It’s one thing to be on the road and see the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. It’s another to be surrounded by them as you drive. It looks like the hills are giving the land a gentle bear-hug, as I weave in between the higher ground. While the mountains are not foreign to me, I was born on the “flat lands” of Virginia’s east-coast. So when I enter the town, I’m excited to get my sea legs adjusted to the different elevation. And to discover what might be hiding over each hilltop that I explore.
Christiansburg is a town in Montgomery County and is located a little over 3 hours west of Richmond. There are several noteworthy historical people who lived in this town for a period of time that I found fascinating in my research:
- Daniel Boone, had a warrant for his arrest in the county courthouse, issued under King George for a debt charge
- Davy Crockett, was briefly an apprentice to a local newspaper printer there, and,
- William Clark (from the Lewis and Clark Expedition), lived in downtown Christiansburg in a home which is commonly known as the Montague home
Who knew Christiansburg had some of the most famous frontiersmen once residing there?!
Now let’s get to the LOVE…there is one official LOVE sign located at Christiansburg Aquatic Center (featured above) and an unofficial LOVE sign at Sinkland Farms (pic is below). While I went to college out this way (Highlanders forever!) I had never really ventured through the town, so I was excited to spend some time here.
While the humidity hits a little different in the mountains, I still picked the hottest day of the year to visit. So when I checked out the Huckleberry Trail, I did it first thing in the morning. When I think about mountain trails, I picture dirt paths, trees and substantial hills. Turns out this is a beautiful 15-mile paved trail that connects Christiansburg to Blacksburg.
I started walking the path at the Christiansburg Recreation Center – If you’re looking at the building, the trail begins to the right of it. Throughout my brief walk (it was hot lol) I saw signage to let me know where I was and directions to specific locations. This trail felt like a safe and wonderful way to walk around Christiansburg, and enjoy some local scenery.
An early morning walk in the heat deserves an early delicious lunch, so I stop in Bull & Bones Brewhaus and Grill. Right away, I knew I was going to order a burger as the smell of charcoaled patties had my stomach rumbling for one. I got the 1 Patty Pub Burger with a side of broccoli and both were delicious. What I also learned while there is Bull & Bones is Christiansburg’s first brewery, offering a nice selection of beers for customers to enjoy. I could easily see bringing a large group of friends here to eat and have a good time.
With my belly full, I head over to Cambria Antiques to do some shopping. I felt like Julie Andrews walking into the building singing “these are a few of my favorite things.” Because in addition to the antiques, you’ll also find Old New River Books in the back of the building on the first floor .
Let’s start off with the antiques. Here you’ll find three floors of excellent treasures to search through. It’s everything from quality furniture (their hutch selection is impressive) to collectibles and unique finds that would be conversation pieces in anyone’s home. I ended up purchasing a beautiful wooden oval table at a great price. The staff was also incredibly helpful with breaking it down to make sure it would fit in my Yukon for the trip home.
Now to the bookstore part. First, you will be entranced by the internal arch entrance made entirely of books (it is awesome). Second, the selection and diversity you’ll find is also impressive. I left with first edition dystopian books that I read years ago for only four dollars each. (Some of these books are sold online for much, much more.) What felt like minutes were actually hours browsing both places because it was so fun to be there. I’m still thinking about some of the items I didn’t purchase, and I hope to make it back soon with my husband Brett in tow :).
Another short drive away is the Montgomery Museum of Art and History. I loved how the greeter described the place – “It brings both history and contemporary together for anyone to enjoy.” The museum is set in what once was a bank built in the 1960s. And it offers visitors a nice look into the local history of Christiansburg and other areas in Montgomery County. There, I saw the “Kyle Ledger”, a record book from the early 1800’s that captured details about goods sold in a local general store. The museum also utilizes some of the lock boxes in the bank’s vault to display little bits of local history.
As you walk around, you’ll also be impressed with the artwork, most (if not all) are locally created. There are beautiful paintings throughout and sculptures that are impressive to see. You’ll also find a nice gift shop, again with many items created by residents of the area. This was an enjoyable stop that allowed me to understand and appreciate the Christiansburg area better (and the greeter was a fantastic person to meet).
Because I went to college not far from Christiansburg (go Radford!), there are some places here that have a special meaning to me. The Farmhouse Restaurant is one of those places. This was the restaurant you went for special occasions – dinner before a fraternity date-night, a congratulatory meal to recognize a recent success, or a table shared with family to celebrate graduating from college. These are all things I and so many people before and after me got to experience at this place.
And while there is white tablecloth service here, the original 1800s farmhouse you walk through will make you feel like you’re entering a good friend’s home for a casual meal. It offers a nice selection of entrees to include steak, chicken, pork and pasta. And if you’re looking for lighter fare, their Courtyard Bar menu will certainly have what you’re looking for. As I enjoyed my sirloin, I couldn’t help but reminisce about all of the wonderful times spent here. When you visit Christiansburg, make sure you include this special and historic place on your list of visits.
For this trip, I was fortunate enough to be able to stay overnight. In my research, I immediately knew I wanted to stay in The Oaks Victorian Inn. The pictures do not exaggerate – It is a gorgeous yellow Queen Anne Victorian home built over 100 years ago. Their website captured my feelings perfectly when it said “where the charm of yesteryear meets the comforts of modern luxury.” There are five rooms to choose from in the main house and a Garden Cottage on the back of the property. They also have common living room spaces inside and an adorable back patio with native plants and tables to relax in.
Here, you also get to choose what you want for breakfast the next day and where you want to eat. I devoured the breakfast slider trio with seasoned breakfast potatoes on their front porch. What a relaxing morning meal! I felt comfortable and safe staying here (remember, I travel alone on many of these adventures), and would absolutely stay here again when I come back to the area.
Christiansburg is a place to love…
Christiansburg is a town that many may drive past, but it’s a place that should not be overlooked. It’s an area where the community brings its history together with modern times in a way that is unique and enjoyable to anyone that comes here. It’s also where you can find that small town mountain feel, and also quickly get to city-like amenities. The next time you find yourself in Montgomery County, make sure you include Christiansburg as part of your visit.
Ready to explore Christiansburg? Here’s a great starting point to plan your trip.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
| Official ♥️ Signs Visited = 53 | LOVEworks Official Signs = 336 |
| Unofficial ♥️ Signs Visited = 45 | LOVEworks Unofficial Signs = 400+ |
| TOTAL VISITED = 98 | TOTAL LOVEworks Signs = 700+ |
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Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything I include in my blogs are factual and that I also give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something included here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
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