Roanoke Car Tours: Your Top 5 Road Trip Adventures

Getting to cruise around Roanoke by car is that easy way to catch those breathtaking views and dive deep into the Star City’s vibe, and in some respects, that’s a given. With winding roads kissing the mountains and history around every bend, choosing a car tour can feel, like, totally overwhelming, right? Fear not! That easy plan will guide you through those top 5 car tours Roanoke has to offer, loaded with helpful insights and those genuine recommendations to, like, honestly help you plan an, you know, actually incredible experience. You are going to be seeing historical spots around every bend!

1. The Blue Ridge Parkway Experience

First off, you really have to go down the Blue Ridge Parkway – it is usually one of those biggies for, that, pretty great reasons. Is that drive kind of stretches, very, like, actually long, offering, you know, views that pretty much look like postcards. And you can literally stretch for miles. Think you can expect rolling hills, you know, really very thick forests, and some truly panoramic overlooks that’ll have you snapping pics, and more or less, taking videos like, the whole time, right? Take your, like, own time at Mabry Mill, and maybe stop for a, very, brief hike at the Peaks of Otter. Did you see all of these wonderful hills while cruising around? The Parkway can be pretty breathtaking. Seriously, that one place that’s kind of a must.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Parkway Trip

Plan Ahead: Check the Parkway’s website for closures, especially during the winter months.
Pack Snacks: Options for food are limited along the route, so bring your own.
Charge Your Camera: Trust me, you’re gonna need it!

2. Roanoke’s History Tour: Downtown & Beyond

Or you could go around and see that downtown vibe with, you know, quite a lot of pretty great history right? Start up at the Historic Roanoke City Market, and maybe even stop at the Virginia Museum of Transportation to just, like, actually, see trains, planes and pretty neat automobiles. You’re able to drive, almost, easily over to the Grandin Village, known for its unique, quite popular shops and old movie theater, so you can catch the vibe. Roanoke, pretty much, brings it to you in the center of town with all these nice restaurants that are literally on every corner! Is that the best way to absorb all that history?

Key Stops on the History Tour

Roanoke City Market: Sample goods from local vendors.
Virginia Museum of Transportation: Look at transportation history.
Grandin Village: Discover some village shops and entertainment.

3. Star City Brewery and Winery Hop

Anyway, maybe you need, like, actually relax and sample stuff! Check out those local flavors, right? Plan, basically, a safe route checking out a few popular spots to enjoy Roanoke’s wineries and breweries. Try Big Lick Brewing Company and Flying Mouse Brewery in your area, which, pretty much, each have, really, quite special craft beer selections. If, kind of, wine’s the thing for your style, so go off to explore Valhalla Vineyards! Ensure you have like, someone who is driving around carefully if you want to sample the, kind of, tasty drinks, okay? Is that you experiencing the, you know, unique offerings at some breweries?

Tips for a Safe and Fun Brewery/Winery Tour

Designate a Driver: Pretty obvious, but important!
Plan Your Route: Roanoke breweries and wineries can be kinda scattered, really.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water between tastings to keep refreshed, right?

4. Scenic Views & Valley Vistas Tour

Looking to catch some pretty fantastic sights but want them closer and easier than going around, all over the, like, actually Parkway, really? Okay, in that case! Create a course that basically captures overlooks surrounding Roanoke Valley, and then you may feel the wind in the Valley’s, honestly, fantastic views, just, pretty easily. Drive by the Roanoke Mountain Overlook for almost some, very cool scenes of the city. Drive onwards to explore more scenic spots off roads you pick at random, you know, just near Carvins Cove. Just, arguably, take advantage of an unbelievable Valley vista where the light hits! It seems to be so cool right?

Must-See Scenic Stops

Roanoke Mountain Overlook: See panoramic, truly, almost crazy sights across town.
Carvins Cove Reservoir: Enjoy gorgeous waterfront scenes as you ride.
Explore Backroads: Chance upon unexpected scenic spots you otherwise skip right over.

5. Small Town Charm: Exploring Smith Mountain Lake

Lastly, why is everyone skipping the countryside? Why don’t you try Smith Mountain Lake so you will encounter many quaint little towns, really, nearly by water’s edge. Get your, like, actual start at Moneta. Explore small shops, visit local restaurants right along that shore. Maybe actually take a boat trip if the weather holds out to get great perspective on everything while it actually sparkles like blue! Do, almost, small towns, really bring us that Southern charm? Is there anything we are truly missing here?

Highlights of the Smith Mountain Lake Tour

Moneta: Pretty cool stores plus places you would chill at close to the lake!
Smith Mountain Lake Boat Tour: Grab yourself, almost, entirely amazing angles when visiting it, especially when from down right next the water.
Countryside Drives: Maybe drive up roads that take you close, you could spot pretty beautiful things to observe like antique things, you get?