Blacksburg and Christiansburg among happiest blue ridge towns
It’s no secret that we think Blacksburg and Christiansburg are two of the happiest towns in the Blue Ridge Mountain region. Settled in the tranquil New River Valley, these two towns are full of life, culture, and opportunities for exploration, adventure, and relaxation.
But don’t just take our word for it! Blue Ridge Country named Blacksburg and Christiansburg among the happiest mountain towns across the Blue Ridge Mountains! Whether you’re taking a much-needed vacation, getting away for the weekend, or dropping in for a work trip, there’s no limit to the joy you’ll find in our two favorite Southwest Virginia communities.
Click here to see how Blacksburg and Christiansburg stack-up against some of your other favorite mountain escapes!
Spending Alumni Weekend in Blacksburg and Christiansburg
Returning to Blacksburg for Virginia Tech Alumni Weekend? Looking for some fun events to enjoy the culture of Southwest Virginia? We have a few recommendations to bring back that college life nostalgia in Blacksburg and Christiansburg!
Find farm-fresh produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, handmade jewelry, and more just minutes away from Virginia Tech. Make it a trip; swing by your favorite shopping centers in Uptown Christiansburg on your way back to campus. If you’re feeling adventurous, head over to Iron Tree Brewing in nearby Downtown Christiansburg for a brew or two!
Re-discover the high energy atmosphere of Downtown Blacksburg with a performance by the Domino Band on Henderson Lawn. A part of the Summer Arts Festival, enjoy the culture of Southwest Virginia like a local!
Virginia wine, live music, and the beauty of Historic Smithfield! Is there a better way to spend a Saturday? Enjoy the sounds of summer with a glass of wine in hand at one of Blacksburg’s favorite festivals. Click here to purchase your ticket!
Looking for more ways to spend your Alumni Weekend in Blacksburg and Christiansburg? Explore our website for more options!
Make your next core memory
Make your next core memory in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, Virginia! Stay tuned for weekly episodes of our “Core Memory Conversations” series to draw inspiration for your next unforgettable getaway!
In business for 20 years, Gardner’s Frozen Treats is the best place to grab a sweet treat while enjoying the summer heat in Christiansburg.
Episode 3: PanJammers – June 19, 2026
A steel drum orchestra in Blacksburg? For 20 years, the PanJammers have performed throughout the New River Valley. Catch them at the Summer Solstice Festival and Steppin’ Out!
Bring the whole crew for your next expedition! Explore the oldest river in North America on a tube or kayak, fish the waters, or hang out on the bank with your friends and family!
A tribute to the men and woman who served and sacrificed during one of the world’s most pivotal moments, explore artifacts and stories in this Blacksburg museum.
One of Virginia’s premier swimming facilities, the Christiansburg Aquatic Center is a great spot to escape the summer heat! With a three-tier slide a leisure pool, and tons of amenities for the kids, it’s one of our top spots for summer fun!
Explore two of Virginia’s most charming small towns, Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Historic, beautiful, and full of life, kick off your journey in these cultural centers of Southwest Virginia.
Hit the road! Whether you want to beat the summer heat with tubing, kayaking, or fishing at the New River Junction, or hide in the shaded forests along the Huckleberry Trail, get your morning started right in the great outdoors.
Take a lunch break! Bottom of the Stairs, better known as BOTS, is a Blacksburg staple with brisket, pulled pork, and other favorites. In Christiansburg, Poppy’s is the perfect stop for a busy day. Find hot dogs, barbeque, sliders, and dessert options to prepare you for the busy day ahead! For folks on the go, swing by Dude’s Drive-In for quick service and unforgettable American flavor.
Head out for early afternoon adventures. Mountain bikers and hikers will love Brush Mountain Park with 16 miles of multi-use trails and 634 acres of forest.
Take a break from the action! Relax with a nice dinner atThe Farmhouse Restaurant in Christiansburg, one of the finest restaurants in Southwest Virginia with rustic Appalachian vibes and fantastic bites. In Blacksburg, visit 622 North with one of the region’s most creative menus sure to leave you satisfied.
No Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County experience can be complete without enjoying some live music! Whether you’re around for Rockin’ Main in Christiansburg or the Summer Arts Festival in Blacksburg, the sounds of summer are always here to welcome you.
Don’t miss your chance to make everlasting memories this summer! Whether you’re planning a short escape or a longer retreat, you’ll discover just what you’re looking for in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, Virginia.
Make your next core memory!
A Guide to Football Weekend in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County
Things to do, places to eat, and memories to be made before and after the Hokies play!
You’ve heard of Blacksburg’s reputation as one of the best atmospheres in the nation for college football, but what is there to do nearby before and after the game? Between Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, there’s much more to experience during your stay than Enter Sandman.
Upon arrival Friday night, sit down for a relaxing dinner at The Farmhouse, kick back and enjoy a lively sports bar at Lost in Taste, or get a headstart on the gameday experience at one of our fantastic breweries across the community.
On Saturday, start the day off right with some breakfast from Route 8 Donuts just off I-81 in Christiansburg, or Carol Lee Donuts right along North Main Street in Blacksburg. Locals will tell you that you can’t go wrong either way.
Enjoy the gameday experience in downtown Blacksburg with a “Virginia Slice” from the popular Benny Marzano’s, and explore Virginia Tech’s beautiful campus when heading to your tailgate or Lane Stadium.
After the Hokies play, Go To Town! Head downtown again with so many famous bars and resturants waiting for you. From Top of the Stairs to 540 Social, there’s plenty of options to cap-off your gameday in Blacksburg.
Before heading back home on Sunday, you have plenty more to see. Discover the beauty of southwest Virginia on a hike at Stiles Falls, or take a leisurely stroll around peaceful Pandapas Pond. Looking for indoor activities during cold or rainy weather? Christiansburg is full of options for indoor fun including It’s Gametime At The Superbowl and Crimper’s Climbing Gym.
To find more options for football weekend fun, visit our websiteand build the perfect itinerary for you and your crew!
Showcasing Montgomery County to travel journalists
Nov. 14, 2025
Earlier this fall, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County Regional Tourismwelcomed 10 travel journalists to the community through its partnership with Geiger & Associates. Over the course of three days, the journalists explored attractions and experienced firsthand the places, people, and stories that make the region a destination worth visiting.
Focused on providing the journalists an all-encompassing visit, the tourism team organized an itinerary to blend the best of outdoor beauty, local flavor, and cultural vibrancy.
From a scenic walk at Pandapas Pond and a hike along the Poverty Creek Trails to the seasonal magic of Sinkland Farms’ Pumpkin Festival, the group had a chance to enjoy the landscapes that draw so many visitors to the area.
They also dove into our local food scene with stops like Buffalo and More, Cabo Fish Taco, Brew Da Bean, Lost in Taste, and an evening at Blacksburg Wine Lab.
Along the way, the band of journalists explored downtown Blacksburg, touring the historic Lyric Theatre and stopping by the impressive Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech.
Upon a visit to nearby Christiansburg, the team of crafty wordsmiths enjoyed browsing Old New River Books with its large book arch leading into Cambria Station Antiques. The group then decided to stretch their legs a bit more at Christiansburg’s new state-of-the-art Huckleberry Park.
Travelling beyond the two towns to Montgomery County, the team enjoyed a flavorful tasting at Beliveau Farm Winery, which concluded the exciting three-day venture with the relaxation and local charm so many locals and visitors rave about.
Hosting travel journalists offers a valuable opportunity to reach new audiences with our story. Articles and features help showcase Montgomery County’s character, beauty, and hospitality.
The Montgomery County Regional Tourism team is deeply grateful to our partners and businesses who welcomed the guests with open arms, and to the public information and communications officers from the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg as well as those from Montgomery County for their support throughout the visit. Together, the teams curated a stay reflective of the visitor experience that so many have come to love, enjoy, and return for.
Spending Swim Weekend in Christiansburg
Busy weekends at swimming competitions can be hectic. Between the travel, cheering for your athlete, finding a place to eat, and checking into the hotel, it’s hard to find time to relax and enjoy the trip.
Luckily, competitions held at Christiansburg Aquatic Center are just minutes from family-friendly attractions and unforgettable experiences that make the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County region a must-visit for folks across the country.
Take a break from the action at It’s Game Time At The Superbowl. In close proximity to a variety of shopping and dining options in uptown Christiansburg, the NRV Superbowl is a great place to unwind with bowling, an arcade, laser tag, axe throwing, and more.
Climb to new heights at nearby Crimper’s Climbing Gym. Anyone above the age of five can enjoy the state-of-the-art facility with world-class climbing features.
Take the kids to Wonder Universe: A Children’s Museum in the Uptown Christiansburg Mall. Here, your kids will find fun, hands-on educational exhibits unique to the area’s wildlife and scientific scene. While you’re in the mall, swing by Paint ‘n Fun Ceramics to bring out your creative side.
When you’re finally ready to relax for the evening, Go To Town! Explore bustling downtown Blacksburg with famous restaurants, fantastic small businesses, and cultural experiences.
Montgomery County Regional Tourism has published its fiscal 2024-25 annual report. After onboarding executive director, Samantha Livesay, in June, the report encapsulates the early efforts of the tourism team to identify strengths and weaknesses while setting goals for fiscal 2025-26.
Including sections regarding visitor spending and economic impact at the local and state level, visitor key performance indicators, as well as digital and print marketing analytics, the report breaks down the role of tourism in the community and beyond.
See what we’ve been up to by reading the annual report here.
Taking in the Arts
While you’re going to Town, make sure you take the opportunity to explore Montgomery County’s fantastic public art! Whether you’re exploring Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg or strolling Christiansburg’s Downtown, beautiful murals and sculptures abound!
Visit the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market and take in the stunning mural in the square! Created by artists Michael St. Germain and Chris Pritchett, the mural depicts different periods of history in Blacksburg in transportation and agriculture.
A mural in downtown Blacksburg commemorates the local Farmers’ Market. Virginia Tourism Corporation
After visiting the Market, you may notice some beautiful art right underneath your feet!The Blacksburg Stormwater Public Arts Projectstarted in 2018 with the mission to educate citizens on the importance of making sure nothing but rain goes down storm drains in an effort to reduce surface pollution. Currently, nine storm drains have been painted as part of the project. Can you find them all?
In an effort to encourage ecological responsibility, Blacksburg has painted storm drains with murals. “Nothing but rain down the drain.” Virginia Tourism Corporation
Next, head to Christiansburg to see their newest mural! Located in Historic Cambria, the new mural depicts the many charming characteristics of the area, including the depot and train. Afterwards, be sure to walk by Cambria Station Antiques and Cottage Farms General Store to see the additional public art in the area!
Cambria Mural – A work in progress
If you are a true Hokie fan, take a day and track down as many Hokie Birds as you can find! Located all over campus, Blacksburg, and even Christiansburg, the Hokie Bird statues are hand painted and entirely unique—you’ll never find two that are alike! These Hokie Birds have been around since 2006 and offer a fun, additional activity as you explore town.
For an interactive map with the locations of even more public art, click here!
Go to Town! in Blacksburg
One of Montgomery County’s two largest towns – Blacksburg – is internationally known for Virginia Tech and is indeed a quintessential college town. But, Blacksburg offers so much more to visitors than higher education. Here are 10 must-do experiences in Blacksburg for your next visit. Go to Town!
Black Hen & Bar Blue
With a rich agricultural history, Montgomery County and Blacksburg have no shortages of delicious, farm-to-table foods and talented chefs. Black Hen & Bar Blue and its beloved culinary artist, Chef T, bring out the vibrant flavor of the region with sophisticated yet approachable dishes. Be sure to try the seared scallops and risotto, which contains mascarpone and a few other unique ingredients we’re not allowed to share. Go to Town! attempting to identify all the flavors in this rich dish, but be sure to save room for dessert.
Blacksburg Farmer’s Market
Taste your way through the flavors of Montgomery County and stop by the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market, open every Wednesday and Saturday, where local growers and makers sell their wares to the local community and restaurants. Depending on the season, you can take home flowers, meats, eggs, produce, baked goods, honey, handmade goods and more. All of the farms participating in the market are located within a 50-mile radius of Blacksburg, and use unique growing methods to lengthen the Appalachian growing season. As Southerners, they’re all of course very friendly so feel free to ask them about their growing processes as part of your agritourism experience.
Top of the Stairs
Top of the Stairs, or TOTS as the locals call it, is a beloved Hokie hangout featuring indoor and open air dining overlooking one of the main thoroughfares of the Virginia Tech campus. In addition to the iconic neon Virginia Tech flag (which lights up the night sky after gameday), TOTS is locally known for a drink called The Rail, which answers the question, “What would it taste like if you mix all the liquors together in one drink?” Give it a shot and you’ll find it tastes remarkably better with each sip. Plus, the TOTS team might just make you an honorary Hokie.
Pandapas Pond and Poverty Creek Trail System
If mountain biking or hiking through nature is how you like to Go to Town!, be sure to check out Pandapas Pond, located in Jefferson National Forest. Claimed as some of the best mountain biking trails on the East Coast, mountain bikers can kick up mud over 19 trails and more than 30 miles of terrain. Trails are suitable for all skill levels from greenhorns to shredders, while rough rock gardens, switchbacks and grueling vertical climbs await all comers. The pond itself sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and treats visitors to a serene vista of rhododendron, dragonflies, turtles, songbirds, and waterfowl.
If you’d prefer a more leisurely ride or hike, Poverty Creek Trail is the main multi-use trail at Pandapas Pond that features more gently rolling slopes across a 7.1 mile one-way trail, perfect for hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking, or just enjoying a picnic at the Pandapas Pond day area.
Beliveau Farm Winery
With a desire to grow grapes and make wine, Yvan and Joyce Beliveau purchased land that had been overgrown with brush, along with the 1900’s farmhouse-turned-barn that sat upon it, in 2001. By 2009, the first grapes were planted and the first wine was produced in 2011. Beliveau Farm Winery officially opened in 2012 and a brewery was added in 2019 to produce gluten-free beers – currently Virginia’s only gluten-free brewery. While the variety of wines available, from the “Destiny” vidal blanc to the “Sweet Surrender” concord, are enough to impress any aficionado, more impressive is the 165 scenic acres of picnic areas, hiking trails and lavender fields that add the perfect touch of ambiance to your glass.
The Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg’s Lyric Theatre, originally opened in 1930 and the focus of major restorations throughout the years, is famous for being one of Virginia’s first cinemas to show sound pictures. Adorned with original 1930s tapestries, replica lanterns and the fully restored lobby and auditorium, today the Lyric Theatre is a hub for movies, concerts and performances. The Lyric Theatre is also home to some of the best popcorn in Montgomery County, so grab a bag and enjoy (we like it better with extra butter).
Moon Hollow Brewing
Moon Hollow Brewing Company boasts an inviting venue where people from all walks of life can connect over fresh, local brews. Named for the small plot of land behind the brewery space, the brewery treats patrons to a variety of locally influenced flavors, from a grapefruit ginger sour to a traditional Hefeweizen. While Moon Hollow does not have its own kitchen (yet), local food trucks are often on site in case you get the munchies. The brewery also is part of the Old Prices Fork School Revitalization Project, which is transforming the unoccupied school into a center for housing, retail, and food and beverage locations.
Center for the Arts
Virginia Tech’s Center for the Arts is a thriving community of art and inspiration, where visitors have meaningful experiences enjoying art of the highest caliber in all its forms. In addition to hosting exhibitions and performances from globally and locally celebrated artists, the Center for the Arts treats visitors to hands-on experiences, workshops with visiting artists, lectures and symposia, master classes, community celebrations and more. The Center also houses The Cube, a one-of-a-kind black box theater used for research, performances and visual art.
New River Junction
The New River – one of the world’s oldest rivers – plays a significant role to Blacksburg, Montgomery County and surrounding areas, and the best way to explore this meandering waterway is to just jump right in and Go to Town!New River Junction is a family-owned campground and recreational park which offers access to the wide, shallow riffles and clear, warm waters of the ancient New River. Visitors can rent tubes (and a cooler) for the whole group and simply relax as they float down nearly one mile of calm water. For those seeking a bit more adventure, there is an optional 200 yards of exhilarating rapids at the end of the float.
Blacksburg Wine Lab
If you like wine but feel intimidated by the traditional tasting rooms, stop by Blacksburg Wine Lab for a more approachable wine experience perfect for beginners. Owners John Boyer and Katie Pritchard have created Blacksburg Wine Lab to treat wine amateurs and connoisseurs alike to an experience of tasting high-quality, lesser-known wines with a focus on educating clients on the science and flavors of wines. Blacksburg Wine Lab also serves a menu of foods ranging from appetizers to tinned seafoods to pair perfectly with your wine flights.
Blacksburg’s Mountain Biking Paradise
The thriving town of Blacksburg, Virginia, is known for many things: Virginia Tech, modern art, a hip brewing and gastronomic scene, a lovely temperate climate, and easy access to the rolling hills and slew of outdoor activities surrounding the ancient New River Valley.
Area mudslingers, however, know it for something especially gnarly: top-tier mountain biking. Tucked away in the Jefferson National Forest, the Pandapas Pond Day Use Area and Poverty Creek Trail System offers a wide variety of riding just a short drive—or bike ride—from Blacksburg.
Variety is the name of the game at Pandapas Pond, and 19 trails provide more than 30 miles of mayhem across the mountain biking spectrum. Greenhorn beginners, downhill shredders, and technical gurus alike will have a field day on rolling singletrack, rough rock gardens, heart-stopping switchbacks, and soul-crushing climbs.
Trail difficulty is marked with International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)-designated signage and is well-posted at most intersections. The symbolism is equivalent to that of the ski world (green circle=easiest, blue square=intermediate, and black diamond=most difficult), offering a simple and recognizable hint at what riders should expect around the next bend. A “Muddy Trails Meter” at the Pandapas trailhead kept current by daily users even offers a glimpse of what to expect when the unfavorable weather has made things uncertain. If the slider is set to Poor, consider riding drier trails or gravel roads to prevent resource damage on muddy trails.
Originally written by RootsRated for Southwest Virginia.
