Virginia's Blue Ridge - Response to COVID-19

Normally, the primary mission and goal of our organization is to get people to visit Virginia's Blue Ridge. We love this region and want others to experience it. Unfortunately, because of the impact of COVID-19, we are temporarily having to adjust what it means to experience Virginia's Blue Ridge.

However, we still have many fantastic local businesses and organizations that could use our support. It's these people and businesses that make Virginia's Blue Ridge a wonderful place to visit, as well as live, work, and play. If you're able, we ask that you consider ways that you can help out local businesses, such as ordering takeout or delivery from restaurants & bars, purchasing gift cards that can be used at a later date, or purchasing memberships to local museums.

While we practice social distancing and all do our part to get through this time, Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge has come up with some resources, ideas, virtual events, and activities for how you can still experience the region, in a variety of ways.

Restaurants - Take-Out & Delivery Options

Check out the list below to find out which restaurants in our region are offering takeout, curbside, and delivery service. You can also utilize delivery service through apps like Grubhub, ChowNow, Uber Eats, and DoorDash. Purchasing gift cards to restaurants that can be used at a later date is another great way to show your support!

NOTE: Visit VBR will continue to update this list. If a restaurant isn't listed, do not assume that it is not offering takeout or delivery services. Please visit the websites and social media pages of specific restaurants & locations for the most up-to-date information on services and availability. 

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has declared March 30 through April 5 as Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week, so support your favorite local establishments by ordering takeout and share your stories & pics on social media by using the hashtag #VirginiaEatsLocal.

Craft Beverages - Take-Out & Delivery Options

In addition to restaurants, many of our local breweries, wineries, and craft spirits businesses are developing creative ways to continue to serve their customers. Many have started offering special to-go and curbside delivery options. If you're unable to visit in person, consider purchasing a gift card for future use or a six pack of your favorite local craft beverage on the next trip to the grocery store.

Shopping & Retail - Online & Gift Cards

Who else could use some retail therapy right now? There are lots of local stores and shops that offer online options, as well as gift cards that can help you be ready for your next shopping spree. Our friends at Downtown Roanoke Inc. put together a helpful guide with lots of updates from local retailers >

Big Lick Screen Printing is also selling t-shirts to help support local businesses and nonprofits >

Attractions - Digital Activities

The local museums and attractions are hard at work to continue coming up with creative ways to keep us educated and entertained! Consider showing your appreciation by purchasing passes for a future date or becoming an annual member. Many of our partners are providing fun digital activities, virtual tours and resources that you can enjoy from home with your family, such as the following:

• Blue Ridge Institute & Museum - Online Exhibits
• Eleanor D. Wilson Museum - Virtual Publications
• Glazed Bisque-It - Offering To-Go Pottery Kits
• History Museum of Western Virginia & O. Winston Link Museum - Digital Collections
• Kids Square Children's Museum - Facebook Live Activity Videos
• Mill Mountain Zoo - Education Ambassador Animal Videos
• Roanoke Children's Theatre - Facebook Activity Videos
• Roanoke Star - View from the STARCAM
• Salem Museum - Online Collections
• Taubman Museum of Art - Facebook Live Exhibit Tours & Activities
• Virginia Museum of Transportation - Online Collections

Hotels & Lodging - Book a Room

When it's time to start planning your next trip, the hotels and lodging options in Virginia's Blue Ridge are here to provide a clean, refreshing space that can be part of a relaxing getaway to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether it's a downtown hotel near great restaurants and museums, a charming B&B in a historic neighborhood, or secluded cabins and campgrounds, you'll find all kinds of great lodging in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Visit our Hotels & Lodging section to learn more >

​Arts & Culture | Entertainment | Virtual Events

When things get back to normal, our local arts & culture organizations and event venues will get back to producing and presenting fantastic events! Many performing arts organizations and venues offer the option to purchase gift cards, so plan ahead and get ready for when the show goes on! Check out our Performing Arts page for more info on local organizations and venues in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Local venues are even getting creative and coming up with ways to stream live music and entertainment programming through social media, including the following:

• Dr Pepper Park at The Bridges - Rock to the Rescue Streaming Concert Series
• Floyd Country Store - Friday Night Jamboree Live Stream
• Grandin Theatre Film Lab
• Black Dog Salvage - Black Dog Builds YouTube Series
• The Spot on Kirk - Facebook Live
• Parkway Brewing Company - Facebook Live
• Starr Hill Roanoke Pilot Brewery & Side Stage - Facebook Live
• Sounds of the Mountains "At Home" Festival - April 4

​CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS >

We'd like to offer some other ways you can enjoy Virginia's Blue Ridge through popular TV shows, movies, music and books with local connections to the region. Here are some recommendations:

• For Watching: Lawless, Dirty Dancing, What About Bob?, A Walk in the Woods, Lake Effects, Salvage Dawgs (TV Show)
• For Reading: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek - Annie Dillard, Truevine - Beth Macy, Wish You Well - David Baldacci, The Bedford Boys - Alex Kershaw
• For Listening: VBR Spotify Channel | Spotify Playlist: The Crooked Road | Local Bands: Old Dominion, My Radio, Place Called Home, After Jack, Corey Hunley, The Low Low Chariot, The Floorboards, Morgan Wade & The Stepbrothers, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

Outdoor Recreation & Self-Guided Tours

We have no shortage of opportunities for outdoor adventure in Virginia's Blue Ridge and getting outside is one of the things that medical experts are recommending right now, as long as you practice smart social distancing. Avoid any group outdoor activities and keep six feet apart from others you encounter, but take advantage of our fantastic local parks and trail systems. We also have some fun options for self-guided walking & biking tours.

If you're getting out for a walk, run, or ride, we'd also encourage you to use free tools like STRAVA, MapMyWalk, MTB Project, and Trailforks so that you can track your route and share it with others! It's a fun way to encourage group participation while still adhering to social distancing.

Please note that many public restrooms in these areas are currently closed so plan accordingly. Also, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is asking people to stay off the Appalachian Trail due to it not being a viable place to practice safe social distancing.

Roanoke Outside has put together a great list of updates related to outdoor businesses and locations in the region: COVID-19 Outdoor Updates >

Here are some additional resources:

• Underrated Hiking Trails
• Kid-Friendly Mountain Biking Trails
• Gravel Biking - Franklin County Gravel Grinding Trinity - 3 challenging distance rides
• Pet-Friendly Hikes
• Waterfall Hikes
• Great Public Parks in Virginia's Blue Ridge
• Explore Park
• Disc Golf
• Bike to Outdoor Public Art
• Self Guided Walking Tours: Historic Fincastle, Downtown Salem, Downtown Roanoke
• Scenic Mountain Drives