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Sometimes you need a little getaway. Not an over-the-top trip, but a weekend scoot that won’t break the bank or cost a body part. Cue Virginia’s Blue Ridge to the rescue! After all, it wasn’t that long ago we were named a top budget destination by Budget Magazine.
Whether you’re looking for activities cool for families or taste the authentic cuisine of the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, we’ve compiled a list that’s sure to inspire travel thriftiness on a budget, which includes ideas to save on gas by enjoying activities and food in close proximity of one other.
Before you visit, download our VBR Savings Pass - a free mobile program that offers exclusive special offers & discounts to local attractions, shops, restaurants, and more! Get the Savings Pass >
The Outdoors
Fresh air is so good for the soul. Break away from your desk, cash register, salon, or other “inside” job and smell the honeysuckle of the mountains.
Did you know Roanoke has an entire mountain within its city limits?! Mill Mountain is a destination unto itself with the Roanoke Star, Discovery Center, Mill Mountain Zoo and the trails in Mill Mountain Park to choose from.
No visit is complete without a selfie at the star and then a peek at the Star Cam to see yourself. Be sure to wave!
Get a cool treat at Blue Cow Ice Cream, less than three miles from the Star at the base of the mountain.
Explore Park offers miles of trails to hike or bike and includes a portion of the scenic Roanoke River Blueway. You can also take on the aerial obstacles at Treetop Quest.
Learn a bit of history while you’re there, too, when you check out the historic buildings on site and the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. For overnight lodging, consider a stay in one of the campgrounds or cabins.
When you’re hungry, head to the nearby Town of Vinton for New York Pizza or Dogwood Restaurant, both open for lunch and supper. Wash it all down with drinks at Twin Creeks Brewing Company.
The Roanoke Valley Greenways offer more than 30 miles of paved trails that allow you to hop park to park on foot or bike, and they also run parallel to water, adding to the scenery. Bike rentals are available at Roanoke Mountain Adventures, and you’ll find off-the-Greenway craft beer at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage in Roanoke, or Parkway Brewing in Salem.
If you’ve yet to try your hand at Disc Golf, now’s your chance. It’s a more skilled version of plain ‘ol frisbee that’s perfect for just about every age. Challenge your family members to a round at one or more of our disc golf parks. Popular options among local golfers include courses at Greenfield Recreation Park, Waid Park, Highland Park, and the Mayflower Hills course.
To really take in the views, travel the Blue Ridge Parkway with a picnic in mind (maybe stock up at a farmers market?). Some of the most popular spots are the scenic overlooks between Roanoke and the Peaks of Otter in Bedford.
Waterfall hikes are all the rage, and there is one in particular that is great for fishing, wading, swimming, a history lesson, and general scenic interest. It’s Roaring Run in Eagle Rock, a 1.4-mile trail that includes the ruins of a 19th century iron ore furnace. For post-hike eats, check out Foot of the Mountain Cafe and chow down on one of the best burgers in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Family Fun | Arts & Culture | History
Fine art on the cheap? You bet! The Taubman Museum of Art is free to visit with only special exhibits costing you an admission fee. The kids will love getting hands-on with an interpretative space all their own, and the view from the balcony is pretty rad.
Be sure to check it out and see a portion of Roanoke you can’t appreciate from the ground.
Nearby lunch and supper is offered at reasonable prices at Benny Marconi's and Roanoke Weiner Stand (one of the best hot dogs around!).
There are free things to see at Center in the Square, including multiple aquariums and a rooftop garden that are available to everyone. You can also find some affordable fun at the museums located inside the building, such as the Roanoke Pinball Museum.
Nearby, great food can be found at our vintage favorite Texas Tavern or Alejandro's Mexican Grill.
Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt? Geocaching is the modern name for finding exactly where “X” marks the spot. Handheld GPS devices have come down in price, making geocaching a great family activity.
The Salem Museum offers a great overview of the history of the City of Salem, a location born out of westward expansion along The Wilderness Road: Virginia’s Heritage Migration Route. Add a Historic Salem Walking Tour to your day. Peruse historic neighborhoods and learn about a number of buildings dating from 1802 to the 1904.
Afterward, grab a bite to eat at local favorites Mac & Bob's, Chip & Jo's, or Our Daily Bread. Just don’t forget to leave room for an old-fashioned ice cream creation from the Salem Ice Cream Parlor.
You can also head to Waid Park in Franklin County for lots of free outdoor fun, with easy access to the Pigg River Blueway, disc golf, and a great network of trails for hiking & biking. Afterwards, savor something awesome at The Hub Restaurant or the tasty hot dogs at Bowling's Place. Nom!
In Hardy near Smith Mountain Lake, the Booker T. Washington National Monument is managed by the National Park Service and tells the story of an enslaved boy who went on to become an influential orator, author, and presidential advisor, not to mention the Founder of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, now Tuskegee University.
Reward yourself for taking time to learn some history with a stop at Homestead Creamery, makers of homemade ice cream and an excellent variety of milk.
Cheap Eats
If you make your own way to an enjoyable, budget-friendly weekend getaway but need or want a few more options for cheap dining, try one or more of these:
- Benny Adelina’s – Smith Mountain Lake | Nearby Fun - Bridgewater Marina
- Viet Sub – Roanoke’s Historic Williamson Road | Nearby Fun - Downtown Roanoke
- Scratch Biscuit Company – Grandin Village | Nearby Fun - Black Dog Salvage
- North Star Restaurant – Buchanan | Nearby Fun - Twin River Outfitters
- Fincastle Cafe & The Pie Shoppe – Fincastle | Nearby Fun - Historic Walking Tour of Fincastle
- Holly Jo’s Creekside Grill – Boones Mill | Nearby Fun - Franklin County Distilleries
Let us see your budget weekend! Include #Trailsetter in your social posts while you visit or in your public albums when you return home.
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