Craft Beers, Great Music and Roasters Next Door
Distance from Williamsburg, VA: 3.5 hours
Exiting at milepost 120 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you spot Roanoke’s historic district in the distance. A once gritty railroad town owned largely by Norfolk and Southern, today the small, accessible city center is a thriving mix of craft breweries, cool shops and culinary delights. The ‘Noke is definitely worth the trip. Just a short 3.5 hour drive from the 757, when you see the beloved rooftop Dr. Pepper sign, part of a bottling plant built in 1936, you’ll know you’ve arrived.
We checked in at Hotel Roanoke, a luxurious, Tudor-style property built in 1882. Known locally as the Grand Old Lady, she was restored and renovated in 1991 and today is an architecture gem worthy of her spot in the famed Hilton Curio Collection. Pro Tip: If your plans are flexible, Hotel Roanoke can be quite affordable, particularly if you arrive on a Sunday.
Next, it was time to do some exploring and what better way to get acquainted with the area’s rail yard history than the O. Winston Link museum just across the tracks from Hotel Roanoke and part of the Historical Society of Western Virginia. A photographer in the mid-1950s, Link’s iconic images captured the end of the steam propelled Norfolk and Western Railway and convey a beauty and romance of a bygone era.
After sightseeing we were ready to put our feet up. But, with so many craft breweries in Roanoke’s city center, it was tough to decide where to go first. So, we set out exploring and made our way to Three Notch’d Brewery to try their Firefly Nights, a perfectly light summer ale with hints of honeysuckle. Just one sip and we could almost feel the week’s worries melt away and Southern hospitality take over. It was bliss!
Next, we meandered down Market Street just one block—passing boutiques like La De Da, galleries like The Little Gallery, and bakeries like On the Rise Bread Company before we came upon an old brick fire station, now a furniture store called Txtur. Though a couple hundred miles from home, where furniture shopping seemed impractical, we decided to take a look. Sofas, chairs, tables and softgoods – all locally made and some from locally sourced materials. The quality is great and the comfort equally so. Delivery to the 757 isn’t too terrible considering the distance, so if you are in the market for something new and like the idea of supporting local craftsman, give them a look!
Continuing up Church Street and turning right on South Jefferson Street, we found Mast General Store, two stories of clothing, shoes, camping gear and more. With a great selection and with tons of sale items in the back we found hiking shoes, shorts and a couple of ‘Noke t-shirts so that we could remember our weekend.
By this time, we were ready to make our way to some sustenance and, of course, Big Lick Brewing Company was the place to go. With a great beer selection, all made in-house, and a stage that has become the hub for local musicians, we found a seat in the huge picture-glass window where we could enjoy the activity inside and the fire pits outside. As the sun set, we reflected on this full day of adventure… and realized that we were really hungry.
Not to worry, Tucos Taqueria, a local favorite, delivers! We used the QR code at our table to order chips and queso, a Hillbilly Fried Chicken taco and Carne Asada Steak taco. It was just the thing when paired with Big Lick’s Star City Pale Ale.
After dinner and enjoying an acoustic jam session, we walked back to Hotel Roanoke for a fantastic night’s sleep under the distant glow of Mill Mountain and the famed Roanoke Star at its peak.
The next morning, caffeine beckoned before we headed at Black Dog Salvage. Yep, the same storefront as seen on HGTV’s Salvage Dawgs. We detoured to Roasters Next Door, a worthy diversion where the tag line is “founded by family, bolstered by community.” That spirit shines in each and every cup. We love their house made mocha and caramel sauces, both of which offer just the right flavor and sweetness. Go ahead and sign up for their loyalty points. We know you’ll be back!
Cups in hand, we arrived at Black Dog Salvage and strolled through thousands of warehouse square feet to enjoy furniture, lighting, art and more all in a retail space that includes not only their own work but a large number of vendors. There is always something to see and often something to buy.
This great weekend in the ‘Noke left us with an appreciation for adventure and this hip little city in the southwest corner of Virginia.
We are fortunate to have so many great road trips within easy distance of the 757. And, Roanoke, with its thriving downtown, is the perfect mix of low key and cool vibe.