Fall in love with the scenery, food, shopping and history of Roanoke | Travel
Buff Roanoke, the Mountain Bike Capital of the East Coast, is also an unabashed romantic that invites couples to celebrate being together in a welcoming metropolis that embraces love in all its forms.
Affable, accessible and navigable, Virginia’s Star City invites the pursuit of history, art, nature, shopping, food and each other.
A diverse population of 100,000 has shaped an eclectic dining scene nurtured by chefs such as Andy Schlosser, general manager at The Liberty Trust Hotel downtown. The adventurous Schlosser, who has quite an impressive culinary pedigree, delights patrons with shareable plates such as khachapuri, the wickedly delicious national dish from the country of Georgia. Thanks to chefs like Schlosser, Roanoke has emerged as a foodie haven overflowing with authentic dishes from around the world.
The Liberty Trust, rated third hottest new hotel in the country on TripAdvisor and in the top 1% of “best of the best” hotels, reflects the unique nature of Roanoke’s downtown lodging.
Built in 1910 to house First National Bank, the property has rightfully earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Now painstakingly transformed into a boutique hotel, the seven-story former “Temple of Finance” houses The Vault restaurant, resplendent with soaring ceilings, marble columns and a popular high-end wine tasting room located inside one of the bank’s elaborate Beaux Arts vaults.
Any exploration of the city should commence with a drive to the iconic symbol of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the Roanoke Star atop leafy Mill Mountain. The scenic overlook at the base of the Star, the largest illuminated, free-standing manmade star in the world, affords glorious downtown and mountain views.
Take time to amble through the network of trails, but on the way down — or up — stop at Blue Cow Ice Cream Company, an artisan small-batch scoop shop with flavors such as Banana Puddin’, a classic Southern treat of caramelized bananas and wafer, and Blue Cow Patty, a combination of Butterfinger, Oreos, bittersweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate ice cream so sinful it should be declared illegal.
From the starry ice cream, head to the Taubman Museum of Art. It’s easy to love the distinctive building of metal peaks and valleys that recall the neighboring Blue Ridge Mountains. Eleven galleries and 15 to 20 annual exhibitions have included works by Thomas Eakins, John Singer Sargent, John James Audubon and Norman Rockwell, and admission is free … always.
After your fill of art, stroll down a covered walkway from the museum for dinner at the Hotel Roanoke’s Regency Room. The Norfolk and Western Railway, headquartered in the city, built the Tudor-style hotel in 1882. A $28 million renovation in 1995, together with a $13 million conference center, reshaped a historic structure that has hosted six U.S. presidents, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, not to mention Jerry Seinfeld and Aerosmith.
Named for the hotel’s opening year, the 1882 Lobby Bar nods to its Norfolk and Western Railway heritage with a design that recalls an elegant train station. The bar delivers a collection of authentic pre-Prohibition cocktails, bespoke draft brews and modern mixology and wines.
For serious ahhh! moments, the Salt Foot Sanctuary, also at Hotel Roanoke, melts away tension, stress and soreness. Here, individuals and couples can soak in the bliss of hand-hammered copper bowls filled with warm water and ancient natural minerals, aromatic essential oils and even a bit of Blue Ridge mountain salt.
How about some serious shopping? Star City delivers with iconic establishments like Orvis and Mast General Store, as well as with locally owned shops such as the LGBTQ-owned Crafteria, home to the works of local and regional artisans, not to mention a delicious Puerto Rican restaurant.
As much an attraction as a shopping experience, Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke’s Grandin Village neighborhood is familiar to fans of “Salvage Dawgs,” DIY Network staple for 11 seasons. A visit to the 40,000-square-foot warehouse should never be rushed, given the countless nooks and crannies of reclaimed materials and locally crafted gifts and art waiting to be admired. For a romantic photo op, it’s hard to beat the giant LOVE sign outside Black Dog, one of nearly 300 Virginia LOVEworks sprinkled around the state.
Adjacent to Black Dog, the Roanoke River Greenway, a 10-mile network of pleasant trails, can be accessed at Vic Thomas Park, which also contains an array of art billowing from the park’s wild grasses, as well as a beginner-friendly mountain bike skills loop should biking skills need honing.
Historic and hip, Grandin Village is made for leisurely pursuits, from browsing at Too Many Books and grazing on farm-to-table burgers at FarmBurguesa to catching classic flicks at its Art Deco Grandin Theatre.
Beyond the city, adventure beckons. Explore Park, accessed via the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, offers 14 miles of walking and biking trails, a TreeTop Quest, and on-site cabins and yurts for a bit of romance amidst nature. Enjoy a craft beer or Virginia wine at the park’s Twin Creeks Brewpub in the 1700s-era Brugh Tavern. A visit during the holiday season is particularly memorable when the park shimmers with Illuminights, more than a mile of decorated walking trails.
The city couldn’t be better located for history lovers, since within easy reach are Thomas Jefferson’s “second home,” Poplar Forest, the National D-Day Memorial and the Booker T. Washington National Monument, plus many more.
Mountain biking is fun, of course, but the romance of Roanoke extends well beyond the trails.
Maria Sonnenberg is a Brevard-based freelance travel and lifestyles writer.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Visiting Roanoke, Virginia? Don't miss these stops while you're there
