Outdoor adventure, exciting history, and farm-fresh foods await visitors looking for things to do in Blacksburg, Virginia and the surrounding area. The towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg lie between the scenic Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, situated along the banks of the New River, creating breathtaking natural scenery and numerous recreational opportunities.
Families can hike at one of the many parks and preserves, like Brush Mountain, Bottom Creek Gorge, or Pandapas Pond. Discover the rich history and beauty of Virginia Tech by stopping by the Historic Smithfield Plantation or the Hahn Horticulture Garden. Or choose to eat and drink your way through Montgomery County, Virginia, by visiting the Blacksburg Farmers Market, Rising Silo Brewery, or Beliveau Winery.
This charming area of Southwest Virginia offers fun and adventure for the whole family. Here is our list of the best things to do in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia.
Fun Things to do in Blacksburg, VA and Beyond
Brush Mountain Park
Explore 758 acres of lush forest at Brush Mountain Park on what will eventually be over 18 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The first of these trail systems, McDonald Hollow, features six miles of multi-use trails that can be combined in various ways to create different hiking paths.
If you are limited on time, or just have some little hikers with you, take the Pine Forest Trail for a quick loop.
If you have more time, take the Highway Trail up until you’ve reached your limit, then weave your way back at any of the four offshoot trails you’ll encounter along the way. Highway offers beautiful views at the top and winds past the creek on the bottom.
Bottom Creek Gorge
Head outside of town to the beautiful Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve for a secluded hike to Virginia’s second-highest waterfall. Three moderate trails lead to a view across the gorge of Bottom Creek Falls, so families can create a loop to fit their skill level.
The best route for families would be the Johnson and Knight loop. This path goes down to the creek, where kids can splash in the water or climb around the boulders. It’s a great place to take a break with a picnic lunch.
Pandapas Pond in the Jefferson National Forest
Bask in the beauty as you wander around the picturesque, 8-acre Pandapas Pond. A one-mile walking path encircles the pond, surrounded by rhododendron thickets and hardwood forest. Although it is stroller accessible, most of the trail is gravel, so all-terrain tires are recommended.
From the Pandapas Pond Loop, there are a few additional short trails families can explore. A 0.4-mile trail leads to the pollinator garden, where you might be able to spot some butterflies. Or the Lark Spur and Lady Slipper trails can be combined to create a one-mile loop.
All these trails connect to the Poverty Creek Trail System, which includes 88 multi-use trails in Jefferson National Forest, covering almost 100 miles.
Pandapas Pond is stocked with rainbow and brook trout from October to May and is a great place for fishing. Every spring, the US Forest Service hosts a free kids’ fishing day here, so be sure to check it out if you are in the area.
Coal Miner’s Heritage Park and Loop Trail
Take a stroll through history on the 1.5-mile loop trail at Coal Miner’s Heritage Park. As you traverse the trail through the former mining community, you’ll see mining artifacts interspersed with greenery, woodlands, and informational signs. The trail is fairly easy, but most of it is not paved.
Huckleberry Trail
The best place to take a long walk or bike ride is along the Huckleberry Trail. This 15-mile paved trail connects the cities of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, starting just north of Blacksburg at the Jefferson National Forest and continuing to the Christiansburg Recreation Center.
The trail can also be reached through several access points throughout the two towns, including Heritage Park, Downtown Blacksburg, Huckleberry Park, and Coal Mining Heritage Park.
This trail can be used to reach many parks and trails throughout the area, including the Poverty Creek Trail System. The path winds through rolling landscapes, farmland, and forests. Along the way, there are benches for resting or enjoying the view.
Beliveau Farm Winery
At Beliveau Farm and Winery, making quality Virginia wine is their passion. Come enjoy a wine tasting and the beautiful scenery. Children and dogs are welcome, just not in the adults-only “Sugar Shack,” which features reserve wines and specialty tastings.
The grounds are open to the public Thursday through Sunday, and the gift shop has charcuterie-style food items and snacks available to purchase. Guests are also welcome to bring their own picnic-style foods, as long as they are not there for a special event. Friday nights feature live music in the evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Wonder Universe: A Children’s Museum
Imagine a world where you can be anything you want to be. At Wonder Universe, children can do just that. Each exhibit opens a new possible role for kids to play, like a vet in the veterinarian clinic, a dentist in the dentist office, or an engineer on the Global Express Trail.
Kids learn about their biology as they watch objects zoom through a system of tubes, economics as they play in a kid-sized bank, and even archeology through the fossil talk exhibit.
Over 18 exhibits engage children in learning and exploratory play. This museum is best suited for children up to age 10, with special areas just for kids ages 0-3. Opening hours are limited, so be sure to check the time before heading over.
Blacksburg Rotary Mountain Biking Skills Park
At Blacksburg Rotary Mountain Biking Skills Park, bikers can hone their skills on simulated terrain before heading out on the trails. This park includes both beginner and intermediate lines and obstacles like a log jump, skinny tracks, and a rock garden. Practice one element at a time until you can complete the whole track without stopping.
If you don’t have room to pack adult-sized bikes but still want to get out and enjoy the trails, don’t worry. Bike Barn in Blacksburg rents full-suspension mountain bikes.
New River Junction Tubing
Let your troubles float away as you drift down the New River. The one-mile tubing route passes tree-covered mountains and inspiring rock formations. Due to the shallow riverbed, the water in the river stays warm all season.
The route takes about an hour to Big Falls Park. A small section of rapids is just past the park, so if you are feeling adventurous, continue down the river a few more yards, then just walk the 150 yards back to the park. Families can even exit the park and take a look at the rapids before deciding if they want to give it a try.
New River Junction provides tubes, life jackets, and a shuttle service for a fee. Your fee also includes a free grilling service at Big Park Falls. All you need to bring is the food and cooking utensils, and New River Junction provides plates, napkins, plastic utensils, and even takes care of lighting the grill. If you would like to bring your own kayaks or tubes, just pay the usage fee and you will have access to the shuttle service.
Tubing season usually starts in May and runs through Labor Day, but dates vary based on current conditions. Although there is no age restriction, children under the age of 16 are required to wear a life jacket and stay on the right side of the river where the water is more shallow.
Blacksburg Price House Nature Center
The Price House Nature Center in Blacksburg offers a cozy place to learn about the world around us year-round. The Center houses live animal exhibits, an augmented reality sandbox, taxidermy specimens, and a seasonal observation beehive. There is also a nature-themed library, games, and puzzles for families to enjoy together.
The Nature Center is open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, as well as Thursday afternoons. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Heritage Community Park
The 169 acres of Heritage Park invites families to surround themselves with the beauty of the area. Walk along the easy 1.9-mile loop trail, keeping an eye out for white-tailed deer grazing in the open meadows, over 120 species of birds twittering in the trees, and butterflies fluttering among the cattails in the marshes.
In the Nature Play Space, kids are encouraged to dig in the dirt, climb trees, catch bugs, and wade in the Toms Creek. In a world where children’s play is often restricted, here they have a place for unstructured play where they can learn about nature through exploration. Check out the inspiration binders at the park for some ideas about how to play in the space.
Huckleberry Park
This all-abilities park has something for everyone, and I mean everyone. A roller slide for children with cochlear implants, a climber for those with limited mobility, the Wave Rock N Raft for use with mobility devices, and much more provide options where all children can have fun together. The park also incorporates technology that encourages kids to dance, play, and interact.
The play equipment isn’t limited to just little kids. Older kids, teens, and even adults will have fun trying to beat each other’s time on the obstacle course or the race track, both of which have technology incorporated to time you. There is also a fitness zone with equipment for working out.
In addition to the playground, Huckleberry Park features a splash pad, a dog park, sports courts, pavilions and picnic tables, paved trails, and acres of green grass for passive recreation. There are also multiple public use restrooms.
Mid County Park and the Frog Pond Pool
Located between Blacksburg and Christiansburg, families can explore the 89 acres of Mid County Park. A nature trail winds through woodlands and past streams, showcasing a variety of plants and animals. Kids can slide, climb, and swing at the playground. This park also features picnic tables, restrooms, and a basketball court.
During the summer, the Frog Pond Pool, located at this park, is open to the public. The zero-depth entry, splash features, and frog-shaped kiddie slide offer the perfect place for little ones to cool off from a hot summer day. At the other end of the pool, three big tube slides drop swimmers into an 8-foot-deep pool.
The pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, as long as the outside temperature exceeds 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and coolers, but concessions are also offered on site.
Blacksburg Municipal Park
The Blacksburg Municipal Park, also known as the Caboose Park, is one of the most popular parks in the area. Here, families can enjoy biking and walking trails, a skate park, sports courts, and a really fun playground.
The Hand-in-Hand Playground was originally built in 1992 by a local group of volunteers. The park has since been updated using modern materials and sensory adaptations, but still offers the original wood-playground feel with a treehouse tower and a giant slide. The refurbished fence around the park honors the people who first made this park a reality.
In addition to the giant treehouse, the playground features a zipline, multiple slides, climbing walls, and a train-themed toddler playground. There is plenty of seating within the playground area
Eastern Montgomery Park
Another beautiful park is the Eastern Montgomery Park, located along the Roanoke River. Traversing the half-mile trail along the South Fork of the river is a great way to work up your appetite for a serene picnic at one of the tables along the route. Kids will love playing by the waterside, watching for ducks or other animals.
The park also has a small playground, a covered picnic shelter, a volleyball court, and lots of open green space. There is even a shoreline canoe and kayak launch site to access the Roanoke River Blueway.
Christiansburg Aquatic Center
Take a dip at Southwest Virginia’s largest indoor water complex. The Christiansburg Aquatic Center boasts three pools with diving boards, lap lanes, and lots of play space.
The “Leisure Side” of the pool level features a looping, two-story water slide, an alligator slide, spraying water features, and zero-depth entry. The water is kept at a comfortable 86 degrees year-round. There are also showers, lockers, and family changing rooms.
Historic Smithfield Plantation
When it was built in 1774, the Smithfield Plantation served as the home of Revolutionary War patriot Colonel William Preston and quickly became the social and political center of the area.
The generations who passed through these walls include governors, educators, and military leaders who all helped for our nation as we know it. Today, modern-day visitors to the plantation learn the stories of past residents, including a large community of enslaved and native peoples.
Costumed interpreters take visitors on a tour through the house, explaining the culture and lives of the Preston family. The Smithfield Hour is open for tours from April to mid-December, Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Be sure to take time to explore the beautiful grounds and garden.
Hahn Horticulture Center
Located on the Virginia Tech campus, the Hahn Horticulture Center offers students and visitors a peaceful place to take a break from their busy lives. Curated gardens with water features, bridges, and seating cover six acres of land.
Stop by the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion when it’s open to pick up some food to feed the koi fish in the Jane Andrews Memorial Stream Garden. Kids will love running around or pretending to put on a show in the Hahn Meadow Garden. Or just bring a picnic or a good book to enjoy the shade in Maple Tree Allee.
Parking is free on campus on weekends, but if visiting on a weekday, be sure to purchase a visitor parking pass to avoid a ticket. The Garden Pavilion is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and has restrooms available for public use.
Blacksburg Farmers Market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, gather with the locals as they listen to live music and shop for locally grown produce and meats, handmade crafts, fresh baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals. The Blacksburg Farmers Market is a Producer-Only market, and vendors have to be within a 50-mile radius, so you know you are getting a true local experience.
Each vendor offers unique specialty products. Blacksburg Bagels has been preparing mouthwatering baked goods since 2013. Big Lick Ice Cream is a great booth to grab a refreshing, handmade treat on a hot day. There are even healthy goodies for your four-legged family members at Bella & Beau’s Biscuits.
Sinkland Farm
The picturesque Sinkland Farm in Christiansburg offers seasonal activities for families. Every August, Sinkland Farm hosts their Sunflower Festival, showcasing eight acres and over 20 varieties of flowers. In addition to the flowers, families will enjoy live music, delicious food, and farm-based games and activities.
The farm’s most popular event is the Pumpkin Festival in October. Every weekend throughout the season, Sinkland presents concerts, contests, and demonstrations. There are loads of activities, including a corn maze, hayrides, pig races, and of course, a huge pumpkin patch.
Three Birds Berry Farm
Pick your own plump berries during the summer at Three Birds Berry Farm. For a low cost, families can harvest pesticide-free blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. The farm likes to keep it simple, so remember to bring cash or a check, although they do accept Venmo for purchases over $6.
Where to Eat in Blacksburg and Beyond
Cabo Fish Taco
Visit one of the oldest properties in Blacksburg and treat yourself to the best tacos in town. Start your meal with one of their mouthwatering dip choices. The queso fundido and baja shrimp & crab dip are both amazing.
For your main course, try one of their specialty tacos. I loved the Soy Ginger Shrimp Tacos, and the Thai Chili Tofu Tacos received rave reviews from my friends. Each order of tacos comes with two, but feel free to mix and match to try all the creative variations.
Cabo Fish Taco boasts an extensive drink menu with a large variety of unique margaritas and one of the largest tequila menus in Virginia. A kids’ menu is also available, featuring less adventurous Mexican fare.
Rising Silo Brewery & Farm
Enjoy farm-fresh produce, brick-oven pizza, and craft beverages at Rising Silo Brewery & Farm. All the ingredients for the food and drinks come either from this or other local farms, including using well water for the brewery. A huge lawn area provides lots of space for kids to run and play, and the perfect place to watch the sun sink past the horizon.
The menu changes seasonally in order to utilize what is ready to harvest, sometimes as often as every week. While I was here, I enjoyed Ramp Pesto pizza made with local ramp pesto, fresh mozzarella, and guanciale, and a Glade Road Salad with a carrot and radish slaw, goat cheese, and arugula. The menu always features cheese and pepperoni pizzas, so don’t worry if you don’t have adventurous eaters.
The brewery always has 10-14 beers on tap, often incorporating local produce. The Brush Mountain Blonde and Thunder Snow Stout are some of the customer favorites. There is also an alcohol-free menu that includes ginger beer, apple cider, and specialty sodas.
Next Door Bake Shop
This cute little cafe serves up fresh-baked goods, gourmet coffee, and delicious sandwiches all day long. At Next Door Bake Shop, you can order traditional treats and drinks, or try their Asian Fusion creations like the Thai-inspired paninis or bubble tea. The seasonal avocado toast, topped with basil, tomatoes, sesame seeds, and sweet chili sauce, was a perfect start to my day.
Not only is the food here scrumptious, but the atmosphere is adorable. There are lots of cozy corners to sit in and a library of kids’ books and games available to play with your family. There are even toys and lots of play space for little ones to play.
Sugar Magnolia
For dessert, combined with a little shopping, head to Sugar Magnolia. They have a variety of chocolates, packaged candies, and fresh-scooped ice cream. Although the current ice cream menu changes, favorites like the sea-salt caramel “Sea Turtle” and coffee-based “Rush Hour” are always available.
While there, check out the wide selection of gifts available, like stationery and paper goods.
Recommended Lodging in Blacksburg, Virginia
The Inn at Virginia Tech
If you are looking for a unique place to stay, check out the only hotel on Virginia Tech’s campus. The building is adorned with “Hokie Stone” to match the rest of campus and serves as the campus’s living room, hosting notable guests over the years that include Maya Angelou, Yo-Yo Ma, and Stone Phillips. The convenient location puts visitors close to many of the area’s popular attractions.
At the Inn at Virginia Tech, families can expect superior service and gorgeous views of the Virginia Tech campus. The spacious rooms are great for families. And the sprawling lawn courtyard provides lots of extra space for kids to run and play.
Choose to dine at the onsite restaurant, Preston’s, for farm-to-table dining without having to leave your hotel. Preston’s offers a buffet breakfast and lunch, as well as an à la carte dinner menu.
Visit More Great Cities in the South
- The Best Things to do in Baton Rouge with Kids
- Things to do in New Orleans with Kids
- Fun Things to do in New Orleans with Teens
- Family-Friendly Hotels in New Orleans
- Over 20 Things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas
- 10 Fun Things to do in Charleston, SC with Kids
- Fun Things to do in Columbia, SC with Kids
- Great Things to do in Cartersville, GA
- Top Things to do in Atlanta with Kids
- 30 Free Things to do in Atlanta
- Over 20 Things to do in Nashville with Kids
- The Best Things to do in Chattanooga with Kids
- 15 Things to do in Raleigh with Kids
- The Best Things to do in Asheville with Kids
- A Vacation at Lake Junaluska, NC
- Fun Things to do in Virginia Beach with Kids
- Over 15 Things to do in Williamsburg, VA with Kids
- 10 Things to do in Richmond, VA on a Family Vacation
- A Day Trip to Charleston, WV
- Things to do in OKC with Kids
- 20 Great Things to do in Branson on Vacation
Disclaimer: Thanks to Montgomery County for hosting me as part of a press trip. All opinions are my own.
My love for storytelling led me to earn a bachelor's degree in Communications from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2003. In 2008, when my husband’s job required frequent travel, I refused to be left behind. With my toddlers in tow, we set off on adventures, discovering family-friendly attractions and activities along the way. Trekaroo became an invaluable resource for us, helping me navigate travel with young children. Once I gained experience, I felt compelled to share my insights with other families embarking on similar journeys.
As a mother of five, I’ve embraced the joys and challenges of traveling with children of all ages and consider myself an expert in multigenerational travel, large family adventures, and finding the best travel deals.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous tourism organizations, hotels, and travel brands, helping to highlight incredible family-friendly destinations. I’ve worked with local tourism bureaus in Phoenix, New Orleans & Baton Rouge, Denver, Greater Zion, Portland, Oakland, Salt Lake City and many more cities, as well as major travel brands like Margaritaville, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Dark Rome, LEGOLAND California, Walt Disney World, and Great Wolf Lodge. Through these partnerships, I provide firsthand insights and expert recommendations to help families make the most of their travel experiences.
I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona, with my husband and our five kids (ages 10–19). When I’m not traveling, I love hiking, reading, and substitute teaching at my kids’ schools.
- 26 Family-Friendly Things To Do in Blacksburg, Virginia - May 19, 2025
- 23 Things to do in New Orleans with Kids on a Family Vacation - May 19, 2025
- Over 20 Fun Family Activities in Baton Rouge - May 19, 2025