Radford

Day Trips

Begin your day as the sunrise paints the New River in shades of gold, wandering along the shaded trails at Bisset Park. Listen to songbirds punctuating the soft rush of water as you weave among towering pines and vibrant wildflowers. Pause at scenic overlooks to soak in the river’s gentle flow and the crisp morning air.

Settle at one of the park’s covered picnic shelters for a packed lunch, then rent a kayak to glide over the river’s smooth surface. Watch your paddle create ripples that mirror the drifting clouds above, and keep an eye out for turtles basking on fallen logs. Return to shore for a leisurely stroll along the historic covered bridge before heading back to the trailhead.

As dusk approaches, find a riverside bench and watch the sunset’s fiery hues reflect off the water. The park’s lantern-style lights begin to glow, casting a warm halo over winding paths. End your visit with the soft echo of evening crickets and the soothing lullaby of the flowing river.

Wander through Radford’s brick-lined streets as local bakeries fill the air with the scent of freshly baked pastries. Pause to admire early 20th-century façades, ornate ironwork, and vintage signage that whisper stories of the town’s industrial past. Drop into antique shops brimming with restored furniture and curious artifacts from decades gone by.

Join a guided walking tour led by a costumed local historian who brings the city’s railroads and mills to life through vivid tales and archival photographs. Browse boutique gift stores for hand-crafted pottery and regional artisan goods. Refuel at a family-run café renowned for its hearty sandwiches and homemade soups.

As lanterns flicker on along Main Street, sample house-made gelato from an al fresco gelateria. Live acoustic guitar drifts out of nearby pubs, setting the tone for a relaxed evening. Cap the day with a moonlit stroll past historic homes, their windows glowing softly against the night sky.

Drive to Claytor Lake State Park as the mist lifts off the water, revealing hidden coves and slender piers. Stretch your legs on the Lakeside Trail, breathing in the scent of pine and fresh water. Stop at the wildlife blind for a chance to glimpse herons and snapping turtles at the water’s edge.

Rent a paddleboard or speedboat for an exhilarating cruise around the lake’s 4,500 acres. Dive into cool blue depths at a secluded swim area before warming up with a lakeside picnic of charcuterie and crisp cider. Explore rocky inlets on foot, discovering tiny pebbled beaches and lush fern groves.

Watch the sky ignite in pink and lavender as the sun dips behind forested ridges, casting long reflections on the glassy surface. Gather around a communal fire pit near the camp store for s’mores and storytelling under a canopy of stars. The gentle lapping of waves will lull you toward a peaceful night’s rest.

Cross the historic stone archway into Radford University’s verdant campus as students bustle between ivy-clad buildings. Admire the neoclassical architecture of the Main Hall while a campus guide unravels tales of academic pioneers. Spend time in the Brick Museum, exploring rotating exhibits on local art and history.

Join a hands-on workshop in the art studios, crafting your own pottery piece guided by a faculty artist. Grab lunch at a student-run café where fresh salads and grain bowls are served amidst campus chatter. Stroll through the botanical garden plots, noting heirloom flowers and medicinal herbs cultivated by horticulture classes.

Attend a live performance at the university’s theater, where drama students stage an original play in an intimate black-box setting. After the curtain call, mingle with performers backstage over cups of hot chocolate. Return to the quads to enjoy the gentle hum of campus life under lamplit pathways.

Amble along State Street as vibrant murals come into view, each bursting with color and local symbolism. Snap photos of larger-than-life portraits that celebrate Radford’s community heroes and natural scenery. Sip a cappuccino at a corner café while sketching glimpses of street art in your travel journal.

Visit the Lyric Theatre gallery where rotating exhibits showcase emerging regional artists. Engage in an interactive mural-painting demonstration led by one of the town’s street artists, learning techniques for spray and brush. Afterwards, pick up locally printed posters and postcards featuring your favorite designs.

Join a guided graffiti night-tour, where LED lights reveal hidden details in murals when daylight fades. Sample tapas and craft brews at a rooftop lounge overlooking the art-lined corridor. Cap the night with a live jazz set that drifts through open windows, mingling with the city’s evening breeze.

Stretch your legs as you clip into rented trail bikes and roll onto the New River Trail’s crushed-stone path. Feel the cool air on your face while pedaling beneath a canopy of oaks and hickories. Stop at scenic overlooks to watch the river bend gracefully through the valley.

Pause for a riverside lunch at a covered picnic area, enjoying homemade sandwiches and chilled lemonade. Continue your ride through historic rail tunnels, their cool darkness giving way to shafts of light and echoing with distant drips. Keep an eye out for deer grazing at the forest edge before cresting a gentle hill toward your turnaround point.

Return your bikes just as the sky is brushed with twilight pink. Head to a nearby brewery for hearty pub fare and locally crafted ales. Share stories of the day’s vistas around a picnic table as moths flutter in the lantern glow.

Launch your kayak from a quiet river access point as mist swirls around the early reflections. Glide downstream past lush riverbanks where kingfishers dart and mink pluck crayfish from the shallows. Feel the rhythmic dip of your paddle synchronizing with the gentle current.

Pull ashore for a packed lunch on a secluded sandbar, listening to frogs croak from hidden marshes. Resume paddling under rolling limestone bluffs carpeted with ferns and moss, tracing the river’s meandering path. Spot bald eagles perched high in cottonwoods, surveying their domain.

Beeline to a waterfront lodge restaurant for fresh-caught trout and grilled vegetables, served on a deck overlooking the river. As dusk settles, watch fireflies blink among the reeds. Later, unwind by a riverbank campfire, the faint sound of water lapping against your kayak hull nearby.

Stroll into the Radford Farmers Market as vendors showcase jewel-toned produce and fragrant blooms. Sample heirloom tomatoes, crunchy apples, and honey that glistens like amber in the sun. Chat with growers about seasonal recipes and artisanal cheeses aged in nearby caves.

Enroll in a cooking demo at a community kitchen, transforming market finds into fresh spring rolls or herb-crusted quiches. Pair your creations with a tasting flight of local ciders and meads. Wander into a nearby bakery for handmade bread still warm from the oven.

Join a chef-led farm-to-table dinner held under market lights, dining on dishes that celebrate southwestern Virginia’s bounty. Live folk music provides a cozy backdrop as you savor each course. Cap the evening with a bowl of seasonal berry cobbler and a steaming cup of lavender tea.

Head out early for a scenic drive toward Walker Mountain Overlook, catching glimpses of grazing cattle in misty fields. Hike a short trail of rocky switchbacks lined with mountain laurel and rhododendron. Pause at shaded alcoves to listen for woodpeckers tapping on ancient oaks.

Arrive at the summit picnic area, where panoramic views stretch over rolling foothills and distant ridgelines. Unpack a charcuterie spread and sip crisp white wine while cloud shadows drift across the valley. Explore nearby wildflower groves and breathe in the heady aroma of mountain air.

Settle in on the overlook’s stone wall as the sky ignites in molten oranges and deep purples. Bring binoculars to watch migrating hawks silhouetted against the sinking sun. As darkness falls, watch the valley lights twinkle below before making your descent by headlamp.

Follow a gentle path through pine forests to Huckleberry Falls, where cool spray mists your face before dawn breaks. Dip your toes into the crystal-clear plunge pool and watch the waterfall’s rhythmic cascade. The morning chorus of thrushes and warblers provides a melodic soundtrack.

Spread out a silky picnic blanket on mossy stones and savor a leisurely lunch of smoked turkey wraps and fresh fruit. Capture macro photos of dew-kissed ferns and iridescent stones polished smooth by centuries of rushing water. Lay back to watch sunbeams dance through the leafy canopy overhead.

As daylight softens, light a small camp stove and brew fragrant herbal tea infused with mint leaves snipped from the trail’s edge. Sit on a ledge above the falls, feeling the gentle vibration of water against rock. When the stars emerge, the waterfall’s faint roar becomes a meditative lullaby that carries you into the night.