3 Amazing Day Trips to Take Near Roanoke, VA

March 05, 2021 · 3 min read

Aerial view of Roanoke, Virginia at twilight, showing downtown skyline with mountains in background and Priority Honda dealership lights visible

The largest city in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, VA is an important commercial and cultural hub for the entire region, as well as an excellent base to explore the states of Virginia and neighboring North Carolina and West Virginia. If you're planning a day trip or a weekend escape from the city, these are some great ideas and destinations that can be reached in less than a couple of hours' drive.

1. George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

As one of the largest public land areas in the Eastern United States, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are a great destination for nature lovers who want to get away from the city and breathe some fresh air. The forests cover more than one million acres of territory, with designated wildness areas, viewpoints, hiking trails, and Mount Rogers, considered the highest point in the state of Virginia. One of the most fascinating places to visit within the limits of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests is the ghost town of Lignite, which was once an iron ore mining town owned by a private company. The industrial areas of the town were abandoned in the 1920s, but people lived in the area until the 1950s. Currently, there are only a few remains of the old churches, post offices, and schools that once existed in the town.

2. Smith Mountain Lake State Park

With camping facilities and several recreational areas, the Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a prime destination for day-trippers from Roanoke, Lynchburg, and other nearby cities in southern Virginia and North Carolina. The park opened its doors to the public in 1983, attracting thousands of visitors every year, most of whom come during the warmest months of the year to swim in the lake and perform water sports. The Smith Mountain Lake State Park is located less than 35 miles east of downtown Roanoke, a drive that usually takes a little under an hour in good traffic conditions. Once inside the park, there are lodging areas and designated picnic spots for visitors. Whether you're planning a trip with friends, family, or solo, this is an optimal destination to get away from the city and enjoy the natural wonders of the area.

3. Greensboro, NC

The third most populous city in the state of North Carolina is a popular destination among visitors from Roanoke and other nearby towns across the state line in Virginia. Some of the most popular touristic attractions in the area include the International Civil Rights Museum, the Greensboro Science Center, and the historic houses in the College Hill area. From downtown Roanoke, Greensboro is a little under two hours away by car.

Before you set off to explore the surroundings of Roanoke and go on memorable day trips in the area, create a game plan to make the most of your time off! Who knows - try out a few and you may find a new favorite destination!

Green Honda Odyssey minivan parked at county fair with Ferris wheel and colorful balloons in background

Apr 02, 2021

A Buyer's Guide to the 2021 Honda Odyssey

Every detail comes together in the new 2021 Honda Odyssey to give you an outstanding driving experience. With modern conveniences and advanced safety systems, this minivan can handle both play, recreation, and tasks! Read on to find out more about the impressive 2021 Honda Odyssey. Easy Accessibility This minivan holds up to 8 passengers and provides up to 158 cubic feet of cargo. All 8 passengers can easily reach their seats with power-sliding rear doors and Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats making the third row readily accessible. Let your Odyssey do the work by using your remote key fob up to 50 feet away to turn on the tri-zone climate, start the engine, and open the rear sliding doors so everyone can quickly hop in. Don't worry about debris from shoes or spilled snacks with the available HondaVAC®. Use this handy feature to reach every seat from front to back with its long-reach hose, and then clean up is a cinch with the easily-emptied dust bin. Access the vacuum and rear cargo with a gentle kick of your foot under the rear bumper. This move will automatically raise the hands-free power liftgate letting you stow your gear and fold down the third row Magic Seat® into the cargo floor. 2021 Honda Odyssey Trim Levels The 2021 Odyssey is offered in 5 impeccable models: the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Every Odyssey trim includes the Honda Sensing® Suite standard, a state-of-the-art set of safety features to protect you from bumper to bumper. These safety technologies keep your eyes on the road with a series of visual and audible warnings and alerts to assist with timely braking, unintentional lane drifting, gap time between you and the vehicle ahead, and road sign detection to ensure you are always following posted safety laws. Be In-the-Know Keeping everyone happy will be a breeze with the conveniences Honda has designed. The available 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot makes it easy to stay connected while the front and rear USB ports make sure all devices are charged and ready for the drive. The front seat's 8-inch digital infotainment center connects seamlessly with your Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM compatible smartphone to easily access music, podcasts, messages, phone calls, and navigation. Hoping to keep eyes on the road, Honda has created CabinWatch® and CabinTalk® to minimize the number of times you need to turn around to see what's going on in the back seats. CabinWatch® uses multiple cameras to allow you to keep an eye on things, even in the dark, while CabinTalk® utilizes the 11 speakers to let you reach the rear occupants. The 2021 Odyssey has all the bells and whistles to make every drive comfortable and safe. Call or stop by Priority Honda Roanoke today to take a look at this incredible vehicle! Whether around town or on the road, the Odyssey has got you covered - schedule a test drive today to enjoy the experience for yourself!

Red Honda Civic sedan driving dynamically on city street, showcasing sleek design and performance - Priority Honda Roanoke

Feb 26, 2021

5 Reasons Drivers Love the 2021 Honda Civic

Drivers are raving about the new 2021 Honda Civic this year. It has an extremely comfortable cabin, intelligent safety technology, a distinctly bold and sporty design - read on to find out more about this beauty! 1. Comfortable and Spacious Cabin Your 2021 Civic can seat up to five passengers with ample space left over. It also has available 60/40 split-fold back seating, so you can extend your trunk in a few different ways in order to maximize storage and seating space in this sedan. In the EX-L and Touring trims, you get standard leather-trimmed seating, while on the Sport trim and higher, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob come standard. For even more comfort and luxury, you also get available heated front seats to keep you cozy on chilly winter drives. On the impressive Touring trim, you even get standard heated rear outboard seats so the kids can't complain! Additionally, your 2021 Civic has a driver's seat with available eight-way power adjustment, so you can easily find the perfect driving position for you. 2. Start Your Engine from Afar and Stay Warm in the Winter! Are you tired of getting into an ice-cold car every morning after spending precious time scraping the snow and ice off of your windshield? With the 2021 Civic, these problems are in the rearview mirror. You have access to the available remote engine start function on your keys. This way, you can press a button and your car's engine will start so you can turn up the heat and defrost your windows before you ever leave your house. 3. High-Tech Safety Assistance Features There are many safety-assistance features available with the 2021 Civic so you can feel more confident at the wheel. Honda LaneWatch displays a video feed of the lane beside you when you turn on your corresponding turn signal so you can get maximum visibility before switching lanes. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera shows you what's behind you when you're in reverse, but now you can choose from three different angles: there's normal, wide, and top-down. 4. Commanding and Athletic Design The 2021 Civic is designed to look pretty and function seamlessly. That's why it has chiseled LED headlights to finish its domineering face and front grille. The body lines of the 2021 Civic are muscular and sleek, and its wide, powerful stance boasts athleticism. The c-shaped taillights with complementing LED light bars complete the bold, sporty look of this classic sedan. 5. Modern Connectivity in Your Command Center You can now connect your smartphone to your 2021 Civic's information center and a display screen with available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. This way, you can bring your phone calls, navigation apps, music, and more right into your 2021 Civic simply and seamlessly. Both iPhone and Android smartphone users can connect their devices to their Civic, so almost everyone is included! Do you want to learn more about what this car has to offer? Stop by Priority Honda Roanoke today for details on the fantastic 2021 Civic - and maybe even take a test drive to enjoy the experience in person!

Multiple freshly made pizzas with various toppings like pepperoni, jalapeños, and mozzarella cheese, displayed at a pizza counter or restaurant with staff visible in the background.

Feb 05, 2021

9 of the Best Pizza Places in Roanoke, VA

Takeout nights are the best nights: no cooking required, you can just sit back, relax, and wait for your food to arrive. If you're looking for an excellent cheesy slice, Roanoke, VA is a great place to be! Although there are many great Italian restaurants in Roanoke, we've compiled a list of the best places to get a slice in the city. Read on to find out what the 7 best pizza places in Roanoke are! Benny Marconi's Located on Campbell Ave, Benny Marconi's is convenient as well as delicious. Their huge portions ensure that you'll have leftovers for days after your order! The monthly specials are always innovative and tasty. Fortunato Just blocks away from Benny Marconi's in downtown Roanoke, Fortunato is another restaurant that shouldn't be missed. It has a well-deserved four and a half stars on Yelp, and it's beloved by locals and tourists alike. Adventurous eaters should try the speck and fennel pie. If you're in the mood to play it safe, you can't go wrong with classic cheese! Leonore Restaurant Leonore is another wonderful downtown restaurant located right across the street from Fortunato. At Leonore's, the crust is the star of the show! Cheesesteak fans should try the small Philadelphia pie. Bobby's Hot and Cheesy The service at Bobby's is considered by many to be just as good as the food - which is wonderful as well! If you love to try many different slices, the flight is a fun and delicious option. If you're looking to mix healthy and hearty, add any salad on the menu to a pie. Make sure to take a look around the restaurant while you're there and enjoy the unique décor! Grace's Place Pizzeria Grace's is an excellent pizzeria and a great place to order sides! The garlic knots and the cheese sticks are especially popular and perfect for takeout. For a fun twist on a classic dish, try a slice of the cheeseburger pie. Papa's Papa's has it all: great food, low prices, and exceptional service! Fresh ingredients make this restaurant's dishes shine. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the Nutella pie is a great choice for dessert. Allsports Cafe The environment in this sports bar is always lively and fun, and the food is excellent! The cheesy flatbreads are tasty, and they're made with delicious hand-tossed crusts. Build your own flatbread from a variety of topping options. Bellachino's Bellachino's pies are oven-baked from scratch every day. Make your own, or try one of their specials, like the taco slice or the classic veggie. Order garlic cheese bread on the side for even more deliciousness! Corned Beef & Co Even though this restaurant specializes in sandwiches, it's the wood-fired pies that really shine! The white pie is especially tasty and worth a try. With so many great restaurants to try in Roanoke, you may have trouble deciding on which to check out first! Make an event of it with your family, or enjoy something new on a lunch break! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License