of 10 or more to contact us in advance.
No one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days may enter the museum.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of
Historic Downtown Suffolk
Download a free self-guided walking tour brochure of Main Street, featuring over 40 historic sites, including:
• Old Post Office (1785)
• Nansemond County Courthouse (1839)
• Suffolk Christian Church (1891)
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church (1895)
• Main Street Methodist Church (1916)
• Suffolk High School (1922)
• First Baptist Church (1957)
• Mr. Peanut (Character Corner)