Suffolk, VA

Suffolk is one of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads, a collection of independent cities in southwestern Virginia. Suffolk encompasses over 400 square miles of land, some of which includes the Great Dismal Swamp. The Nansemond River passes through the city's downtown area before emptying into the James River. Many of the area's colonial structures are still intact and have been restored to serve as cultural centers and tourist attractions. Suffolk is home to approximately 82,000 residents.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Suffolk is well situated to attract new employers and maintain its existing job base; between its port, confluence of highways and several freight railroads, the city constitutes an important regional transportation hub. A surge in technology jobs and other economic opportunities in the region have helped to make Suffolk one of Virginia's most desirable locations.

Traditionally, several key employers have driven Suffolk's economy. Planters Peanuts maintains a large processing center in the city, and Lockheed Martin, though based in the greater Washington, D.C., area, maintains its Center for Innovation in Suffolk and remains among the city's most important sources of employment for educated workers.

NEIGHBORHOODS

The city of Suffolk accommodates a mostly urban population. Some notable neighborhoods include:

• Downtown Suffolk went through many years of neglect and disinvestment, but has surprisingly preserved its small town charm and historic buildings. This neighborhood includes a number of significant landmarks, including Constant's Wharf, the site where the city of Suffolk was founded.
• Hall Place, located just south of downtown, is a well-preserved historic neighborhood that was home to many of Suffolk's early industrialists and professionals. The area went through a long period of decline during the 1960s and 1970s, but has been revitalized in recent years.
• Olde Town Suffolk is bordered by Nansemond River and Lake Meade on the North and West, U.S. Route 13 on the South, and the Great Dismal Swamp on the East. Homes in this neighborhood are from the 1900s and 1940s and were once home to many of Suffolk's prominent early settlers who built large homes along Pinner and Bank Streets.

Most of Suffolk's residences are single-family dwellings, with several noteworthy master-planned communities, including Belmont Park, Bridlewood Estates, Fairways Crossing, Governor's Pointe, Kings Green, Quaker Neck and the Riverfront. There are also apartment developments and several senior housing communities.

FOR VISITORS

• Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge: Consisting of over 100,000 acres, Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is crisscrossed by an extensive system of bike trails originating at several points. Scuba diving, kayaking, and deer hunting are among the activities available to visitors. Each May, avian enthusiasts arrive from around the country to participate in the Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival, which includes guided bird walks, bird banding demonstrations and other activities.
• Riddick's Folly House Museum: Originally built as a private home, Riddick's Folly served as a regional headquarters for Union forces during the American Civil War. Today, the handsome structure serves as a museum covering 19th-century American life in general and that of Virginia in particular.
• Constant's Wharf: Constant's Wharf is among the oldest and most venerable structures of colonial Virginia, having been constructed around 1720 and later acting as an important regional trading post. In more recent years, the collection of buildings has been restored and repurposed as a recreational attraction and minor business center.
• Suffolk Farmer's Market and Country Store: The latest incarnation of the town's historical market center, Suffolk Farmer's Market offers a remarkably wide array of locally grown foodstuffs, animal products and regional crafts.
• Southern Gun Works and Museum: Virginia is home to a large number of war historians and attracts a great number of tourists with similar interests. Southern Gun Works and Museum is one of the Civil War enthusiast's most important attractions, providing glimpses of rare 19th century ordnance and outfitting many of the Civil War re-enactment clubs based in the region.
• Riverfront Golf Club: The 18-hole course at Riverfront was designed by the celebrated American golfing architect Tom Doak. Like many of Doak's creations, the grounds have won accolades from Golf Digest and other sources within the sporting world for the ingenuity of its layout and its exquisite riverside views. The course is well known for being forgiving on beginners, as it is largely made up of ground-level tees.

EVENTS

• Peanut Fest: In a nod to the city's historical role as one of the nation's most important peanut processing regions, the people of Suffolk created Peanut Fest in 1977. It has developed into a beloved local tradition, and now brings in an estimated 200,000 visitors during its annual four-day run. The event is held in the early fall, and features rides, competitions, local and national musical acts, and a demolition derby.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts: Consisting of more than 60,000 square feet of performance and exhibition space, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is a key institution in the cultural life of the city. Among its wide range of offerings are an eclectic mix of educational programs, ranging from dance courses to scientific lectures, as well as a full season of theatrical productions, concerts and film festivals held from September to May.
• Suffolk Museum: The Suffolk Museum operates in conjunction with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to provide rotating exhibits as well as concerts and art classes. The museum is also home to the Suffolk Art League, which maintains a variety of additional programs for the public.
• Shooting Star Gallery: Buyers and browsers alike will be impressed with the offerings to be found at Shooting Star, which features the work of local and national artists. The gallery also offers photo restoration and other unique services.