The Importance of Being a Tourist

My mother-in-law was just in town for a week which meant Mark and I had the chance to play tourist in our home area. I cannot stress how much I value exploring, touring, playing, and just being in your town of residence. How many people live in Seattle but have never been to the top of the Space Needle or rode the ducks? Haven't you always heard of people living in New York City but never visiting the Empire State Building?

But Kristen! you say. Don't you live really far from any kind of big city with touristy things?


Well... yes thanks for the reminder. But that doesn't mean we don't live somewhere with fun things to tour! Every little or big town has its own gems to explore, and with a little effort and time and the right expectations you can find them! Here's what we found out and about in and near Blacksburg, VA.

First up is the Smithfield Plantation. Mark and I took my mom here when she was in town on her birthday and I knew I wanted to go back with Toni. It is a historic plantation building located on the Virginia Tech campus, built in 1774. They give a fantastic one hour tour and you can even take pictures! I found out that apparently most people from Blacksburg have never even been there, despite it's central location on the campus. Pity!

We also took the time to tour our quaint little downtown. Of course I have been downtown several times before as it is pretty much the only place to go out to eat without driving to nearby Christiansburg. However, walking through slowly you're bound to discover new things, like historical signs that actually tell you about your town! Turns out Blacksburg was named after Mr. William Black. Essential information? Nope. But definitely fun and interesting to check out things like your local friendly historical sign, enjoy your old fashioned post office, and appreciate the fact that the random buildings in the area just look cool. This is what a tourist would do, and this is what you would do if visiting a different city. Why not enjoy it in your own town?

On one of the days Toni was here, Mark, Toni, and I drove down to the Blue Ridge Parkway. While not in Blacksburg, this definitely counts as being a tourist in our hometown. Sometimes we can't believe how close we are to national parks and forests! It was a beautiful drive and we can't wait to go back during the fall when the leaves will hopefully be all different colors. 

On the drive we stopped at the Mabry Mill where the water wheel was restored and still running! Very cool.

And what do two former apartment dwellers do with their pool towels when they move to the country? Turn them into picnic blankets, of course! We explored the nearby country roads to find two historic covered bridges, and had ourselves a nice little picnic. Little did we know this would be the last cool day before the awful, awful heat wave hit us and the rest of the country (except the the PNW, which has always done its own thing.)

Turns out even the most boring of towns (cough) have plenty of cool things to check out! Here's a last pic of Mark and I at a viewpoint on the Blue Ridge Parkway:

What about you? Have you spent your weekends exploring your hometown? Made use of your free or inexpensive landmarks nearby? Taken a tour of the modest little museums in your neighborhood? If not, I encourage you to throw your camera around your neck (or in your pocket) and go out and sight see!