What to See & Do: Roanoke

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>City Portrait: Roanoke 
>Where to Eat & Drink

>Meet the locals

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What to See & Do

Blue Ridge Parkway
When autumn turns the Blue Ridge red, the choice spots for leaf peeping are along the Parkway. For one of the best views around, take a drive to the overlook at Stewarts Knob, at mile marker 110.6, and stretch your legs on the adjacent half-mile trail. Just be sure to bring along a picnic—you’re going to want to linger.

Grandin Theatre
Megamultiplexes abound, but there’s only one indie cinema in Roanoke, and you can find it under a dazzling art deco marquee. The eighty-year-old Grandin Theatre showcases independent, critically acclaimed films alongside regional productions—plus, you can catch screenings of classics, family favorites, and Saturday morning Looney Tunes. 1310 Grandin Rd.; grandintheatre.com 

Kirk Avenue Music Hall
If Roanoke itself were a band, half the members would be locals, half newcomers. There would be a harmonica player, and a fearsome flat-picker. And they would play their first major gig at Kirk Avenue Music Hall. The frills-free, 130-seat venue is known for showcasing local up-and-comers, but it gets its share of bigger names, too, including recent performances by the Punch Brothers and Cheryl Wheeler. 22 Kirk Ave. SW; kirkavenuemusic.com

Taubman Museum of Art
Outside, the ultramodern 81,000-square-foot building’s sweeping glass windows reflect the glow of its downtown surroundings. Inside, the Taubman houses classical and contemporary American works with an eye toward Appalachian artists. But by no means is the museum restricted to the regional or even the national. An exhibition from the House of Fabergé will run through January 19. 110 Salem Ave. SE; taubmanmuseum.org

Where to shop

Appalachia Press
Old-school craft and innovative design mesh with gusto in John Reburn’s Salem Avenue shop. Working from nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century letterpresses, Reburn fashions cards, posters, and prints inspired by everything from anatomical illustrations to 1960s toy packaging to a stoic cow (Bessie). Stop by to browse his in-house collection, or schedule an appointment to commission custom designs. 108 Salem Ave. SE; appalachiapress.com

Black Dog Architectural Antiques & Salvage
How about a life-size statue of Genghis Kahn for the parlor? Or an old-fashioned claw-foot tub? Black Dog’s 40,000-square-foot warehouse and grounds are a trove of antique and upcycled decorative treasures—nineteenth-century light fixtures, old textile factory carts turned into coffee tables, you name it. Oh yes, and a surprisingly thorough pillbox hat collection. 902 13th St. SW; blackdogsalvage.com

Lä De Dä
Offbeat style meets classic, feminine grace at this eclectically curated women’s clothing and jewelry boutique. Dansko and BedStü footwear, flowing skirts and dresses, and glittering statement pieces characterize the shop’s fairy-tale aesthetic. 102 Church Ave. SE; ladeda.net

Too Many Books
Welcome to paradise, bookworms and history buffs. This two-story haven specializes in used and rare books with a penchant for local history and geography. In the mood for a novel? Exquisitely bound early-edition classics neighbor recent best sellers and walls of paperback finds, including vintage copies of LIFE magazine. 1504 Grandin Rd. SW; 540-985-6469

Where to sleep 

Hotel Roanoke
Built by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1882, Roanoke’s Grand Old Lady drips with history and style. As old as the city itself, the hotel offers nineteenth-century elegance, twenty-first-century creature comforts, and an unbeatable downtown location. 110 Shenandoah Ave.; hotelroanoke.com

Rose Hill Bed & Breakfast
Southern hospitality thrives at this early-twentieth-century B&B in the heart of Roanoke’s historic Old Southwest district. Apart from the plush suites and porch swing, guests enjoy access to a 1,400-volume library and the attentive, personal touch of owner and operator Wendy Blair, including homemade chocolates prepared nightly. 521 Washington Ave. SW; bandbrosehill.com