From the way I start, I-95 is busy with people either heading to work or traveling south to various locations. As I get closer to my destination, an overpass crosses over a body of water which I was not expecting. How easily I forget the many waterways that weave into Virginia’s east coast. And as I turn off the interstate, I wonder what other surprises I’ll find in this historic river-front city.
Hopewell is an independent city surrounded by Prince George County and is located about 30 minutes south of Richmond. The area is also the second longest-standing settlement in the United States (after Jamestown). Hopewell has also been called the “‘Wonder City’ because of its resiliency and tendency to bounce back.” (source: hopewellva.gov). They have one official LOVE sign, located outside of their visitor center.
After stopping to grab a picture of the LOVE sign (pic featured at the top of this blog), I make my way to Weston Manor. This historical home (built in the late 1700’s) offers visitors “stories of ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times in American history.”
I was amazed by both the house and how much I learned with the tour-guide. Some of the things I left with included – 85% of the house is part of the original structure, it has one of only two original “dumbwaiters” in Virginia (the other is in Monticello), and there are Union soldier initials still carved into an upstairs window pane. It’s also located on the Appomattox river where they host special community events. It was a beautiful way to receive a brief history lesson on the house and surrounding area.
Before you leave, you have to visit the All Manor of Things Boutique & Gift Shop. While it may be small, it packs-a-punch in what it offers buyers. From clothing to jewelry, pottery and home decor, you’ll have fun browsing the quaint and lovely shop. I purchased a beautiful and unique patterned dress that I plan to wear Mother’s Day weekend.
A short drive just outside of Hopewell is the Salty Siren, a restaurant with a view of the James River. While the menu offers a variety of choices, seafood is what I came for – I could smell the freshly cooked fish before I entered the doors. Being raised on the Chesapeake Bay, I could not pass up on the clam strips basket w/ fries – which tasted just as good as home.
What made me really love this place was how I was welcomed in – not only was I greeted by a cheerful host, both a passing waiter and the bartender smiled and said “we’re so happy you’re here.” With the food, staff and entertainment line-up, I can’t wait to bring others to enjoy this place with me.
Once back in Hopewell, I headed over to the Hopewell Riverwalk. As you walk this ¾ of a mile boardwalk, you are embraced with trees on one side, and the Appomattox river on the other. It is a peaceful walk with lovely views that anyone would enjoy. What’s also neat to know is that this boardwalk “will eventually be part of a 25-mile network of trails that connect Hopewell with Dinwiddie County.” You can learn more about that effort here.
Like many Virginia area’s, Hopewell is filled with rich history and landmarks. One house I got to see was the Appomattox Manor. During the Civil War, “General Ulysses S. Grant used Appomattox as his headquarters” and “In the last months of the war, President Abraham Lincoln visited Grant in the drawing room of the house.”
On the same property next door to the manor, you’ll also see Grant’s Cabin. For those that love learning about the past, the walking tour lists these and other historical landmarks, many that are within walking distance of each other.
While I’m close to the main part of town, I do a quick walk of downtown on Broadway St., where several small businesses reside. As with many small towns, establishments are typically open on the weekends (I came on a Thursday). Here are a few that caught my eye that I want to come back and look into – Haley’s Honey Meadery, MJ’s Gallery & Designs LLC, and the Beacon Theater on E. Cawson St.
On my way home, I made my final stop to a place that I’ve been wanting to go to for sometime, The Boathouse at City Point. This restaurant, where the James and Appomattox Rivers meet, offers a fine dining type menu that embraces its patrons to be casual and comfortable. While there is a variety to choose from, again I’m looking at the seafood options they provide. I decided on the cocktail shrimp (which are HUGE), and a spicy margarita. Between the view and the food, I couldn’t have been happier with the experience.
Hopewell is a place to love…
While it’s called the Wonder City for its ability to bounce-back, Hopewell is also a place that will provide its visitors with the unexpected. Every place I went, I was amazed by either what I saw, experienced or learned. Hopewell also reminded me that Virginia has some of the oldest colonized towns in our country – Making them some of the most resilient areas around. Between the history, the places, and the people, Hopewell is a surprise you won’t want to miss.
Want to know more about Hopewell? Look no further.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
| Official ♥️ Signs Visited = 45 | LOVEworks Official = 336 |
| Unofficial ♥️ Signs Visited = 28 | LOVEworks Unofficial = 400+ |
| TOTAL VISITED = 73 | TOTAL LOVEworks = 700+ |
Is this your first Leah LOVES Virginia blog post read? Thank you for taking the time to visit. If you’re wondering how this adventure got started, check-out my first blog post and my about page. Want to stay connected? It’s super easy and you’ll only hear from me when a new blog gets posted. You can also follow along by friending me on my Leah LOVES Virginia Facebook page.
Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything I include in my blogs are factual and that I also give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something included here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
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