Petersburg Travel Guide

Today in the United States: Jefferson Davis Birthday (3 Jun)

Trek Zone

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Located in the heart of Virginia, Petersburg is a city that boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This charming city offers a unique blend of historical sites, outdoor activities, and a thriving arts scene, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and charm of the Virginia region.

History buffs will be delighted by the wealth of historical sites and landmarks that Petersburg has to offer. The city played a significant role in the American Civil War, and visitors can explore the Petersburg National Battlefield, a sprawling park that preserves the battlegrounds and offers guided tours. The Old Blandford Church, a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, is another must-visit site, with its ornate stained glass windows and fascinating history.

For those who love the outdoors, Petersburg offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature's beauty. The Appomattox River runs through the city, providing a picturesque backdrop for activities such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Pocahontas State Park, just a short drive away, offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping, biking, and horseback riding, making it a perfect escape for outdoor enthusiasts.

Art and culture thrive in Petersburg, with a bustling arts scene that encompasses galleries, theaters, and music venues. The Petersburg Area Art League showcases the works of local artists and hosts regular exhibitions and events. The historic Petersburg Symphony Orchestra delights audiences with its captivating performances, while the intimate Sycamore Rouge Theatre offers a range of theatrical productions throughout the year.

Food lovers will be delighted by the diverse culinary scene in Petersburg. From Southern comfort food to international cuisine, the city boasts a wide range of dining options to suit every palate. Visitors can savor mouthwatering barbecue at one of the many local smokehouses, indulge in fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, or sample international flavors at ethnic eateries.

Alternative names: Population: 32.5 thous.Area: 23.18 mi²Elevation: 56 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°13'48"N, 77°24'14"W

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VirginiaUnited States

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Petersburg Top Attractions

Petersburg Attractions - What to See and Explore

Petersburg offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Siege Museum, City Market, Blandford Church, Pamplin Historical Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • Greek Revival architecture • History museum
Siege Museum
The Exchange Building, also known as the Merchant's Exchange Building or The Exchange, is a historic commercial building in at 15-19 West Bank Street in Petersburg, Virginia. Built in 1841, this Greek Revival style building is one of the least-altered examples of a 19th-century market hall.
Shopping • Market
City Market
City Market, also known as Farmers Market, is an historic public market located at 9 East Old Street in Petersburg, Virginia. It was built in 1878–1879 through a land given in trust by merchant Robert Balling. The City Market is an octagonal brick building.
Cemetery • Church • Sacred and religious sites
Blandford Church
The Blandford Church is the oldest building in Petersburg, Virginia whose history is well documented. It is at the highest point in the city, atop Well's Hill. It is today part of a memorial to Southern soldiers who died during the Civil War.

Museum • History museum
Pamplin Historical Park
Pamplin Historical Park is a 424-acre private sector historical park located near Petersburg, Virginia.
Cemetery
Blandford Cemetery
Blandford Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Petersburg, Virginia. The oldest stone, marking the grave of Richard Yarbrough, reads 1702. It is located adjacent to the People's Memorial Cemetery, a historic African-American cemetery.
Greek Revival architecture • Park
Petersburg Courthouse Historic District
Petersburg Courthouse Historic District is a national historic district located at Petersburg, Virginia. The district includes 75 contributing buildings located in the central business district of Petersburg.
Museum • Greek Revival architecture • History museum
Centre Hill Museum
Centre Hill Museum or Centre Hill Mansion as its proper name, completed initial construction in 1823 and was built by Revolutionary War veteran Robert Bolling IV. The Bollings were a very prominent family for many generations, being granted a plot of land in present-day Petersburg by the then King of England.
Museum • Historical place • History museum
Farmers' Bank
Farmers' Bank is the first bank museum of its kind found in Virginia. Farmers' Bank was incorporated in 1812 and the Petersburg, Virginia branch opened in 1817.
Park
Petersburg National Battlefield
Petersburg National Battlefield is a National Park Service unit preserving sites related to the American Civil War Siege of Petersburg.
Cemetery
Poplar Grove National Cemetery
Poplar Grove National Cemetery is near Petersburg, Virginia, and is managed as part of Petersburg National Battlefield.
Church
Gillfield Baptist Church
Gillfield Baptist Church is the second-oldest black Baptist congregation in Petersburg, Virginia and one of the oldest in the nation. It has the oldest handwritten record book of any black church. It was organized in 1797 as a separate, integrated congregation. In 1818 it built its first church at its current lot on Perry Street.
City hall
Petersburg City Hall
Petersburg City Hall is a historic city hall building located at Petersburg, Virginia. It was designed by architect Ammi B. Young and built between 1856 and 1859, as the U.S. Customs House and Post Office.
Neighbourhood
Petersburg Old Town Historic District
Petersburg Old Town Historic District is a national historic district located at Petersburg, Virginia. The district includes 174 contributing buildings located in the oldest section of Petersburg.
Park • Georgian architecture
Folly Castle Historic District
Folly Castle Historic District, also known as the West Washington Street Historic District, is a national historic district located at Petersburg, Virginia. The district includes 189 contributing buildings and 1 contributing object located in a predominantly residential section of Petersburg.
Specialty museum • Museum • History museum
Pocahontas Island
Pocahontas Island is a peninsula in Petersburg, Virginia once on the opposite side of the Appomattox River from Petersburg. Since 1915 a new channel for the river separated it from Chesterfield County and the former channel no longer separates it from the city.
Greek Revival architecture • Church
Tabb Street Presbyterian Church
Tabb Street Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church located at Petersburg, Virginia. It was designed by architect Thomas Ustick Walter and built in 1843, in the Greek Revival style.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
Second Presbyterian Church
Second Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church located at 419 W. Washington St. Petersburg, Virginia. It was designed by architect and church pastor Theodorick Pryor and was built in 1861–1862, in the Gothic Revival style.
Greek Revival architecture • Church
Washington Street Methodist Church
Washington Street Methodist Church is a historic Methodist church located at Petersburg, Virginia. It was built in 1842, and is a one-story with gallery, brick building in the Greek Revival style. It features a massive Greek Doric order pedimented tetrastyle portico added in 1890.
Greek Revival architecture • Park
Centre Hill Historic District
Centre Hill Historic District is a national historic district located at Petersburg, Virginia. The district includes 81 contributing buildings located in a predominantly residential section of Petersburg.

Day trips

Petersburg – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Petersburg, it's worth seeing attractions such as: DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum (Williamsburg), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond), Jamestown Church (Jamestown Island).

39 milesE
Museum, Art museum
DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Williamsburg
Nestled in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum is a treasure trove of American and British antiques that celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
23 milesN
Museum, Art museum
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, nestled in the heart of Richmond, stands as a cultural beacon in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A distinguished art museum, it boasts an expansive collection that traverses both time and geography, offering visitors an enlightening...
34 milesE
Church
Jamestown Church, Jamestown Island
Jamestown Church is a site of profound historical significance nestled on Jamestown Island in Virginia, United States. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of America's earliest English settlers. The original church structure, which dates back to 1639, was...
21 milesN
Museum, History museum, Farm
Maymont, Richmond
Nestled in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, Maymont is a sprawling 100-acre Victorian estate and public park that offers a unique blend of history, nature, and beauty. This enchanting site, once the private home of wealthy Richmond residents James Henry and Sallie...
21 milesN
Colonial-style government landmark
Virginia State Capitol, Richmond
The Virginia State Capitol, a historical beacon in the heart of Richmond, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of American democracy. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, in collaboration with French architect Charles-Louis...