It's a simple memorial, but it's sobering. The April 16 Memorial is located on the campus of…read moreVirginia Tech, and it commemorates the 32 people who were killed by a deranged student on campus in 2007. The memorial is right in front of Burruss Hall, which serves as an administration building. It's kind of surreal to be standing at this memorial, looking at the photos of the lives lost to this senseless violence, while students and faculty bustle about. It's an example of how life continues, even as we look back and remember the lives that were cut short. I was staying at the hotel on campus and wanted to see the April 16 Memorial, so I walked to it. It's about a 10 minute walk. You pretty much can't miss it.

This is the April 16 memorial for the unfortunate events that happened on Virginia techs campus on…read morethat day. This is a nice tribute, but very sad tribute. I hate to see that this thing exists because the events should never happened. I'm glad they do tribute.

Looks like a house, acts as a hub for rotating art and history exhibits. This Queen Anne Victorian…read morehome used to belong to Alexander Black, a prominent figure in Blacksburg, but is now a cultural center for art, and also has a children's room, a small library and a genealogy center. I got to explore the space for a bit before they closed for the day. I was impressed with the children's area, which is fun and has quite a few things for kids to play with. Other than the children's area, everything else is mostly look-but-don't-touch. Art, historical objects and documents, maps, books, furniture and a few cozy places to sit are the rest of the cultural center. This is a nice place to stop into when you're in Blacksburg if you want to know more about the history of the city, but it's also a quick visit.

This house occupies a prominent spot in downtown Blacksburg. It is open for free visitation, but…read morethe hours are limited and it is not open on Sunday, which is a bit tough from a tourist perspective. When I visited, a weekend Street market was going on outside. It is a splendid looking structure outside and in, and had a variety of exhibitions on the history and natural environment of the area as well as some art on display. There was a gift shopped themed toward local history. One can also sit on the covered porch outside. Bathrooms and water fountains were available on the second floor, and it was a hot day.

Sunday, On the way back from Wanda's we stopped at Clover Creek Covered Bridge. It was free to…read morevisit and we are all about free and uncomplicated. The vehicle was parked in the small Pullover spot. Several other families were there enjoying the area. There was 2 picnic tables. Deacon enjoyed exploring around the bridge and area. Highly recommend if you are in the area.

The Link Farm Covered Bridge was built in 1912 and spans Sinking Creek. It has a 50 foot span and…read moreis one of the few remaining bridges in the Newport area. It is very easy to access, right off Route 460 and only a couple of miles from the Interstate. No excuses. The bridge is on private property but is open to the public. Of course, it is not open to vehicular traffic but you can absolutely walk across this beautiful red bridge and look at the sheet metal roof. [Review 19583 overall - 1420 in Virginia - 554 of 2023.]

A beautiful bridge that I literally stumbled upon. I was driving by when I saw a street sign that…read moresaid "Covered Bridge Lane". There was a wide space to park, it appeared, and a green gate across the road. I did not stay long as I was traveling home, and it was unclear whether it was ok to approach the bridge.

Never actually been here for a movie but on Sunday morning it is Hope Chapel. Joe Volpi is an…read moreamazing pastor and continuously bringing a great message from God. The movie theater is beautiful old fashion. It has second level seating and the tickets are very cheap.

Seriously, what's not to love?…read more The Lyric isn't your top of the line theater where you see what just came out, but they have a good selection of movies, both indie, new (though it's released later) and classics. The inside of the theater is reminiscent of an old theater, with an old fashioned ticket booth, plenty of seating (there's balcony seating!) and a classic looking stage with a projector. It's really quite beautiful! The location makes it a prime place to go for a movie if you're in college, and the ticket prices are pretty reasonable! Even for a nighttime showing, it's only $5, and the concessions are just as cheap. The staff is extremely friendly, and they accept volunteers if you're looking for any volunteer work. Definitely a place to go, especially if you like seeing quirky movies. The only downfall is that it only shows one movie at a time, for one week each, unless there's a special showing. Harry Potter and the Princess Bride are coming up!

Sinking Creek Bridge is a 70-foot-long red wooden bridge with a tin roof, built in 1916. It is on…read morepublic land and is accessible to the public. Hard to reach, but accessible. It is a single bow-arched Burr truss spanning the creek and supported on stone abutments. The bridge has weatherboarded walls and a gable roof carried on numerous interior cross-braced rafters. Of course, it is closed to vehicular traffic but there is a park around the area and so you can stop by and walk across. Do it. [Review 19581 overall - 1419 in Virginia - 552 of 2023.]

Sinking Creek Covered Bridge is one of two bridges over Sinking Creek in Newport, VA. Some have…read morereferred to this as Clover Hollow Covered Bridge, but that name is incorrect as verified by BridgeHunter.com and Virginia's Department of Transportation. Sinking Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1916 using a modified version of the Howe Truss technique invented by William Howe in 1840, which became widely used as a building method in the mid to late 1800's. The bridge is one of only six remaining historic covered bridges in Virginia. I've actually had the pleasure to visit two other Virginia bridges: Meem's Bottom & Humpback which are two of my favorite covered bridges in the United States, Humpback being unique for its arched design. The bridge has a 70 foot span and its approach (the raised area leading to the bridge) is paved with memorial bricks displaying the names of contributors. The lawn around the bridge was nicely manicured and included a picnic table and sitting bench near the opening of the bridge. The chosen color of the bridge is a lovely barn red. The creek itself has an interesting story as just a few miles downstream it tends to disappear underground if water flow is low... like during our visit. A strange and unusual natural phenomenon that gives the creek its name. ENJOY!!! STATS LOCATION: over Sinking Creek on Old Clover Hollow Rd in Giles County STATUS: Active, but closed to vehicular traffic HISTORY: bypassed in 1949, then closed to traffic 1964. Renovated in 2000, damaged during tropical storm Gaston in 2004. 2020 / 33

At the peak of the twisting and turning road that is known as Pandapas Pond Road but is also…read moreUS-460, this marker points out the border between the two Virginia counties, On the one side, "Giles County. Formed in 1806 from Montgomery, Tazewell, and Monroe, and named for William B. Giles, United States Senator and Governor of Virginia 1827-30. Mountain Lake is in this county." And on the other side, "Montgomery County. Formed in 1776 from Fincastle, and named for General Richard Montgomery, killed at Quebec, 1775. The Virginia Polytechnic Institute is in this county." The marker is in the median of the highway so you're risking your life to stop and read. Which I did. You're welcome. [Review 19580 overall - 1418 in Virginia - 551 of 2023.]

Lovely little park with a beautiful statue of Mary Draper & several story boards posted which share…read moreher harrowing story. What a strong & brave woman. There are many native plants growing there it's a peaceful place to visit & meander while learning about Ms. Ingles.