Just two hours from Charlottesville, Roanoke is an ideal destination for a weekend trip for couples, families, or groups of friends. Its 100-foot-high illuminated steel star has earned it the nickname Star City, and its multitude of biking trails are to thank for its recognition as the Mountain Bike Capital of the East. But there are plenty of other reasons to visit, too. Whether you’re strolling around Downtown, walking over to Wasena from Vic Thomas Park, or making the short drive to Grandin Village, there’s no shortage of shops, restaurants, art, and outdoor activities to explore.
Where to Stay
If a boutique hotel stay is what you’re searching for, look no further than Fire Station One, a renovated fire station originally built in 1912 that still incorporates design elements from its original use. Each room is decorated in a minimalistic style, and front-facing rooms give guests a bird’s eye view of the town while still remaining cozy and quiet. The hotel’s restaurant, Stock, offers high-quality cocktails, wine, and beer alongside a Scandinavian and Nordic-inspired menu. Visitors can also tour (and purchase from) the selection of home goods and wine in TXTUR, adjacent to Stock on the first floor.
For travelers looking for a different historic hotel, turn to the Hotel Roanoke, built in 1882. The spacious property offers a variety of room sizes, including suites, as well as a spa and multiple dining options.
Food and Drinks
Food enthusiasts will appreciate the plethora of aromas wafting from the many restaurants in Roanoke’s downtown area. For breakfast or lunch, Scrambled at the City Market Building has something for every egg-lover on the menu. Meanwhile, On The Rise is a solid choice for sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, and gluten-free options.
For dinner with an expansive view of downtown, make reservations at Six and Sky. The rooftop grille offers a wide array of seafood from crab dip studded with an abundance of lump crab meat to impressive lobster tails and an exquisite rainbow trout with wild mushrooms. Meat-eaters will be pleased, too, with the selection of steaks available. Thirsty? Choose wine from their curated list, or opt for one of their Instagram-worthy seasonal cocktails.
Another downtown dining option is Lucky, a stylish yet approachable restaurant and bar serving up sophisticated cocktails alongside comfort food prepared with locally sourced ingredients. For a unique dish, pop into this spot for their Den Hill Farm Lion’s Mane Cakes.
If you feel like exploring a little further, try strolling over to Wasena by way of the Roanoke River Greenway. For breakfast or lunch, stop by RND Coffee Lounge. The small-batch roastery with exposed brick walls is the perfect spot to settle in with coffee, tea, and breakfast or lunch bites like muffins, pastries, bagels, or avocado toast. For dinner, check out bloom, where Chef Nathan Sloan and his team prepare innovative small plates in an open kitchen.
For those headed to Grandin Village to visit the historic Grandin Theater and peruse the shops, consider fueling up at Scratch Biscuit. Get a housemade biscuit stacked with dozens of options and combinations from eggs, fried chicken, and country ham to catfish or Spam.
Finally, if you want to take a tour of cuisines, try heading down Williamson Road. For Asian, Middle Eastern, Cuban, and Mexican, try Viet Sub, Sticks & Spoons Ramen, Bethlehem Restaurant and Grocery, Cuban Island, and Mi Tapatia.
Art, Museums, and Shopping
Roanoke is filled with art at nearly every turn, from the sculptures in Elmwood Art Park to the statue of Henrietta Lacks in the eponymous plaza dedicated to her -- and much more. One must-see is the Taubman Museum of Art, which is, itself, a masterpiece -- its architecture pays homage to the Shenandoah Valley and mountains. Visit the free museum and tour their multiple permanent collections, or pay a small fee to also visit the ticketed exhibitions. Don’t miss out on the stunning, colorful mural painted by blind artist John Bramblitt. Other museums in the area include the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke Pinball Museum, and STARcade -- adults and children will enjoy them all, and the latter two are interactive.
There are numerous shops for books, clothes, and food throughout Roanoke, but for the lover of thrift shopping, no trip to Roanoke is complete without a trip to Black Dog Salvage. The 40,000+ square foot store is filled with unique architectural salvage-inspired design and work from regional artisans. It's also the home of the “Salvage Dawgs” show from DIY Network.
Outdoors
If getting outside is your goal on vacation, Roanoke is the place to do it. Opportunities for biking, paddling, fishing, and hiking abound, and making your way up to the Roanoke Star is a must. For a fairly easy hike that’s worth the drive, head to Roaring Run Falls for a peaceful trail that leads to a breathtaking waterfall. For detailed information about outdoor activities, go to VisitRoanokeVA.org.
There are plenty of reasons to visit Roanoke -- whether you’re strolling around Downtown, walking over to Wasena from Vic Thomas Park, or making the short drive to Grandin Village, there’s no shortage of shops, restaurants, art, and outdoor activities to explore.