Is Petersburg safe?

[Stryker65]

I've heard things recently, very vaguely, about Petersburg not being safe for tourists anymore. Is this true?

 

[stu613]

We were there a couple of years ago and opted to stay at one of the hotels near the Richmond Byrd airport. Clean hotel and much more appealing area. We did the Petersburg NP, and Five Forks during the day, and then Pamplin (which I understand is now closed) the next day. Only a 23 mile drive between the airport and the Petersburg NMP, and we did not encounter a lot of traffic either transit.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Richmond and Petersburg have bad areas, but that's true of any metro area that size. I didn't encounter any problems in past visits but I haven't been in probably a decade. I went downtown for the museums in Richmond but never into downtown Petersburg (only the NPS siege lines and Pamplin Park).

 

[redbob]

Go in the daylight and keep your head on a swivel.

 

[Jerry43]

Pamplin Park is open Friday thru Sunday 9 to 5. They update their Facebook page often. Some 160 year anniversary events coming up in April.

 

[MWood1841]

stay on the NPS Battlefield property/footprint. I'd recommend not venture into the downtown area west of 95. Not somewhere I'd want to be and look out of place (like a tourist/visitor). Just reality.
Pre-plan your visit and stay on the NPS beaten paths
A couple years ago, the P'burg city was holding steady the highest murder rate in Virginia and something like a 1 in 100 chance of being a victim of assault, which is WAY above the national average.
Unfortunately same situation with downtown areas Richmond. There's been assaults near and on the NPS Drewery Bluff site. Last year in particular, a young lady was assaulted in broad daylight.
You can verify the above by doing some simple quick google searches.
Safe travels …..

 

[JHughes81]

Good to know some sort of intel prior to going in there. Area i grew up in featured on 1st 48 so there's nothing Petersburg can show me I haven't already seen, other than ACW related things. Things like pains, addiction and violence are the same no matter where you go, its just the depth or level of that varies with the locaton, imo.

If you grew up in a rural area or get immersed in things as alot of us do when on sites and put your blinders on, definite cause for concern. Especially if your head isn't able to be on a swivel as someone mentioned early. Yall be safe above all.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Last year I was at the Savas Beattie meet-up at Fredericksburg. I was talking to one of the much older NPS rangers who works there. He grew up in Petersburg. He doesn't go there unless it is only the NPS sites during the day with other people. I would follow Stu's advice about the hotel - don't stay in that area. I have to say, after talking to the ranger, a Black man, it really put me off going to Petersburg.

 

[stu613]

Last year I was at the Savas Beattie meet-up at Fredericksburg. I was talking to one of the much older NPS rangers who works there. He grew up in Petersburg. He doesn't go there unless it is only the NPS sites during the day with other people. I would follow Stu's advice about the hotel - don't stay in that area. I have to say, after talking to the ranger, a Black man, it really put me off going to Petersburg.

I would be happy to provide that info if interested.

 

[MWood1841]

anyone visiting Petersburg Battlefield, highly recommend Poplar Grove National Cemetery. Beautiful quite place, you'll find off Vaughn Road which is south of the city. Its a vast change once you get outside the city limits and it turns back into rural farm area, especially further into Dinwiddie County.

 

[Gandycreek]

25 years ago I visited most CW sites in the Petersburg area and never had a problem. I'm glad I went then because my son went back there a few years ago and said it was the better option to just stay in the car. Too many shady characters. And this was in the middle of the day. They didn't have any problems in Richmond at Hollywood Cemetery or Monument Boulevard. Alas, but now the Monuments are gone.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Petersburg is great. Go to trapezium brewery for lunch or dinner. I walked old town at night with no problems.

 

[Stryker65]

25 years ago I visited most CW sites in the Petersburg area and never had a problem. I'm glad I went then because my son went back there a few years ago and said it was the better option to just stay in the car. Too many shady characters. And this was in the middle of the day. They didn't have any problems in Richmond at Hollywood Cemetery or Monument Boulevard. Alas, but now the Monuments are gone.

Yeah, I also had no problems pre-Covid.

 

[Mgunn]

I live just south of Petersburg (Five Forks battlefield), no real issue in the Old Town area, but would not venture out of that area. I was a Petersburg Police Officer in the late 90s, the Old town area has always been relatively safe, especially in the day light hours. If you do go hit up Comeback Burger or Trapezium. Two great places for a cold beer and good food. Brick house is also a cool British style pub but can get a bit crowded on the weekends. If you want a southern take on seafood, Croakers Spot is pretty dang good. If you have any specific questions shoot me a message.

 

[Jamieva]

As others have said NPS sites are totally fine. Old towne in the daytime is usually fine. Definitely do not be in the city at night and do not stay the night there. If you need a hotel inreasonable driving distance look at Chester or colonial Heights

 

[bdtex]

As others have said NPS sites are totally fine. Old towne in the daytime is usually fine. Definitely do not be in the city at night and do not stay the night there. If you need a hotel inreasonable driving distance look at Chester or colonial Heights

That was my experience in my Petersburg visit in 2016. I stayed in Colonial Heights. Hope to go again some day. Is the Dixie Restaurant still open?

 

[JackADriscoll]

I've had great times at night in old towne there but I may have been the worst thing there

 

[Jamieva]

That was my experience in my Petersburg visit in 2016. I stayed in Colonial Heights. Hope to go again some day. Is the Dixie Restaurant still open?

I believe so. Petersburg does have some decent restaurants. It's trying to make a comeback as a city but will take decades. They're building a casino which they hope is a fast track back to respectability.

 

[Jerry43]

At least the new casino is in better location than the ones built in Portsmouth, Bristol and Danville. Just off the interstate and far enough away from the urban decay of downtown Petersburg.

 

[Trooper "D"]

I live just south of Petersburg (Five Forks battlefield), no real issue in the Old Town area, but would not venture out of that area. I was a Petersburg Police Officer in the late 90s, the Old town area has always been relatively safe, especially in the day light hours. If you do go hit up Comeback Burger or Trapezium. Two great places for a cold beer and good food. Brick house is also a cool British style pub but can get a bit crowded on the weekends. If you want a southern take on seafood, Croakers Spot is pretty dang good. If you have any specific questions shoot me a message.

Hey! Thanks for the tips.
Cheers!