10 Reasons to Visit Roanoke, Virginia in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Tune into new kinds of adventure with a trip to Roanoke, Virginia, an outdoors focused city that sits on the world famous Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail. Find easy access to backcountry hiking, international cuisine and an up and coming downtown.  And in nearby spots like Botetourt County and Smith Mountain Lake- turn up the intensity with white water kayaking and fly boarding- a newer water sport that really will take you to new heights. Whatever fun you choose, find a city that proudly holds onto the Lewis & Clark history and carries out an explorative spirit just as much as it did when these two Virginia born pioneers first traveled through the region.  Read on to find out other top spots in this destination.

1. Flyboard with Wet Connections at the Crazy Horse Marina, in Moneta, less than an hour from Roanoke in Moneta, VA. Flyboarding, introduced in 2011, isn’t exactly a common sport, so let’s break it down.  Riders stand on a board similar to a wakeboard that is connected by a long hose to a jet ski. Water rushes to a pair of boots with jet nozzles underneath, providing enough pressure for the rider to fly up to 15 meters in the air. Boats and jet skis are also up for rental. Or consider a guided fishing charter with Captain Kenny Short, who caught his first striper at the age of 13 and has been honing his fishing skills ever since.

Insider’s Tip: After your tour grab fish tacos at Nearby Mangos Bar and Grill for a spot on the water.

Details: Wet Connections

Address: 400 Crazy Horse Road

Pricing: $50: includes 15 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of flight time.

 Plus catch a video of me crashing hear! 

And this is how the instructors fly.. Much more Pro! 

Details: Fishing Charter

www.kennysstriperguideservice.com

(Departs from Gills Creek Marina)

Pricing: Prices vary between $300-$400 for Half Day (4-5 hours) and $500-$600 for a Full Day (8-9 hours).

2. Take a hike in Mill Mountain Park where you will find trails for all levels.  The trails feature Roanoke’s highest point – the summit of Mill Mountain at 1703 feet and another popular hiking spot like the steam side trail, where you will be led to a 30 foot cascading waterfall after a quick 1.5 mile hike along sheer rock faces.  Beforehand keep an eye out for a 19^th century iron furnace along Roaring Run Falls in Botetourt County.

Details: www.visitvablueridge.com

 

3. Walk around history at the Booker T Washington National Monument, which commemorates the birthplace of a man remembered for being a prominent educator and orator.  Walk around the property and plantation to see where he actually lived and worked. The plantation trail passes by reconstructions of 19^th century farm buildings. You will also learn about historic breeds of animals and gardening techniques to grow crops including tobacco, potatoes and grains during the Civil War.

Details: https://www.nps.gov/bowa/index.htm

4. Wine On.  The Wine Trail of Botetourt County offers a ‘taste of the good life’ within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains where you will find the Blue Ridge Vineyard, one of the states first Vineyards with a focus on handcrafted, small lot, and affordable wines.  Watch for wildlife like Logan the bear, explore nature trails and picnic at the vineyard while enjoying vast views. Stop in on Sundays between 1-4 for local live music.

Details: https://www.blueridgevineyard.com/

Pricing: Starting in 2015, tastings are $5.00 each, forgiven with the purchase of two bottles of wine.

5. Play Ball.  Grab a mitt in hopes of catching a foul ball at a Salem Red Sox game, a minor league baseball team  (Class A Advanced Affiliate) that plays at Lewis Gale Field in Salem, just a few minutes from Roanoke. Now a farm team of the Boston Red Sox, the team was formerly known as the Salem Avalanche until 2008 and was previously affiliated with the Colorado Rockies.

Details:

Pricing: Grab Tickets for as low as 7 bucks.

6. Explore Grandin, an old fashioned neighborhood that keeps it fresh with trendy new businesses set up alongside historic spots. Catch a mainstream or independent movie at the historic Grandin Theatre, a movie palace that opened in 1932 and still sports unique décor. A few doors down, try a non-traditional cupcake at Viva La Cupcake, where some treats are infused with alcohol.  The “after five line” offers up flavors reminiscent of cosmos, margaritas, Bailey’s Irish Cream and even a mojito. Or, try a non-boozy flavor with options that include PB&J, Butterscotch Supreme, Cotton Candy and S’mores.  Grandin is also home to Black Dog Salvage, a 40,000 square-foot warehouse, that is the center point for the reality TV show Salvage Dogs. The show follows owners, Mike Whiteside and Robert Kulp, who restore and refurbish furniture and flip architectural treasures from across the world for big time profits. Stop inside and chances are the owners will show you around the merchandise- including custom designed mantels, stained glass, wrought iron, doors and windows.

Details: Grandin Theatre (https://www.grandintheatre.com/)

Viva La Cupcake https://www.vivalacupcakes.com/

Black Dog Salvage: https://www.blackdogsalvage.com/

7. Time on the Water. Head out for a bit of a more extreme kayaking adventure with Twin River Outfitters in Buchanan, VA.  Horseshoe Bend to Springwood runs 3.5 miles across a few class II rapids.  Make sure to ask your guide to show you the secret waterfall at the end of the trip.

Details: https://canoevirginia.net/

Pricing: Kayaks rent for $35. (Canoes and Rafts are also available for rent)

8. Hop to it at Downtown Roanoke’s Soaring Ridge Craft Brewery where Twisted Stump porter is house favorite with notes of chocolate, caramel and black malts.   Next, head over to Parkway Brewing in Salem, where you can enjoy Bridge Builder Blonde, tempered with hints of clove, banana and pear.  Or visit Sunken City Brewery, in Hardy, Virginia near the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake.  Sip on a seasonal batch of Sunktoberfest, a festive amber lager.

Details:

Soaring Ridge Craft Brewery https://www.soaringridge.com/

Parkway Brewing https://parkwaybrewing.com/

Sunken City Brewery https://sunkencitybeer.com/

 

9. Roanoke Food Tours.  Grab a small taste from 7 different restaurants to experience some of the top foodie spots with Roanoke Food Tours. Sampling starts with a fancier bite at the historic Hotel Roanoke and carries on for international tastes featuring Lebanese food and even another spot for cold pressed juice. The tour stops at Texas Tavern, an old-fashioned burger stand where servers dress in traditional diner get up complete with white paper hats. Come back for a full burger or hot dog for just a $1.30- just don’t forget the sissy sauce- their lingo for ketchup.

Details: https://www.roanokefoodtours.com/ Pricing: Adults; $42 weekdays – $45 Saturdays | Adolescents; $30 (8-12 yrs.) | Child; $18 (7 & Under) or Free if not eating.

10. Shop Downtown at small businesses like the Appalachia Press, where several greeting cards are designed and printed using an antique letterpress operated by hand.  Next, take your adventure to the freshly renovated Center in the Square. Check the fourth floor for entrance to the Butterfly Garden where butterflies from around the world are ready to greet you. You will also find an aquarium, museums and a theatre all housed within one building.

Details:  www.downtownroanoke.org and www.centerinthesquare.org

Carri’s Catch: One of my favorite spots in town was eating at Local Roots, a local restaurant specializing in food that is fresh and served natural and in-season at the peak of its flavor.  The restaurant sticks to a philosophy called S.O.L.E.: Sustainable, Organic, Local, and Ethical. Top menu picks include the LR agnolotti butternut squash and the VA striped bass, with Siberian kale, hen egg and roasted cauliflower.

Details: https://www.localrootsrestaurant.com/