When going to college away from home, it's hard to come up with local date ideas if you don't know the area. After a full week of exams and presentations, you're really excited for the weekend to come around so you can escape your responsibilities, have fun and relax! If you're anything like me, you're tired of having no clue what to do for date night and sick of going back and forth discussing what you should do this weekend with your significant other. A lot of these date ideas are fun to go on with your significant other or someone you're trying to get to know. Enjoy this list of date ideas in the local Blacksburg area, and start planning your next date!
1. Frank Theatres Cinebowl & Grille
Sometimes the simplest dates call for the best times. After a long, stressful week of exams I love to go watch a movie at the Cinebowl. I see it as a time to relax with the person that makes you happiest. Consider this date idea to either bowl in their awesome bowling alley or watch that movie you’ve been dying to see! Grab yourself a bag of popcorn to share with your date and sit back and enjoy the movie. Personally, I think comedies are the best types of movies for dates.
2. Hike McAfee’s Knob
Perfect for fall and spring, when it’s not too hot or too cold out! The first time I did this hike, it killed me because I didn’t know what to expect and only brought one bottle of water. Plan ahead with your date and pack a quick and easy lunch to eat at the top of the hike. Don’t forget to take lots of water! Once you’re at the top, you’ll realize how breathtaking the area that we are in really is. The view is amazing, and it makes you feel so small. It’s also so peaceful up there. I loved going there to get a good workout and enjoy lunch with a view — plus, you can scratch something off of the Hokie bucket list if you do this hike!
3. Picnic at the duck pond
The duck pond is hands down one of the prettiest places on the gorgeous Virginia Tech campus. This is a free date idea, and all college students love dates that won’t leave their wallet or bank account empty. This is a great opportunity to have a picnic and talk about anything and everything.
4. Price’s Fork Observatory
I actually went here because it was required for my Introduction to Astronomy class, but I’m glad to have found out about it. Try to go here on a night when the sky is clear! It’s a romantic opportunity, as you get to stargaze with your date and look at fascinating astronomical objects through the telescope at the observatory. Unique and underrated!
5. Brunch in Blacksburg
Because, luckily, there are amazing restaurants that offer brunch just a short distance from Virginia Tech. There’s nothing cozier than meeting up on a Sunday morning to enjoy a hot coffee and yummy meal together. You can’t go wrong with the Virginia Breakfast from Our Daily Bread, the Read Earth from Gillie’s, or an omelet from Lefty’s! Perfect for foodie couples.
6. A night in downtown Blacksburg
Awesome for a Friday or Saturday night date. Even if you don’t have an exact date planned out, go downtown and see where the night takes you. You can go to The Lyric for a movie and popcorn or any restaurant or bar!
7. Drive to Roanoke
Make the forty-five-minute drive to Roanoke from Virginia Tech on the weekend! Go to the marketplace downtown, enjoy local shops and upscale restaurants, or go to Center In The Square to check out the aquariums and Butterfly Garden — thank you to a fellow writer for suggesting this super fun date idea!
8. Blue Ridge Parkway
Someone from Roanoke suggested this to me, and it’s the perfect idea. There’s a beautiful view of Roanoke on this drive, and you can check out the Roanoke Star. Especially pretty in the fall! Take this as a chance to enjoy the scenery while playing your favorite music.
9. The Homeplace
This is located in Catawba, a 35-minute drive from Blacksburg, and it’s a home converted into a restaurant. It’s a cozy place to enjoy southern, home-cooked food. You’ll leave full, and it’s not expensive for the quality and quantity of food you get!
