Life in Blacksburg
 Virginia's largest town has gracefully outgrown its "sleepy little"
moniker. Yet in the face of its ongoing evolution, Blacksburg always
manages to retain its charm -- and excitement -- in spades. In other
words, life in this classic college town just keeps getting better.
The Surrounding Area
Think big . . .
The Town of Blacksburg, covering only 12,000 or so acres, is considered
small by most any standard. But don’t let its size -- or location --
fool you.
With nearly 40,000 residents (and more than 25,000 Tech students),
Blacksburg is Virginia’s largest town and among the East Coast’s most
popular destinations.
Within the town (and campus) limits is historic Smithfield Plantation.
Col. William B. Preston established the Smithfield estate--named for his
wife, Susanna Smith--in 1772 after an earlier settlement known as
Draper's Meadow was wiped out in an Indian massacre. The oldest part of
the existing house was built in 1790. Smithfield is a state historic
landmark and is open for tours April through November. Call 540-231-3947
for more details.
The town lies in Montgomery County, which has a population of around
84,000 and includes some 19,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest.
Montgomery County is the heart of the New River Valley, which is
bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway to the East and the Appalachian Trail
to the West.
 Virginia claims nearly 550 miles of the Appalachian Trail (more than any
other state) and a great deal of that mileage is in Southwest Virginia,
renowned for its natural beauty, distinctive history, and enduring
traditions.
Montgomery County’s regional retail hub is situated in Christiansburg,
including the New River Valley Mall, which is less than 10 miles on
Route 460 from the Virginia Tech campus.
At the southwest corner of Montgomery County is the City of Radford,
home to Radford University, around 30 minutes from the Tech campus.
Accessible to Interstate 81, which bisects Montgomery County, Blacksburg
is approximately 30 minutes from Roanoke, Southwest Virginia’s largest
city.
To the North:
Less than 15 minutes to Pandapas Pond, where the fishing is excellent
and the trails are incredible.
Less than 30 minutes to Hollins University.
The Cascades in Jefferson National Forest
About 30 minutes to Mountain Lake Resort, where “Dirty Dancing” was
filmed.
About 45 minutes to Cascades Falls, among the East Coast’s most
beautiful waterfalls.
Around two hours to Charlottesville, home to Tech’s biggest rival, the
University of Virginia.
More interested in the metropolitan areas? It’s between four and five
hours to Washington, D.C.
To the South:
Around 15 minutes to The Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech,
selected by Golf Magazine as one of the country’s best new public-access
courses.
Some 30 minutes to Claytor Lake State Park, 21 miles of sparkling lake
and nearly 500 acres of parkland.
An hour or so to Fancy Gap, a dramatic exit from the mountains into
North Carolina’s piedmont region.
Less than two hours to Abingdon, home of the historic Barter Theatre,
the State Theatre of Virginia.
Around two hours to Winston-Salem, N.C., home of ACC-rival Wake Forest
University.
A little more than two hours to Bristol, home to the Birthplace of
Country Music and near the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, the
state’s highest peak.
Less than three hours to Charlotte, N.C., a haven for professional
sports fans.
To the East:
Less than two hours to Lynchburg, the "City of the Seven Hills" on the
James River.
Some three hours to Richmond, Virginia’s capital city.
Nearly five hours to Virginia Beach's 28 miles of shoreline, the longest
resort beach in the world.
To the West:
Two and a half hours to Charleston, the capital of West Virginia.
Around three hours to Breaks Interstate Park, often called the “Grand
Canyon of the South.”
Around three hours to Big Stone Gap, home of the Southwest Virginia
Museum.
Less than four hours to Knoxville, Tenn.
 Want to learn more about Southwest Virginia?
The Southwest Virginia Heritage Guide lists sites and resources for
exploring the regional heritage of the Virginia highlands.
Joe Tennis’s Southwest Virginia Crossroads: An Almanac of Place Names
and Places to See is a wonderful overview of the area, including a
history of its people and places, as well as county maps and detailed
directions to its best attractions -- including waterfalls, lakes,
charming towns, and historical sites -- and some of its best-kept
secrets.
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