Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge recently invited Julie and me to explore the region. While touring the top attractions in Roanoke, Virginia, colorful names and experiences highlighted our adventures. Upon reflection, the area offers so many colorful adventures that it paints a rainbow across the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains.
Let’s take a closer look at the must-experience attractions.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
When it comes to things to do in Roanoke, Virginia, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains immediately spring to mind. Here, you will find all the outdoor adventures you can think of, from hiking and biking to paddling and chasing waterfalls.
Whether you want thrilling adventures or to admire the beauty of the forested ridges, there is no better way to explore the mountains than the Blue Ridge Parkway. Roanoke is minutes from “America’s Favorite Drive, providing easy access to the scenic drive with more than 200 overlooks.
Blue Cow Ice Cream
Hailing from greater Cincinnati, I am a harsh critic of ice cream. Our beloved Graeter’s Ice Cream is so good that Oprah Winfrey once featured it on her show. So, yes, the bar is set high. Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. passes the test with flying colors.
When I discovered Blue Cow offers ice cream flights, I gladly obliged by ordering key lime pie, triple berry crisp, strawberry balsamic, and Red Rooster Coffee with housemade bittersweet chocolate chips. Julie, my better half and someone with a sense of willpower, went with a single serving of banana pudding ice cream in a waffle cone. All five flavors registered a ten on the Richter scale.
We floated on a cloud of bliss for the rest of the evening. To this day, we still talk about our experience at Blue Cow. We would gladly go to Roanoke again, even if we could only visit Blue Cow.
Roanoke River Greenway
The Roanoke River Greenway is a paved trail that takes you along the river, through small parks, and across and under bridges. Julie and I rented e-bikes from Roanoke Mountain Adventures. The friendly and knowledgeable staff helped us choose the best bikes based on our experience and goals for our ride. Then, we set off on a lovely bike ride with a mix of scenery, including wildflowers, graffiti art on a few buildings, and the highlight, a mother deer and her baby drinking water from the river.
The Roanoke River Greenway covers more than ten miles. Along the way, you will discover a few benches should you want to rest or enjoy the scenery. Julie and I completed the journey to Salem and back, feeling accomplished and ready for lunch.
Green Goat
The Green Goat is a fun joint with tasty food and drinks, the ideal place to stop after your bicycle ride on the Roanoke River Greenway. Their broad menu includes salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and calzones. Those who enjoy tacos can choose from Korean tacos and Baja fish tacos.
The Green Goat is true to its word, focusing on fresh ingredients, tasty food, and a relaxed atmosphere. It carries a variety of adult beverages, including beer, wine, mules, margaritas, martinis, and specialty cocktails. The eatery offers indoor seating and a cozy outdoor area with picnic tables under umbrellas and string lights.
I ordered the “Red, White, and Blue” special, a spinach salad with strawberries, blueberries, and goat cheese topped with blackberry vinaigrette. The salad was fresh, tasty, and full of healthy flavor, perfectly capturing what this place is all about.
Black Dog Salvage
You may recognize the name Salvage Dawgs, the popular television show where team members conduct a fast-paced treasure hunt and attempt to reclaim, reuse, and repurpose architectural salvage in any way possible for a sustainable future. Black Dog Salvage is the team behind the show.
You do not need to be a fan of the show to appreciate Black Dog Salvage. Although Julie and I have never seen an episode, we were blown away by the massive store. It covers over 40,000 square feet and has a mind-boggling variety of inventory, including marble mantles, stained glass windows, original works of art, home decor, indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, garden gnomes, gargoyles, and more.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. I cannot begin to do justice to the store’s inventory. It is much more extensive than a combination of the biggest and best yard sale and an antique shop you have ever experienced. Just walking through the store is a lot of fun. Also, you never know what treasures you might find.
Tacos Rojas (Red)
The Roanoke City Market Building has been a food center and communal hub for over a century. It is an iconic landmark that showcases the city’s artistic and culinary spirit. While the building houses various restaurants, Julie and I chose to eat at Tacos Rojas.
From the street, you will discover bright, colorful chairs and tables outside of Tacos Rojas. The restaurant features Mexican cuisine, like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. You may find it odd to see Nopal cactus, also known as prickly pear cactus, on the menu. The plant is renowned for its health benefits.
Although Julie and I were not daring enough to try the Nopal cactus, we enjoyed our meal. Everything was fresh and delicious, bursting with flavor as colorful as the outdoor dining area.
Chocolatepaper
Whether you want decadent chocolate candy or to shop for souvenirs or a greeting card, Chocolatepaper provides a fun, rewarding experience. Julie and I were surprised at the store’s many gift options, from books to quirky stuffed animals. We found so many cute gift ideas and unique items here.
Of course, the store’s highlight is the large glass display case loaded with assorted chocolates. Julie and I purchased several mouthwatering treats and sampled them throughout the week. We each gave the chocolates our stamp of approval. If you enjoy fun boutique shops or eating chocolates, going to Chocolatepaper is a must.
White: The Roanoke Star
Roanoke is dubbed “Star City” because it houses the world’s largest free-standing man-made illuminated star. The 88-foot-tall beacon, also known as the Mill Mountain Star, sits atop Mill Mountain, shining brightly over the valley and serving as the iconic symbol of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. It is Roanoke’s most photographed attraction and a must-see when visiting the region.
Julie and I drove to the top of Mill Mountain after eating our ice cream at Blue Cow. We basked in the star’s glow and savored the view of the valley below. The beautiful bright star sets a mood of peace and happiness, a perfect way to end the evening.
Orange: Sunrise and Sunset
Seeing an orange glow above the Blue Ridge Mountains is special. Weather permitting, you have two opportunities daily to enjoy the view. Blue Ridge Parkway has many overlooks where you can observe sunrise or sunset. Mill Mountain is also an excellent spot. Julie and I caught both a sunrise and a sunset atop Mill Mountain near the Roanoke Star.
If you like to start your day with exercise, you can hike the 3.3.-mile round-trip Star Trail and catch the sunrise atop Mill Mountain as a reward. Julie and I enjoyed the forested hike near sunrise and felt invigorated to face the day.
Amber: Local Breweries
While exploring the area, relax with a refreshing beverage. Whether you prefer your beer amber, golden, red, or dark, Roanoke has some fantastic breweries. Julie and I visited two and enjoyed them both.
The good news is that downtown Roanoke is walkable and has quick access to the breweries between shopping. Olde Salem Brewing Co. sits on Market Street and pours various tasty beers with unique names.
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen and Brewery is located on Campbell Avenue and serves craft beers, cocktails, appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches.
Gold: Treasure in Boutique Shops
Roanoke has fantastic boutique shops where you can hunt for treasure. Diane Speaks, a former flight attendant, owns She’s International Boutique, where she offers items from around the globe. You likely will not find these items anywhere in the country. It is one of the most unique boutique shops we have ever seen.
Book No Further is a fun bookstore that sells new and used books, covering everything from Indie bestsellers to Southern reads. The shop even has a section of banned books.
You will find another bookstore in historic Grandin Village called Too Many Books. The cozy shop features used, rare, and out-of-print books. Seeing stuffed animals like Pooh Bear and Curious George made us feel right at home.
Black Coffee
When traveling, I always look for the best coffee shops and breakfast restaurants. Roanoke has some notable spots. Scrambled on Market Street features eggs prepared in nearly every way possible. The menu also has other breakfast staples, including buttermilk pancakes, vanilla French toast, and biscuits and gravy. Julie and I had scrambled eggs, rye toast, French toast, and biscuits with gravy. Everything was hot, fresh, and tasty.
Those looking for a coffee shop with a casual vibe and delicious coffee and espresso drinks should head to Roasters Next Door. The shop also serves loose-leaf teas, bagels, avocado toast, sandwiches, and sweets. It is the perfect place for a relaxing start to your day.
Bread Craft is a charming bakery with delicious pastries and coffee. The bustling bakery is popular with the locals, and I can see why after visiting. I am ashamed to admit that Julie and I sampled several pastries. All of them were fantastic. As good as the sweets are, I most enjoyed a savory quiche.
Black and Blue: Six and Sky
Roanoke offers a fantastic rooftop experience at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille, where you can grab a bite to eat, sip a cocktail, and savor the view. It is the perfect place for a romantic evening or a casual night with friends.
The hip joint has indoor and outdoor seating. While the indoor area is excellent, the outdoor section offers a superior view of the city, giving way to the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon.
The time of day will determine if you experience a brilliant blue sky or a black night sky dazzled with stars. Either way, the view is spectacular. Because that coveted view is popular, we suggest making reservations.
Red and White: Fortunato
The region’s only traditional Italian kitchen and Neapolitan-style pizzeria, Fortunato, provides a relaxed, fun atmosphere where you can savor delicious food and drinks. Whether you prefer red or white wines, the unique wine list will delight your palate. Fortunato also serves tasty cocktails. The menu features everything from antipasti to pizzas and pasta.
Julie ordered a Margherita pizza, and I had bucatini pasta with tomatoes, guanciale, cracked black pepper, and pecorino romano. The food was hot, fresh, and delicious. Despite a steady crowd, the service was fast and friendly. Julie and I split a mouthwatering cannoli for dessert, an exquisite ending to a lovely meal. Fortunato is also a popular spot, so we suggest making reservations.
Red, White, and Blue: Virginia Museum of Transportation
A trip to the Virginia Museum of Transportation is as American as it gets, an homage to our history of planes, trains, and automobiles. We have been to many museums, but this is one of the coolest and best museums we have seen. Thousand Islands, New York, has an outstanding antique boat museum. However, Roanoke houses a top-notch experience you do not want to miss when it comes to other forms of transportation.
Seeing the collection of antique cars and walking through our aviation history is fascinating. However, walking in the railyard to explore the collection of locomotives and railcars is surreal. Standing next to the giant train cars and reading how much they weigh leaves you feeling like a mouse. Even if you are not a fan of trains, it is such a fun and educational experience. Julie and I thoroughly enjoyed our time here and would return to explore the railyard again.
There is a little bit of something for everyone. We enjoyed seeing covered wagons and the extensive model train exhibit. The museum even has an exhibit for the traveling circus.
Where To Stay
Now that we have shared our top attractions in Roanoke, Virginia, the only question is where to stay. Julie and I stayed at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton. The historic Tudor-style hotel is conveniently located in downtown Roanoke and has hosted guests since 1882.
Do not let that deter you. A wide-scale renovation brings new technology and designs to the guestrooms, combining modern luxury with historic charm. It has an elegant dining room and a new Spa and Wellness Floor. Everything feels luxurious, from the colorful flowers and water fountain outside to the carpeting and chandeliers inside. With a beautiful outdoor area and large event spaces, Hotel Roanoke is also perfect for meetings and weddings.
Whether you seek thrills or relaxation, Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge has colorful adventures for every type of traveler.
Featured image credit: Miles with McConkey
