Roanoke VA Girls Weekend: Top Things to Do

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Whether you are looking for an action-packed outdoor adventure with your tribe or a leisurely gal pal weekend in nature, Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge makes the perfect basecamp for a fantastic girls’ weekend.

On a recent trip with four adventure-loving gals, I paddled, hiked and pedaled my way through a fantastic weekend. We sampled craft beer, shopped at the city market and stayed in boutique hotels.

I’ll spill the tea on our favorite activities, places to eat and where to go for happy hour (martini and fries anyone?) Are you ready to start planning an unforgettable girlfriends’ getaway?

This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Top Adventure Activities in Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Take a Hike

Panoramic view of rolling hills overlooking a granite outcrop. — View from McAfee Knob in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

We spurred each other on over four hilly miles to McAfee Knob, reveling in the fall colors. Standing on the Appalachian Trail with sweeping Blue Ridge mountain views, I ticked a bucket list box. We took tons of photos, feeling strong and proud.

With 600 miles of trails in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, there’s a hike for everyone.

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Other popular hikes:

Roaring Run Falls: Bring a picnic on this 1.5-mile loop that follows the creek and ends at a waterfall.
Buzzards Rock at Read Mountain Preserve: This 2-mile trail provides scenic views of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!

Go Kayaking

Tip of a kayak pointing down the James River with Blue Ridge Mountain foliage on the riverbank. — Kayaking on the Upper James River is a fantastic adventure. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

The Upper James River water trail flows over 60 miles with spectacular views of the Blue Mountains. For a rollicking good time, we rented kayaks from Twin River Outfitters, navigating our way down the rapids.

If you just want to relax, rent a tube and chill out on the river. They’ll provide all of the gear, shuttles and maps you need.

If you’ve never tried kayaking, a girls’ adventure weekend in Roanoke is the perfect time to start! The calm water of Carvins Cove Reservoir offers an easy opportunity to practice your paddling. Rentals available onsite.

Rent an E-bike

Electric bike parked on a wood and iron bridge overlooking the Roanoke River. — Explore Roanoke’s River Greenway by e-bike for an exhilarating ride. Photo credit: Jenny Wilden

I felt intimidated at the start, but that first ride won me over! Roanoke Mountain Adventures rents e-bikes with access to the Roanoke River Greenway right from the shop. I cruised along the river over scenic bridges, celebrating with lunch after the ride at Wasena City Taproom & Grill.

Next time I’ll try an e-bike tour to local breweries, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains or taking in the murals. What could be more fun on a girls’ weekend in Roanoke?

SheBuysTravel Tip: Bad weather on the day of your bike ride? Check out nearby River Rock Climbing indoor rock climbing gym instead.

Visit Craft Breweries

Four small glasses of beer on outside table with Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. — Sample beer made with farm-fresh ingredients at Solstice Farm Brewery. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

Every good hike, paddle or bike ride deserves a cold beverage at the end. Sip some suds creekside at Parkway Brewing, or down a post-kayak lager at A Few Old Goats Brewing in Buchanan. Don’t miss Solstice Farm Brewery, popular with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers.

I loved the vibe at Golden Cactus Brewing, with a dozen pinball machines and a brightly colored patio with lush foliage.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge has a growing craft beverage scene, with wine bars and distilleries too. Sign up for the free mobile Cheers Trail Passport Program and check in at local tasting spots, earning discounts and a free t-shirt.

Have Fun at the Festivals

Two children climb an outdoor bouldering wall — The Roanoke GO Outside Festival offers dozens of free hands-on activities, like bouldering. This fall event also offers food trucks, bands and films. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

Need inspiration for your girls’ weekend? Attend one of Roanoke’s many festivals. October’s GO Outside Festival entertained us the whole weekend with speakers, lumberjack shows and even flying dogs!

Plan these festivals into your itinerary:

Spring

Festival in the Park: Three days of music, food and good times.
Local Colors: This free multicultural festival represents over 50 nationalities, featuring authentic food and performances.

Summer

Concerts by Canoe series: Listen to music from a floating stage on your kayak or canoe.

Fall

Blue Ridge Folklife Festival: Music, moonshine and mule jumping contests.
Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival: A field featuring 700,000 sunflowers, music, food and plenty of selfie opportunities.

Tour the Murals

A mural of a red cardinal covers entire wall of building with blue sky in the background. — The Cardinal Mural, one of Roanoke’s many beautiful murals. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

Splashes of color dot downtown Roanoke in the form of whimsical murals and vintage ads on the sides of buildings. Spend a leisurely morning or afternoon admiring larger-than-life paintings that capture Roanoke’s history and iconic sights.

Stop for selfies at the “Greetings from Roanoke” mural by Elmwood Park, or sip coffee in front of the mural at Ursala’s Cafe. Lace up your shoes and take in the art along the Roanoke River Greenway. And don’t miss my favorite, the wall of flowers alongside the Hampton Inn and Suites.

Go Shopping

Stained glass window, wooden chest, metal candleholder and other antiques inside Black Dog Salvage store. — Hunt for antiques and treasures at Black Dog Salvage. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

Girls’ weekend wouldn’t be complete without shopping. I picked up some cute fair-trade soaps at WyndRose Boutique, and my gal pals bought souvenirs at the City Market. Specialty shops surround this open-air market, and dozens of vendors sell handicrafts and produce.

Woodshed offers funky finds from Appalachian makers, from books and home goods to food and jewelry. I got lost in Black Dog Salvage, dreaming of redesigning my house and hunting for treasures among the local and vintage items.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Rent The Stone House at Black Dog Salvage, a fully renovated upscale historic home for a unique, private getaway.

Drink Coffee and Cocktails

A white cup holds a coffee with latte art swirled on top. — A toasted cardamom latte is just one of the creative coffee beverages at RND Coffee. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

Catching up over coffee tops the priorities on a girls’ weekend. I’m addicted to the scones and strong, organic brew at Little Green Hive. Roasters Next Door (RND) coffee lounge specializes in small-batch roasted coffee and housemade syrups. Toasted cardamom latte, anyone?

For cocktails, we hit Sidecar, where select martinis come with a free side of Belgian Frites on Thursdays. Also try:

Martin’s: Trendy drinks and good selection of non-alcoholic beers.
1882 at the Pine Room: Sit under a night sky mural and sip seasonal and classic cocktails.
Six and Sky Rooftop Grille: Drink in panoramic views from the rooftop patio.

Enjoy Local Eats

A blue bowl filled with noodles, peanuts and carrots sits on a wooden table. — The Chilled Thai Peanut Noodles from Food Hut RKE pair well with Golden Cactus Brewing beer. The two venues share space, making it a great dinner option. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington.

With a full menu of global cuisine, fine dining, casual diners and vegetarian options, Roanoke pleases everyone. I happily noshed on vegan mac and cheese at Show Pony while my friends indulged in the signature chicken tenders.

A few of our favorite places to eat :

Bloom: Upscale Modern American spot for brunch or dinner. Dine on the patio, inner courtyard or cozy lounge.
Sidecar: Stylish bistro serving European fare and inventive cocktails.
Scratch Biscuit Co.: Southern biscuits and comfort food.
The City Market Building: Multiple dining options in a historic market building including hearty breakfast at Scrambled.

See the Roanoke Star

An 100-foot tall metal structure holding three lighted stars sits on the hillside surrounded by trees. — The Roanoke Star sits on Mill Mountain, overlooking the city. Photo credit: Visit VBR

This iconic symbol sits on the top of the hill overlooking the city. The 88-foot-tall neon structure glows for miles, shining goodnight into my hotel room every night. Built in 1949 to welcome the Christmas shopping season, the Roanoke Star represents the enduring spirit and beauty of Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

We celebrated our last night with a trip to Mill Mountain Park to see the star, the largest free-standing manmade illuminated star in the world. The star and the city lights twinkle magically at night. Visit during the daytime to picnic, hike and bike the trails.

Where to Stay for a Girls’ Getaway in Roanoke

Front of gray stone building with columns, street lamp and a Liberty Trust sign. — The Liberty Trust Hotel, a boutique hotel in a historic bank building. Photo credit: Kirsten Harrington

From luxury lodging to cabins and yurts, you’ll find accommodations for every price point. Here are a few popular options:

The Hotel Roanoke: Historic Tudor-style luxury hotel with multiple dining options, spa, fitness center and inviting lobby bar. Five-minute walk to downtown.
The Liberty Trust: Boutique hotel in a historic bank building in the heart of downtown. The Vault restaurant offers shared plates and private dining inside a bank vault.
Explore Park Cabins and Yurts: Consider renting a cabin or yurt with hiking, biking, river access and ziplines right out your door.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Downtown Roanoke is compact and safe, making it easy to explore on foot. Rent a car to reach activities outside of the city.