STAY
Downtown
The historic Hotel Roanoke is probably the most well-known and most luxurious hotel in Roanoke. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. This Tudor-style hotel and conference center is located in the heart of downtown Roanoke and can be seen as you drive by I-581. Its location makes it convenient to walk to many of the shops and restaurants in the downtown area. The guest rooms feature many standard amenities such as ironing board/iron, hair dryer, Wolfgang Puck coffee, flat screen TVs and Internet access. The hotel has a couple options for on-site dining and room service. Their Sunday and holiday buffets are popular with the locals and might be worth checking out even if you do not choose to stay there during your visit.
Northside/Airport
There are a string of hotels located near the Roanoke Airport and the major shopping area.
I've heard that the Best Western is very nice and some rooms have mini refrigerators. Other hotels in this area include:
Hyatt Place
Mainstay Suites
Southwest County
Comfort Suites Inn
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn
If a Bed and Breakfast is more your style, I've found two online that look suitable.
Maridor Bed and Breakfast certainly looks classy. Each time I drive by I always admire this estate, and was happy to learn that it was in fact a B&B. It is located in the Raleigh Court neighborhood near Grandin Village. Guest rooms feature queen or king sized bedding with private baths. Suites also offer private porches.
Brugh's Inn is a little more quaint. It is located in Salem in the southwest part of Roanoke County. Although the inn is located near a few large businesses and industries, the landscaping provides enough seclusion and privacy for guests. There are three guest rooms each with their own private bath. You can arrange to use the kitchen and laundry if discussed in advance with the owners.
EAT and DRINK
Fine Dining
For years Carlos Brazilian has been voted one of the best places to eat in Roanoke. Carlos is usually the place we go to celebrate a special occasion. And we normally insist that our family members go when they visit. Not only do they serve traditional Brazilian cuisine, but also delicious fish, chicken and steak entrees. Be sure to save room for dessert prepared by Bobby Amaral, an award winning pastry chef. Reservations are recommended. Ask to be seated in the Olinda Room with the windows (pictured above). Plan to arrive just before sunset, and you will be sure to have a fabulous and memorable evening! Carlos also has lunch hours.
Other fancy schmancy places we've heard are very good, but have not personally tried are:
Table 50
Frankie Rowland's
Shula's 347
Other great local (and more casual) dining establishments include
Local Roots - As the name suggests, Local Roots is farm-to-table restaurant. Their menu is mostly comprised of foods that are in season, and ingredients are provided by local farmers. We've only been to their Sunday Brunch, but Local Roots now offers lunch a few days of the week as well as supper most nights. Reservations are encouraged.
Rock Fish
On the Rise - is a bread bakery and a nice place to eat lunch if you are shopping in the Market Square. They serve paninis, sandwiches, pizza and desserts.
Grace's Place Pizzeria - Located in Grandin Villiage. This restaurant has a great pizza joint atmosphere. I love their bruschetta!
Thelma's Chicken and Waffles - Also located in the downtown Market Square. Offers great Southern food! Enjoy the traditional chicken and waffles dinner, or just a vegetable plate.
Wildflour Market and Bakery- Great atmosphere. An old grocery store was transformed into a lovely restaurant featuring fine artwork. Wildflour is also know for their assortment of desserts.
Cafe Asia is in Bonsack. It features a variety of Asian food including sushi.
Ben Gui - We've heard this restaurant is the place to go for sushi.
Allsports Cafe - Sports lovers this is your bar! Great wings!
Last but not least - 2nd helpings Cafe which is owned by the Rescue Mission of Roanoke. This is a fabulous place to eat and visit. The cafe features Boar's Head Meats for sandwiches and wraps, excellent soups and decadent desserts made by long-time baker, Georgia Crump.
Chain Restaurants
The two chain restaurants we enjoy and recommend are Cheddar's and Chipotle!
For Your Sweet Tooth
Of course cupcake bakeries are quite the trend these days, and there a couple to choose from in Roanoke.
Bubble Cake - now in two locations near Grandin Village and West Roanoke
Viva La Cupcake - in Grandin Village
Blue Collar Joe's is a must-see. The original bakery is located in Daleville, about 15 minutes from Roanoke, but well worth the trip. They specialize in gourmet donuts. They just opened a downtown location in the new Patrick Henry Hotel that I am dying to go check out. We think the donut prices are very reasonable.
THINGS TO DO
Roanoke is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, so taking in the beautiful scenery is a must. You can do this by hiking or traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Popular hiking trails near Roanoke:
McAfee's Knob
Dragons Tooth
Tinker Cliffs
Sharp Top
If cruising the countryside in a car is more your style, try taking a leisurely drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are several locations to access the parkway from Roanoke.
Popular Stops along the parkway are Peaks of Otter (mile post 86), Mabry Mill (176.1), Chateau Morrisette Winery (171.5) and Floyd County.
There are also several places worth visiting inside the Roanoke city limits.
View art exhibits at the Taubman Museum of Art.
Visit 2nd helpings - an upscale thrift store, art gallery and cafe all in one location!
Tour the grounds, and get a behind the scenes look at the largest rescue mission in Virginia. Tours of the Rescue Mission of Roanoke are given every Monday at noon.
Visit the Virginia Museum of Transportation
Take in lovely views of the valley while sipping on award-winning wine at Valhalla Vineyards
A visit to Roanoke wouldn't be complete without viewing the valley from Mill Mountain. At night you can see the Mill Mountain Star. Children might also enjoy the Mill Mountain Zoo.
Have a picnic or take a walk/run through one of Roanoke's many parks and greenways.
SHOPPING
Of course Roanoke has your typical metro-area shopping stores. There are two malls, Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Kohls, Micheal's, Jo Ann's Fabrics, Walmart, Lowes, etc. These stores are convenient, but be sure to check out some locally owned stores you won't find anywhere else.
Downtown
One of the main attractions in the downtown area is the City Market. It is currently being renovated, but usually features three blocks of vendors who offer everything from local produce, flowers, and photography to hand-made soap. Outside this farmers' market you will find locally owned gift shops, clothing stores and restaurants.
Walkabout Outfitters - products for your camping, hiking and other outdoor needs. They supply big name brands such as Vibram Five Fingers, Merrell, Bogs, Chaco and Teva.
Chocolate Paper - This is a fun store for gifts and fine chocolate.
Ladles and Linens specializes in fine kitchen and gourmet cooking supplies.
310 Rosemont is a hip clothing boutique.
A complete list of retail shopping the downtown Roanoke can be found here.
Antiques
If browsing antiques is more of your thing, then Roanoke will not disappoint. There are several great antique stores throughout the city and in nearby Salem. Black Dog Salvage and Old Salem Mercantile are two of my favorite.
Black Dog Salvage must be worth the visit if Nate Berkus featured the store on his hit design show. Check out the episode here. The store re-purposes commercial and architectural elements such as mantles, doors and wrought iron. It also features a 40,000 square-foot space called the Marketplace which houses home, garden and other antiques from a variety of local vendors. It is sure to be a unique shopping experience.
Old Salem Mercantile Items from more than 50 vendors that specialize in hand-made, re-purposed and gently used items. I'm always able to find something I want here.
The streets of Salem are lined with local antique, gift and clothing shops. You could spend several hours here just browsing the area. Click here for a list of things to do in Salem.
West Roanoke
West Village and Promenade Park are two shopping plazas located near Tanglewood Mall.
The West Village is home to Olivito and another Chocolate Paper location. Olivitio is a new store that carries high quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars. There are several other retail stores, a spa and restaurants in West Village. Click here to check out the other attractions.
Our Little Cherubs is an upscale babies and children's clothing boutique located in Promenade Park shopping mall just across the street from West Village. Another fun attraction in this plaza is Roanoke's only pottery painting and glass fusing studio, Glazed Bisque-it.
Provisions and RSVP share one location directly across from Tanglewood Mall. It is one of my favorite stores. It features upscale kitchen items, home accessories and elegant paper accessories. Love.this.store!
Grandin Village
Grandin Village is nestled in a quaint Roanoke neighborhood just two miles from downtown Roanoke. It has retail shopping, restaurants and an old renovated movie theater. The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op is a unique grocery store that is worth the visit.
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