Things to do in Roanoke, VA

Roanoke, Virginia is roughly 3 hours from Richmond, making it a doable trip for a long weekend. We recently spent 3-nights in Roanoke, and there was still so much to do that we can’t wait to go back! We found Roanoke to be safe, fun, clean, and full of activities that everyone in our family could enjoy.

Where to Stay in Roanoke, Virginia

We LOVED the SpringHill Suites by Marriott. We stayed in a room with 2 TVs, a pull-out couch, and 2 Queen Beds. The BEST part, though, was the complimentary breakfast every morning.

Oatmeal bar, cereal options, eggs, yogurt, tea, coffee, hot cocoa, juices. It was filling, and the perfect way to start our day. The staff is welcoming and hard working, especially Pat, who keeps the breakfast looking and tasting great, and refills the Froot Loops to keep all the kids happy.

Where to Eat in Roanoke, Virginia

Mac and Bob’s- classic, casual, kid-friendly
Macado’s – casual, family-friendly, good kid’s menu
Rookie’s Ice Cream sandwiches – ice cream sandwiches with homemade cookies
Blue Cow Ice Cream – On the way back down from the Roanoke Star. Blue Cow originated in Roanoke and the ice cream for all locations is still made here.

Outdoor Fun in Roanoke, Virginia

Hiking is popular in Roanoke thanks to the gorgeous views. For a kid-friendly hike, try Read Mountain Preserve, ~4 mile hike with beautiful views. For more outdoor recreation, try Explore Park, where you can canoe, hike, camp or try the new Treetop Safari!

For sports fans, Salem Red Sox games are a blast! The games are less crowded than Flying Squirrels, and parking is FREE.

For more outdoor fun try Addy Grace Foundation All-Inclusive Playground: Not right in Roanoke, but good for breaking up the trip there or back.

Indoor Fun in Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke Starcade: An old-school arcade with lots of classic games
Taubman Museum of Art: Art museum with FREE admission for exhibits, but the best part is ArtVenture, a HUGE space for hands-on creating with 14 stations including: 3-D printer, older student station, color wheel. $5/person for ArtVenture
Science Museum of Western Virginia : Tons of hands-on exhibits, for ages toddler-adults

Find Richmond-area attractions as well as more fun with kids.

Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals.