Dining options

Very close to campus (ordered in proximity to Newman Library).  Reliably good food/table service. 

• TOTS and BOTS (Top and Bottom of the Stairs): TOTs is where college students go to get wasted (burgers, beer, etc.);  BOTS caters more to the graduate/professional clientele, serves really (really) good BBQ and incredible mac and cheese (just ask Inga!)
• Souvlaki (Greek) – somewhat hole-in-the-wall but food is good!
• Gillies (Vegetarian) – truly a Blacksburg iconic restaurant!
• Benny Marzanos (by the slice pizza, trust me – one is all you’ll need!)
• Greens Grill & Sushi Bar (Mediterranean and Sushi fusion – Different, yes. Good? Most days!)
• Rivermill Bar & Grill (American – think darts, beer, and TVs everywhere)
• Namaste Kitchen (Indian) – relatively new
• The Cellar (American)
• Maroon Door (American) – note, menu rotates frequently
• Hefun (Japanese)
• PK's Bar and Grill (a lot like Rivermill, but very, very diverse menu)

Walkable to campus, just a little bit farther, but has reliably good food/service:

• 622 North (American – higher end without being upscale, more than pizza and burgers)
• El Rodeo – North Main (Mexican)
• India Garden (Indian)
• Spicity (Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and many other nearby regions on this menu)

Little bit more of a hike, opposite direction of the restaurants above

• The Blacksburg Tavern (Homestyle Southern Fare - American)
• Cabo Fish Taco (Mexi-Cali-ish)
• Mellow Mushroom (Pizza)
• Hamro (Nepalese)

Drivable (note, each are totally worth it!) --- all are located near the same area on South Main Street:

• Our Daily Bread (inexplicably good French cuisine and patisserie in a strip mall)
• Cafe Mekong (Viet-Thai: great about making ingredient swaps, but do have upcharges for some (will let you know ahead of time!)
• Lefty's (American) – very eclectic menu, caters to dietary needs (very tasty GF desserts!)
• Bull and Bones (meat-forward American). Root beer is soooo good!
• El Rodeo – South Main (Mexican)

Sweet tooth calling?

• Sugar Magnolia (walkable from campus)
• Carol Lee Donuts (driving, unless you really want to burn a lot of calories!)  

Things to do while in town:

History and hiking (in addition to what is listed on the pre-conference page...)

• Huckleberry Trail (many different starting points around town and campus).
• Bike Barn would rent a bicycle if they were interested in going a longer distance. 
• Alexander Black House provides a lot of information on Blacksburg’s history: 

Shops

For all the readers:

• Blacksburg Books
• Little Bookworm on Main Street

For Tippy’s Crew (aka all your knitting needs!)

• New River Arts and Fiber (arts shop + small gallery).