The start of the fall semester also signals the beginning of college football in Blacksburg, Virginia. The city is home to the Virginia Tech Hokies and is buzzing with alumni pride especially on game day Saturdays. Most visitors to Blacksburg come to catch a game on Lane Stadium but that’s not all that this small college town in southwest Virginia offers. Buildings with well-preserved architecture and specialty exhibits or a large curated outdoor garden are a just a few places to consider. Start planning where to stay on your weekend in Blacksburg and see what this southwest Virginia college town has to offer.
Lyric Theatre
135 College Ave., Blacksburg, VA 24060, Phone: 540-951-0604
Who would have thought that right on the edge of America’s first established state, you’ll find a well-restored 1920’s theatre? Images of vaudeville and silent films instantly come to mind when you first visit the Lyric Theatre during your weekend in Blacksburg. Marvel at its Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, designed by local Roanoke architect Louis Phillipe Smithey.
Be in awe of the original 1930 tapestries and replica lanterns. Visitors will find themselves going back in time as they enter the restored lobby and auditorium. The theatre you see today opened in 1930 and was one of the few cinemas in the country to offer pictures with sound. Nowadays, the Lyric is a premiere destination for visitors and students looking to watch independent films and live musical performances.
Historic Smithfield Plantation Road
1000 Smithfield Plantation Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060, Phone: 540-231-3947
Virginia certainly has its share of prominent families — from the descendants of the five presidents born in the state to numerous political families who ended up winning gubernatorial and state legislative seats. One of those families is the Prestons of Virginia whose Historic Smithfield plantation stands just outside the city of Blacksburg.
The plantation was bequeathed to the Preston family by the British crown in 1755. Those spending a weekend in Blacksburg can book a tour of the house that served as the birthplace for two of Virginia’s governors. You can also learn about the history of the Preston family whose legacy includes the foundation of several universities including Virginia Tech.
A tour of the preserved plantation will carry you through the unique architecture, which encompasses unusual room placement details along with ornate bedroom furniture. Other features include decorative arts from the 18th and 19th centuries, portraits, and numerous Native American relics and artifacts discovered on the property.
Hahn Horticulture Garden
200 Garden Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Phone: 540-231-5970
One of the best free attractions to visit when spending the weekend in Blacksburg is the Hahn Horticulture Garden, located on the campus of Virginia Tech. For over three decades, the garden serves as a learning resource on plants, landscaping concepts and environmental awareness for students and the local community. The garden features hundreds of species of woody and herbaceous plants from around the world. It also has a xeriphytic garden that contains desert plants.
The garden was constructed and planted entirely by university students, faculty, staff, and volunteers. The perennial border with over 90 species, a pond with Japanese maples, and a stream garden with over 20 species of bog and aquatic plants are among the garden’s most amazing features.
Lane Stadium
185 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24060, Phone: 540-231-6731
Lane Stadium is a college football stadium located on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Beliveau Estate
5415 Gallion Ridge Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, Phone: 540-961-0505
Beliveau Estate Winery is an excellent choice for a day trip or a weekend wine excursion. This winery, located on 165 acres near Blacksburg, Virginia, has several amenities, including an on-site bed and breakfast. In addition, the winery has been named a best wedding venue in Southwest Virginia.
Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation
204 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg, VA 24060, Phone: 540-558-0746
The Foundation’s mission is to preserve, interpret, and promote the history, art, and cultural identity of Blacksburg. They do this by preserving and programming the Alexander Black House and the St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall.
Rising Silo Farm Brewery
2351 Glade Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060, Phone: 540-750-0796
Rising Silo Brewery is a completely unique Blacksburg movement, as well as Southwest Virginia’s only farm brewery. Pick up fresh vegetables, dairy, and meat raised on-site by Glade Road Growing and other farm friends, replenish your growler or relish a pint on draft, take a walk around the farm to soak in the beauty of the New River Valley, spark discussion, or simply relax in the company of friends and family.
The taproom is housed within a barn and offers both sheltered and open-air seating. Glade Road Growing Farm and Tabula Rasa Farm Kitchen are among the small businesses that share the brewery space. This is a pet-friendly and family-friendly environment! Every weekend, live music is performed. On-site tastings, pints, and growler fills are available. When the brewery is open, Tabula Rasa serves farm-to-table fare from a chalkboard menu. Food is only available in cash; Rising Silo Brewery accepts both cash and credit.
English Field
260 Duck Pond Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061, Phone: 540-231-9984
In Blacksburg, Virginia, English Field At Atlantic Union Bank Park is a baseball stadium. It serves as the home stadium for the Virginia Tech Hokies college baseball team. It opened in 1989 and has a seating capacity of 1,033, with additional grass-covered bank seating along the left field line known as “The Hill.” In 2018, English Field underwent a $20 million renovation.