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All About Blacksburg

Why Blacksburg?

By Alia Ghannam

Blacksburg is not the kind of place that would usually command much attention. As a small town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, one would not expect much excitement to be found in Blacksburg.  But as host to Virginia Tech, this small town has grown into a large community bustling with people of all ages and cultures, and it offers a vast array of things to do. People who have never visited Virginia Tech may ask themselves: How much entertainment can be packed into a town of just 19.6 square miles?  What does Blacksburg really have to offer?

In the fall, Blacksburg offers Saturdays full of spirit. Many Saturdays are spent in Lane Stadium, enveloped in a sea of orange and maroon, cheering on the Hokies football team. The entire Blacksburg community comes alive for those three hours. It doesn’t matter if you are a student from Richmond or New York; it doesn’t matter if you are a freshman or an alumnus. For those three hours, you are just a Hokie.

While football season is a source of enjoyment for Virginia Tech students and citizens of Blacksburg alike, there are still many things to love about this town after the end-of-season bowl games are in the books.

Downtown Blacksburg is host to a good number of specialty retailers and an even larger assortment of one-of-a-kind restaurants. The retail outlets include shops that specialize in jewelry, home décor, books, and music, to name but a few.

A wide variety of restaurants call Blacksburg home, ranging from the ever-popular pizzarias and fast-food chains to fine-dining experiences offering fare that reflects the international composition of the university community itself.

After dinner, you may be in the mood to catch a movie downtown. The historic Lyric Theatre on College Avenue features both mainstream and independent films, as well as live theatrical and musical performances.

Several street fairs also take over some of Blacksburg's main downtown thoroughfares over the course of the year. The International Street Fair, in April, is a celebration of the many cultures represented in Blacksburg and at the university, and offers attendees international foods and merchandise. Steppin’ Out Street Festival is a two-day festival in August that features entertainment, crafts, food, and fun.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Blacksburg is definitely the place to be. Hiking, biking, canoeing — you name it, there are numerous spots around the New River Valley to enjoy the great outdoors in all seasons of the year. One of the most popular walking and biking trails in town is the scenic Huckleberry Trail, which follows the route of the railroad that once served Blacksburg, beginning at the Blacksburg library and ending at the New River Valley Mall.

When the weather begins to heat up, many students head to the scenic New River to enjoy tubing down the river, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water. For those who enjoy hiking, the Cascades is a great place to spend the the day, and is located just 23 miles outside of Blacksburg.

While all of the football games, special events, and outdoor recreational activities provide students with plenty to do, it is really the people that make Blacksburg the special place it is. The town bustles with friendly people, and the sense of a close-knit community is undeniable. This town has managed to cram in a lot of great people and places into its mere 19.6 square miles. Blacksburg truly is a small town with a BIG heart.

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