The Best of Roanoke 2012
From doggie daycare to retirement homes, from biggest brain to biggest clown, from worst moment of 2011 to best new idea for 2012, our readers have picked the best – and a few not-so-bests – of the valley. Our thanks to those readers for more than 30,000 individual votes cast in 153 categories, resulting in the following 465 Platinum, Gold and Silver awards.
- Pop Out People
- On the Web / TV & Radio
- Live & Learn
- What Happened What’s Happenin’
- Where to Go, What to Do
- Wheels
- Shop Til You Drop
- Home, Sweet Home
- Best in Services
Where to Go, What to Do
Shows the Best Movies
- PLATINUM: Grandin Theatre
- GOLD: Regal Valley View Grande
- SILVER: Carmike 10
Best Live-Music Hot Spot
- PLATINUM: Kirk Avenue Music Hall
- GOLD: Blue 5
- SILVER: Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
Best for a Beer With the Boys
- PLATINUM: Buffalo Wild Wings
- GOLD: Blue 5
- SILVER: The Brambleton Deli
Best Girls’ Night Out
- PLATINUM: Metro!
- GOLD: 202 Market
- SILVER: Corned Beef & Co.
Best Just-the-Two-of-You Night Out
- PLATINUM: Carlos Brazilian International
- GOLD: Frankie Rowland’s
- SILVER: Alexander’s
Best Affordable Entertainment Opportunity
- PLATINUM: Party in the Park
- GOLD: Kirk Avenue Music Hall
- SILVER: Salem Red Sox
Best Long-Weekend Getaway (within a 2 hour drive)
- PLATINUM: The Homestead Resort
- GOLD: The Greenbrier
- SILVER: Smith Mountain Lake
Fido’s Favorite Place for a Walk
- PLATINUM: Greenways
- GOLD: Garst Mill Park
- SILVER (tie): Highland Park; Salem Dog Park
WiFi Spot Where You Feel at Home
- PLATINUM: Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea
- GOLD: CUPS Coffee & Tea
- SILVER: Froth
WiFi Spot Where You Feel at Home (Chain)
- PLATINUM: Panera Bread
- GOLD: Starbucks
- SILVER: Barnes & Noble
Place to Find Mr. or Mrs. Right (age 21-39)
- PLATINUM: Church
- GOLD: Metro!
- SILVER: Corned Beef & Co.
Place to Find Mr. or Mrs. Right (age 40+)
- PLATINUM: Church
- GOLD: Montano’s
- SILVER (tie): 419 West; Metro!
Best Section of the Greenway
- PLATINUM: Roanoke River – Roanoke Memorial Hospital side
- GOLD: Roanoke River – Wasena Park
- SILVER: Roanoke River – River’s Edge
Best Spot to Reel in “The Big One”
- PLATINUM: Smith Mountain Lake
- GOLD: (tie) James River; New River
Golfers’ Dream Course
- PLATINUM: Hanging Rock
- GOLD: Ballyhack
- SILVER: The Homestead (Upper Cascades)
Best Route to Pedal on Two Wheels
- PLATINUM: Greenways
- GOLD: Blue Ridge Parkway
- SILVER: Carvins Cove
Best Short Stroll (under 5 miles)
- PLATINUM: Greenway
- GOLD: Mill Mountain
- SILVER (tie) Cascades; Green Hill Park; Roanoke River Greenway -Wasena Park
Best Long Hike (5+ miles)
- PLATINUM: McAfee Knob (along Appalachian Trail)
- GOLD: Dragon’s Tooth (along Appalachian Trail)
- SILVER: Peaks of Otter Trails
Best View (That’s Not Mill Mountain) to Show Out-of-Towners
- PLATINUM: McAfee Knob
- GOLD: Blue Ridge Parkway
- SILVER: Peaks of Otter
Best Place for People Watching
- PLATINUM: Valley View Mall
- GOLD: City Market
- SILVER: Downtown Roanoke
Fitness Club That Helps You Stay In Shape
- PLATINUM: YMCA
- GOLD: RAC
- SILVER: Gold’s Gym
Best Yoga / Pilates Classes
- PLATINUM: YMCA
- GOLD: Uttara Yoga Studio
- SILVER: Gold’s Gym
