Need a quiet riverside retreat steeped in American history? Head to Hopewell! Explore historic battlefields, stroll scenic riverwalks, visit museums, and enjoy small-town hospitality. Whether you're seeking outdoor recreation, Civil War history, or peaceful waterfront views, Hopewell offers a relaxing escape along the Appomattox River.
Hopewell, VA Highlights:
- City Point Historic District: Walk through one of Virginia’s oldest English settlements and see Civil War-era homes and historic churches.
- Weston Manor: Tour this beautifully preserved 18th-century plantation home with scenic riverfront grounds.
- Hopewell Riverwalk: Stroll a peaceful riverside trail offering views of the Appomattox and James River confluence.
- Appomattox Manor: Visit this historic home that served as Union General Grant’s headquarters during the Siege of Petersburg.
- Beacon Theatre: Catch live music, performances, and events in this restored 1920s-era theater downtown.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Hopewell is during the spring and fall (April–June and September–November) when mild temperatures make it ideal for walking tours, outdoor events, and riverfront activities. Fall foliage adds extra charm to historic sites and parks.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Hopewell is located off I-295 and VA-10, about 30 minutes southeast of Richmond and about 2 hours south of Washington, D.C.
- By Train: The nearest Amtrak station is in Petersburg, about 15 minutes away by car.
- By Air: Richmond International Airport (RIC) is about 30 minutes away by car.
Where to Stay
- Stay-Over Suites – Comfortable extended-stay hotel with spacious rooms and a convenient location close to downtown Hopewell.
- Hampton Inn Petersburg/Hopewell/Fort Gregg-Adams – Modern accommodations offering free breakfast, a pool, and easy access to local attractions.
- Riverside lodging options in nearby Petersburg – Additional hotels and historic inns are available just a short drive away.
Best Things to Do
1. Walk in the Footsteps of a General at Grant’s Headquarters at City Point
Explore the strategic site where Ulysses S. Grant directed the final campaigns of the Civil War—overlooking the James and Appomattox Rivers.
Grant's Headquarters at City Point is a museum located at Appomattox Manor in Hopewell, Virginia. It is part of the Petersburg National Battlefield Park and is operated by the National Park Service. During the last years of the American Civil War, from the port there, the City Point Railroad used City Point, a port on the James River, to supply the Union forces during the Siege of Petersburg. The capture of Petersburg and its railroads was crucial to the fall of the Confederate capital Richmond, leading to the end of the war a week later. The museum includes Grant's headquarters and the original plantation house with various outbuildings. Visitors can see the rooms in the plantation house furnished as they were during the Grant’s stay, an introductory video of the historic events, a diorama, and a bookshop.
1001 Pecan Ave, Hopewell, VA 23860-1532
2. Catch a Show at the Historic Beacon Theatre
Live music, classic architecture, and small-town heart make this restored 1920s venue a cultural standout.
Beacon Theatre, also called the Broadway Theatre and Pythian Lodge, is a historic theatre building constructed in 1928 in the Colonial Revival and Art Deco style at Hopewell, Virginia. The three-story vaudeville and movie theater had a storefront used as a commercial space, second-floor apartments and third-floor meeting rooms. The theater building is decorated with classical plaster friezes, a cove ceiling in the auditorium and an elaborate proscenium. The Beacon Theatre building was used as a theater until its closing in 1981, offering live performances and movies. The City of Hopewell has been working on restoring the historic building ever since. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
401 N Main St, Hopewell, VA 23860, Phone: 804-446-3457
3. Step Back in Time at Weston Manor
This stately 18th-century plantation home offers riverfront views, period furnishings, and glimpses into Virginia’s past.
Weston Manor in Hopewell, Virginia, is a perfect example of the eighteenth-century Tidewater plantation mansion. It was built by William and Christian Eppes Gilliam in 1789. To this day it retains much of its original interior, the distinctive decorative moldings, wainscotings and chair rails, as well as the spiral stairway with concave paneling. The plantation is open to the public and the guided tour includes all three floors, gardens and grounds. Visitors learn about the history of families who lived at Weston and about the Civil War adventures of young Emma and George Wood from her own journal. The annual “Emma and George Days,” a two-day event organized at the plantation, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about how children lived during the civil war.
400 Weston Ln, Hopewell, VA 23860, Phone: 804-458-4682
Where to Eat:
4. If You Crave Waterfront Dining with Southern Flavor, Reserve a Table at The Boathouse
Fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and sunset views over the Appomattox create a perfect blend of taste and atmosphere.
The Boathouse is a small chain of four restaurants in Virginia offering superb meals, special events and relaxed afternoon cocktail with friends. They serve only the freshest seafood in their classic beachfront menu - clam chowder, calamari, crab cakes and lobster being just a few favorites, together with their top choice steaks and Boathouse Burger. The boathouse Hopewell location is bringing waterfront dining back to Hopewell, offering a sweeping vista of the Appomattox and James rivers. The dining room is bright and spacious, with floor to ceiling windows, comfortable furniture, upscale design elements, private dining rooms, patio dining and an outdoor bar.
701 W Randolph Rd, Hopewell, VA 23860, Phone: 804-616-4222
More Places to Eat
- K&L Barbecue – Local favorite serving up classic Southern BBQ plates, sandwiches, and comfort food sides.
- Lisa’s Café – Cozy downtown diner offering hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, and homemade pies.
- El Nopal Mexican Restaurant – Relaxed spot for authentic Mexican dishes and family-friendly dining.
If you are interested in local events:
- Hopewell Haunts (October) – Halloween-themed festival with haunted tours, family activities, and spooky fun downtown.
- Summer Concert Series at the Beacon Theatre (Summer) – Live music performances featuring regional and national artists.
- City Point 5K and Riverwalk Festival (Spring) – Family-friendly race and celebration along the scenic waterfront.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes to 1 Hour of Hopewell, Virginia:
- Petersburg National Battlefield (20 min) – Tour key Civil War battlefields and historic sites from the Siege of Petersburg.
- Richmond (30–40 min) – Explore Virginia’s capital city with world-class museums, parks, and dining scenes.
- Shirley Plantation (40–45 min) – Visit Virginia’s oldest working plantation with beautifully preserved historic buildings.
- Berkeley Plantation (45 min) – Historic riverside plantation known for its ties to early American history and beautiful grounds.
- Chesterfield County’s Pocahontas State Park (30 min) – Hike, bike, swim, or paddle at one of Virginia’s largest state parks.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Where is Hopewell, Virginia located?
- Hopewell is a city in Prince George County, Virginia, located on the Appomattox and James rivers.
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What is the historical significance of City Point in Hopewell?
- City Point, the oldest part of Hopewell, was established in 1613 and is the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the United States.
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What role did Hopewell play in the Civil War?
- During the Civil War, Grant’s Headquarters was located at City Point, which is now a historic museum.
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What historic sites can visitors explore in Hopewell?
- Weston Plantation, built in 1789, is a perfect example of an eighteenth-century Tidewater plantation mansion.
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What is the Petersburg National Battlefield?
- The Petersburg National Battlefield is a park preserving sites related to the American Civil War Siege of Petersburg.
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