After almost two years away, I returned to Roanoke, Virginia, a spot I’ve visited earlier than, however this time, I noticed it by means of a brand new lens: Made in VBR: A Metro Mountain Expertise, in partnership with Wander Worthy.
Tucked within the coronary heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Roanoke has at all times had these magical mountain views that stretch for miles, a walkable downtown, and tons of historical past. However, this journey confirmed me simply how a lot coronary heart, creativity, and fervour are fueling this metropolis’s subsequent chapter.
Day One: Beginning with my Grand Arrival
The journey into Roanoke was its personal type of welcome again journey. With winding again roads and scenic panoramic views—views that made me pull over a pair occasions to soak all of it in.
My dwelling base for the week? The Liberty Belief boutique lodge! A superbly restored former financial institution constructing in downtown Roanoke, initially in-built 1907 and on The Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, it presents sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from each flooring. Lovely mountain views that I personally received to take pleasure in day by day from my mattress.
Quickly after checking in, my wanderer spirit kicked in and I hit the streets. Roanoke’s downtown is ideal for roaming—stuffed with eclectic, unbiased retailers and boutiques. Like, 310 Rosemont, the place I used to be met with unimaginable hospitality and scooped an amazing hat. In addition to Mast Normal Retailer, the place I snagged a brand new pair of climbing/work boots. After 6 years and a resole with my final pair, it was glorious come up.
That night, I linked up with my factors of contact and guides, Kathryn and Grace, for a spherical of artistic mocktails at Stellina, adopted by a return to Liberty Belief for a tour and unimaginable dinner downstairs at The Vault, Liberty Belief’s signature restaurant, the place they laid out a scrumptious unfold of the menu to incorporate shumai, mini crab muffins & even bacon wrapped cheese stuffed dates!
From the beginning, I knew this journey was about extra than simply seeing the sights, it was time to study concerning the significant connections and get to know the tales behind the locations.
Day Two Began the Finest Manner Potential
Day two began the easiest way doable: with biscuits! We headed to Scratch Biscuit Firm, dwelling of the well-known “cathead” biscuits—a thoughts blowing 5 inches throughout, fluffy, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good.
Proprietor Nathan got here out to share a little bit of his story and imaginative and prescient. It was a pleasant reminder of how private and passionate Roanoke’s culinary scene really is. I ordered the crimson curry hen breakfast burrito, however when these biscuits made it to the desk, I couldn’t depart them alone—I imply these issues had been loopy good!
Subsequent cease: Black Canine Salvage. In the event you’ve seen the TV present, “Salvage Canine” you already know the identify, however strolling the large warehouse with co-owner Mike made me really feel like I used to be stepping right into a stay episode.
The area is overflowing with reclaimed treasures, architectural parts and tales ready to be found. It was superb to get a peek into the artistic course of and see behind the scenes space the place basically, “the magic occurs”. I lengthy for an open workspace the place I’m capable of create artwork similarly.
Later, we ventured to the historic neighborhood of Wasena the place we popped into RND Espresso and met co-founder Quincy, a culinary college grad turned espresso roaster who brings intention and creativity to each cup.
As he started to inform us about what introduced him to the realm you possibly can hear the eagerness in his phrases. However, what I discovered much more fascinating and liked was that he and his brother initially labored collectively to open up the store.
The following leg of our journey took us out of Roanoke to move to Rocky Mount, dubbed the “Moonshine Capital of the World”. There we visited Olde City Social Home, the place we had a fast lunch pit cease. After, we received the star remedy and a tour of the historic constructing and quirky Moonshine Explosion Museum. This place was very shocking! It’s truly situated in a constructing the place an precise moonshine associated explosion occurred, there are even relics of the vehicles within the explosion discovered providing a very distinctive and historic expertise.
After studying fairly a little bit of the area’s historical past in moonshine, we made our method to Twin Creeks Distillery, the place we discovered about it’s moonshining legacy, the historical past of generations of native moonshiners and I received to take pleasure in a scrumptious strawberry mule made by the daughter of a person whose household spans generations.
We rolled again all the way down to Roanoke for some much-needed downtime again at our respective lodging. Later that night we linked again up at Fireplace Station One , a historic firehouse in-built 1907, reworked boutique lodge, furnishings showroom, and trendy Nordic bistro and bar, Inventory.
We toured the area and received to see the gorgeous rooms. Some even had options like fireplace poles and spiral staircases. As a particular deal with, I even received to climb up and peek by means of the lookout window!
For dinner at Inventory, we shared an assortment of superbly plated appetizers and charcuterie of scrumptious smoked fish and cheeses. For my most important, I savored a scallop particular that was nothing in need of spectacular. For dessert? Why not share certainly one of all the pieces from lavender ice cream to gingerbread cookies.
Day Three: One among My Favourite Weekend Rituals
The next morning introduced certainly one of my favourite weekend rituals: A farmer’s market within the vibrant neighborhood of Grandin Village the place we met native plant distributors, contemporary juice purveyor named Discipline Day.
I scooped a refreshingly spicy apple ginger shot adopted by a revisit to RND by pop up. I opted for a refreshing iced matcha and the crew shared a spherical of their from scratch doughnuts (lemon poppy seed, RND espresso, and honey butter donut holes to be actual).
I just like the Grandin neighborhood, established in 1906 is one other neighborhood listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. It it blends historical past with a vibrant but trendy really feel and in line with Historicgrandinvillage.com, it’s celebrated as certainly one of Roanoke’s finest examples of a thriving mixed-use city village.
Persevering with to discover the neighborhood we stumbled onto Open Studios, an area artwork occasion the place artists open their houses and workspaces to the general public. The perfect half about this was it was completely impromptu and never a scheduled cease for us nevertheless it ended up being one thing lovely. It felt intimate and genuine—like being let in on the town’s best-kept artistic secrets and techniques.
All that strolling labored up an urge for food, so we made our method to Crystal Spring Grocery, a beloved native staple supplying the neighborhood with native meats, cheeses, and gourmand groceries for over a century. Past its grocery cabinets, Crystal Spring boasts a preferred café with a sturdy menu.
Because of an amazing tip from the cashier, I ordered the crispy hen sandwich with their signature comeback sauce and pickled jalapeños. The crew and I shared a variety of deviled eggs, pimento cheese, and different house-made sides all equally scrumptious.
Earlier than leaving I checked out their retail and located my beloved Hub’s peanuts and even scored a vinyl copy of The Carpenters’ “The Singles” for simply $5! It’s crystal clear why it’s a neighborhood favourite.
That lunch almost had me prepared for a nap, however a fast cease at Candy Donkey Espresso for an iced gingerbread latte had me energized once more and able to soak in some tradition on the Taubman Museum of Artwork. A gorgeous museum designed by architect Randall Stout that because of a grant presents free day by day basic admission!
Wrapping up our tour of the Taubman, our gracious contacts organized a particular hard-hat stroll by means of tour of Dorothy, a brand new restaurant idea by Nate Sloan that guarantees to carry one thing particular and thrilling to the realm’s foodie scene.
From what they instructed us, it’s going to be a tremendous idea with full lunch/dinner menu and a featured listening lounge/bar the place I’m certain the vibes might be in full impact.
From there, we headed over to the historic Resort Roanoke for a particular deal with. We not solely received to see the gorgeous 1800 Tudor type lodge, we met the unimaginable Henry Hill, an award-winning mixologist and creator of the “No Place Like Residence” cocktail, which just lately took the highest spot on the Virginia Spirits inaugural Cocktail Video games.
Henry’s is a tremendous storyteller that shines vivid because the Roanoke Star matching the colourful spirit of Roanoke itself — a metropolis that shines simply as brightly by means of its folks because it does by means of its surroundings.
To cap off an already good day, we ventured to the neighboring city of Salem for dinner at Brood Restaurant and Wine Bar. To my shock, an nearly completely gluten-free restaurant led by Chef Ted Polfelt!
It’s not typically I see many gluten free choices, not to mention a whole menu. The perfect half is each chunk exceeded expectations. After chatting with chef, I discovered that his daughter was identified with ciliacs, which was his most important drive and motivation behind making nearly each gluten free.
They are saying good issues are available in threes, and after three days right here, I can confidently say: Roanoke has labored its allure on me.
Day 4: Itching to Get Exterior for a Hike
Since attending to the Star Metropolis I had been itching to get exterior for a hike. So on Day 4, I made it occur.
I awoke earlier than the solar and after a fast “trails close to me” google search I settled on a path system at Learn Mountain Protect by the identify of “Buzzard Rock” about 15 minutess from my lodge. I laced my boots (that I discovered at Mast Normal), packed a snack and headed out the door. I received there and was the primary particular person on the path and after checking the path head I study it will be a pleasant 2 miles up and a pair of miles down, no drawback.
Let’s simply say, mountain miles hit very in a different way than your common flatland stroll. However each step was price it. The path, lined with early morning stillness and misty mountain air, delivered precisely the type of reset & refresh I’d been craving.
I wrapped up the hike and made my means again downtown. Excellent timing to seize a chunk to eat earlier than our subsequent journey. After checking menus across the space, I landed on an area staple named Ernies the place I loved a easy but scrumptious bacon egg and cheese that I loved standing exterior whereas having fun with some folks watching.
Kat and the crew arrived shortly after to whip us over to Roanoke Mountain Adventures to fulfill with our information Shawn for an intro to e-bikes tour. So long as I’ve seen these e-bikes roll round I at all times stated “ah nonsense, who wants it?!” Effectively, I can admittedly say I’m a convert now as a result of these issues are nice!
The perfect half is you possibly can toggle the help on or off at any level so it permits you to nonetheless get a full exercise however while you want the additional assist, it’s only a fingertip away. Whereas the tour was a bit quick it was very insightful and a transparent method to see why individuals who love the outside love Roanoke.
Ending the tour we popped into one other native scorching spot downtown by the identify of Billy’s for brunch. This place was hoppin! I imply after being open for under 30 minutes each desk in there was full. I haven’t been to a real brunch shortly so it was a pleasant. I selected the avocado toast as my most important, scrumptious for certain, however the star that stole the present was the unimaginable salted caramel candied bacon—candy, salty, crispy perfection.
We wrapped up and received some to-go packing containers then made a b-line for Mill Mountain to see the long-lasting roanoke star. Constructed in 1949 the star initially was a seasonal ornament for Christmas. At 100 ft it’s the largest man-made, illuminated star on the earth serving as a beacon welcoming folks to the town. The perfect half is it’s utterly lit up by neon! I’ve fond reminiscences visiting the star with household from my grandfather to my now accomplice and mates. I really is a effectively liked image of Roanoke.
Leaving the star, Kat advised Blue Cow Ice Cream and Co. to a powerful “Sure!” from the crew. Since their introduction they’ve since expanded operations to fredericksburg and VB so, I’m no stranger to their scrumptious ice cream. A lot so I typically name in to see what flavors can be found day by day in the course of the summer season months… I suppose you possibly can name me a daily.
We ate on their open outside balcony with a view of the gorgeous Greenway and a tremendous mural by Jon Murril. After our scrumptious snack we made our means again to our motels to clean up so we might prepare for dinner.
All week we had heard a lot about Chef Nate Sloan and what he’s finished culinary for the realm that it was solely proper to complete the journey off with a hyper domestically sourced meal at bloom Restaurant and Wine Bar.
Chatting with Nate he shared that he takes inspiration from around the globe and our meal of the night’s inspo would characteristic flavors of Iberia! I really like going to eating places the place I don’t even have to have a look at the menu, meals like that’s artwork and I let the artist do the portray. Every part was incredible, effectively proportioned and exploded with taste.
There is no such thing as a shock it stands out as the realm’s favourite place to eat. Each dish instructed a narrative. Each taste, a reminiscence within the making. Bloom isn’t only a restaurant, it’s an expertise. And after per week in Roanoke, it was the proper be aware to finish on.
Roanoke Jogged my memory What Makes Journey Significant
Over 4 days, Roanoke jogged my memory what makes journey significant. It’s not simply concerning the surroundings (although the mountains actually don’t harm). It’s concerning the tales. The individuals who pour ardour into biscuits, artwork, espresso, cocktails, and group. Those who welcome you with heat and depart you already planning your return.
Whether or not you’re climbing to the Star, digging by means of salvage treasures, sipping moonshine, or chasing one of the best fried hen sandwich within the area—Roanoke is a spot that blends tradition and luxury, creativity and calm.
And after this go to, one factor’s clear: the Star Metropolis isn’t only a place on the map. It’s a sense. And it’s shining brighter than ever.
Jarrell Williams
Jarrell Williams transforms each second—whether or not exploring with household or visiting neighborhood spots—into an opportunity to study and inform tales. He’s the founding father of Nomarama, devoted to “spreading the native love,” and host of Norfolk, VA’s Metropolis with Chew, the place he highlights native eating places, in addition to Highlight Earth on WHRO/PBS. He finds magnificence in life’s particulars and delights in discovering cozy diners, vigorous festivals, and conversations with passionate native entrepreneurs.