Best of Roanoke 2012 - Where to Go, What to Do

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.

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