Petersburg-Colonial Heights Colonial Heights, VA

Petersburg-Colonial Heights was once a key trading center for Native American tribes. European settlement began with the establishment of Fort Henry in 1645. The fort later became Petersburg, officially incorporated as a town in 1784. During the decades before the Civil War, Petersburg was the largest center of freed slaves in Virginia. During the war, the town hosted several key battles which turned the tide for a Northern victory and the end of slavery. The city was also a key nexus of the anti-Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights movement.

Petersburg-Colonial Heights contains several museums and historic buildings. They include the Siege Museum detailing the Civil War era and the grand Center Hill Mansion. The Petersburg Area Art League gallery and community space showcases local artists and offers workshops.

Many area restaurants cluster along Grove Avenue and Bank Street. Options include Japanese, Italian and Southern cuisine. Coffee shops and a tea room round out the scene.

The family that can't decide where to dine can have it all at Wabi Sabi. Where else can you get sushi and sashimi alongside ribeye steaks, burgers and an upstairs cocktail lounge? Sushi fans should order the wabi roll, chock full of lump crab, avocado, cream cheese, kanpucu and crunchy wasabi peas. Traditional seafood fans flock to the crab cake sandwich with lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers, spicy Thai sauce and a choice of fries or sweet potato fries. Finish meals off with decadent fried banana topped by chocolate and raspberry sauce.

For more-traditional American and Southern fare, head to the elegant Bistro at Market & Grove for an experience complete with a chandelier and starched white tablecloth. The Bistro specializes in dinner and spectacular brunch offerings such as eggs Benedict and French toast. Evening diners should request the prosciutto chicken, sauteed with garlic and topped with tomato, prosciutto and fresh mozzarella. A rich vidalia cream sauce with a side of potato and vegetable du jour tops the meal off.

Downtown Petersburg presents strong nightlife options. Drink pub beers in a 190-year old building at the Brickhouse Run with exposed beams and a lively fireplace. Nearby Croaker's Spot features seafood and great beers on tap.

Car and public transit let residents get around the neighborhood. Hailing a cab can be difficult, but private companies are on hand for pickups. Uber does not provide service in the area. Free public parking is abundant, and easy access to highways and I-95 makes zipping elsewhere a breeze.

Walking as a means of transportation is limited because amenities such as groceries and parks require moderate commutes. Biking options also remain limited due to a lack of bike infrastructure such as lanes and dedicated bike roads. Bicyclists should stick to low-traffic and residential streets.

Petersburg contains 16 parks and facilities, counting recreation areas and golf courses. Most parks are free and allow dogs on leashes.

Appomattox River Park offers open wooded space with hiking and biking trails, and river access for boating and picnics. The Farmer Street Pool provides public access to an outdoor summer swimming area as well as basketball and tennis courts. Kids love the Jefferson/Clinton Street park with a tot lot for very young children and a play structure for older kids. Central Park is a historic park area that features four square blocks of open green space with ornate stone tables and benches in addition to historic homes and properties. The Harding Street Community Center hosts after-school programs and features an indoor gym.

History buffs will also be happy to visit the Crater Battlefield, which is part of the larger Petersburg Battlefield. At this location, Union sappers tunnelled beneath Confederate fortifications and detonated 8,000 lbs of gunpowder. Depsite creating a sudden two-hundred foot gap in the Confederate position, Union soldiers were unable to break through. Instead, Brigadier General Mahone launched a series of swift counterattacks which turned the gap into a killing field.

The annual Halifax Jazz and Blues Festival showcases local and national musical acts and performances at an outdoor theater at the Halifax Triangle.

The cost of living in Petersburg-Colonial heights is less than the Richmond average as well as the Virginia average. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence costs $635, and rides on PAT buses cost $1.75 for a trip to downtown Petersburg. Beer at a local pub costs between $2 to $4. On average, gas costs 7 percent less than the national average.

Shopping options remain limited to practical wares, furniture and big-box retail. The Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights provides access to Macy's, Best Buy and more.

The Flower Mart in Petersburg is a family-owned business offering lovely arrangements, gifts and diverse plants. It offers custom designs in addition to in-house creations and specials. Treat yourself or a loved one to a calming Zen garden with bamboo and succulent plants in a wooden box planter. To wow any friend or loved one, give a bon vivant basket overflowing with fresh fruit, cheeses, gourmet chocolates, teas and more.

For vintage fashion and accessories, head to Second Hand Rose in historic old-town Petersburg. The shop features vintage clothing and costume wear from the 1920s to the 1980s and includes hats, shoes, purses, jewelry, coats and more. Merchandise is color coded by era, with the Turner collection housing 1940s and 1950s wear, the Polly Ester area stocked with 1960s and 1970s garb and the Dynasty area loaded with 1980s goodies. Costume themes include Victorian, Colonial, turn of the century, tuxedos and more.

Grocery selections are limited to ALDI and IGA supermarkets. Several specialty and ethnic markets can also be found in Petersburg and across the river in Colonial Heights.