As we look ahead through the curving mountainside, we begin to see signs for I-581 South. When we take the left-hand exit, the interstate feels more like a country highway, leaving the busy and congested roadway behind us. We’ve been lucky with the amount of rain that has fallen this summer – The trees look like a deep green blanket being draped over the gentle slopes. And as we begin to see the city in front of us, I get the feeling that this is going to be an unforgettable LOVE adveture.
Roanoke is a city, located almost 3 hours west of Richmond. One of the main attractions in the area is the Roanoke Star, which gives it its nickname – “The Star City of the South”. Both of our boys were attending wrestling camp at Roanoke College so Brett and I came up early to explore the city and find all of the LOVE that is located here.
There are nine official LOVE signs in the area (we made it to eight on this trip) – The Black Dog Salvage, The Humble Hustle Company, Inc, Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley, Northside High School, Downtown Roanoke, Southeast Roanoke, Vinton War Memorial, Hermitage Roanoke, and Silver Hearth Lodge. We didn’t make it to Silver Hearth Lodge this trip, but if you do, you have to ask for permission before visiting this wedding venue.
You can also find numerous unofficial LOVE signs in and around Roanoke, (Brett and I located nine). When the LOVEworks program began in Virginia, some of the first ones were placed in the Roanoke/ Blue Ridge area.
Speaking of the LOVEworks program, they make it easy to find most of the signs across the state. This said, sometimes they’re not exactly as pictured when you locate them (which is also part of the fun). When searching for the Hermitage LOVE sign, we found it in a gated living community, with the V and E missing! Brett and I decided to have some fun and make the letters on our own :). They may have been sent away for repair so if you make it to this one, definitely send me your picture of it.
The Humble Hustle Company, Inc sign was a similar find. While the L-O-V-E were there, it had been moved where the letters were jumbled together, (which I think makes for a more interesting picture). Something else I’ve appreciate about these journeys are learning about the locations and companies where the signs are located. The Humble Hustle Company’s mission is to “Empower black youth and connect diverse communities by creating innovative, inclusive spaces that inspire hope and promote giving.” How amazing is that!
Before getting settled in the city, we stopped at the Barrel Chest for “important supplies.” The building’s turquoise exterior and adorable pink pig mural are hard to miss, and you won’t be disappointed with the wine and beer options inside. Want to try some while you’re there? They have a self pour option so you can sip and shop as you walk the store. They also offer customers a nice cheese selection, beer and wine accessories and an assortment of fun gifts.
Since Brett and I were staying a few nights, we made reservations at the Hotel Roanoke. This is likely one of Virginia’s most well-known establishments to stay in while visiting the commonwealth. With the original structure being built in the late 1800’s, you will experience a perfect balance of historical place with modern renovations.
And it’s not just the accommodations that are impressive, they also offer spa services, multiple dining options, and a conference center for your professional needs. It’s also located within walking distance to Downtown Roanoke and many other attractions in the city.
That night, we grabbed dinner at Six and Sky Rooftop Grill. Located on the top floors of the Center in the Square building, this hip restaurant offers a variety of surf and turf options at varying price points. Brett ordered the fillet and I had the Sea Bass with risotto, both of which were delicious.
The next morning we wanted to beat the heat so we made our way to the famous Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. At nearly 90 feet-tall in height, the largest man-made star in the world has been lighting up the city for over 75 years. I had no idea you could experience the star up close and personal, much less see a view of Roanoke and surrounding mountains from the same spot. It was beautiful.
While on Mill Mountain, you can also find multiple walking trails, a zoo, a wildflower garden and other park-like amenities. It is an easy drive for anyone looking to escape the city and connect with nature.
Another quick drive from the star brought us to the official South East LOVE sign, next to the Roanoke River Blueway. I had no clue Roanoke had so many walking/ biking trails and water ways until visiting the area – it was very impressive to see. The River Blueway specifically offers 45 miles of canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding through the Blue Ridge, with multiple access points across the Roanoke Valley. Their website makes it easy to plan a trip so you can enjoy this lovely river experience.
As we drove to our next destination, we found several unofficial LOVE signs – a blue LOVE graffiti at the intersection of Tenth St SE & Church Ave SE, a Campbells LOVE sign along the River Greenway (we parked and walked from Piedmont Park) and the LOVE sign at the Dale Avenue Community Mural (located around 1608 Dale Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24013).
Just outside of Roanoke City is the town of Vinton, where the Vinton War Memorial official LOVE sign is located. The structure was originally built as part of a community park, honoring those who served during World War II. Now the building and land provide the community with an event venue, where weddings, social and corporate events occur.
And luckily for us, there was a Macado’s right next door where we grabbed a quick drink after snapping our LOVE sign picture.
Since I’ve started this LOVE sign adventure, one sign I repeatedly kept seeing online was located at Black Dog Salvage (featured picture at the top of this blog). So you can imagine how excited I was to learn that this place is also known for selling high quality salvage, antiques and art! Not only that, they host small local events such as concerts (to include Carbon Leaf!) and markets. You will not want to miss visiting this fun and unique place when coming to Roanoke.
When I think of most cities, I picture super busy and sometimes crowded spaces. But Roanoke’s downtown provides visitors a more intimate and subtle experience, especially the Roanoke City Market. Here, you will find restaurants, shops and activities to enjoy within reasonable walking distance of each other. Close by, you’ll find the official Roanoke LOVE sign, which pays homage to how important the railway was to the area. And the unofficial LOVE sign in a Scrabble design on one of the Market Square doors.
While here we grabbed lunch at The Hatch Restaurant, known for their fried chicken. Brett and I ordered the deviled eggs and split their famous Hatch Chicken sandwich with a side of collard greens and potato salad. There wasn’t a crumb left on our plates after we finished. They also have an unofficial LOVE sign in their front window that you shouldn’t miss.
If you have a sweet tooth, and enjoy unique gift ideas, then make sure you visit Chocolate Paper in downtown. There is something fun around every corner of this store, to include truffles, chocolates, hilarious cards and a wide-variety of joke and novelty gifts. If you’re looking for something uncommon and thoughtful to give to someone, this is the place to find it.
Before leaving downtown, we made our way back to Center in the Square to visit the Roanoke Pinball Museum. While “museum” is in the name, it’s more of a pinball haven where you can play on over 75 vintage and new machines for a reasonable fee. I have to admit, Brett and I had way more fun in this place than I thought we would. Make sure to check their webpage or give them a call to ensure they’re open, as sometimes they will close for special events.
Across from the Hotel Roanoke, we visited the Roanoke History / O. Winston Link Museums. There are several large rooms here sharing the history of the area starting with the Indigenous tribes to where the city is today. There is also a separate section dedicated to O. Winston Link, who was known for using unique lighting techniques to capture the railway at night. Before you leave, make sure you capture another unofficial LOVE sign on the front window.
That night, we had reservations at Well Hung Vineyard and Restaurant. If the name and logo doesn’t intrigue you, the food and drinks will. It is a fun restaurant that has brunch, lunch and dinner menus. And drinks that include spirits, to-go slushies and of course, wine. We split the *Rappahannock Oyster ‘Hungfeller’ and the Magic City ‘Margherita’ Flatbread Pizza, both were very good.
Before leaving to pick up our boys from camp on our last day, we made two final stops. We enjoyed brunch at Scrambled. This is a classic breakfast joint offering various flavors of mimosas in pint size glasses (just how I like ‘em), and traditional breakfast served your way. The staff wears fun #WTFT shirts (What The French Toast) and they’re super friendly while serving you.
And finally I was excited to experience the The Taubman Museum of Art. You’ll be amazed by the architectural design of the building, by internationally renowned architect Randall Stout. Taubman offers eleven galleries, rotating exhibitions with various featured artists and permanent collections for visitors to enjoy. They also have a nice museum shop where you can buy your next favorite souvenir.
Roanoke is a place to love…
Roanoke is one of those cities that feels more rural than urban. You can easily escape into the surrounding mountains, hike a trail or paddle down a river whenever nature calls. Even their downtown feels intimate, where the people are neighborly and the establishments inviting. There is also a real sense of community here – Everywhere we went it was common to see local patrons being recognized for their contributions to uphold the area’s history and culture. The next time you find yourself in the Blue Ridge area, make sure you pay Roanoke a visit. You’ll thank yourself later if you do.
Ready to visit the Star City of the South? They’ve got you covered.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
| Official ♥️ Signs Visited = 62 | LOVEworks Official Signs = 336 |
| Unofficial ♥️ Signs Visited = 54 | LOVEworks Unofficial Signs = 400+ |
| TOTAL VISITED = 116 | TOTAL LOVEworks Signs = 700+ |
Is this your first Leah LOVES Virginia blog post read? Thank you for taking the time to visit. If you’re wondering how this adventure got started, check-out my first blog post and my about page. Want to stay connected? It’s super easy and you’ll only hear from me when a new blog gets posted. You can also follow along by friending me on my Leah LOVES Virginia Facebook page.
Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything I include in my blogs are factual and that I also give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something included here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
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