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Things to Do In and Around the New River Valley
Section 1: Nearby Events & Attractions for one hour to one day
Section 2: Weekly and Seasonal Events
Section 3: Festivals
Section 4: Attractions Outside of the New River Valley
Section 5: Trips out of the area
Section 1: Nearby Events & Attractions for one hour to one day
The Virginia Tech Horticultural Gardens – Located on Washington Street next to McComas Hall. Nice spot for a picnic. Beautiful in every season.
The Virginia Tech Duck Pond – Enjoy beautiful outdoor scenery, fishing, and picnic areas; located on West Campus Drive opposite the drill field.
Smithfield Plantation – An historic Virginia plantation located in the middle of the Virginia Tech campus. Walk around the grounds or tour the house [phone: 231 3947].
Hand-in-Hand Playground – A great outdoor playground. Located in the Municipal Park off Patrick Henry Drive, Blacksburg. Picnic shelters available for rent. Website includes information on other Blacksburg parks, nature areas and trails.
Bowling –Squires Student Center and NRV Superbowl in Christiansburg (near DMV).
Golfing – Courses located on the Virginia Tech campus and the Blacksburg town course close to downtown. Miniature golf course and driving range are also nearby at the Cox’s Golf Driving Range Putt-a-Round and Batting Cages, 3500 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg. [phone: 951 0948]. Ten minute walk west on Price’s Fork Road from the BT bus stop at Hethwood (next to Foxridge Apartments).
Camping gear – Available for rent from VT’s Venture Out Center.
Mountain Lake – A beautiful place where you can hike, rent paddleboats, kayaks or canoes, or simply enjoy the scenery. Restaurant open to the public; resort hotel rooms & cabins also available. Located about a half hour from Blacksburg, Take 460 West, enter Giles County; turn right on Rt. 700, and follow for 7 miles to Mountain Lake.
Cascades Nature Area and Trail – Beautiful picnic area, scenic hiking trail along cascading creek and waterfall. Route 460 West, at Pembroke, VA.
Pandapas Pond – Easy hiking and scenery, 10 minutes from Blacksburg, Rt. 460 West.
Claytor Lake State Park – Swimming, boat rentals, hiking, camping.
Claytor Lake Watersports – Boat rentals, lake tours, jetskis, water skiing, water sports packages.
New River: Canoeing/Kayaking, Tubing, Fishing, Bike Riding, etc. – Various outfitters and guides provide equipment rentals and guided trips. Tangent Outfitters, Canoe the New Outfitters and Guide Service, New River's Edge, New River Junction
Hiking – Information on the many trails in the New River Valley is available from the U.S. Park Service visitor center, 110 Southpark Drive, Blacksburg, [phone: 540 552 4641].
Huckleberry Trail – Between Blacksburg and Christiansburg, for walking and biking and Coal Mining Heritage Park stretches for 0.6 mile south along the Huckleberry Trail.
Berry Picking – Crow’s Nest in Blacksburg, [phone: 552 4195] (beautiful flowers & plants for sale at greenhouse); Windrush Farm in Newport [phone: 540 544 7868].
Apple Picking – Doe Creek Farm (Rt. 460 West), [phone: 540 626 7201].
Dixie Caverns – Tour underground cavern, hiking trails; near Christiansburg.
Adventure World Family Fun Center – Roller skating, laser tag, other family activities. Fun for all ages! Near New River Valley Mall.
Sledding when it snows – at Blacksburg’s town golf course, “The Hill”, off of S. Main Street (going south on Main, go left on Upland Road for ~1.5 blocks, right on Palmer for ~1.5 blocks, left on Graves Ave ~1 block, “Hill” is on the right).
Montgomery Museum & Lewis Miller Regional Art Center – Highlights the history of Montgomery County and has regional art displays and special events. 300 Pepper Street, Christiansburg, [phone:382 5644].
Virginia Tech Prices Fork Astronomy Observatory – Open houses will be held on the first and third Friday evening of each month when classes are in session during the Fall and Spring Semesters, weather permitting. The person conducting the Open House will use the telescope to show various interesting objects visible in the night sky (moon, planets, interesting stellar objects, nebulae, galaxies, bright comets.). [phone: 231 6544].
Outdoor Recreation programs from Montgomery County Parks & Recreation – Several kinds of outings for a small price.
Section 2: Weekly & Seasonal Events
Year-Round Events:
Friday Night Jamboree – Nationally recognized as one of the best places for hearing authentic "old-time," bluegrass, and country music in the US. Everyone is encouraged to join in the dancing, too. In the town of Floyd, Fridays 6:30 p.m.
YMCA day hikes, on weekends, rides available, meet at the YMCA on Washington Street. www.vtymca.org.
Dance Lessons / Dances:
Southwest Virginia Swing Dance Society – learn many types of dancing
Solely Swing – Virginia Tech’s student dance club
Waltzing – Monday nights in Blacksburg. Free lessons given.
New England Contra Dances – One Saturday a month in Blacksburg. Live music! Cost: $7 per person.
Square dances – old Blacksburg Middle School on Main Street, and other locations; beginners are welcome, no partner required. Check the New River Current section of the Roanoke Times newspaper for times and locations.
Seasonal Events:
Summer Concert Series – Outdoor concert series, Fridays at 6:00, June - July. Henderson Lawn, College Avenue (rainsite, Squires Student Center),Virginia Tech.
Auto Races – Shelor Motor Mile Speedway, races March-October
Chateau Morrisette – Variety of fun, special weekend musical events (some free) and other special events. This local winery is in a most beautiful setting about one hour from Blacksburg. Restaurant, too.
Section 3: Festivals
Fall:
"Taste of the Blue Ridge Blues & Jazz Festival" – Roanoke, September
Pumpkin Festivals – hayrides, hay mazes, pumpkin carving, etc. October weekends. Lacie’s Garden Center, Christiansburg, [phone: 382 8797]; Sinkland Farms, Rt. 8, just south of Christiansburg [phone: 382 4640].
Wilderness Trail Festival – Arts & crafts, music, entertainment, special exhibits. Downtown Christiansburg. September.
The Highlander Festival – parade, Scottish games, events, music, food. Radford University Campus. October.
Dance of Nations – Dances from around the world, attendees may participate, too. Virginia Tech Council of International Student Organizations.
Diwali Celebrations – Virginia Tech’s Indian Student Association.
Winter:
Chinese New Year Celebrations at Virginia Tech – January.
Spring:
International Street Fair and International Week – Fair, movies, lunches, discussions and speakers. Virginia Tech and downtown Blacksburg, April.
St. Patrick’s Day parade and Celtic Festival – Parade, music, performers, food. Roanoke. St.Patrick’s Day weekend
Local Colors – International Festival in downtown Roanoke. 75 countries represented with food, performers, children’s activities. May.
Festival in the Park – Roanoke’s 10-day festival, held annually end of May- early June. Music, performances of many types, children’s activities, food.
Misty Mountain Farm Annual Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show – and SO MUCH MORE including childrens activities, demonstrations, crafts, antiques, etc. only 20 minutes from Blacksburg, 460 West to Newport.
Call 540 544 7194 for more information. May.
Summer:
Fourth of July Celebrations – Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and other local towns: parades, live music, fireworks.
McCoy Miner’s Day – local history, fun, food. McCoy Miner’s Park, 20 minutes from B’bg. June
Claytor Lake State Park Festival – Hot air balloons, music, entertainment, fireworks,
arts & crafts sale. June
Old Fiddler’s Convention – Galax, 1.5 hours from B’bg. 2nd week of August.
Internationally famous music event. http://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/
Hillsville Labor Day Flea Market – This event has achieved such popularity that it now consumes much of the entire town of Hillsville. Antique dealers, gun dealers and traders of all kinds make this one of the largest shows in the southeast. Hillsville draws over 500,000 visitors on Labor Day weekend. Has to be seen to be believed. A real slice of Americana. First Friday-Monday of September.
http://www.hillsville.com/fmarket.htm
Section 4: Attractions Outside of the New River Valley
Attractions Outside of the New River Valley
Roanoke: (45 minutes) www.roanokegov.com,
Center in the Square (shopping, farmer’s market, restaurants, art museum, live theater productions at Mill Mountain Theater) http://www.centerinthesquare.org/
Transportation Museum http://www.vmt.org/
O. Winston Link Museum www.spikesys.com/trains/owlink.html
Mill Mountain Zoo for more information visit http://www.mmzoo.org/
Explore Park: a “living history” park of the early European settlement of Virginia www.explorepark.org/
Wytheville: (1 hour) http://www.visitwytheville.org/
A booming town with much to offer, including the Boyd Museum, a great little museum showing life from the 1800’ s-1960 and Rock House Museum, a Registered Historical Landmark. http://museums.wytheville.org/
Chautauqua Festival, music, arts, crafts, etc., June. http://www.wythevillefestival.org/
Wolf Creek “living” Indian Museum: Bastian, VA. I-77 just north of I-81. http://www.indianvillage.org/. (276) 668-3438.
New River Trail State Park and Foster Falls. Swimming, tubing, bike trails, camping (bike, tube rentals available). http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/newriver.htm
Shot Tower Historical Park: historical area including Civil War shot tower, within New River Trail Park. http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/shottowr.htm
Bedford: a picturesque, small Virginia town. (1-½ hours) www.bedford.va.us.com
National D-Day Memorial, a memorial to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Armed Forces who landed in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. Programs, museums, guided tours. http://www.dday.org/home.html
Poplar Forest: Thomas Jefferson’s summer home. www.poplarforest.org
Blue Ridge Parkway: The Parkway meanders for 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina and connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, providing ample opportunities for stops at overlooks, picnic and camping facilities, trails, and wonderful cultural and natural areas. http://www.nps.gov/blri/
Mabry Mill: an historic mill on the Parkway. The Cranwell International Center sponsors an annual trip in October. Living history exhibits seasonally. http://www.nps.gov/blri/galry03b.htm
Chateau Morrisette: local winery in a most beautiful setting; about one hour from Blacksburg. Excellent restaurant open year-round, with outside dining in good weather. Lunch prices moderate, dinner is somewhat pricey. Great place for a very special celebration or to entertain special visitors. Special weekend musical events (some free) and other special events. Tours.
http://www.chateaumorrisette.com/
Lexington: (1 ½ hours) www.ci.lexington.va.us
Restuarants and shopping in historic downtown area
George C. Marshall Museum chronicles life of this American statesman. http://www.marshallfoundation.org/marshall_museum_information.html
Explore campuses of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Washington and Lee University (W&L). http://www.vmi.edu/, http://www2.wlu.edu/
Theater at Lime Kiln: live, outdoor theater and musical productions. www.theateratlimekiln.com
Natural Bridge: One of the most unique natural attractions in Virginia, plus many other attractions including caverns, wax museum, toy museum. http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/bridge.html
Abingdon: a very pretty, historic town with shopping, art galleries, restaurants (2 hours) www.abingdon.com
Barter Theater: Nationally known theater with professional acting company. www.bartertheater.com
Virginia Creeper Trail for biking and walking www.creepertrail.org/. To rent bikes for the trail visit the Bike Station www.thebike-station.com
The Martha Washington Inn: a beautiful, historic inn with restaurant and shops. For more information visit www.marthawashingtoninn.com
Virginia Highlands Festival, first two weeks of August annually. Music & other performing arts, arts & crafts, parades, special events. http://www.vahighlandsfestival.org/
Staunton: (2 hours) www.stauntonva.org A beautiful place to check out interesting architecture, great local shops, restaurants, live theater, museums, bed & breakfast inns.
Shenandoah Shakespeare Theater, reproduction of the original Globe Theater; productions of Shakespeare’s plays and other performances. www.shenandoahshakespeare.com
Woodrow Wilson House, birthplace of President Wilson. www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/
Frontier Culture Museum, living history museum of Virginia’s frontier history. www.frontiermuseum.com
Beckley, WV: (I-77 N) (1 ½ hours) www.beckley.org
Tamarack: demonstrations, shopping. www.tamarackwv.com
Exhibition Coal Mine and Museum: ride a coal car deep into the mountain; visit a historic, coal-mining village where the houses are preserved as museums. www.beckleymine.com
Pipestem State Park: hiking, horseback riding. www.pipestemresort.com
Winterplace Ski Resort: snow skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, located an hour from Blacksburg. www.winterplace.com
Other Trips and Activities:
Virginia International Raceway: VIRginia International Raceway hosts amateur and professional automobile and motorcycle events, driving schools, club days and private test rentals. Includes “Indy” style racing. www.virclub.com
Douthat State Park: beautiful setting around lake with hiking; biking; swimming; canoes, kayaks & other boats for rent; fishing; camping (camping gear can be rented from Squires Student Center). A NICE place to escape for a day or two. 1.5 hours from VT. www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/douthat/.htm
The Crooked Road Virginia Heritage Music Trail: a driving tour through the Blue Ridge that covers the history of Virginia’s musical traditions, with many outdoor activities along the way. This is becoming an internationally known tourist desti www.thecrookedroad.org
Carter Family Fold Center: A music center where old time and bluegrass music is performed. www.carterfamilyfold.org
Luray Caverns: the East’s largest caverns www.luraycaverns.com
Shenandoah Caverns: formations so unusual they were featured in National Geographic. www.shenandoahcaverns.com
Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park in Tazewell. 703-988-6755. http://www.craborchardmuseum.com/. and
Annual Fiddlers Convention http://www.craborchardmuseum.com/Bluegrass.htm
Canoe and Kayak the James River Basin, 540-261-7334
White Water Rafting on the New River in West Virginia. A number of outfitters and variety of levels of skill adventures offered. Trips are also offered on the Gauley River, but this river is for highly experienced rafters.
For a list of West Virginia rafting outfitters:
http://www.wvexplorer.com/Recreation/Whitewater%20Rafting/guidesoutfitters.asp
Section 5: Trips Out of the Area
This section is yet to be completed. Please “Google” for more information until specific information is listed.
Virginia:
Mount Rogers; Williamsburg; Charlottesville; Richmond
North Carolina:
Grandfather Mountain; Asheville; Biltmore House
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