Known as the home of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg buzzes with academia, innovation and a creative arts scene fuelled by young professionals, musicians and performing arts venues. Football reigns in the autumn months, while the city is also home to a variety of pubs and boutiques.

Things to do

You can embrace nature right in town at Hahn Horticulture Garden on the Virginia Tech campus. Two hectares of specialty themed gardens are open for exploring. The campus also puts on fine arts exhibitions at Perspective Gallery, as well as performing arts, symphonies and modern dance at Moss Arts Center.

Spontaneous and informal art is showcased at Sidewalk Stage on College Avenue, with performances all day. Market Square Park is another open-art performance venue featuring heritage music and dance during the Market Square Jam nights.

Main Street in downtown Blacksburg is where to go for a string of eateries, pubs, shops, salons and small art galleries. You can also catch a film screening at the historic Lyric Theatre or enjoy comedy shows and outdoor movies.

Get some fresh air and exercise at Heritage Community Park and Natural Area, as it’s full of forests, meadows, creeks and hiking trails. Stop by Smithfield Plantation, built in 1773, to explore early American history and memorabilia presented by costumed guides and interpreters.

Getting around

Blacksburg is pedestrian friendly, with trails, wide sidewalks and bike racks in the downtown area. You can also use transit buses, taxis and rideshare services. Blacksburg is about a 30-minute drive from the airport in Roanoke, where you can pick up a rental car or take a shuttle into town.