Downtown Date Nights
Category: What’s New
From charming eateries to captivating events, Downtown Roanoke is the perfect place to take your special someone. Whether your perfect date is strolling a museum, visiting local restaurants and lounges, or seeing a concert: here's your guide to crafting an enchanting evening in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Dinner at a Local Restaurant
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One idea is to savor the food scene in Roanoke at one of the area's restaurants. For a cozy, intimate atmosphere, visit Alexanders, Bernard's Gastropub and Eatery, Billy's, Food Fanatics Kitchen, Fortunado, Frankie Rowland's, Leonore Restuarant, Lucky, The Pine Room at Hotel Roanoke, Regency Dining Room, Sidecar, Six and Sky, Status, Stock Bistro and Bar, Table 50, in the Vault at the Liberty Trust.
Many of these restaurants have locally sourced ingredients crafted into unique dishes and cocktails on a rotating seasonal menu.
If something more casual is your vibe, there are still plenty of options! You and your date could visit 202 Social House, Awful Arthur's Seafood Company, Cabo Fish Taco, Corned Beef and Co., The City Market Building, Jack Browns, Lews Restaurant Southwest, Martins Downtown, Tacos Rojas, The Front Row, or Well Hung Vineyard.
Stroll Through Historic Streets and Parks
After dinner, take a leisurely stroll hand-in-hand through the historic streets of Downtown Roanoke. Admire the architecture that reflects the city's rich history, from the iconic Market Square to the quaint storefronts lining Campbell Avenue. As you wander, immerse yourselves in the different energy the city has to offer. From the vibrant streets to the tranquility of Elmwood Park and the City's Greenway, you and your date can take your time exploring downtown at your own pace.
Visit a Museum, Art Gallery or Attend a Concert
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The Downtown area is full of museums to visit. Some may take a few hours, others not as long. Spots like Center in the Square allow you to unleash your inner child at the Pinball Museum, Science Museum and Planetarium, and Starcade. Dive deep into the past by visiting the History Museum of Western Virginia, The Harrison Museum of African American Culture, or the O. Winston Link Museum. The Virginia Transportation Museum brings to life the history of transportation in Roanoke including its rich railroad history with a full railyard!
The arts scene is blossoming in the city. You can immerse yourselves in the art scene at the Taubman Museum of Art, featuring paintings, sculptures, and interactive displays. You can also stop by galleries like Art on 1st, The Aurora Studio Center, Betty Branch Sculptures, Gallery 202, Left of Center Art Space, Liminal Gallery, Gallery360, and others.
Embracing the arts can go beyond visual arts, you can check out shows at Mill Mountain Theater, The Jefferson Center, 5 Points Music Sanctuary, Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges, The Spot on Kirk, or one of the many restaurants offering music from local artists.
Sweet Treats and Nightcaps
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No date night is complete without a sweet finale and perhaps a nightcap to toast to your unforgettable evening. Head to one of Downtown Roanoke's charming cafes or dessert spots, such as chocolatepaper, Rookie's, Waffle Cone or Sweets by Shaneice.
As the night winds down, find a cozy corner at one of the district's bars or lounges, like Stellina, Bernard's, Lucky, Six and Sky, or Status Lounge where you can enjoy a nightcap. You can also visit one of the city's many breweries like Three Notch'd, Olde Salem, or Big Lick.
Weekly and Monthly Events
In addition to all the downtown fixtures, there are multiple events constantly happening throughout the bustling district! The best way to stay up to date is to check out our Calendar of Events, Visit DRI Events, and sign up for our weekly Downtown Newsletter, which keeps you in the loop every Wednesday for the weekend ahead.
In Downtown Roanoke, every corner holds the promise of adventure, making it the perfect destination for a romantic date night. Whether you're savoring gourmet cuisine, exploring local art, or simply soaking in the charm of the city streets, you're sure to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. So, why wait? Plan your enchanting evening in downtown Roanoke and let the magic unfold.
Mentioned in this Post
Awful Arthur's Seafood Company
108 Campbell Ave SE
The Front Row
356 Salem Ave
Betty Branch Sculpture Studio & Gallery
123 Norfolk Ave SW
Center in the Square
1 Market Sq
chocolatepaper
308-3 Market St
Corned Beef & Company, Inc.
107 Jefferson St S
Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse
104 Jefferson St S
History Museum of Western Virginia
101 Shenandoah Ave NE
Jefferson Center
541 Luck Ave
Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill
413 First St
O. Winston Link Museum
101 Shenandoah Ave
Regency Dining Room
110 Shenandoah Ave NE
Science Museum of Western Virginia
1 Market Sq
Table 50
309 Market St
Taubman Museum of Art
110 Salem Ave
Virginia Museum of Transportation
303 Norfolk Ave SW
Lucky
18 Kirk Ave
Alexander Films, LLC
777 Mountain Pass Rd
City Market Building
32 Market Sq SE
Billy's
102 Market St
Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint
210 B Market St
Big Lick Brewing Co.
409 Salem Ave SW
Mill Mountain Theatre Trinkle Main Stage
1 Market Sq
Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges
9 Old Whitmore Ave
Gallery 202
206 Market Sq
Fortunato
104 Kirk Ave SW
LIMINAL Gallery
302 Campbell Ave SE
The Spot on Kirk
22 Kirk Ave SW
The Aurora Studio Center
110 Campbell Ave SW
Roanoke Pinball Museum
1 Market Sq
The Pine Room Pub at the Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Ave
5 Points Music Sanctuary
1217 Maple Ave
202 Social House
202 Market St
Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery
303 S Jefferson St
Three Notch'd Brewing Co.
24 Campbell Ave
Roanoke STARCADE
1 Market Square
Food Fanatics Kitchen
551 Marshall Ave SW
Left of Center Art Space
24 Campbell Ave SW
Tacos Rojas
32 Market Square
Lew's Restaurant Southwest
11 Walnut Ave
Stellina
104 Kirk Ave SW
Sidecar
411 1st Street SW
Well Hung Vineyard
402 S Jefferson St
Rookie's - Ice Cream Shop
611 S Jefferson St
Sweets by Shaneice
501 Campbell Ave SW
Olde Salem Brewing Company
315 Market Street
The Vault at The Liberty Trust
101 S Jefferson St
Stock Bistro & Bar
13 Church Ave SE
Art on 1st
300 1st St
Status Restaurant & Lounge
213 Williamson Rd
Gallery360
310 1st Street SW
Waffle Cone
1 Campbell Ave SW
Six and Sky Rooftop Grille
1 Market Sq