Free Petersburg Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Petersburg trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Petersburg
Petersburg photo 2
Petersburg photo 3
All photos

Petersburg, Virginia, combines Civil War history, African American heritage, historic streets, museums and Appomattox River scenery for thoughtful sightseeing.

A River City Shaped by Conflict

Petersburg stands on the falls of the Appomattox River in south-eastern Virginia, where waterways, roads and railways helped make the settlement an important commercial centre. Its historic core preserves a layered townscape of brick warehouses, churches, houses and civic buildings, while the surrounding landscape carries the physical traces of the Civil War's longest campaign. From June 1864 to April 1865, Union and Confederate forces confronted one another around Petersburg in the Siege of Petersburg, the struggle that preceded the fall of Richmond and the surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Read more about Petersburg

Historic Streets and Living Heritage

Old Towne Petersburg rewards slow exploration, with independent businesses, galleries and restaurants occupying streets that reflect the city's mercantile past. Blandford Church and Cemetery, Centre Hill Mansion and the Petersburg National Battlefield provide different perspectives on the city's architectural and military history. Petersburg is also central to stories of African American resilience and achievement: Pocahontas Island, one of the city's historic communities, is associated with Black commerce, family life and freedom seekers who travelled along the river. Museums, historic properties and local cultural organisations continue to interpret these connections rather than treating the past as a single Civil War narrative.

Landscape and Contemporary Petersburg

The Appomattox River remains a defining presence, accompanied by wooded battlefield land, quiet roads and elevated viewpoints across the former siege lines. Historic Petersburg is compact enough for walks, although the wider battlefield sites are best explored by car or bicycle. Contemporary life is expressed through arts organisations, small businesses, seasonal markets and community events, giving the city a character that feels more lived-in than curated. Its position between Richmond and the broader Tri-Cities area also makes it a useful base for exploring south-central Virginia while retaining a strong identity of its own.

When is the best time to visit Petersburg?

Best: May, September–October · 21–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January877
February1172
March1686
April2076
May (best)2688
June3092
July3396
August3291
September (best)2881
October (best)2175
November1575
December1182

Getting to and around Petersburg

How to get there

Petersburg lies in south-eastern Virginia near the junction of Interstate 95 and Interstate 85, with US Route 1 and other regional roads providing additional access. Richmond International Airport, north of the city in Sandston, is the nearest major commercial airport for most visitors. Amtrak's Petersburg-serving station is in Ettrick, just outside the municipal boundary, with rail connections on routes serving Virginia and the wider eastern United States. Intercity coach services may also serve the Petersburg and Richmond area, but routes change, so schedules should be checked before departure. A car is useful for reaching the dispersed battlefield sites and surrounding attractions.

Transportation

Old Towne and the central historic district are manageable on foot, although pavements, traffic and summer heat can make comfortable shoes and careful road crossing important. Petersburg Area Transit provides local bus services, while taxis and app-based rides may be available but are less abundant than in larger cities. A car is the most practical way to visit separate areas of Petersburg National Battlefield, Pamplin Historical Park and rural sections of the former siege lines. Cycling can suit experienced riders on quieter roads, but visitors should plan routes carefully because the city and battlefield network are not uniformly designed for protected cycling.

Best attractions in Petersburg

Petersburg's principal attractions range from preserved urban streets to battlefield landscapes. Old Towne Petersburg offers a walk through nineteenth-century commercial and residential architecture, with independent businesses and galleries occupying historic buildings. At Petersburg National Battlefield, visitors can explore the former siege lines, earthworks and interpretive areas associated with the 1864–65 campaign, including the Crater battlefield. Pamplin Historical Park adds museum interpretation and preserved terrain, while the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier examines the conflict through the experiences of ordinary servicemen. Centre Hill Mansion provides a furnished view of elite domestic life during the Civil War era, and Blandford Church and Cemetery bring together colonial architecture, stained glass and a burial ground spanning several centuries. The Appomattox River and nearby Pocahontas Island add an important geographical and African American historical dimension to sightseeing.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Petersburg

Blandford Church, completed in 1735, is among Petersburg's oldest surviving architectural landmarks and stands within Blandford Cemetery, whose memorial landscape includes later Confederate commemorative elements and notable nineteenth-century funerary art. Centre Hill Mansion, an important antebellum residence, represents the city's domestic and political life during the Civil War period. The Exchange Building and other historic structures in Old Towne reflect Petersburg's former role as a commercial centre, with brick façades and traditional urban streetscapes conveying the importance of trade. The Pocahontas Island community and its river setting are significant to the city's African American history, particularly stories of free Black residents, commerce and freedom seekers. The earthworks preserved at Petersburg National Battlefield are landmarks of military engineering as well as physical evidence of the prolonged siege that helped determine the war's final campaign.

Show more landmarks

Explore Petersburg on the map

Plan your Petersburg trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Petersburg

Petersburg's dining scene reflects south-central Virginia's combination of Southern home cooking, Black culinary traditions and contemporary small-business enterprise. Visitors may encounter dishes built around fried chicken, barbecue, seafood, greens, beans, cornbread and seasonal produce, alongside breakfast cafés, bakeries and casual restaurants in and around Old Towne. The city's history as a river and market centre connects its food culture with Virginia's agricultural hinterland, while African American cooks and entrepreneurs have been central to the region's culinary inheritance. Independent restaurants and cafés tend to provide the strongest sense of place, with menus varying from traditional comfort food to modern interpretations of regional ingredients. Local markets and seasonal community events can offer produce, baked goods and prepared food, although vendors and schedules change throughout the year.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Petersburg

Petersburg's evening life is relatively intimate rather than club-led, with activity concentrated around Old Towne and other central streets. Historic commercial buildings accommodate bars, breweries, cafés and restaurants where residents gather for conversation, live music or an informal drink, while cultural events and performances provide alternatives to nightlife centred on alcohol. The city's evening atmosphere is shaped by its small-business community and arts organisations more than by a large concentration of nightclubs. Visitors should expect quieter streets outside the central areas and should plan transport back to accommodation in advance, particularly when staying beyond walking distance. Event calendars are useful for finding gallery openings, concerts, theatre, seasonal festivals and other organised evening programmes, since entertainment options vary by day and season.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Petersburg

Petersburg's evening life is relatively intimate rather than club-led, with activity concentrated around Old Towne and other central streets. Historic commercial buildings accommodate bars, breweries, cafés and restaurants where residents gather for conversation, live music or an informal drink, while cultural events and performances provide alternatives to nightlife centred on alcohol. The city's evening atmosphere is shaped by its small-business community and arts organisations more than by a large concentration of nightclubs. Visitors should expect quieter streets outside the central areas and should plan transport back to accommodation in advance, particularly when staying beyond walking distance. Event calendars are useful for finding gallery openings, concerts, theatre, seasonal festivals and other organised evening programmes, since entertainment options vary by day and season.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Petersburg

Shopping in Petersburg is concentrated around Old Towne and the historic central districts, where independent boutiques, antique shops, galleries and small specialist retailers occupy older commercial buildings. The area's retail character is more local and architectural than mall-based, with browsing often combined with cafés, restaurants and heritage walks. Antique and vintage goods, books, art, homewares and locally made items are more characteristic purchases than mass-market souvenirs. The Petersburg Area Farmers' Market, when operating, can provide seasonal produce, baked goods, preserves and products from regional vendors. Shopping also reflects the city's broader cultural history through locally produced art and heritage-related material, although stock changes frequently among independent businesses. Visitors should distinguish permanent shops from markets and event stalls, whose schedules may be seasonal or limited to particular days.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Petersburg, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Petersburg essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are commonly accepted in hotels, museums, restaurants and larger shops, while smaller businesses, markets and seasonal vendors may prefer or require cash. ATMs are available in the city, but international visitors should check whether their bank applies foreign transaction or withdrawal fees. American card terminals may ask whether a debit transaction should be processed as debit or credit, and restaurants commonly present a suggested gratuity screen. Keep some small notes available for minor purchases and occasional cash-only transactions.
Safety
Petersburg is a historic city with areas that differ considerably in character, activity and upkeep. Visitors should take ordinary urban precautions: keep belongings out of sight in parked cars, remain aware around transport hubs and crowded events, and use well-lit streets after dark. Some battlefield roads and paths are isolated, so carry water, stay on marked routes and let someone know your plans when exploring alone. Check weather conditions during hot or stormy periods, and take care near riverbanks and uneven historic surfaces. Local advice from accommodation providers can help with evening routes and current neighbourhood conditions.
Emergency Situations
In the United States, call 911 for urgent police, fire or medical assistance; operators can usually connect callers with the appropriate service. Give the exact street address or landmark, explain the nature of the emergency and remain on the line unless told otherwise. For non-urgent police matters, use the local police department's published contact details rather than 911. Visitors should carry travel insurance information, identification and details of any medication. Emergency departments and urgent-care services operate in the surrounding Tri-Cities and Richmond region, but the appropriate facility depends on the circumstances and should be confirmed through emergency services.
Do's and Don'ts
Show respect at Blandford Cemetery, military sites, churches and memorials, particularly where graves or commemorative spaces are involved. Follow posted instructions at preserved earthworks and do not climb on fragile remains or remove artefacts. In restaurants, tipping around 15–20 per cent is customary for satisfactory table service, while counter-service arrangements vary. Queue patiently, use quiet voices in museums and ask before photographing people or private interiors. Casual dress is generally acceptable in everyday settings, but modest clothing is appropriate for religious buildings and formal commemorative events. Do not assume that every historic site permits unrestricted access.
Local Tips
The most rewarding orientation combines a walking circuit through Old Towne with a separate driving day for the battlefield. Historic streets near Centre Hill and the Appomattox River reveal different aspects of Petersburg's built environment, while the Petersburg Area Farmers' Market and local independent businesses offer a view of present-day community life when operating. Read interpretive signs carefully: the city's history includes colonial commerce, slavery, emancipation, military conflict and African American institution-building. Summer visits can be hot and humid, so plan outdoor stops for cooler parts of the day, carry water and allow extra time between widely separated historic sites.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey y'all[Hey yawl]
GoodbyeSee ya later[See ya lay-tuh]
YesYea[Yay]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You're welcome[Please/You're welcome]
Thank youThanks[Thanks]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/Sorry[Excuse me/Sorry]
How are you?How y'all doin'?[How yawl doin']
Fine. And you?I'm good. How 'bout you?[I'm good. How 'bout you?]
Do you speak English?Y'all speak English?[Y'all speak English?]
I don't understandI don't git it[I don't git it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseI wanna see the menu, please[I wanna see the menu, please]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[I don't eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseI wanna pay, please[I wanna pay, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Git![Git!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![Call a doc!]
I'm lostI'm lost[I'm lost]
I'm illI'm sick[I'm sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingI'm just lookin'[I'm just lookin']
How much is it?How much is it?[How much is it?]
That's too expensiveThat's too pricey[That's too pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can you lower the price?[Can you lower the price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[What time is it?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[It's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMornin'[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[Evenin']
YesterdayYest'day[Yest'day]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorra[Tomorra]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's a/the...?[Where's a/the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[What's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[Can you show me (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[When's the next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[A ticket (to ....)]

History of Petersburg

Indigenous Land and Colonial Settlement

The Appomattox River area was inhabited by Indigenous peoples before English colonisation, and the river's falls later attracted colonial settlement because they offered a crossing, waterpower and access to inland trade. Three early communities—Peter Jones's trading post, Blandford and Pocahontas—developed around the river. The settlement that became Petersburg took its name from Peter Jones and grew within the wider colonial economy of tobacco, agriculture and river commerce. Blandford Church, completed in 1735, is a surviving reminder of the colonial community that preceded the formal town.

The Rise of a Commercial Town

Petersburg was established as a town in 1748 and incorporated as a city in 1784, after the American Revolution. Its location at the head of navigation on the Appomattox made it a significant market and shipping point, linking the interior of Virginia with the broader Atlantic economy. Merchants, artisans, enslaved labourers and free Black residents all contributed to the city's growth, although prosperity was deeply tied to slavery and plantation agriculture. Warehouses, churches and residences built during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries helped create the urban fabric still visible in Old Towne.

War, Industry and Reconstruction

Petersburg became strategically important during the American Civil War because rail lines from the south and west converged there, supplying the Confederate capital of Richmond. The Battle of Petersburg in June 1864 developed into the Siege of Petersburg, a series of operations and entrenched warfare lasting until April 1865. The campaign ended when Confederate lines broke, leading to the evacuation of Richmond and the retreat that culminated at Appomattox Court House. After the war, Petersburg faced economic disruption and reconstruction while its Black population built churches, schools, businesses and civic institutions during emancipation and its aftermath.

African American Civic Life

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Petersburg became an important centre of African American education, religion, commerce and political organisation. Pocahontas Island, historically connected to river trade and a community of free and formerly enslaved Black residents, is particularly significant to this story. Nearby Virginia State University, founded in 1882 as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, strengthened the region's educational and intellectual life. The university's development, along with Black churches and businesses in Petersburg, formed part of the long struggle for education, economic independence and civil rights in Virginia.

Twentieth-Century Change

Industrial restructuring, changing transport patterns and suburban growth altered Petersburg during the twentieth century. The city's historic importance was increasingly interpreted through preservation, battlefield conservation and the documentation of African American heritage. Much of the former siege landscape survived because it was protected as Petersburg National Battlefield, while historic buildings in the central city and Old Towne retained evidence of earlier commercial and domestic life. Contemporary Petersburg continues to negotiate the pressures of population change and economic renewal while preserving a past shaped by colonial trade, war, emancipation and education.

Petersburg in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Petersburg

The closest cities to Petersburg, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Virginia
More of the region

Explore more of Virginia

Discover Virginia: A blend of historic landmarks, natural beauty, and vibrant culture perfect for history buffs, nature lovers, and culture seekers.

Explore Virginia
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Petersburg, VA

Discover the best of Petersburg, VA with Evendo – your 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, shops, restaurants, hotels, and more, all in one place.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Petersburg
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Plan your perfect trip to Petersburg, Virginia with Evendo. Discover top attractions, local tips, and book hotels, tours, and experiences seamlessly. Download now – it's free!

  • Comprehensive history of Petersburg and essential travel information
  • Local advice to enhance your visit
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near me' feature
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Planning a trip to Petersburg, Virginia? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion. This app-based guide is designed to help you make the most of your visit, offering detailed information on the city's best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Whether you're exploring the historic Petersburg National Battlefield, strolling through the charming Old Towne district, or dining at the renowned Croaker's Spot, Evendo has you covered.

Each location in the app comes with rich details, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact information, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip. Discover hidden gems like the Centre Hill Mansion or the Blandford Church and Cemetery, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife at popular spots like Longstreet's Deli.

With Evendo, you can seamlessly book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more hassle of searching for what to see, do, and experience, and then figuring out how to get there. Everything you need is in one place, from must-see landmarks to off-the-beaten-path adventures.

The app also features a comprehensive history of Petersburg, essential travel information, and tons of local advice to ensure you get the most out of your visit. The easy navigation and 'Near me' feature help you find nearby attractions and services, no matter where you are in the city. Plus, curated local tips allow you to experience Petersburg like a local.

Best of all, Evendo is 100% free to use. There are no in-app purchases or additional costs. And with coverage of over 7,000 destinations worldwide, Evendo is not just your guide to Petersburg but your passport to the world.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.