|
Blacksburg, Virginia—More Than the "Hokie Nation"
by Denise Allen Membreno
Blacksburg & Montgomery County Tourism Information
There's more to the town of Blacksburg than the "Hokie Nation". You'll also find small-town charm and beautiful scenery. This 'burg of 25,000 permanent residents swells to more than 40,000 when the students are in session. The downtown is charming and packed with eclectic storefronts for dining or shopping.
If you like to stay on the move, try the Huckleberry Trail. It's a six-mile linear park on the old "Huckleberry" train line linking Blacksburg and Christiansburg. The track was laid by the Virginia Anthracite Coal & Railway Company in 1904 to carry coal for heating Virginia Polytechnic Institute, or Virginia Tech as we now call it. Trains also used the tracks to bring passengers and mail to town. Clearing the land for the tracks created sunny conditions, perfect for growing huckleberries, so the area soon became known for the delicious berries.
Blacksburg is the perfect place to enjoy beautiful spring weather, and, if you carry your heart in a golf bag, the Blacksburg Municipal Golf Course is just the place to watch the trees budding and leafing!
After working up an appetite on the trails or the links, head to Backstreets Restaurant on South Main; it's a favorite of students and locals. The pizza and calzones are my favorites.
Die-hard Hokie fans will want to visit the Merryman Center, which sits between Cassell Coliseum and Lane Stadium. On the second floor, at the entrance to the Athletic Department, you can walk through the Hall of Legends. Memorabilia from notable victories and from greats, such as Bruce Smith, provide an enjoyable walk through sports seasons past.
At the end of the day, you can hang your hat at a new grand hotel located right on the Virginia Tech campus. The Inn at Virginia Tech is newly constructed and offers a delightful balance between luxury and technology.
Article text ©2005-2006, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.
Our Local Advertisers
| 
