Roanoke Area Attractions Head Bucket List for Virginia’s Blue Ridge

DIY’s Salvage Dawgs is filmed in Roanoke at Black Dog Salvage. Come meet the stars of the show and peruse their warehouse to find the perfect upcycle, repurpose, or found piece to make your own.

If you’ve included travel, adventure, and experiences among your New Year’s resolutions, you’re in the right place. The Virginia Tourism Cooperation (otherwise known as Virginia is For Lovers)has presented the world with a bucket list for Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

Their bucket list is loaded with “cream of the crop” must-sees, dos, and savors for an indisputable, quintessential Virginia’s Blue Ridge escape. Check off as many as you can in one trip or spread these experiences across multiple VBR getaways in 2018.

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

At the top of any list that involves Virginia’s best experiences is the Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s Favorite Drive. It’s a slow pace with incredible views and opportunities to hike, dine, and stay the night. Travel just a segment, all of Virginia, or the BRP in its entirety. Any stretch of this road is memorable.

>> 7 Iconic Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Hike the Triple Crown

You’ll feel like you deserve a crown of your own after you hike Virginia’s Triple Crown. These three peaks – Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs (pictured above) – create a 32-mile loop trail and include shelters along the way for an overnight.

>> 10 Epic Outdoor Adventures in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

See the Steam Locomotives at the Virginia Museum of Transportation

The Norfolk & Western Class A 1218 steam locomotive is a big draw for train enthusiasts as it’s one of the most advanced steam locomotives ever built and was the one-time strongest pulling locomotives in existence. It’s the last 2-6-6-4 steam locomotive in the world and the last Class A.

>> Bucket List Museums in Virginia’s Blue Ridge for Rail Fans

Selfie at the Roanoke Star

The largest neon star of its kind in the world, a visit to the Roanoke Star is nearly mandatory for anyone spending time in Roanoke. From its perch you can see for miles and miles, but it’s the lights of downtown Roanoke that steal the show and mesmerize those who take them in.

>> 10 Spots in Virginia’s Blue Ridge to Share on Your Instagram Feed

Check out Black Dog Salvage

If you’re like me and get hung up on a favorite TV show, you might have a strong desire to visit a location associated with it. Your wish is granted in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, as DIY’s Salvage Dawgs is filmed in Roanoke at Black Dog Salvage. Come meet the stars of the show and peruse their warehouse to find the perfect upcycle, repurpose, or found piece to make your own.

>> Where to Find Local Souvenirs in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Moonshine in Franklin County at Twin Creeks Distillery

“The wettest county in the world” is in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Come wet your whistle with legal moonshine distilled and bottled in Franklin County, Virginia at Twin Creeks Distillery.

Franklin County Loop Tour

Cheesy Western at Texas Tavern

Our favorite hole-in-the-wall is true vintage, nostalgic, and so, so good. The tiny 10-seat Texas Tavern is open 24/7 and serves up some of our favorite cravings, including a Cheesy Western, a hamburger patty topped with a fried egg, homemade relish, cheese, pickles, and onions.

>> Best Burgers in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Walk across a Swinging Bridge

Swinging bridges are few and far between these days, but we happen to know of one that is still prominently front and center, begging for brave souls to stroll across its wooden planks. The James River Swinging Bridge in Buchanan just about parallels Route 11 and offers an excellent vantage point from which to watch tubers and boaters shove off the bank from Twin River Outfitters.

>> 10 Breathtaking Views without Having to Catch Your Breath

National D-Day Memorial

To the community who lost the most soldiers per capita on June 6, 1944, aka D-Day, a nine-acre memorial was given. That community was Bedford, Virginia, and a visit to the National D-Day Memorial is one you will never forget.

>> 15 Spots for a History Buff to Visit in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Have a Beer at a Local Craft Brewery

When you adventure to taste the local goodness, craft beer shouldn’t be overlooked. There are numerous breweries to taste on Virginia’s Blue Ridge Beerway, but three we recommend right off the bat are Parkway Brewing Company in Salem, Deschutes Brewery in Roanoke, and Ballast Point Brewing Company in Daleville. Be sure to designate a driver.

>> A Beer Lover’s Weekend Itinerary in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Float the James River

In 2017 the Travel Channel named the James River as one of the 21 best lazy rivers to float in summer. Who are we to argue with the Travel Channel? The appeal to floating the James is that 59 miles of the Upper James River Water Trail is designated as a Virginia Scenic River. Our outfitters have the gear, so just suit up and show up for a lazy day of summer fun.

>> A Paddling Guide to Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Taubman Museum of Art**

Ten galleries featuring a variety of art welcome guests for free at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke. Even children will love a stop here, as they’re welcome to get their hands busy at Art Venture, an exploratory space for ages 2 to 12.

>> Art Itinerary for Virginia’s Blue Ridge

A post shared by Amy Hunter (@achunter78) on Jul 16, 2017 at 6:34am PDT

Take a Boat Ride on Smith Mountain Lake

Our favorite glistening body of water for a sunset boat ride is Smith Mountain Lake. With 500 miles of shoreline, the lake takes up 32 square miles of area and averages 55 feet in depth. Oh, and three counties claim a chunk of it. You’re going to want to ride, swim, wake board, and fish your heart out.

>> Guide to Boat Rentals at Smith Mountain Lake

Center in the Square

Spend the better portion of the day exploring a variety of museums all under one roof. Center in the Square is one of the coolest destinations in Virginia’s Blue Ridge for that reason alone. Where else can you explore African American history, play vintage pinball to your heart’s content, observe a day in the life of the mid-Atlantic’s largest coral reef aquarium, and turn your kids loose into a children’s museum? Nowhere. And that’s not even all of it.

>> Must See Main Street: Downtown Roanoke

Visit a Local Farmers Market

Not every farmers market is the same. Sure, most (if not all) have farm-fresh yields of produce and maybe meat, eggs, and honey, but the artisans are never the same. Be sure to visit one of ours in whichever community you happen to be in to further explore some of the best flavors and careful craftsmanship our area has to offer.

>> 8 Tips for Farmers Market Newbies

Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store

There are many things to do on a Friday night in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, but for bucket list purposes, there’s no other place to be than the Floyd Country Store for the Friday Night Jamboree. You don’t have to pick, sing, or dance, but you can if you want to. We’re all family in Floyd.

>> Floyd is one of the South’s Best Small Towns

Sample Wine at a Local Winery

Continuing the quest for savory flavors, local wineries are an excellent treat for your palate and great opportunities to unwind. We love the wineries of the Wine Trail of Botetourt County and the beautiful grounds, food, and wine of Chateau Morrisette in Floyd.

>> How To: A Wine Weekend in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Attend a Virginia Tech Football Game

Most Americans known Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” but have most Americans experienced Lane Stadium while “Enter Sandman” plays loud over the speakers as fans jump up and down and the Virginia Tech Hokies take the field? No. Those few minutes of music, yelling and jumping have registered on a seismograph four times. That is, Metallica and the Hokie faithful occasionally cause earthquakes in Blacksburg.

>> Sports in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Hike to Roaring Run Falls

A 19th century iron ore is on the National Register of Historic Places, and you’ll pass it as you make your way along Roaring Run Trail to seek out Roaring Run Falls in Eagle Rock. The trail winds back and forth across the run, which tends to be mostly shallow and excellent for family adventure.

>> Waterfall Hikes in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Stand beneath the Iconic Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge is one of those geologic wonders you have to see to believe. As you approach it at Natural Bridge State Park, you’re immediately amazed (trust me), but when you stand below it and look up 215 feet, you’re left nearly breathless. Take your time looking it over; you’ll find a few surprises with a keen eye.

>> Visit the 7 Natural Wonders of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Catch a Concert at The Harvester Performance Center

An intimate venue that seats no more than 475 people (700 standing), The Harvester is a premier concert venue in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. It’s not unusual to catch up-and-coming artists or solid gold mainstays still working the circuit for dedicated fans.

>> 20 Experiences for Music Lovers in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Have a Scoop of Ice Cream at Homestead Creamery

Farm-fresh homemade ice cream is a treasure and we know where to find it. Take the beautiful drive to Burnt Chimney for hormone- and antibiotic-free sweet treats in 18 delightful flavors.

>> 15 Chocolate Treats You Will Love in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Mountain Biking at Carvins Cove

One of the nation’s premier mountain biking destinations is Carvins Cove, boasting 60 miles of singletrack, trails, and fire roads on more than 12,500 acres. The glistening gem that makes this Natural Reserve a draw for more than those on two wheels is the 630-acre reservoir.

 

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