Blake Walsh

18 Best Things to Do in Blacksburg, VA

  • Published 2022/04/02

Blacksburg is a treasured sapphire situated in Virginia.

It’s ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

The town thrives with countless attractions, exciting nightlife, and vibrant culture.

Visiting Blacksburg will be a refreshing trip because of the options it offers.

All the tourist spots are close to one another, so it’s easy to get around the town.

You can roam around the whole day without a heavy dent in your pockets.

Here are the best things to do in Blacksburg, Virginia:

Explore the Hahn Horticulture Garden

Landscape of Hahn Horticulture Garden

Holly Anne Cromer / Shutterstock.com

Horticulture is a classic move to preserve and grow different kinds of plants and flowers.

Spread out over six acres of land, the Hahn Horticulture Garden is a lovely location in Blacksburg.

Exterior of a greenhouse at Hahn Horticulture Garden

Holly Anne Cromer / Shutterstock.com

The whole garden comprises several smaller ones.

These include water gardens, a meadow garden, and several others.

You’ll get to see a variety of flowers, depending on the season.

Vibrant flower at Hahn Horticulture Garden

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It also has a small oasis on the property.

The Hahn Horticulture Garden is a lovely spot to unwind after a long day.

Lovely flower at Hahn Horticulture Garden

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Book Seats at the Lyric Theatre

Exterior of Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg

Vineet Doshi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Lyric Theatre lies in the heart of downtown Blacksburg.

Different feature films are screened here every day.

Instead of mainstream cinema, the Lyric Theatre features underrated films that deserve more attention.

The building itself is a sight to behold.

It was first constructed in 1929.

Classic with a tinge of modern, the theater is built in vintage style and offers a fantastic music experience.

Have a Glass of Wine at Beliveau Farm Winery

It’s said that whenever you visit a new place, tasting the local wine is a must.

This is because every town has its own specialty and taste.

Beliveau Farm Winery is a seasoned winery that brews the finest wine in Blacksburg.

The property’s majestic mountain views go perfectly with a smooth glass of their famous red wine.

Make sure you try out the chef’s special delicacies and wine choices.

Along with their wine, Beliveau Farm Winery is known for their gourmet pizza as well.

Be a Spectator at Lane Stadium

Far exterior view of the Lane Stadium

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Are you visiting Blacksburg in the fall?

You might find yourself cheering for your favorite team.

The vast Lane Stadium holds football matches every Saturday.

Closer exterior view of Lane Stadium

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If you are in town during that time, don’t miss out and purchase tickets to a game.

The atmosphere here is liberating and full of excitement.

You will feel energized in the stadium.

Even though you are not a sports fan, you should visit to experience the vibe!

Front exterior and name sign of Lane Stadium

Bryan Pollard / Shutterstock.com

Walk the Huckleberry Trail

Wooden bridge at Huckleberry Trail

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The Huckleberry Trail is the safest and most peaceful route for a walk.

Lined with green bushes on either side of the road, the trail is underrated.

It’s often free of crowds, so the chances are high that you’ll have the trail to yourself.

You can shoot some aesthetically natural photos along your walk.

Narrow paved walkway at Huckleberry Trail

Vejlenser, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The trail is flat, making it an easy walk.

You may take it up early in the morning—the chirping of birds and slow breeze will make it a pleasant experience for you.

You will feel as if you are in the countryside.

Take Out Your Fishing Hook at the New River Junction

Sunny day at New River Junction

Realest Nature / Shutterstock.com

The New River Junction is famous for its recreational activities, such as tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.

The water is calm and easy to ride through.

The New River Junction provides the best services at affordable rates.

Calm waters of New River Junction

Realest Nature / Shutterstock.com

You will thoroughly enjoy the time you spend here.

The best time to go here is in the afternoon as it is less crowded in that time slot.

You will have the place to yourself.

Wooden footpath over New River Junction

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Head over to Dragon’s Tooth

Dragon’s Tooth with mountains and tree in the background

Rui Serra Maia / Shutterstock.com

Dragon’s Tooth is a rock monolith atop Cove Mountain.

You will have to go through a long hike to reach this spot.

Mountain views from Dragon's Tooth

Rui Serra Maia / Shutterstock.com

The view from up there is breathtaking.

The trail on the way there is well-maintained and marked.

Make sure you go hiking early in the morning to avoid any heat or sunburn.

Stone steps at Dragon's Tooth

Rui Serra Maia / Shutterstock.com

Order a Pint at Rising Silo Brewery

Rising Silo Brewery’s beers are different and purely delectable.

They brew the best in town.

It is a hippie spot with an amazing atmosphere.

The outdoor seating area is fun, and you’ll love the vibe.

The beer is so delicious that you won’t feel full no matter how many pints you gulp down.

The starters are equally tasty.

You can go in the evening to enjoy the atmosphere and brewery’s vibe.

Pay Your Respects at the April 16 Memorial

April 16 Memorial decorated with flowers

Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock.com

The April 16 Memorial is located at Virginia Tech University.

It was built to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that unfortunate day in 2007.

The memorial was constructed in a small but beautiful area.

Tombstones at April 16 Memorial

Eric T Gunther, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

All the students and professors pay a timely visit to the memorial and pay their respects.

You should visit the place, pray briefly, and recognize the incident.

It will be a peaceful way to remember them.

They are gone but not forgotten.

Grounds of April 16 Memorial

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Have a History Lesson at Smithfield Plantation

Smithfield Plantation has its roots tied deeply to the colonial era.

It is history in its raw and true form.

The house there is beautifully maintained and will leave you mesmerized.

The grounds are equally stunning, too.

You can take a tour to better understand its historical background.

You will learn more about the colonial era and what it was like working here.

It is an underrated place that deserves more attention.

Don’t miss a trip to this hidden gem if you are in Blacksburg.

Get Artistic at the Moss Arts Center

Moss Arts Centre lit up during night

Elizabeth-Richelle / Shutterstock.com

The vast Moss Arts Center has a lot of things for visitors to explore.

It consists of various visual arts galleries, halls, multiple studios, and more.

The center was inaugurated to preserve the region’s art and culture and continues to work with this mission in mind up to today.

Exterior of Moss Arts Center during the day

Bryan Pollard / Shutterstock.com

The art presented here is top-notch and alluring.

It is a fantastic place to spend your evening.

Different shows usually go on in the halls, and visitors are welcome to watch.

Visit the Blacksburg Market

Are you looking for farm-fresh goods?

The Blacksburg Farmers Market is the place to go.

They sell a wide variety of products, from dairy products to baked goods.

The ambiance of the place is peaceful and friendly.

Music is always playing in the area to keep you entertained.

It is a wholesome place.

You can even stop by at an eatery to have lunch.

There are many things put up for selling, too.

Admire the Art Pieces at the Artful Lawyer

The Artful Lawyer is a beautiful gallery dedicated to Fine Arts.

They display nestled art pieces of local artisans.

In a way, the gallery helps promote and boost the local economy.

Their collection is varied and very unique.

It’s constantly updated so that guests get to see new items every time they visit.

The pieces are niche-specific and very intricate.

They are a delight to see.

You can even buy one or two to give to your loved ones.

Do not miss out on this gallery if you are in Blacksburg; it’s very much worth a visit.

Spend Your Night Out at PK’s Bar & Grill

Blacksburg has a fantastic nightlife.

The town is always wide awake until late.

PK’s Bar & Grill is one of the best places to experience this.

They serve lip-smacking food and also hold live viewing sessions of different matches.

The bar has a marvelous liquor collection, and the bartender will suggest the best pick for you.

They also serve awesome food to satiate your midnight cravings.

The atmosphere is crazy here.

You’ll enjoy it to the fullest, and your adrenaline will be soaring high.

Drop by at PK’s when you are roaming around in the night and want to have a kick of strong beer and delicious snacks.

Explore Blacksburg’s Downtown Area

Streets in Downtown Blacksburg

Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Blacksburg’s downtown area is its most aesthetic location.

Do you want to shop, take stunning pictures, or walk around a vintage street?

If you were enthusiastically nodding, head over to downtown Blacksburg.

It is a quaint location with a lot to do and explore.

Market square park in Blacksburg's Downtown

Smash the Iron Cage, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s where you’ll find some of the town’s best restaurants, too.

Everything here is averagely priced.

It is a hospitable place that emanates a homely feeling.

You can spend a whole day here and still not want to leave!

Stop by the Museum of Geosciences

Exterior of a hall at Museum of Geosciences

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The Museum of Geosciences is a Blacksburg hotspot that attracts many students, faculty, and visitors to its door each day.

It’s no secret that students enjoy coming here to learn more about the Earth’s geology and have fun with their peers.

Though it offers museum-quality exhibits, it’s still very much student-run, making it an open space for free expression (and sometimes chaos) where friendships are developed and boredom is abated.

Located in 2062 Derring Hall, 926 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, the VT Department of Geosciences houses the Geosciences Museum.

This small museum room at Virginia Tech showcases geoscience-related materials like minerals, gems, fossils, rocks, and a full-scale cast model of an Allosaurus dinosaur skeleton.

The fossils and minerals exhibited here come from Virginia, while others were collected throughout the world during expeditions led by local scientists.

There’s also a fantastic OmniGlobe feature on display, which can project global datasets on your nearest sphere to teach you about plate tectonics and weather patterns around the globe.

Attend a Virginia Tech Basketball Game at Cassell Coliseum

Wide shot of Cassell Coliseum

User:B, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cassell Coliseum is a 229,297 square-foot structure that houses the Hokies women’s and men’s basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams.

It features a main arena with seating for 10,052 spectators and two auxiliary gyms, locker rooms, and other athletic facilities.

The coliseum is a tribute to the legacy of Stuart Kent Cassell, a 1932 alumnus and influential leader who pushed Virginia Tech’s popularity to new heights as he expanded the campus into a prestigious university.

Cassell Coliseum features a top-notch, beautifully architected design for the acoustic ambiance.

Name sign of Cassell Coliseum

Bryan Pollard / Shutterstock.com

The top-tier sound system immerses all in the stadium with crisp sound and passionate crowd noise.

The air can get stifling on hot summer days, especially during basketball season, but plenty of seats and parking are available.

If you’re lucky to attend the free women’s volleyball game, they sometimes hand out free souvenirs like T-shirts and posters.

Afterward, they also have a “meet and greet” session with the volleyball players.

Celebrate Blacksburg Annual Festivals

Blacksburg has a veritable smorgasbord of food festivals in the spring, including the Annual Chocolate Festival for chocolate and sweets lovers.

The International Street Fair is where you can find samples of cultural cuisine and even homeware to adorn your home from all around the world.

In April, the town throws its annual Fork and Cork Festival, showcasing food and drink samples from Virginia wine country.

As the leaves begin to fall and the football season starts with its rush of playoff games and bone-crunching televised clash, craft beer lovers come together for the annual Brew Do event.

In June, locals and visitors flock to Solstice celebrations.

Meanwhile, festivals such as Steppin Out on the Downtown Blacksburg bring people together to celebrate on the streets at the end of August.

Final Thoughts

Surrounded by picturesque scenery, Blacksburg is the ultimate playground for outdoorsy-types.

The town of Blacksburg showcases the Blue Ridge Mountains, which create a perfect ambiance for those who enjoy outdoor adventure.

This idyllic peacefulness provides the perfect setting for an exhilarating adventure in Virginia.

Improve your Blacksburg getaway experience with this list of Blacksburg attractions!

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