Tours

Great Dismal Swamp Guided Nature Walk

"Swamped and Loving It!" 

Meet the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in a new way - up close and personal! Enjoy a biologist-led nature walk as you learn about the flora, fauna, wildlife and history that abound in the 111,000 acre wilderness.

2013 Tour Dates:

9:30am-11am, March 23.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Guided Stroll

Cedar Hill Cemetery's 32 acres of hilly terrain and ancient cedar trees has many stories to reveal. Home to one of Suffolk's official Virginia Civil War Trail sites-The Confederate Monument-the Cemetery is historically fascinating. Enjoy a guided afternoon stroll with one of Suffolk's expert historians.

2013 Tour Dates:

1:30pm-2:30pm: March 30

Tentative Dates: October 12 & 26 | November 2.

Historic Downtown Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour

See Suffolk through the eyes of years gone by.

Suffolk’s rich heritage dates back to the early 17th century, when Captain John Smith first encountered the Nansemond Indians on the Nansemond River.  Even now, you can trace Suffolk’s legacy through our historic homes and neighborhoods, churches and Virginia Civil War Trails. Guided by a Suffolk historian, you meet the people and places that made Suffolk the city it is today.

Highlights of this windshield tour include Cedar Hill Cemetery, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, Constant’s Wharf, College Court and Suffolk’s Historic Lakeside neighborhood.

2013 Tour Dates: 2pm-3:30pm: March 16

Tentative Dates: July 20 | August 24 | September 22.

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.

Not appropriate for children under 9.

2013 Tour Dates:

March 23 at 6pm | April 6 at 7pm | May 4 at 7pm |  June 1 at 7:30pm | June 15 at 7:30pm |  August 3 and 24 at 7:30pm | September 7, 21 and 28 at 7pm | October 5 at 6pm | October 25 and 26 at 5:30pm | November 2 and 9 at 5pm |

Lake Drummond Canoe Tour

Row, row, row your boat!

You’ve never canoed like this before. Experience the unusual and breathtaking Lake Drummond, a 3,108-acre bowl-shaped lake located near the center of the Great Dismal Swamp. The largest of only two naturally occurring lakes in Virginia, on windless days on the lake, the water appears smooth as glass as the horizon disappears into the sky above.

Lake Drummond stands only 18 feet above sea level, and though it is three miles wide, it is only 6 to 7 feet deep, allowing great cypresses to rise from its still, shallow waters. Tannic acid from forest vegetation stains the water.

Guided canoe tours are facilitated by Liquid Lessons, a water adventures outfitter with years of experience. Enjoy a half day tour of the lake. All equipment is included with registration fee. Participants must be at least 8 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if younger than 12.  Sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable clothing recommended. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and bottled water.

2013 Tour Dates:

10am-3pm: May 25 |  June 29 |  July 27 |  August 31 | September 29 | October 27 |

Great Dismal 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 black bear, bobcats, river otters, rattlesnakes and many rare plants. 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, yellow-bellied and spotted turtles, lizards, salamanders, frogs and toads.

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. Visitors may participate in hiking, biking, nature photography, wildlife observation, hunting, fishing and boating.

One of Suffolk’s most popular attractions, narrated Swamp Safaris fill up quickly. The four-hour tour is led by a biologist specializing is the unique habitat of the Great Dismal. Learn about the history, lore, vegetation and wildlife with this adventure that includes a brief walk to Lake Drummond. Sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. A small snack and beverage is provided.

This tour is not recommended for very small children.

2013 Tour Dates:

9:30am-1:30pm: March 2 & 16 | April 6 & 20 | May 4 & 18 | June 1 & 15

Tentative dates: July 6 & 20  | August 3 & 17 | September 8 & 22 | October 6 & 20 | November 3 & 17 |