We know this is an uncertain time and people have lots of questions. Feel free to reach out to us through our Contact form - we can't promise that we'll have the answers but we'll do our best to provide you with helpful information and resources.
A few months ago, we couldn’t have even told you what “social distancing” means. Now, it’s become part of every-day life.
As we work together to keep each other safe, it’s important to continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask any time you choose to go out.
If it’s difficult to know how far apart you need to stay away from others, we hope this special Virginia’s Blue Ridge Social Distancing Guide can serve as a fun, helpful reminder! :)
Many late nights in Downtown Roanoke have included quite a few bowls of “chile” and Cheesy Westerns, the iconic burger at Texas Tavern. For the uninitiated, a Cheesy Western is a burger topped with cheese, fried egg, pickles, and relish.
Cheers to the good times ahead in Virginia’s Blue Ridge! 18 pints of craft beer equals roughly six feet, the proper amount for social distancing. You can’t go wrong when you’re filling those pints with craft beer from local breweries from our region.
If you’re putting together a list of the most iconic dishes in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the giant calzones from Mac & Bob’s Restaurant in Salem definitely earns a spot on the list! The Boston Zone is a calzone stuffed with chicken tenders basted in hot wing sauce.
Twin Creeks Distillery carries on a family legacy of craft spirits production in Franklin County - the Moonshine Capital of the World. The still at the Twin Creeks tasting room in Rocky Mount is a wonderful tribute to that history and heritage.
Twin Creeks Distillery - Order Online >
Virginia’s Blue Ridge offers the opportunity to practice social distancing in the great outdoors, with beautiful settings such as the Upper James River Water Trail in Botetourt County. Twin River Outfitters can help you plan your next water adventure with options for gear rentals, including kayaks.
Twin River Outfitters Website >
The local creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes provide amazing areas for fly-fishing in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, and you can get all the gear you need, including a fly-fishing rod, from Orvis, which has a store in Downtown Roanoke.
For digital planning and shopping, check out the Orvis website >
Please stay “Bali the Snow Leopard” distance away from each other! :) Bali is one of the four-legged members of the Mill Mountain Zoo family, which is located atop Roanoke’s Mill Mountain. Keep up with the animals at the Zoo and some fun activities they’re currently enjoying by checking out the Mill Mountain Zoo Facebook Page >
Two baseball bats from the Salem Red Sox is a good reminder for social distancing, and it’s also a reminder that a visit to Virginia’s Blue Ridge means a chance to get future Major League Baseball stars in a beautiful setting - a night out at the Salem Memorial Ballpark to cheer on the Sox is Worth the Wait.
Many of the most impressive locomotives in railroad history were constructed at the Norfolk & Western Shops in Downtown Roanoke, including the iconic Class J611 steam locomotive, deemed “The Queen of Steam.” When the 611 isn’t being used for passenger excursions, it’s housed at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
NOTE - This is intended to be a fun, light-hearted way to encourage social distancing. Please avoid traveling if sick, maintain at least six feet distance from others, wash hands often, and follow all recommended CDC & public health guidelines.
We know this is an uncertain time and people have lots of questions. Feel free to reach out to us through our Contact form - we can't promise that we'll have the answers but we'll do our best to provide you with helpful information and resources.
Complete the VBR Support Local Bingo card and take advantage of some fun ways you can show your support for local businesses in Virginia's Blue Ridge.
Enjoy a virtual shopping spree in the Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge and support local retail businesses and stores that are offering online shopping service.
Find out which local food & beverage businesses in Virginia's Blue Ridge are offering some type of takeout, curbside pickup, or delivery service and show them some love by placing an order.
For our local businesses and organizations that are partners with Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge, we've created a special page in our Partnership section with additional resources and organizations to connect you with that can provide assistance during this time.
Tourism Impact Survey: Let Visit VBR Know How Your Business Has Been Impacted by COVID-19 >
The following are helpful resources that other websites in the community have created, such as ideas for activities, ways to support local businesses, and updates related to cancellations and breaking news.
Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is committed to cultivating an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates the unique backgrounds, abilities, passions, and perspectives of our vibrant community. As our region’s only destination marketing organization, we have a responsibility to showcase the best the Roanoke Region has to offer, and those assets and strengths come in varied forms. We embrace differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, language, visible and invisible disabilities, and all the intersecting identities that make Virginians and visitors alike so unique. We believe our differences make us stronger– and better.