World-Class Recreation and Culture Meet in Roanoke, Virginia

Known as the Star City of the South, Roanoke, Virginia, is one of those destinations that feels like it was made for a quick, long weekend escape from reality.

Not only is it home to museums, restaurants and shops, but also incredible recreational activities like hiking, biking and kayaking. You can hit all the highlights in a handful of days, including sampling beers at popular breweries and hiking to one of the most photographed spots along the Appalachian Trail.

And, of course, you’re guaranteed a visit to that famous mountaintop star — along with a memorable getaway in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Explore Downtown — and Mill Mountain

Start the trip with a day downtown. First up is breakfast at Scrambled, where you can dine on a charming garden patio. There are plenty of scrambled egg options on the menu, hence the name, but the vanilla-flavored French toast is the real winner. Settle the bill and then it’s time to explore.

Pop over to the Taubman Museum of Art to see a Norman Rockwell painting and explore masterpieces ranging from folk art and contemporary work to ancient Egyptian ceramics and more. Give yourself some time to wander the galleries — and don’t miss the local Roanoke artists, who are displayed alongside international masters.

From here, you’re only a 10-minute walk from the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Here, you can dig into a history of sea planes, trains and cars. The museum is home to more than 2,500 artifacts, which include more than 50 examples of “rolling stock,” or rail cars, plus the largest collection of diesel trains in the South.

While that may sound niche, there’s plenty to learn among this museum’s exhibits. After all, Roanoke was a massive rail hub for the larger Shenandoah Valley in the late 1800s.

When your stomach starts to grumble, head back to the City Market Building, where you had breakfast. There you can choose from various restaurants, but we recommend filling up on fish and chips at Maya’s Kitchen. Afterward, head to Market Square to play some classic pinball machines at the Roanoke Pinball Museum.

After surrounding yourself in the pings and buzzers of pinball, be sure to check out the local shops — particularly Chocolatepaper, which has more than 50 best-selling chocolates and truffles — along Market Street.

Then hop in the car and drive 15 minutes to see the iconic Mill Mountain Star and take in the views at sunset. If there’s time, visit the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden or take a hike on the Watchtower Trail.

Venture to the Crystal Spring neighborhood for dinner at the River & Rail, a restaurant known for house-cured meats and banana pudding. For some late-night fun, kick up the energy a few notches with some line dancing at Corned Beef & Co. While the name may not insinuate it, this is a hot spot for fancy footwork every Friday night.

Saturday: Hike Through History in Salem

Hop in the car — and grab a change of clothes for post-hike — to drive 15 minutes to the nearby city of Salem. Have breakfast at Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro, where you cannot go wrong with any of the freshly baked pastries.

Once you’ve got your caffeine (and baked good) fix, your next stop is the Salem Museum — admission is free, but donations are always appreciated. Learn about the Indigenous people who first called this area home and the European settlers who later laid down roots, the area’s impact on the Civil War, a doll exhibit showcasing women’s fashion between the 1800s and 1900s and more.

When you’re ready for a change of scenery, walk along Lee Highway, the main drag, making sure to pop into stores like Charlotte’s Web Antique Mall and the Bird Cage.

Now, get a hearty lunch in to prepare for the afternoon of hiking — Mac & Bob’s is the place to do it. The low-key restaurant serves up large portions of classic American dishes like chicken wings, chicken tenders, Cobb salads, BLTs and more.

Hop back in the car and drive 15 minutes to McAfee Knob Trailhead. Then head off on the 7.8-mile out-and-back trail to the knob. You’ll be rewarded for your hard work with panoramic views of the Catawba Valley, North Mountain, Tinker Cliffs and the Roanoke Valley.

By this point, you’ve surely worked up an appetite, so change into that outfit you packed for a modern dinner at West Salem Barbecue. The menu has some Mexican-inspired options as well, like queso, guacamole and a couple of nacho options. As with any true barbecue joint, the sides are not to be ignored. Coleslaw, brisket beans, cornbread, mac and cheese and potato salad are all must-trys.

After dinner, it’s time for a beer at Olde Salem Brewing Company. If you’re a few drinks in and still have some energy left — and, crucially, room in your belly — order up a bowl of the famous chile at the 24-hour Texas Tavern.

Sunday: Bike the Roanoke River Greenway

Make the 10-minute drive to Grandin Village, where you will spend the morning. Have breakfast at Scratch Biscuit Company, where they serve melt-in-your-mouth breakfast sandwiches — there’s more than 20 biscuits to choose from, so come hungry.

From here, take your time meandering along the charming main street. Stop at shops like Too Many Books, Urban Gypsy and New to Me, and the restored 1930s art deco movie house, the Grandin Theatre.

Once you’ve gotten your fill of window-shopping, drive five minutes to Roanoke Mountain Adventures to rent bikes for your next activity: a pedal around the Roanoke River Greenway.

There are seven trailheads, some of which pass public art hidden among the fields (Vic Thomas Park), a skate park (Wasena Park) and a bike repair station at Smith Park (flats happen). On the way back, bypass the rental shop for a quick visit to DIY Network’s “Salvage Dawgs” at Black Dog Salvage.

Then it’s lunch at Local Roots — if you’re lucky, you’ll make it in time for the weekend brunch before it ends at 2 p.m. The menu covers all of the classics, from eggs Benedict to a brunch burger.

From here, take a 30-minute car ride to visit Dixie Caverns, where you can explore the stunning limestone caves. There are guided tours offered hourly, which provide fascinating information about the subterranean sights.

Start winding down the day with a drive back to downtown for a barbecue dinner at Martin’s Downtown. While they may be known for their barbecue, don’t miss the fried chicken mac and cheese — your best move is to get an order for the table. There’s also live music most nights of the week.

Wrap up your weekend in Roanoke with a craft beer at the nearby Blue 5, which has been named Virginia’s best beer bar.