Roanoke, the Star City of the South, is the largest metro area in Western Virginia. The city is a hotspot for tourists because of attractions like the Taubman Museum of Art, Booker T. Washington National Monument, and the Hopkins Museum. Aside from these attractions, the city is an excellent place to shop for the holidays. Here’s why.
Valley View Mall
The mall is a one-stop-shop to eat, shop, and have a holiday experience. It is the largest indoor mall in the area, and there are lots of places to shop, including Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, and Barnes and Noble.
City Market
This open-air market, located between the old railroad station and Market Square, is home to a multitude of restaurants and shops. There are several vendors and fascinating wares to choose from. It gets busy during the holiday season with special holiday events, and a monthly Art by Night event.
Antique Mall
The antique mall is an antique lover’s dreamland. Covering over 25,000 square feet, it could take hours to browse through the various shops. There are at least 130 dealers who offer all kinds of souvenirs and collectibles, including pottery, jewelry, books, clothing, toys, and furniture.
The Candy Store
If you want to give your kids or grandkids a treat, the Candy Store is a must. From jellybeans to the biggest selection of gummies you can find anywhere, the store has just about any candy you can think of. Right in front of the store, you’ll see a signpost with the inscription “four steps to happiness.” The steps are:
- Grab a utensil
- Grab a bag
- Get your candy
- Smile
The VR Center
The center is a virtual reality arcade that has all the major platforms including the Sony PlayStation, and Oculus Rift. You can enjoy VR roller coasters and adventure rides. They have racing games and popular games such as SuperHot, Beat Saber, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Black Ops 4. They host an exciting monthly ESPORT event. The VR center is a great place to host birthday parties and team building events. With adjacent shopping centers, you can get some holiday gifts on your way out.
The Gift Niche
Located in the city’s downtown, this gift and specialty shop is the ideal place to find a gift for yourself or a loved one during the holiday season. They have gifts and souvenirs for women, including hats, purses, clothes, and home decor items. The shop has collectors in mind with a store of collectibles like Jim Shore collectibles and Collegiate Sports items.
Chocolatepaper
If you are a sweet tooth or you have kids who love chocolates, this is the place to go. The shop is a candy shop with lots of offerings – chocolate offerings in particular. You can get everything from chocolate covered pretzels to chocolate-covered potato chips. They also have a unique collection of books, stationery, and gift cards.
The star city of the south has a wide range of shops, boutiques, and malls to choose from. Visit one – or all! – and find your new source for gifts!
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