Family Weekends

Smart Way Bus – Roanoke to Blacksburg and back daily

• Lodging in Roanoke, Salem, or Christiansburg? The Smart Way Commuter Bus links the Roanoke Valley to Virginia Tech. The start/end point is the Virgina Tech Transit Center transportation hub at Perry Street on campus. Between the Smart Way and the Smart Way Express, getting to Virginia Tech from Roanoke is easy and inexpensive (and free for children ages 0-5). The Smart Way Bus website offers a live map of routes, a schedule for all days of the week, and any changes due to events or repairs. Once you’re in Blacksburg, use the FREE Blacksburg Transit.

Blacksburg Transit

• The Blacksburg Transit is a free and easy public bus system with multiple stops on campus, in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and the region. The “BT” is FREE during Family Weekend to ease your travel to, through, and from campus. Routes can be accessed via the BT app or the BT website, including a live map of every bus route, plus updates or changes to schedule.

Parking On Campus

• We recommend using the free-and-easy Blacksburg Transit, but if you choose to drive to and from campus, you should plan ahead for parking options. Football and/or weekend events will greatly increase on-campus traffic, and there is no free parking on campus. The Park Mobile app is helpful for on-campus parking, with step-by-step instructions on how and where to park. See the Parking Services website for further information on Visitor Parking, a guide and map, Accessible Parking, and special football game-day parking information, or contact 540-231-3200.

Parking Off Campus

• We recommend using the free-and-easy Blacksburg Transit, but if you choose to drive to and from Blacksburg, you should plan ahead for parking options. Visit the town of Blacksburg’s Parking Website to find available parking lots, garages, and street parking, plus a parking map including a list of streets that allow public parking.

Dining On Campus

• On Saturdays and Sundays, there are 10 on-campus locations for families to eat, a-la-carte pricing or single-fee entry (cash or card), open as early as 8:00am until as late as 2:00am. Too many options to list, so see your on-campus dining options here.

Dining Off Campus

• From Cajun to vegetarian, ethnic to homestyle, fast-food to fine-dining, the Blacksburg food scene has plentiful and diverse options.

Note: Vacancy is limited, and this list is NOT comprehensive.

• Blacksburg, VA lodging
• Christiansburg, VA lodging
• Floyd, VA lodging
• Giles County, VA lodging
• Pulaski County, VA lodging
• Radford, VA lodging
• Roanoke, VA lodging
• Salem, VA lodging

Lodging Pro-Tips: If area hotels are too expensive or have no vacancy, you could opt to lodge in Roanoke or Salem and use the Smart Way Commuter Bus for easy transport to Blacksburg, and then the FREE Blacksburg Transit with multiple stops on campus and around town. While on campus during the day, with your accompanying student, you can store daily gear in your student’s residential hall room, or use Squires Student Center lockers and lounges.

Football Game

• Please note that registering for Fall Family Weekend or the Fall Family Weekend Tailgate does NOT include entry into the home football game.
• You will have to secure your own football tickets if you wish to attend the September 20 home game vs. Wofford (Game time to be determined closer to the actual game, and is usually not announced until a week before the game).
• Limited discounted tickets for the football game are available. Once sold out, regular-priced tickets are available through Virginia Tech Athletics.

Tailgate

• Please note that the tailgate that occurs during Fall Family Weekend Tailgate requires an additional paid registration that can be found in your registration confirmation email.
• You will need to fully register for Fall Family Weekend in order to receive this email.
• There are limited tickets available for this event, and it is expected to sell out quickly.

Once sold out, you can check out other game day and tailgating opportunities.

How do I register for Fall Family Weekend?

• Registration opens August 1 at 8:00 a.m. in the Hokie Family Hub. This may require you to make a Hokie Family Hub account if you do not already have one.

What events are happening during Fall Family Weekend?

• Family Weekend has events for all ages on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The full schedule of events can be found in the Hokies on Track mobile app. Once in the app, download the “Hokie Families” guide to see the full schedule of events, as well as event descriptions, locations, and details. You can also find helpful information and resources, such as restaurant recommendations, parking and transportation, campus maps, and more!

Are football tickets included in the Fall Family Weekend Tailgate cost?

• No, you will need to purchase a football ticket separately if your family would like to attend the game. Limited discounted tickets for the football game are available. Once sold out, regular-priced tickets are available via Virginia Tech Athletics.

I see that the football tailgate is sold out. What other game day and tailgating options are available?

• Once the official Family Weekend Tailgate sells out, there are still plenty of fun and festive ways to enjoy game day on campus and around town. As you make your plans, here are some great tailgating alternatives to consider.

Once we arrive, where do we check in for Fall Family Weekend?

• You can check-in for Fall Family Weekend in Squires Student Center Jamestown Room (Room 204 on the second floor) during all three days of Family Weekend. Here you will receive your Proud Hokie Family bag, your weekend schedule and map, some fun swag, bottled waters, and snacks. Make sure you have the QR code that was emailed in your confirmation and reminder emails for the most seamless check-in process.
  If you bought tickets for the Family Weekend Tailgate, you can also pick up your wristbands at check-in.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

• Before you arrive, you can contact the New Student and Family Programs office at 540-231-3284 or families@vt.edu. Once you get to Blacksburg, we encourage you to visit us at Check-In at Squires Student Center Jamestown Room (Room 204 on the second floor), where our team is happy to answer any questions you may have!