Smithfield Plantation

Smithfield Plantation

Smithfield Plantation
4.5

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles105 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
28
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Sjpooh
Akron, OH122 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Solo
I had a one night stay in Blacksburg and arrived in mid afternoon . After checking in at hotel, I found the Smithfield Plantation. What a gem! It’s a self guided tour and gives you a small, but accurate view of life in the late 1700- 1800’s. Not only do you get an idea of the owner’s family but a glimpse of slave life. The lady who introduced me to the house was quite knowledgeable and the young man in the ticket/museum shop were friendly and welcoming. This does not take a long time to visit but is well your time. It’s very near Virginia Tech grounds.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ginny C
Bloomfield, NJ12 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
It was so much more interesting than I thought it would be! We had an excellent tour guide, Ryan, who was very knowledgeable about absolutely everything. It was clear that he knew his history and had done research on the plantation and the period. I was especially impressed that in each room they include information about the enslaved people at the plantation, as well as the owners. It gave a much fuller picture of life there.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol C
Arden, NC92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Friends
Stumbled upon this gem. Tour guide was fabulous. He was so clearly passionate about his work. Tour was inexpensive and they waited for us to start. Excellent combination of plantation and southern history with anecdotes mixed in. Also met a wonderful volunteer who offered her own nuggets of information. Not super long- realty just right
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GoPlaces00143147862
Williamsburg, VA3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2018 • Couples
We came to Smithfield to learn about the history of the plantation in SW VA. An older white man gave the tour. he had the nerve to call the enslaved people ‘servants’... !!!! He didn’t say a single thing not once about the enslaved, the individuals who made the plantation run day in and out for decades for the plantation owners. I kept thinking about the invisible lives of these poor enslaved people the whole time, just waiting for there to be a conversation about them or even acknowledgement, but there was ZERO effort to show that side of history. I have been to other plantations in the South that do a much better job of this. We got a totally whitewashed tour thanks to Smithfield. Never coming back again wish I hadn’t paid for a tour
Written October 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David W
4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
I took my sister and mother on a tour here just this week. I have toured Smithfield before and was excited to share because of the wonderful tour we had with a historian in spring. Now they have college students giving the tours. The quality of the tour has totally plummeted. Don't waste your money on the tour! You can explore the grounds for free though the gardens feel neglected. The student couldn't answer many of our questions - a disappointment.
Written July 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bluebelldays
Blacksburg, VA16 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Couples
I wanted to like Smithfield, I really did. But I found admission pretty overpriced and the exhibits not all that interesting. Even the grounds could use a little bit more oomph. Still, happy for the historical preservation going on. I just wouldn't put it on the must-see list.
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott K
Blacksburg, VA22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
It is hard to believe that such a wonderful place exists right next to the Virginia Tech campus. The house and grounds are in excellent condition and the staff is very informative. We've been to Madison and Jefferson's homes. This is a step down from those in terms of the preservation and the size but they have done an impressive job resorting the home. Well worth the visit. Give the smaller size and smaller number of visitors, it's s good location for kids.
Written July 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RHfam
Round Hill, VA28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017
We stumbled upon Smithfield Plantation while in Blacksburg with a few hours to spare. Tucked into a corner of the Virginia Tech campus, it's a lovely, well-tended garden spot with a very interesting house to tour historically. Our tour operator, a working historian herself, was quite knowledgable on both the founding family and the impact to local and national politics, leading right up to the Civil War. Give yourself an hour or two here, very recommended.
Written January 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chaos_Rabbit
Blacksburg, VA14 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Family
This historic plantation on the Virginia Tech campus preserves a fascinating part of Virginia history. The exhibits are beautiful and the interpreters do a great job of explaining life at the time, for the wealthy plantation family as well as for the slaves and servants/farm workers. There is something for everyone here--historic garden, buildings, work equipment, toys. They do a wonderful holiday tea in December and they often have children as volunteers in period dress and playing traditional games. The gift shop is a great place for old-fashioned toys and books for children as well as many beautiful Virginia-made items, such as beeswax candles.
Written September 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kirbyhall2015
Herndon, VA201 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Family
Strongly recommend a visit to Smithfield Plantation when you're in Blacksburg. The plantation is small enough for a quick visit in between activities on the Tech campus, and can be reached from Duck Pond by a two-minute drive. However, if the place catches your fancy, you can easily spend one or two hours, or more, learning its amazing history and the vibrant, tragic, and inspirational life stories of the individuals who occupied it since 1772. The main building looks like a house you'd find in Williamsburg - which is no accident, as the original builder wanted to bring a taste of 'burg life to the area. The story of the house and its inhabitants add a fascinating dimension to understanding the Blacksburg area as a part of our nation's history. As you park, make sure you notice the 500-year-old oak standing stately in its field in front of the house. Five stars, highly recommended by this Virginia history lover.
Written February 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SMITHFIELD PLANTATION (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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