Visiting Roanoke - all recommendations welcome (Franklin, Bedford: rental, hotel, home)

[parasol]

Hello there! I am strongly considering a visit to Roanoke the first week in August as I can get a super cheap flight from my hometown to Roanoke airport. Also, I've been interested in exploring the area for a few years now.

I think we'd stay at Hotel Roanoke for its convenience to downtown - I love the idea of waking up early and walking to the farmers market or getting coffee at a local cafe. From past posts I've been reading this will be possible, yes?

I'm mostly interested in exploring the city, doing some hiking, nature observing, and just taking in the natural beauty of the area. I'd love to have some suggestions from locals for things to see or experience that my google searches may be leaving out.

Many thanks in advance.

[540_804]

Hotel Roanoke is the perfect choice.

You already mentioned the Farmer's Market, which I was also going to recommend.

I would recommend Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea for your coffee needs...
For lunch I would suggest the famous Roanoke Weiner Stand (right beside the Farmer's Market) or Fork In The City (a bit farther away, but still downtown) for good (and affordable) eats...

If you stay at the Hotel Roanoke you will be only steps away from the Taubman Museum of Art. To be honest, I'm a Roanoke resident and I haven't been yet. I would say its worth the trip just for the building, but I'm sure the art in side is worth it, as well.

Also check out the Mill Mountain Star and overlook...great area for observing nature and taking in the beauty of the Roanoke Valley...

There are many many more things that should be added to the list but its too late for my brain to function properly. I'll add more suggestions tomorrow and by then I'm sure others will have responded..

[Erin1264]

All good recommendations so far. You mentioned hiking. Personally, August is too hot for me to hike, but I'd recommend the following:

The Mill Mountain Star trail (goes up Mill Mountain and ends at the Star and overlook). A good beginner to moderate trail and the view at the top is rewarding!

A more challenging and longer trail is the McAfee Knob trail (part of the Appalacian Trail). 7 miles round trip and the view at the top is awesome.

Dragon's Tooth is another AT hike and is the most challenging.

If you go to McAfee's Knob or Dragon's Tooth, then lunch or dinner at The Homeplace is a must! The trailheads are very close to the restaurant and in fact my through hikers on the AT stop at the Homeplace.

[parasol]

Thank you both very much! I will definitely be checking out the overlook and the museum. McAfee's Knob is a possibility as well.

I'm also considering the Mill Mountain Zoo and maybe taking a drive out to Smith Mountain Lake - do you recommend either? I was reading about the Lake and am a little nervous about driving through the mountains since I've lived on totally flat land my entire life.

Re. hiking in the heat: I tend to agree, and I'm not a fan of extreme heat and sun like we have here in FL for ten months of the year, but I'm optimistic that the temps up there will be somewhat of a reprieve from the heat indices here.

Keep the ideas coming!

[540_804]

I would definitely recommend Smith Mountain Lake. The only down-side is that it may be really busy in August with other tourists. Even so, its still worth a trip. You really don't have to drive through any mountains to get there, for the most part.

The way I go from Roanoke, I usually take I-581/US 220 south to Rocky Mount and then head East on VA-40 (which is Old Franklin Turnpike in Rocky Mount) then turn left onto VA-122 (Booker T. Washington High Way)....that takes you right to the lake. You won't pass have to ride through any mountains but there will be stretches of road where there will be nothing but farms and open land on either side. It usually takes me about 40 minutes to an hour to get there and im 100% sure theres a faster way to get there but I'm not sure about the other routes. I just use that route because thats the route my family always took growing up so I do as well. If you use google you can find other routes that will have you there in 30mins probably...

[Blue Moon Athena]

Hi Parasol

There are four main roads that one can take heading south out of Roanoke toward Smith Mountain Lake. Of the four, only route 116 has what could be loosely described as “mountain” terrain, which is crossing Windy Gap Mountain near the Roanoke/Franklin county border. It’s not a terrible climb….more winding and twisting than anything. The other three main routes are all relatively flat. Though not the most direct route, the one with the nicest ride through countryside would be route 24, then right onto route 122. Avoid the south side of SML if you do not want to drive on roads…sometimes dirt roads…that go up and down higher terrain. Elsewhere around the lake is fairly flat. Allow yourself a lot of time if you explore the lake area. Its a LOT bigger than it seems on a map, with limited locations to cross.

If you end up doing some driving during your trip to VA be prepared for an EXTREME difference in the pace of traffic compared to what you are likely used to in Florida. It took me more than six months after moving here from SW FL to get used to the much, much, much slower pace of traffic. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. But if one is used to the “pedal to the metal, take no prisoners” mindset that most Florida drivers have, it is quite a culture shock

[headnsouth]

Originally Posted by 540_804

...I usually take I-581/US 220 south to Rocky Mount and then head East on VA-40 (which is Old Franklin Turnpike in Rocky Mount) then turn left onto VA-122 (Booker T. Washington High Way)....that takes you right to the lake....

On the way back from driving around the lake, you can stop in Rocky Mount to stretch your legs a bit. Right at the YMCA there's a trail called Grassy Hill Preserve, a nice loop of about 6 miles.

Also, there's a nonprofit bike rental shop in the market building in downtown Roanoke, so you can tool around town & out onto the greenways if you like. If you stay at the Hotel Roanoke, they also have a pedicab service to get you down to the coffee shop & farmers' market in style!

[parasol]

Originally Posted by 540_804

I would definitely recommend Smith Mountain Lake. The only down-side is that it may be really busy in August with other tourists. Even so, its still worth a trip. You really don't have to drive through any mountains to get there, for the most part.

The way I go from Roanoke, I usually take I-581/US 220 south to Rocky Mount and then head East on VA-40 (which is Old Franklin Turnpike in Rocky Mount) then turn left onto VA-122 (Booker T. Washington High Way)....that takes you right to the lake. You won't pass have to ride through any mountains but there will be stretches of road where there will be nothing but farms and open land on either side. It usually takes me about 40 minutes to an hour to get there and im 100% sure theres a faster way to get there but I'm not sure about the other routes. I just use that route because thats the route my family always took growing up so I do as well. If you use google you can find other routes that will have you there in 30mins probably...

This is very helpful - thank you! I don't mind a longer route at all. I'm sure the scenery along the way is just as much a sight to see as the destination itself.

Originally Posted by Blue Moon Athena

Hi Parasol

There are four main roads that one can take heading south out of Roanoke toward Smith Mountain Lake. Of the four, only route 116 has what could be loosely described as “mountain” terrain, which is crossing Windy Gap Mountain near the Roanoke/Franklin county border. It’s not a terrible climb….more winding and twisting than anything. The other three main routes are all relatively flat. Though not the most direct route, the one with the nicest ride through countryside would be route 24, then right onto route 122. Avoid the south side of SML if you do not want to drive on roads…sometimes dirt roads…that go up and down higher terrain. Elsewhere around the lake is fairly flat. Allow yourself a lot of time if you explore the lake area. Its a LOT bigger than it seems on a map, with limited locations to cross.

If you end up doing some driving during your trip to VA be prepared for an EXTREME difference in the pace of traffic compared to what you are likely used to in Florida. It took me more than six months after moving here from SW FL to get used to the much, much, much slower pace of traffic. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. But if one is used to the “pedal to the metal, take no prisoners” mindset that most Florida drivers have, it is quite a culture shock

So perhaps half a day would be sufficient to explore? We won't be doing any fishing or boating but I assume there's plenty enough to keep us occupied.

Thank you for the reassurance, and I won't miss the rude, aggressive Floridian-style driving one bit. I'm a very laid back person and reckless/aggressive driving and speeding is a pet peeve of mine.

Thank you, headnsouth! The pedicab sounds fun and great idea to cut down on non-foot traffic in the downtown area.

[Blue Moon Athena]

Actually, if one isn’t boating/fishing/swimming there really is not a whole lot to do around Smith Mountain Lake. The entertainment at the lake IS the lake and little more. There are a handful of shops and restaurants in Westlake, near the Hales Ford Bridge on Route 122 and in what is being touted as “downtown Moneta” which is also on Route 122. But aside from that, it’s mostly rural with enclaves of community developments. Some that made it and some that didn’t and sit empty and unfinished.

A half day should easily get you to central part of the lake and back to Roanoke. As someone else suggested, you may want to combine your drive to the lake with a drive elsewhere. Heading away from the lake and in the opposite direction of Rocky Mount, you may want to see the city of Bedford. It has a cute downtown area with shops and places to eat.

[PaperTrail]

If you choose to head down to the lake and want to do some light hiking/strolling, it might be worth it to head on down to the state park. As Athena mentioned, there's not a lot to do around the lake area other than play on the water and/or maybe find a nice spot to just relax and take in the scenery. Bridgewater Plaza right at the main bridge (Hales Ford Bridge) has a few upscale nick-knack (sp?) spots, and there are definitely a few new places that I haven't explored yet in the new downtown Moneta.

A nice little day-loop might be heading down to the lake, doing a bit of shopping and hitting the state park, then swinging up to Bedford, which has a great little downtown and is home to the National D-Day Memorial. There are a few good places to eat there in town (Clam Diggers for great seafood, Court St. Pizza for yummy but unhealthy Italian, or the Bedford Social Club for a fancier night out).

From there, U.S. 460 shoots you back to downtown Roanoke in about 45 minutes.