Last Updated on August 27, 2025
Summer road trips bring back nostalgic childhood memories. My husband and I rediscovered the joy of hitting the open road during the pandemic. For our latest adventure in the summer of 2025, my hubby, friend Susan, and I meandered through Virginia’s Blue Ridge Region.
With my Subaru Outback packed for adventure, we set off from Baltimore to the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, located near Waynesboro, Virginia. Although we were loaded with snacks for hiking, we stopped to enjoy a BBQ lunch at Shredders Smokehouse at Lejla’s Cafe. We hit the jackpot with gracious service and heavenly brisket that could give Texas a run for its money.
Connectivity is notoriously bad along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I recommend stopping at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center for a detailed parkway map and recommendations on hiking trails. You can also purchase an offline parkway map for a nominal fee via the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Planner.
Misty Mountain Peaks
Light rain and a pending thunderstorm dampened our hiking expectations. Instead, Mother Nature treated us to a magical scene of misty clouds blanketing a carpet of leafy peaks. A few pops of red and yellow hinted at the pending transition of the seasons.
The questionable weather passed as we stopped to hike the Otter Creek Trail, which connects to the Otter Lake Loop Trail and the James River Visitor Center. Bring your waterproof shoes as the rugged trail crosses the creek near the natural bridge.
Scenic views from the James River Center at milepost 63.6 make for a great place to picnic (note that the visitor center was closed during our trip).
Rolling into Roanoke
Roanoke, located in the valley between the Appalachian Plateau and the Blue Ridge Mountains, became our base for exploration for the next few days. Roanoake’s history as a rail town dates back to the mid-1800s when Norfolk and Western Railway (now the Norfolk Southern) developed to transport newly discovered coal. Norfolk and Western also produced steam locomotives until the 1960s, when engines were converted from steam to diesel. The job losses associated with the railroad decline were devastating, but this small city has rebounded with an emerging downtown.
Norfolk and Western built numerous buildings to support their operations, including the English Tudor-style Hotel Roanoke. Locals still affectionately refer to the hotel as the “Grand Old Lady.”
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, stop by the lobby with ornate walnut woodwork and a mural representing key events in Virginia’s history. You can also try a decadent She Crab Soup at the elegant Regency Room.
A Sense of Community
Market Square anchors downtown and serves as a gathering place for the community. The City Market Building, once home to butchers, now houses restaurants and craft beer. Colorful mosaic tiles at the entrances to the building highlight its history. The city square also serves as the oldest open-air market in Virginia, which is open daily. Susan and I snacked on hot cider doughnuts (only available on Fridays) while we perused organic veggies and artisan crafts.
Downtown Roanoke also buzzes with activity at its boutique shops. I’m still thinking about purchasing a locally made beech wood coffee table from Txtur, housed in a repurposed fire station, complete with brass firepoles. Stock Bistro & Bar, located at the back of the store, allows you to bring a cocktail onto the furniture floor and hang out. Can you think of a better way to check out a new couch?
The small and mighty Taubman Museum of Art should also be on your list of places to visit downtown. The building itself is a modern work of art designed to reflect Roanoke’s mountains, railroads, and history. From the museum foyer, you can see neon signs representing H&C Coffee, the Roanoke Star, and Dr. Pepper. While H&C and the Dr. Pepper bottling facility no longer exist, we’re told that the city still loves the memories.
Adventures Beyond Town
We were in town on the 3rd Friday of the month and took advantage of the summer music series at the Tavern Stage at Explore Park, located about 20 minutes from downtown. It was fun hanging out on the lawn, sipping craft beer from Twin Creeks Brewpub, and watching friends and family greet each other. Explore Park also offers hiking trails, disc golf, and camp sites.
Grandin Village has a few shops worth exploring, along with a superb spot for pizza at Grace’s Place Pizzeria. Be sure to check out the Grandin Theater, which was built in 1923. The famous Black Dog Salvage, which is en route to Grandin, contains everything you never thought you needed—from repurposed iron works to gallery ready artwork. You may have seen the store showcased in Salvage Dawgs on one of your favorite TV networks, such as HGTV.
Staying Active in the Roanoke Valley
Mill Mountain Park spans 568 acres with 10 miles of hiking and biking trails. Susan and I spent a delightful morning discovering the Wildflower Garden, city overlooks, and exploring the Watchtower Trail. Families were gathering to visit the Mill Mountain Zoo.
Whether you plan to be active or not, the Roanoke Star is another must-see on the mountain. The 100-foot steel structure, built initially as a Christmas decoration in 1949, earned the distinction of the world’s largest man-made star. Two thousand feet of neon tubing lights the Star at night until 10 pm.
Roanoke also has a series of greenways throughout the city that connect neighborhoods with trails. We enjoyed a morning walking along the Tinker Creek Greenway. Residents use the trails for biking, running, and for water access to the Roanoke River and Tinker Creek.
Chasing Waterfalls
About 30 minutes south of Roanoke, Bottom Creek Gorge features a four mile hike with a few of Bottom Creek Falls. If four miles seems daunting, the trails at Roaring Run Falls cover 1.5 miles. The falls, about 45 minutes north, are also more kid-friendly.
If You Go
Roanoke has an impressive lineup of breweries and places to eat. The three of us enjoyed sampling brews at Olde Salem Brewing Co. and Twisted Track Brewpub. We were told that Billy’s had a fabulous brunch, and we can attest to that fact—try the eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes. Lucky restaurant has a cool vibe and an exciting dinner menu. Susan could not stop raving about the trout fillet.
The Downtown Roanoke Food, History, and Cultural Tour offers a fascinating exploration of Roanoke’s rich history and culture.
For additional hiking ideas, the Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes in Virginia provides a nice description of the range of trails along the parkway. Note that at the time of our visit, the parkway was closed around milepost 80 due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
