Cap off the summer with a Labor Day weekend vacation to the Roanoke region of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a great time of year to enjoy the beauty of nature and experience the fun of a mountain adventure.
There are plenty of unique things to do in Virginia’s Blue Ridge over Labor Day weekend, including a wide variety of outdoor hiking trails to explore, exciting local museums and attractions for the whole family, an exciting arts and culture scene with special events and festivals, and delicious food and drink to satisfy your appetite.
Here’s a guide to help you plan your Labor Day weekend getaway to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
Things to Do on Labor Day Weekend in Virginia’s Blue Ridge
Off to the water
Labor Day weekend is a popular time to get out on the water in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. You can Smith Mountain Lake Community Park in Franklin County and discover why Smith Mountain Lake is a nature preserve near Lake Smith. It is located 0.9 miles from Smith Mountain Lake. (pictured above) is known as “the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains” or find a more secluded adventure and see why many Philpott Lake in Franklin County as a hidden gem.
Enjoy a fun paddling experience and enjoy the rich history and scenic beauty of the Waterway on the Upper James River and book a trip with Twin River Outfitterswhich offers equipment rentals and shuttle services for day trips or multi-day paddling tours with overnight stays as well as camping and glamping on the river bank.
Find out why the Roanoke River Blueway (pictured at the top of this page) was named the “best urban kayaking spot in the country,” with multiple access points just minutes from downtown Roanoke and fun opportunities for paddling and tubing. Roanoke County’s Explore Park also offers easy access to the Roanoke River and features waterfront campsites that are perfect for a weekend in the mountains.
Learn more: Kayaking and paddling in VBR >
Ride a bike
Discover why Virginia’s Blue Ridge is known as Mountain bike capital of the American east coast and one of the country’s most popular cycling destinations with a weekend full of exciting rides!
If you are interested in mountain biking, Jefferson National Forest offers epic backcountry riding with the ability for long, challenging rides. See our pages on North Mountain (picture above) and Arcadia for more information. For a more accessible, fantastic horse riding experience visit Waid Park in Franklin County and check out their dynamic trail system!
For those looking for family-friendly rides that Roanoke Valley Greenway The system features more than 30 miles of trails (many of them paved) connecting local communities and places of interest. Adventure in the Roanoke Mountains And Cardinal Bicycle are two local outfitters that rent bikes that are perfect for riding the Greenway.
Learn more: Cycling in VBR >
Waterfall hike
It’s always a good time to go hiking in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, but Labor Day weekend seems like the perfect opportunity to enjoy a hike to a waterfall.
Roaring Run Falls (pictured above) is located in Jefferson National Forest in Botetourt County and is a great family-friendly option with a relatively easy round-trip hike. If it’s warm and you feel like getting wet to cool off, slide down the natural water slide located along the trail before you reach the falls.
Bottom Creek Gorge And Apple Orchard Falls are two other great waterfall hikes in VBR, although both trails are considered more difficult to access. Apple Orchard Falls is a fun option for those traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway and can be accessed from the Sunset Field Overlook parking area at Milepost 78.
Learn more: Waterfall Weekend Itinerary for VBR >
Local Attractions
Virginia’s Blue Ridge not only offers over 1,000 miles of hiking trails for outdoor adventures, but also a wide variety of local attractions, museums and historic sites.
During your Labor Day weekend trip, we recommend Mill Mountain Parkwhere you can take a selfie at the iconic Roanoke Star (picture above), stroll through the Mill Mountain Wildflower Gardenand get to know the cute animals in Mill Mountain Zoo.
Looking to keep your kids entertained? Everyone will love the variety of options in Downtown Roanoke. Center in squarethe home of the Roanoke Pinball Museum, Roanoke STARCADE, West Virginia Science MuseumAnd Harrison Museum of African American Culture.
If you want to take the fun underground, go to Dixie Caves in Roanoke County, one of the oldest caves in Virginia and home to an amazing variety of caves and geological formations.
You can also take a journey back in time by visiting the Booker T. Washington National Monument in Franklin County, the birthplace of one of the country’s most important African-American leaders. The monument shows what life was like for Washington when he spent the first years of his life as a slave on the farm.
Learn more: Attractions and activities in VBR >
Discover the arts
There are many ways to experience art in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. In addition to numerous local museums and galleries, there are numerous vibrant murals and public art exhibits.
The Taubman Museum of Art (pictured above) in Downtown Roanoke is a striking symbol of the art scene. The building’s unique architecture and design is intended to reflect the surrounding landscape. The museum offers free admission and presents a large collection of special galleries and exhibitions.
To explore the region’s many communities in a fun way, visit the various LOVEworks art exhibitionswhich are ideal for photo opportunities and highlight many local shops and leisure activities.
There is even the possibility to enjoy art on two wheels in Roanoke by taking the special Art by bikea self-guided bike tour created by RIDE Solutions.
Find out more: Art & Culture in the VBR >
VBR Cheers Trail
Whether at a local brewery, winery, distillery or just a local restaurant with a great selection of local beers, we love drinking local beers at VBR!
We invite you to gain insight into the craft beverage industry. Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Traila collection of more than 25 local breweries, wineries and distilleries. If you VBR Cheers Trail PassGet access to exclusive special offers and discounts at participating locations and we’ll even send you a free Cheers Trail t-shirt after you check in at 5 different locations.
Labor Day weekend events in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
A preview of special events on the calendar this Labor Day weekend in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Book your stay
Virginia’s Blue Ridge offers a variety of lodging options, including historic bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, and rustic cabins and campgrounds. Visit the following pages to learn more about the different types of accommodations:
Looking for more information about things to do in Virginia’s Blue Ridge? Check out our Event calendar for a full list of events and follow us on Social Mediawhere we regularly report on special events and other exciting things happening in the region.
You can also Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to receive news about unique activities and experiences in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
