MORE 2025

Lodging

The official conference hotel is the Inn at Virginia Tech.

Inn at Virginia Tech
901 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
(540) 231-8000

Driving

If you drive to Blacksburg you will most likely approach the town from Interstate I-81. Here are driving directions from Interstate I-81 to Inn at Virginia Tech.

1. Take Interstate I-81 to exit 118B (US-460 West).
2. Follow US-460 West for 9 miles to the first Prices Fork Road (Downtown) exit.
3. Merge onto Prices Fork Road and follow for about half a mile.
4. Turn right at the first traffic light.
5. Follow the entrance to the end.

The hotel offers free parking for their guests.

Campus Info

The conference will take place in the Data and Decision Sciences (DDS) Building on the Virginia Tech campus.

If you prefer to drive to campus then parking is free on campus from 5 PM on Friday through Sunday as long as the space you find is not restricted by signs. Some restricted areas include handicap spaces, carpool spaces, loading zones, service vehicle zones and timed areas.

Virginia Tech was founded in 1872 as the land-grant Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, but is now a comprehensive, innovative research university. For some highlights on campus, such as the War Memorial, the Drillfield and the Duck Pond see the official Virginia Tech website.

Local Info

Blacksburg is a small town of roughly 50,000 inhabitants located in the New River Valley, through which one of the nation's oldest rivers, the New River, runs. The valley sits between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains and is a quiet place surrounded by natural beauty. Typical temperatures in late April range between lows of 42°F (6°C) to highs of 65°F (19°C).

For your caffeine fix, check out these coffee shops.

• Bollo's Cafe & Bakery - local and well priced; excellent tea selection.
• Coffeeholics - local and with lots of pastries.
• Halwa - local middle eastern bakery and coffeehouse.
• Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea - local with good work space.
• Starbucks - you know what to expect here.

Here are some local restaurants that are an easy walk from campus.

• 622 North - modern American sit down restaurant.
• Benny Marzano's - take out pizza by the slice.
• Blacksburg No. 1 - hand pulled ramen noodle.
• Cabo Fish Taco - popular Mexi-Cali restaurant.
• The Cellar Restaurant - classic Greek/Italian.
• El Rodeo - fast and affordable Mexican sitdown.
• Gillies - local vegetarian and pescatarian cafe with lots of flair.
• India Garden - no frills Indian lunch buffet.
• Joe's Diner - diner style; breakfast/lunch only.
• Mellow Mushroom - quirky sit-down pizza restaurant.
• Spicity - popular Chinese fare.

In addition there are several chain restaurants within walking distance. For more information about restaurants and shopping see the Downtown Blacksburg website.

The 64st International Street Fair will take place on April 27, 2025, from 12-5 p.m. on Alumni Mall at Virginia Tech.

The New River Valley is filled with beautiful and historic locations to hike, swim, and explore; one definitely won’t be disappointed when venturing outside in the area. There are numerous opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities in the immediate vicinity. The Appalachian Trail, a famous hiking trail that runs from Georgia to Maine, passes west of Blacksburg (with easy access points at Pearisburg and Catawba) while the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic motorway with excellent views of the valleys, passes to the east. The Inn at Virginia Tech has some excellent suggestions for outdoor activities.