Ash Devine Music and other local musicians will perform ballads and songs of transition, haunting, and creatures of the night at the historic Alexander Black House. RSVP today!
Oct. 8 & 9 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Oct. 10 & 11 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 3060 Riner Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Fall is officially here, and that means one of the nation’s top pumpkin patches is ready to celebrate! Celebrate the season at the 35th Annual Pumpkin Festival with live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and fun for the whole family. Find more times to visit here.
Oct. 10 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 290 College Ave, Blacksburg, VA 24060
A free, all-ages event with hands-on science activities, live arthropods, games, demonstrations, crafts, and exhibitions focused on insects, biodiversity, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Oct. 11 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 108 W Roanoke St, Blacksburg, VA 24060
A downtown vintage market featuring vinyl records, clothing, jewelry, books, housewares, oddities, antiques, folk art, upcycled crafts, and more!
Football, festivals, and more fall fun!
It’s a busy time of year, and we’re ready for everything fall has to offer! From football to charming festivals, find fantastic events and unforgettable experiences when you visit Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, VA!
Christiansburg Farmers Market
Oct. 1 – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. | 300 Huckleberry Pk Dr NW, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Nothing says fall like a farmers market. Purchase fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, decor, and more with local vendors in beautiful Huckleberry Park.
Moon Hollow Witchy Market
Oct. 1 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. | 4237 Prices Fork Rd Ste B, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Oct. 1 & 2 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Oct. 3 & 4 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 3060 Riner Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Fall is officially here, and that means one of the nation’s top pumpkin patches is ready to celebrate! Celebrate the season at the 35th Annual Pumpkin Festival with live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and fun for the whole family. Find more times to visit here.
Pitt @ Virginia Tech
Oct 2- 7 p.m. | 185 Beamer Way, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Oct. 3 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 108 W Roanoke St, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Discover Blacksburg’s favorite local, family-friendly gathering place with vendors of seasonal produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and much more.
Cambria Halloween Kickoff
Oct. 3 – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Cambria St, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Join Jungle Gem Plant Co., Cambria Station Antiques, and Mountain View Mercantile for a spooky good time! Discover costume contests, a long list of vendors along Cambria Street, and spooky vibes in this first-time event! Find more information here.
Rocktober Fest
Oct. 3 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. | 1490 S Main St, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Find live music, local shops, restaurants, movies, and free fall fun in the heart of Blacksburg. RSVP today right here.
A Wilderness Escape to Gap Mountain Retreat
Whether you’re in town for Hokie football, a conference for work, or a weekend adventure, Gap Mountain Retreat welcomes all kinds of travelers looking for serenity in the woods of Southwest Virginia. Just 25 minutes from Virginia Tech, discover cozy cabins with modern amenities, scenic views of the New River Valley, and an amazing spot to reconnect with nature.
This brand new wilderness escape currently features eight cabins including two and one-bed options. Each cabin features a full kitchen, inviting living space, a private bathroom, along with heating and air conditioning to keep you comfortable year-round.
Perhaps the cabins’ best feature is their large windows and spacious private decks which open to the vast beauty of the ancient New River Valley. Catch the sunrise over the mountains with a coffee in-hand as the morning mist settles along the winding valley.
Nestled in the midst of 225 acres of wooded land, discover a small network of on-site trails adjacent to the Jefferson National Forest for hiking and biking.
Less than a mile from the New River, swimming, tubing, and boating are easily accessible.
In 2027, Gap Mountain Retreat’s event space will be ready to rent for any of life’s celebrations complete with a large pavilion. By 2028, a campground is expected to be open with over 30 spots available.
Start fall the right way this weekend in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, VA with exciting events for the whole family!
Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival
Sept. 19 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Downtown Christiansburg, VA
With over 150 vendors, two stages for live music and dance, skilled crafters, and much more, explore and enjoy one of Virginia’s most historic roads at this family-friendly event.
Sinkland Farms Annual Pumpkin Festival + Wine Festival
Fall is officially here, and that means one of the nation’s top pumpkin patches is ready to celebrate! Kickoff the season at the 35th Annual Pumpkin Festival with live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and fun for the whole family. Find more times to visit here.
Sip Virginia wines with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the midst of the exciting pumpkin festival at the 4th Annual Wine Festival!
New River PawpawFest
Sept. 19 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 2351 Glade Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Celebrate North America’s largest, and tastiest, native fruit with a day full of live music, specialty foods, native plants, beer, art, vendors, goats, games, and more at Rising Silo Brewery and Glade Road Growing.
New Town Festival: Blues, Brews & BBQ
Sept. 19 | 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. | 203 Gilbert St, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Celebrate this history of New Town, a neighborhood for Black residents during segregation at St. Luke & Odd Fellows Hall, a nationally recognized historic landmark that was once the town’s social center. Find beer and wine, barbeque, and sweet treats with live music from the New River Blues Society.
Oldtown Nights Concert Series – The Glen Shelton Band
Sept. 19 | 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. | 4179 Oldtown Rd, Shawsville, VA 24162
It’s the 10th season of live music concerts at Old Town Fields! With open green space and a family-friendly environment, enjoy music from The Glen Shelton Band.
Fall in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, VA
Close to home. Far from ordinary.
Fall foliage, Hokie football, pumpkin patches, wineries and breweries, Farmers Markets, and more! See our suggestions for your fall getaway in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, Virginia!
Fall Foliage:
With colorful mountain escapes and accessible outdoor adventure, spend a few days hiking, mountain biking, or relaxing with the unbelievably vibrant hues of autumn leaves. Stay in a cabin at Gap Mountain Retreat, the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle and take in unforgettable views of the New River and Southwest Virginia. Explore the Jefferson National Forest, bike the trails at Brush Mountain Park, or take a stroll along the banks of Pandapas Pond. Plan your visit between mid and late October to catch peak seasonal colors of yellow, orange, and red.
Start jumping! Whether you’re an avid Virginia Tech football fan or a visiting fan of an opposing team, there’s no place like Blacksburg during college football season. Spend time exploring downtown with local shops, restaurants, and experiences you won’t want to miss. Pop over to Lane Stadium for a tailgating experience like no other. Hit the stadium and welcome the Hokies with the iconic Enter Sandman entrance. No matter if you plan on cheering for the Hokies or rooting for the visiting team, you won’t regret experiencing one of college football’s premiere gameday atmospheres.
Ranked as one of the top 5 pumpkin patches in the nation by USA TODAY, enjoy the 35th Annual Pumpkin Festival from September 19 to November 1 at Sinkland Farms. Just a few minutes from downtown Christiansburg, enjoy hayrides, live music, arts and crafts vendors, delicious food and drink options, and more! Celebrating 250 years of freedom, family, and farming, this is an opportunity to explore the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains like never before.
Wineries & Breweries:
Wind down and cozy up at one of our many fantastic wineries and breweries. Pay a visit to the mountains where Beliveau Farm Winery offers stunning views and an artistic approach to wine-making you won’t find anywhere else. Spending an evening in Christiansburg? You have to swing by Iron Tree Brewing with craft beer for a variety of tastes and a beautiful venue in the heart of downtown. Looking for a brewery in Blacksburg? Good, because there are a bunch of options to choose from including J.H. Bard’s Spirit Co., Rising Silo Brewery, Eastern Divide Brewing Company, and Moon Hollow Brewing Company.
Farmers Markets:
Both Blacksburg and Christiansburg have fantastic Farmers Markets with artisan and craft vendors, farm-fresh produce, live music, and much more. Visit Blacksburg Market Square on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings or visit Christiansburg Huckleberry Park on Thursday afternoons for two of the best market experiences in Southwest Virginia.
Explore our website for more fall-favorites at your fingertips!
Pivot Cycles mountain bikes at Brush Mountain Park
Pivot Cycles, a leading brand in the mountain biking community, took notice of Blacksburg’s offerings and sent Brice Shirbach to experience it for himself as a part of his series “Underexposed.” Watch as Shirbach mountain bikes in Blacksburg, click here to read the fantastic article, or visit PinkBike for more photos!
A Screen-Free Summer
Stop your doom-scrolling, log-out of your email, and power off those devices! This summer is your chance for a digital detox in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, Virginia!
Get a real rush of dopamine while tubing down the river at New River Junction! One of the oldest rivers in the world, enjoy scenic views, rock formations, and clear skies as you take a break from the hustle and bustle.
Hop on the Huckleberry Trail, a 15-mile paved rail-trail network connecting the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Bike, jog, or walk to your heart’s content as you enjoy the serenity of Southwest Virginia.
Pandapas Pond, a part of the Jefferson National Forest, is another fantastic place to unplug. Fish, hike, or mountain bike at this haven of nature.
Take refuge from the wild web this summer in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County, Virginia — your home for peace and unforgettable fun!
Parks
Enjoy the outdoors while still staying in Town by enjoying the amazing variety of parks Blacksburg and Christiansburg have to offer!
BLACKSBURG
Heritage Community Park is a 169-acre section of land situated among rural communities and is a must-see for those who revel in observing wildlife across a variety of habitats ranging from lush meadows to floodplains. The many varieties of birds who are breeding residents of the park include the whip-poor-will, willow flycatcher, yellow-breasted chat and pileated woodpecker, with more than 120 species of birds having been documented at the site. The fall season is best for birding, due to migration. On any given day, visitors observe species such as the olive-sided flycatcher, blackpoll, palm and bay-breasted warblers, as well as migrant raptors. Click here for directions.
Blacksburg Rotary Mountain Skills Bike Park offers an off-road experience for bikers in a controlled environment, making it the perfect place to hone your skills or try something new! Amenities include shelters along with the biking trails. Click here for directions.
Brookfield Village Park is located on 12 acres and features picnic tables, shelters, a playground, benches and walking/biking trails. Click here for directions.
Cedar Hill Park offers a playground with a variety of slides, monkey bars and swings. Click here for directions.
Crestview Tot Lot Playground features a playground. swings, picnic tables and benches and is located on 23 acres. Click here for directions.
Blacksburg Dog Park is open from sunrise to sunset and features two separate areas – one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Please click here for a list of rules related to the use of this park. Click here for directions.
Gateway Park is 15 acres and offers hiking, biking and horseback trails with a gazebo on property. It also provides legal access to the Jefferson National Forest. Click here for directions.
Graves Park is located on the corner of Graves Avenue and South Main Street and features benches and a large grassy field, the perfect spot for a quiet picnic. Click here for directions.
Lark Lane Park features a playground, a basketball court, benches and a picnic area. Click here for directions.
Marcia’s Park is located in Downtown Blacksburg and features flower gardens, benches, picnic tables and a running brook that flows into Stroubles Creek. Click here for directions.
Municipal Park is located on 35 acres and features the largest play area in Blacksburg, as well as soccer fields, tennis courts, roller hockey court, skate park, grills, picnic areas and more. Click here for directions.
Nellies Cave features a soccer field, basketball court, T-ball field, playground, walking trails, horseshoe pits and picnic areas. Click here for directions.
Owens Street Park offers a playground, picnic tables and benches and is located on two acres. Click here for directions.
Primrose Lane Park is located on six acres of land and offers a soccer field, basketball court, picnic tables, benches and a playground. Click here for direction.
Shenandoah Bike Trail and Park lies along the bike trail on Seneca Drive and features a walking trail, soccer field, playground, swings, picnic tables and benches. Click here for directions.
Toms Creek Park and Softball Field features a lighted fields that can be rented by the hour or for tournaments for baseball, soccer, or softball. For more information, please click here. The Blacksburg Dog Park is also located within Toms Creek Park. Click here for directions.
Westover Park is located on five acres and features a playground, basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court and benches. Click here for directions.
Wong Park features Historic Bennett House, a playground, benches, picnic areas and a grill. Click here for directions.
CHRISTIANSBURG
Christiansburg Huckleberry Park features four multipurpose sports fields (available for tournament play), a splash pad, a dog park, an inclusive playground, an accessible adult fitness zone and challenge course, two pavilions, paved trails, plenty of green space, and restrooms. Click here for directions.
Circle Park is a neighborhood park featuring a picnic area, playground, half-court basketball, swings and restrooms. Click here for directions.
Depot Park offers basketball courts, a playground, a soccer field and a walking path along the creek, which can also access the Skate Park and Aquatic Center. Click here for directions.
Downtown Park is located in the Town of Christiansburg and offers a paved walking trail to the library, a playground, swings, horseshoe pits, basketball court and a pavilion shelter. Click here for directions.
John Lemley Park is located in a residential area and offers a playground and a picnic area. Click here for directions.
Kiwanis Park features two lighted multipurpose baseball and softball fields, a picnic shelter and a playground. Click here for directions.
Skate Park features grinding rails, a half-pipe, a vert, and a stair step. The park also has a shelter for viewers and is located next to the Aquatic Center. Click here for directions.
Town and Country (Summit Ridge) Park is a neighborhood park with a playground, swings, and a picnic area. Click here for directions.
Wall Street Park is a neighborhood park that offers a half-sized basketball court, a playground and a shaded picnic area. Click here for directions.
Wayside Park offers picnic tables in a shaded area and is located at the top of Christiansburg Mountain. Click here for directions.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Coal Miner’s Heritage Trail Loop and Pocket Park is located on a 30-acre swath of land where the Merrimac mining community once resided. Where a mining tipple, hotel, general store and residential housing for coal miners once stood is now an open greenspace and a wooden bridge leading guests into the park, the old mining entrance and some of the remnants of the old mining community. The park is an homage to more than 100 years’ worth of coal mining history in the region. Click here for directions.
Creed Fields Park features three baseball/softball fields, a playground, picnic shelter, grill, restrooms and a multipurpose field. In addition, it also has a paved walking path encircling the path for walking or biking. Click here for directions.
Eastern Montgomery Park offers a half mile trail along the South Fork of the Roanoke River, a playground, a volleyball net, open green space, a picnic shelter and access points to the river to launch your canoe or kayak. Click here for directions.
The Frog Pond Swimming Poolis the only public outdoor leisure pool in Montgomery County and features beach-entry, water slides, fountains, geysers and a children’s pool. The pool is operational from Memorial day until Labor Day. Click here for directions.
Golden Hills Disc Golf Course is located in Mid-County Park and is one of only 19 courses that feature 37 holes. The course is free to use and consists of wooded fairways with a variety of elevation gains. Click here for directions.
McCoy Park features a walking path, open green spaces, youth baseball/softball fields, playgrounds, and a picnic shelter. Click here for directions.
Mid County Park is located on 89 acres and offers an outdoor basketball court, playground, three picnic shelters and nature trails. It is also home to the Golden Hills Disc Golf Course, the Mid-County Activity Center and the Frog Pond Swimming Pool. Click here for directions.
Motor Mile Park is located towards the City of Radford and is a tournament-style facility with baseball/softball fields with dugouts as well as a multipurpose practice field. Other amenities include a picnic shelter, grill, playground, and restrooms. Click here for directions.
Plum Creek Park features open green space, restrooms, a playground, picnic shelter, youth competition baseball/softball field and a walking track. Click here for directions.
Whitethorne Public Boat Launch is located on the New River and provides river access by a concrete ramp. This area is a prime location for fishing and offers easy entrance into the 2nd oldest river in the world! Click here for directions.
For more information on rules & regulations at each of our parks, please visit their local Parks and Recreation pages:
Here in the New River Valley, one of the best ways to Go to Town! comes by taking the roads less traveled. Montgomery County is situated at the crossroads of Interstate 81 and Highway 460. No matter the time of year, the journey to Montgomery County will treat you to breathtaking views. The fall season in particular makes the trek into the New River Valley the perfect road trip for leaf peepers, as the mountain ranges are lit up by the bright reds, oranges and yellows of autumn.
If you’re already visiting Montgomery County and want to experience more of our breathtaking scenery, stunning views await along US 460 between Eastern Montgomery County and Christiansburg to the east and neighboring Giles County and Blacksburg to the west. Prior to the creation of US 460, the rustic route was used by horse-drawn carriages bringing visitors seeking the medicinal and relaxation properties of mineral springs to the summer resorts that built up around the springs. Calming natural scenery still abounds along this route. The privately owned historic Yellow Sulphur Springs Resort is the last remaining tangible evidence of this rich history in Montgomery County. It is no longer operated as a resort, but is home to the Healing Arts studio.
The famed Blue Ridge Parkway, just about 30 minutes outside of Montgomery County and described as “America’s Favorite Drive,” is a 469-mile trek winding its way through one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The Parkway welcomes millions of travelers every year who relish the chance to marvel at the exceptional views of regional flora and fauna, as well as wildlife and Appalachian cultural sites.
Travelers on Interstate 81 can access the Parkway gateway in Montgomery County via Exit 114. Route 8 connects the Parkway to Montgomery County and offers a fun trek for motorcyclists and auto enthusiasts alike.
Finally, U.S. Route 11 snakes north and south directly connecting small towns of southwest Virginia. It was dedicated in 1926 on the 150th anniversary of Montgomery County. Shortly after, diners and motels began to dot the route in support of the motoring travelers. Today, Interstate 81 runs parallel to Route 11 which makes it easy to take in as much or as little of a scenic drive as the travel schedule allows. Travelers can still find amenities such as local cafes, gas stations, and interesting shops alongside gently rolling hills and a majestic Allegheny mountain backdrop.
Waterways
McCoy Falls is one of the locals’ favorite spots along the New River for everything from leisurely sunbathing to thrilling water sports. The put-in at McCoy Falls was for several years the site of the New River Rodeo, a popular white-water competition that drew quite a crowd. Today, the site is a put-in for beginners of whitewater boating, fishermen (and women) and tubers. The spot also is perfect for splashing around in the New River when the water’s warm enough.
For those without their own river-worthy vessel, the New River Junction, known as “the Junction” to locals, is a family-owned campground and recreational park which offers access to the rushing waters of the ancient New River. Visitors can rent tubes (and a cooler) for the whole family, including your dog, 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.
While you’re visiting Montgomery County, be sure to check out Falls Ridge Preserve, part of a rugged ridge along the Roanoke River reaching about 80-feet in height. Enjoy a hike to a serene spring-fed waterfall as small pockets of cascading water lead the way.
