5 “Must-Do” NRV Activities to Enjoy Before the Students Return!
We love our Hokies and Highlanders, but summertime is special here in the New River Valley!
Here are Five Things to Try Before the Students Return:
Take a Trip Down the River: New River Junction!
New River Junction is a campground nestled on the New River just outside of Blacksburg. (Go Hokies!) Students and families alike love this spot for camping and their claim-to-fame: tubing!
For one flat rate, you can tube ALL. DAY. LONG. The tubing trip takes you down the river and through some exciting rapids (optional!). You’ll have access to a picnic area to grill out and a bus service that takes you back to the start as many times as you want!
Local tip: Take the family tubing on a weekday for BIG savings and no crowds! The Junction staff also provides charcoal and grills for tubers at no additional charge—just let them know and they’ll take your cooler down and have a hot grill for you when you’re done tubing.
Hike the Cascades, or for the Adventurous: Angel’s Rest
Giles County, Virginia is home to abundant hiking opportunities. You can find something for any skill level in the beautiful mountains. Only a half-hour drive from Blacksburg and 45 minutes from Radford, The Cascades is a must-do hike if you haven’t! This easy-to-moderate hike culminates in a breathtaking waterfall that draws crowds all year long.
If you’re looking for a more rugged experience, check out Angel’s Rest–it’s a steep trail to the top with many switchbacks that lead to beautiful views of the county at the top. Located on the Appalachian Trail, this is a great starting point for a late-summer backpacking trip too!
Local tip: Bluegrass BBQ in Pembroke, Virginia has some of the best BBQ the area has to offer. Stop by on your way back and fill up on brisket, pulled pork, homemade sides, and more!
Family Memories or a Sweet Date at Sugar Magnolia
Sugar Magnolia is a family-owned ice cream and gift shop with locations in Blacksburg AND Roanoke! This is a favorite spot for Virginia Tech students during the school year. Fortunately, you can still sneak in while summer is still here and before the crowds arrive!
The shop offers indoor seating to escape the summer heat as well as a beautiful shop selling gifts, stationary, and area memorabilia too. It’s a great date spot or a place to take the whole family!
Local tip: Take your ice cream and sit on Henderson Lawn. Mature trees provide amazing shade and ambiance all summer long.
Breakfast at Hello Bagel in Blacksburg or Red Provisions in Radford!
If you’ve been to Hello Bagel on a Saturday or Sunday morning during the school year, you’ll know: it’s not a best-kept secret anymore! Head to Hello Bagel, located on South Main near Kroger, for delicious bagel sandwiches. Bagels baked fresh daily paired with delicious coffee, this is a great place to get your day started off right!
Photo Credit: Kristina Rose Photography.
The newest coffee shop and breakfast spot in Radford is Red Provisions! Located in The Highlander Hotel, Red Provisions is open-to-the-public 7 days a week! If you’re in a rush, they even have grab-and-go breakfast. This is an excellent option for those visiting or working in Radford.
Local tip: Hello Bagel is one of the only places in the region for Taylor Ham–or is it Pork Roll?
An Evening at Eastern Divide or Long Way Brewing
The New River Valley’s brewery scene is blossoming. Breweries abound throughout our area and there’s a lot to explore! Eastern Divide is located off of South Main in Blacksburg and provides room-to-roam with indoor and outdoor seating throughout. It’s very kid-friendly, too, with games and grounds to explore! Check out their calendar to catch special events and trivia nights every other Wednesday.
Long Way Brewing is another local brewery located in a renovated church on 2nd Street in Radford. A Highlander favorite, Long Way has trivia night on Wednesdays and local music on the weekends!
Local tip: The food at Eastern Divide is AMAZING! Get the hand-cut fries or stop by on Sundays for brunch from 11-2!
