Roanoke, Virginia, is my hometown in some ways. We moved to the area when I was in high school (which was a fairly crazy phase in my life). I have seen Roanoke through some changes – both in it and in me. Decades ago, it felt like a boring, sleepy little town that was struggling to keep residents and families there. But when I go today, I am fascinated by how different it feels. Today, it is a vibrant city that caters particularly well to an outdoor adventure crowd. There are craft breweries, hiking trails in the Blue Ridge, mountain biking parks, great restaurants, and a cute downtown market that is thriving.
Roanoke has changed. We grew up together, and it feels like we’ve both finally found ourselves.
I am popping into this post to share a few of my favorite things from Roanoke – things we’ve enjoyed through the years when we’ve returned with our boys to visit family. This list is not exhaustive, and I don’t live in Roanoke anymore (we settled in nearby Charlottesville). But it should convince you that Roanoke is worth a stop.
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Table of Contents
About Roanoke (& the Center in the Square)
Roanoke originally boomed as a railroad town. Today, the Norfolk Southern line still runs through it, but when the company moved its headquarters out of downtown Roanoke in the 1980s, it decimated the local economy. Thanks to conscious investments by the City as well as a health industry buttressed by Carilion and Virginia Tech, Roanoke has experienced a rejuvenation. In recent years, it has reversed its population decline and, billed as an outdoor adventure epicenter, people are bringing their families to Roanoke and starting life in the valley. It helps, too, that it is a city cradled in the mountains with beautiful landscapes and plenty of places to enjoy nature.
Today, Roanoke is a large metropolitan area with over 100,000 residents.
Downtown Roanoke’s Center in the Square is the best place to start your journey here. The heart of downtown, it is pedestrian-friendly with so many great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, local boutiques, and vintage shopping. There is a theater where local talent puts on fantastic shows, definitely worth checking out.
During the warm months, a vibrant farmers’ market here reminds you that you are in the heart of agricultural land, and the bounty of the nearby fields is remarkable. Take some time to stroll the Center in the Square to start your visit.
Where to Stay in Roanoke
It isn’t the most budget-friendly, but if you can, stay at the Hotel Roanoke downtown.
The hotel is a historic building, originally opened in 1882. Yet it sat unoccupied and unused for years (from 1989 to 1995). I remember when they reopened to great fanfare as part of a Renew Roanoke campaign. And it worked! When the Tudor-style hotel opened its doors again, it truly helped rejuvenate the downtown area.Â
It can’t be beat for location, and it has beautiful facilities.
Today, it is owned by Virginia Tech and operated by Hilton. More at hotelroanoke.com.
The Best Things to Do in Roanoke, Virginia
Explore Park
Explore Park is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway and was designed to be a nature lover’s destination. It has had an interesting past (there were rumors that Disney was going to purchase it at one point), and while the idea hit so many financial roadblocks during its creation, today this is a great spot that I hope everyone uses more.
There are over 1,000 acres of wilderness adventure to be had. The park has camping and even a brewpub on site (historic). There is a zipline for treetop family adventures. There are mountain bike trails and hiking trails. Really, there is something for everyone here.
- Explore Park is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 115. www.roanokecountyparks.com/231/Explore-Park
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Our boys were train-obsessed as kids. (We still have way too many Thomas the Tank Engine pieces and parts around.) They were always delighted to visit the Virginia Museum of Transportation, located next to the railroad tracks in downtown Roanoke. Our kids even attended summer camps here way back when.
The museum is located in an old freight station and, as I mentioned, is next to active railroad tracks. It was always incredibly exciting to my kids when the actual Norfolk Southern line blew its whistle and came barreling down the tracks behind the museum.
- The Virginia Museum of Transportation is located at 303 Norfolk Ave SW. www.vmt.org
The Star and Overlook
Roanoke is called the Star City. So this is basically a must-do. With a huge star (which can be seen from most parts of the city and is illuminated at night) and sweeping views of the valley from a viewpoint, I can’t even count how many times we’ve been up here.
Fun fact: it is currently the world’s largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. It was built in 1949 and has been a defining monument of Roanoke ever since.
There are hiking trails, a visitor’s center, and even a zoo in the area. We usually park in the lot that is most accessible to the star itself and walk the easy path to the viewpoint.
- The Mill Mountain Star and overlook are located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 120. www.visitroanokeva.com
Taubman Art Museum
Located in downtown Roanoke, this art museum opened in 2008 in a very modern building, adding a jaunty playfulness to the skyline. According to online notes, there are over 2,000 works of art that include prominent 19th- and early 20th-century American art, as well as significant modern and contemporary art, photography, design, and decorative arts, and several smaller collections including Southern folk art. I can only confirm that it is worth meandering through the museum and enjoying the collection.
- The Taubman Museum of Art is located at 110 Salem Ave SE. www.taubmanmuseum.org
Hike
Roanoke is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is so much fabulous hiking here that you really need only decide your preferred length and level of challenge, and you can find something that will impress you!
- This is a good starting list, but bear in mind that some are in Bedford & Peaks of Otter (see our post on that) or at Smith Mountain Lake (see our post on the Lake): gohikevirginia.com/hiking-near-roanoke-va. This post does a good job of breaking things down by proximity to Roanoke: www.tomakemuchoftime.com
Splash Valley Waterpark
The Splash Valley Waterpark is an outdoor facility that our kids love going to, but it is a warm-weather destination. It sits at the Green Ridge Recreation Center, which also has an indoor pool very friendly to kids.
- Splash Valley Waterpark is located at the Green Ridge Recreation Center. www.roanokecountyparks.comÂ
The Pinball Museum
This spot is FUN! While it is intended to be a museum honoring the art of pinball machines starting from the 1930s to today, it is “hands-on.” So yes, you get to play pinball!Â
Be sure to book your ticket in advance as this spot is very popular and sells out.
- The Pinball Museum is located at 1 Market Street, inside Center in the Square. roanokepinball.org
Enjoy the Greenway - take an eBike Tour
When Roanoke created the greenway system, it was a game-changer. This intricate system of paths makes the city incredibly accessible – and is enjoyable to explore as well! Some of the greenway paths will take you to breweries and restaurants, too. So take the time to make a day of it.
- A map of the greenways can be found at roanokeoutside.com. See more here. Our boys have had a lot of fun at the Wasena Skate Park.
- Bonus: Wasena City Tap Room is very close to the greenway and River.
- Contact Roanoke Mountain Adventures for an eBike tour.
Mountain Bike at Carvins Cove
I don’t mountain bike, but Mr. Family Trip does, and he’s been out to Carvins Cove quite a few times. He absolutely enjoys the trails and scene here (the right amount of climbing challenge and downhill cruising).
- Carvins Cove is located at 9644 Reservoir Road. Get a trail map at www.playroanoke.com
Where to Eat in Roanoke
There is no shortage of good restaurants in Roanoke. The food scene is diverse, with some great talent coming to the area to produce innovative dishes. I am just popping in to share a few that have impressed me lately.
Visit the Breweries
I mentioned Wasena Tap Room (the location and the family-friendly nature of it has made this a spot we’ve visited a few times), but in recent years the number of local breweries in Roanoke has exploded.
If you head to this link, www.visitroanokeva.com, you can access a Cheers Trail map as well as tips on which breweries are closest to hiking. This link here, roanokeoutside.com, will put all 15+ breweries on a map for your convenience.
Texas Tavern (a classic)
Late-night delicious, cheap hot dogs with chili and hamburgers with an egg is what you will find at Texas Tavern. Of course, you don’t have to wait until the sun goes down, but this Roanoke spot is a classic institution in the city.
- Texas Tavern is located at 114 Church Ave. texastavern-inc.com (Cash only)
Scratch Biscuit
This spot is so good that I even drove across town and waited in the Sunday morning line to get these. (The line moves fast.) A buttery southern biscuit fits life so well at times.
- Scratch Biscuit is located at 1820 Memorial Ave SW. scratchbiscuit.com
Tuco's Taqueria
I came here for the first time this past spring and was so impressed! The service was great, the food and drinks were creative and tasty.
- Tuco’s Taqueria is located at 416 Salem Ave SW. tucostaqueria.com
Further Afield
There are a few other towns and places worth discovering near Roanoke (if you have time to break away from the city life).
Smith Mountain Lake
This is where I spent many years of my teen/young adult life and it has a special place in my heart. Booker T Washington National Monument, a state park, boating, fishing, and beautiful waters all make this a place to visit.
Bedford
Bedford seems like a quiet little town that you blink and miss, but it is home to the Peaks of Otter (showcasing one of the most popular hikes in the area), Beales Brewery, the National D-Day Memorial, and world-class disc golf.
This area of the country is truly special, magical. As the hazy blues and greens waft up from the mountains, it’s not hard to see why the earliest Americans settled here, and why people keep coming back.
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