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read moreBack to School! Fun Things to Do at Valdosta State University
Whether it’s your first time at VSU or your fourth, there’s always plenty to do when visiting Valdosta State University. The back-to-school season here is filled with local food, live music, and activities for every member of your family.
Start the upcoming year at VSU off with a bang and check out the activities below. School is now in session!
Visit Wild Food Weekends at Wild Adventures
Explore 170 acres of thrilling rides, water slides, and culinary adventures during Wild Food Weekends at Wild Aventures. Hosted over three consecutive weekends in August, Wild Food Adventures is a perfect way to celebrate the last week of summer before heading back to school.
Live entertainment will keep the party going while street vendors dish out some of the best local cuisine that Valdosta has to offer. Feeling adventurous? Try hometown favorites like pulled pork with watermelon BBQ sauce, gator hot sauce wings, pickle juice lemonade, and more! When you’re done, check out the rides, waterpark, and zoo to see why Wild Adventures was named Goergia’s #1 theme park.
For dates and ticket info, check out Wild Food Weekends online.
Catch the outdoor concert series Music in the Art Park
After a day of moving into dorms, touring campus, and shopping at the VSU bookstore, it’s time to relax! Reconnect with school friends or unwind with your family at the Music in the Art Park concert series.
Hosted by the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, this outdoor concert features a local band playing country, traditional bluegrass, rock-n-roll, and more. The event is pet- and kid-friendly, making it a great option for every kind of concertgoer.
Food and beverages are usually available for purchase from local vendors, so grab your blankets and chairs and enjoy some music under the stars!
For event info and band details, visit Music in the Art Park.
Sip local flavors at the Georgia Beer Company
Celebrate the start of a new school year with locally crafted, seasonal beers from the Georgia Beer Company.
True to its name, the Georgia Beer Company brews most of its beers in a traditional style using Georgia-grown ingredients. Its founders met while studying at Valdosta State University, and their friendship led to the development of Valdosta’s first brewery (fun fact: Georgia Beer Company is also the state’s southernmost brewery). Georgia is reflected throughout the menu, from locally-sourced ingredients to unique flavor pairings that bring together the most interesting parts of the region.
Beers on tap change regularly, but you’ll always find something for everyone between a wide range of flagship brews, seasonal offerings, and small batch series.
Check out the current lineup (and some past favorites) at Georgia Beer Company.
Explore the area’s history with the self-paced Valdosta walking tour
The self-guided walking tour of Valdosta is a popular activity for incoming freshmen as well as returning students. New students can tour the city and learn more about the history of their new home away from home. Returning students can rediscover what makes Valdosta so great!
The tour stops at 10 of Valdosta’s oldest buildings and historic monuments – including a walk through Valdosta State University! Stop by VSU’s iconic West Hall and learn more about the school, the campus, and the role they played in the town’s rich history. Since the tour is entirely self-paced, you can enjoy it at any time.
Check out Valdosta’s self-guided walking tour route and explore the heart of Lowndes County!
Watch the Blazers kick off the opening football game at VSU
It’s time to show off your best VSU pride and cheer on the Valdosta State Blazers at the opening football game.
The first game of the season typically falls in early September at Valdosta State’s Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Another home game toward the end of September marks VSU’s Family Weekend on campus and a third home game in October marks Homecoming Weekend.
Whether you catch the first in the season or all three, any matchup with this four-time national champion is bound to be full of Blazer spirit!
Check out the Valdosta State Blazer football website for ticket sales, season passes, game info, and more.
Shop local and enjoy fresh produce at the Makers Market
Once you’ve moved into your dorm, it’s time to stock up on local produce, unique decor, and more! Head to downtown Valdosta’s Makers Market and shop from a selection of farmers, growers, and artisans from South Georgia and North Florida.
This outdoor market is held at the historic Lowndes County Courthouse Square and includes live music – making it a fun way to shop for dorm life while also experiencing the heart of downtown Valdosta.
You can enjoy the downtown Valdosta Makers Market on the 2nd Saturday of every month from May – December.
Plan your next trip to VSU
From theme park adventures to relaxing concerts under the stars, there is plenty to see and do when visiting Valdosta State University.
Want even more ideas for family fun or weekend getaways in Valdosta? Check out our calendar of upcoming events in Valdosta or plan your next adventure.