We're all basically struggling to get by, eating Chick-fil-A or Wendy's every day. But, we all want to get out of Radford and rightfully so! There are so many short, economically-friendly day trips that Radford students can take (and should) before the weather gets cold!
1. Roanoke
Roanoke, Virginia, is approximately 45 minutes away, just a drive up I-81 North. Being the largest city in the state west of Richmond, there's a lot that Roanoke has to offer! My top picks would have to be:
- City Market -- Downtown Roanoke has an awesome City Market right in the center of the downtown area. It features great shops, dining and other businesses.
- Mill Mountain/Mill Mountain Zoo -- Towering above Roanoke is Mill Mountain. Atop the mountain is the Roanoke Star (beautiful at night), as well as the Mill Mountain Zoo. The Star is free of charge, but admission and hours for the zoo can be found here.
- Center in the Square/Taubman Museum of Art -- Relatively close to the City Market, each of these boast great educational and cultural opportunities for visitors. Center in the Square hosts aquariums, a butterfly garden, shows and other museums. It's definitely a must-see!
2. Floyd County
Floyd County is also about 45 minutes away from Radford. When you visit Floyd, you enter a world that takes you back about 30 years. With only one stoplight in the entire county, you'll quickly understand why the pace of life is so laid back.
- Go to the Floyd Country Store on a Friday night for authentic "flat-footing" and bluegrass music!
- If you're of age (21), head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and visit Chateau Morrisette winery for a great selection of Virginia wines and breathtaking views of the Floyd County landscape.
3. The Homeplace
The Homeplace, located in Catawba, Virginia, is approximately 40 minutes away from Radford. In my opinion, this is one of the best meals you will ever eat in your life! If you do anything while you are a student at Radford -- go to the Homeplace. They serve a traditional Southern-style dinner and you get as much as you want!
Friendly suggestion: Don't eat much for breakfast, because you'll want to enjoy as much as you can of the delicious food at the Homeplace.
4. Mountain Lake/Bald Knob
Mountain Lake is located in Giles County, Virginia, and is about 45 minutes away. It is the site where the film Dirty Dancing was filmed. It is also beautiful and interesting. For the majority of the year, the lake is empty. Due to geological shifts, the lake drains of all its water. There is a lodge and cabins there for camping if a weekend getaway is in order.
Bald Knob is a hiking destination right next to Mountain Lake. It is a low-difficulty hike, with high-reward views! If you go in the fall, dress warmly. It will snow on Bald Knob way before it snows in Radford.
5. The Starlite Drive-In
The Starlite is located on Route 11 in Christiansburg, just a short 15-minute drive from Radford. This getaway is only open during the warm months, but it is definitely worth mentioning. It is like taking a step back in time and experiencing two movies (yes, they are double features) the way they used to be! Did I mention it's only $6 for two movies?
So, get out of your bed and stop watching Netflix. Grab a couple of friends and go see the awesome things that are going on around Radford. You never know which experience will make the best memory.
