Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2014 - 43

an insider's top 10 for roanoke

What not to Miss on your Visit
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but some of my favorite places in Roanoke, and in no particular order.
In Roanoke...
1. The Mill MounTain STar. This is on everyone's list, I realize, but with good reason. It's 88 and a half feet tall, more than
1,000 feet above the city and more than 1,800 feet above sea
level. I look for its white (and sometimes red, white and blue)
glow from the airplane, from the highway and love catching
glimpses from neighborhood streets. The view from the star is
stunning, day or night. The Mill Mountain Zoo, Blue Ridge
Parkway and Mill Mountain Discovery Center are all up there too.
2. JefferSon CenTer. A former high school was renovated
into a performing arts center and offices, classroom and meeting spaces. Jefferson Center's calendar includes jazz, Americana,
bluegrass and opera. jeffcenter.org
3. The Grandin TheaTre. This 1932 cinema shows films
on four screens. The snack counter includes excellent popcorn.
A half dozen restaurants within a block or two are great places
to enjoy a meal, coffee, dessert or drinks before or after the
show. grandintheatre.com
4. The roanoke anTique Mall. It's easy to lose yourself
for hours in this place, crowded with the collected history of
the region, from china and furniture to jewelry and vintage
dresses. roanokeantiques.com
5. The Coffee ShopS. Mill Mountain Coffee has been
around since 1990. Two of its five locations are in Roanoke, and
the downtown one has been my caffeine source for years (especially during Mill Mountain Theatre runs). On Grandin Road,
CUPS is my go-to place. The bumper stickers are fitting: "My
other office is at CUPS." millmountaincoffee.com, cupscoffee
andtea.com

6. hollinS univerSiTy. Its historic campus has educated
writers such as Annie Dillard and U.S. Poet Laureate (20122014) Natasha Trethewey. In particular, its music program,
playwriting MFA (catch No Shame Theatre during the summer
months), summer writers workshops and special events series
bring together great talent. The architecture and trees are beautiful. hollins.edu
7. diCkenS of a ChriSTMaS. For three weekends every
December, downtown celebrates with costumed characters,
kettle corn, music, carriage rides and more: magical evenings
in the winter season, and just one of a host of festivals Roanoke
hosts year-round. downtownroanoke.org
...and among the wonders a short drive away:
8. The TrailS froM CaTawba. The Appalachian Trail
crosses Va. 311 (a beautiful drive that will take you to New
Castle; several side roads lead to Blacksburg. Go south and hike
to Dragon's Tooth, go north and you'll end up at McAfee Knob,
two gorgeous spots.
9. floyd CounTy. Bluegrass music, country dancing, potters, painters and the parkway. The tiny town hosts a talented
community of artists, and we head up there every year to find
a white pine for our Christmas tree. visitfloyd.com
10. roarinG run. In Botetourt County, a recreational site
with National Historic Register stone furnaces, beautiful forested hiking, trout fishing and a picnic area along Roaring Run
Creek, all in a short walk. For a longer one nearby: Hoop Hole
Loop trails.
-CeM

Facing page left: The
Roanoke Symphony's
space in the heart of
downtown has become
a venue for more
intimate performances,
including jazz.
Facing page right: The
Mill Mountain Star has
been a beacon and
attraction since 1949.
Above left: The Roanoke
River Greenway, here
near Carilion Roanoke
Memorial Hospital, now
stretches for nearly 10
miles and connects to
several other greenways.
Above right: McAfee
Knob, among the mostphotographed spots on
the 2,180-mile
Appalachian Trail, is a
20-minute drive/3.7-mile
hike from downtown
Roanoke.

hike To The Cover view. From Roanoke, west on Va. 311
to left (north) on Va. 779 for 7.5 miles to small parking lot at the
Andy Layne Trail. Hike 3.1 miles to Appalachian Trail, then .5
mile on AT to Tinker Cliffs outcropping with the view south of
the Catawba Valley (cover view), and west into West Virginia.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | 43

http://www.hollins.edu http://www.downtownroanoke.org http://www.jeffcenter.org http://www.grandintheatre.com http://www.visitfloyd.com http://www.roanokeantiques.com http://www.millmountaincoffee.com http://www.cupscoffeeandtea.com http://www.cupscoffeeandtea.com

Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2014

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