TOURS 29

Headlines and Footnotes: A Downtown Suffolk Walking Tour

Dates: July 23 Time: 2:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+) and military; $5 children age 12 and under. Downtown Suffolk contains a multitude of antique buildings, new businesses, old stories, and fresh food! This tour explores the streets of downtown Suffolk’s historic district, complete with revived century-old mansions, re-purposed schools and warehouses, forgotten architectural gems, and a glimpse into future developments. Tour departs from Nansemond Brewing Station at 212 E. Washington Street.

Historic Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour

Dates: May 21, June 25, July 30, and August 27 Time: 2:00 - 3:30 PM Ages: 8+ Cost: $8 adults; $6 seniors (60+) and military; $5 children (ages 8-12). Trace Suffolk’s legacy through our historic homes and neighborhoods, churches, and Virginia Civil War Trails. This windshield tour’s highlights include Cedar Hill Cemetery, Constant’s Wharf, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, and the historic Lakeside neighborhood.

Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk

Dates: May 21, June 25, July 30, and August 13 Time: 8:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+), military, and children (ages 9-12). Not recommended for children under 9. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street, discovering stories, legends, and “unexplained occurrences” by lantern light.

Kayak Excursions: Various Locations

Date: May 29, June 26, July 31, and August 28 Time: 10:00 AM Ages: 10+ Cost: $40 per person Guided kayak excursions are facilitated by a water adventures outfitter with years of experience. All equipment is included with registration fee. Sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothing, and snack and/ or bottled water recommended. 250 lb. weight limit. Participants must be 10 years of age or older; ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Great Dismal “Swamp Safari”

Dates: May 21 & 25; June 8, 22, & 25; July 6, 16, 20, & 30; August 3, 13, & 17 Time: 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM Ages: 8+ Cost: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+), military, and children (ages 8-12). Not recommended for children under 8. This three-hour tour, which fills up quickly, is led by a biologist specializing in the unique habitat of the Great Dismal. A small snack and beverage provided; sunscreen, insect repellant, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; headquarters closed on weekends and federal holidays; the hiking and biking trails remain open. Location: 3100 Desert Road For more info: fws.gov/refuge/great_dismal_swamp

The Great Dismal Swamp is anything but dismal. Despite its foreboding moniker, the Great Dismal Swamp is one of few remaining American wildernesses and the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. This nature preserve encompasses over 112,000 acres where visitors enjoy wildlife observation, history, mystery, and lore. Visitors may participate in biking, fishing and boating, hiking, hunting, and nature photography.

Because of its geographic location and climate, the Great Dismal is known for its unique blending of northern and southern species, and is a haven for black bear, bobcats, rare plants, rattlesnakes, and river otters. Less fearsome creatures include 200 species of birds, frogs, lizards, salamanders, toads, and yellow-bellied and spotted turtles.