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VISITOR GUIDE
Virginia Tech calls it Family Weekend, and almost everyone else calls it parents weekend. Either way, Blacksburg fills up fast. Here's what you need to know, from people who live here.
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Updated October 2026 · By Michael Arthur, Blacksburg Connect
Spring Family Weekend 2027: Friday, April 16 – Sunday, April 18, 2027. Registration opens Wednesday, March 3, 2027 at 1 p.m.
Fall Family Weekend 2026 was Oct 2–4 (the Pitt game weekend).
The full schedule (family socials, info sessions, academic events) goes in the Hokie Families Guide in the Hokies on Track app.
Questions go to VT New Student and Family Programs: 540-231-3284, [email protected]. Official details: students.vt.edu Family Weekends.
Blacksburg has a small hotel supply for a campus this size, so the rooms go before anything else.
On campus: The Inn at Virginia Tech, 901 Prices Fork Rd. It's the closest option and the first to sell out.
Near campus in Blacksburg: a handful of chain hotels along University City Blvd, Prices Fork Rd and the US 460 Bypass, including Hyatt Place, Residence Inn and Hilton Garden Inn.
Christiansburg or Radford: about 15 minutes away, with more chain hotels near I-81.
Roanoke or Salem: 40–60 minutes away with the most rooms. The Smart Way commuter bus runs from the Roanoke Valley to Virginia Tech's Transit Center on Perry Street.
Tip: book a refundable rate as soon as dates are announced. You can always cancel if plans change.
Blacksburg Transit (BT) is free during Family Weekend, with stops all over campus and town. The BT app has live bus locations.
Parking: there's no free parking on campus. Use the ParkMobile app, and check VT Parking Services (540-231-3200) for visitor lots.
Stash your stuff: your student's room, or the lockers and lounges in Squires Student Center.
Walk the Drillfield and the Duck Pond. It's the classic VT loop and the photo spot.
Hahn Horticulture Garden: free, open dawn to dusk year-round. On weekends you don't need a pass for the garden visitor lot.
Shows: check the Moss Arts Center (190 Alumni Mall) and the Lyric Theatre (135 College Ave, downtown) for something that weekend, or see our live music list.
Huckleberry Trail: a paved trail that starts on Miller Street across from the Blacksburg Library. Head north toward Heritage Park for an easy walk or bike ride.
Pandapas Pond: a flat, wheelchair-accessible loop of about a mile around the pond and wetlands, about 3 miles west of town on US 460.
Cascades: a 4-mile loop to a 66-foot waterfall. Take US 460 west about 13 miles to Pembroke, then SR 623 about 4 miles. Plan for half a day, and bring $3 for parking.
More ideas: Best Hikes Near Blacksburg.
Historic Smithfield (1000 Merry Oak Way, next to campus): tours run early April to mid-December, Wed–Sat 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (last tour 2:30). Check that weekend's schedule before you go.
Breweries and wine: Rising Silo (2351 Glade Rd, a farm brewery with live music most weekend evenings), Eastern Divide (3175 Commerce St), Right Mind Brewing (inside Lefty's on South Main), and Beliveau Farm Winery outside town.
Breakfast: see our Best Breakfast in Blacksburg list. Gillie's and Our Daily Bread are parent favorites for a sit-down breakfast.
Dinner (book ahead, since every family in town has the same idea): good options include Zeppoli's (Italian, University City Blvd), 622 North, Rivermill, Cabo Fish Taco, The Cellar, and The Loyal (formerly Preston's) at the Inn.
Sunday brunch: Gillie's, Zeppoli's (Sat–Sun 10–3) or the Sunday buffet at The Loyal (formerly Preston's) at the Inn.
Friday: check in, then dinner downtown (reserve) and a walk down College Ave
Saturday: breakfast on South Main, a campus walk with the Drillfield, Duck Pond and Hahn Garden, afternoon Family Weekend events, then dinner and a show at the Moss or the Lyric
Sunday: brunch, a quick walk at Pandapas Pond or on the Huckleberry, then drive home before the afternoon rush on I-81
Layers (spring mornings in the mountains are cold)
Walking shoes (campus is hilly and spread out)
The Hokies on Track and BT apps, plus ParkMobile
A cooler bag for the grocery run your student will ask for
In town for a football game instead? See our Game Day Guide. More trip planning: all Blacksburg guides and things to do in Blacksburg.
Spring Family Weekend is April 16–18, 2027, and registration opens March 3, 2027 at 1 p.m.
Registration is through VT's Hokie Family Hub. Some events and tailgates sell out (the fall 2026 Family Weekend tailgate did).
Try Christiansburg or Radford (about 15 minutes), or Roanoke and Salem with the Smart Way bus to campus.
VT says BT is free during Family Weekend.
Hours and schedules change. Always confirm with the official source. Have a tip for other Hokie families? Use our suggestion box. Blacksburg Connect isn't affiliated with Virginia Tech.
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