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Your Roanoke College Football Weekend in Salem, VA
Where to stay for Roanoke College football? Right on Main Street.
The Maroons are 3-0, the leaves are going to be turning soon, and Salem is buzzing. If you're wondering where to stay for a Roanoke College football weekend, we'd love to be your home base. The Lofts at Downtown Salem puts you steps from campus, a short drive from Salem Stadium, and right in the middle of everything that makes a fall Saturday in Virginia's Championship City so good.
Our building has spent a century on Main Street, first selling cars, then fixing them. Today, it's a boutique hotel with 18 restored lofts, exposed brick, vaulted ceilings, original pine floors, and full kitchens made for game-day mornings. Here's how we'd spend the weekend.
Friday: Check In and Settle In
Afternoon: Check-in is at 4 PM, but arrive whenever suits you. Before you get here, we'll text you a unique entry code, so there's no waiting in line to check-in. Drop your bags, kick off your shoes, and let the weekend begin.
Early evening: Stroll Main Street and take in campus while its golden hour. Roanoke College is one of the prettiest campuses in the country, and it's right down the road.
Dinner: Head to Mac and Bob's, a Salem institution founded by two Roanoke College grads. Prefer a quiet night in? Book our Sip & Savor package and we'll have a bottle of wine and gourmet snacks from our friends at Stave & Cork waiting for you. Or keep it casual and order in from Frank's Pizza (14 E. Main St., 540-375-6665), a downtown pizzeria known for its delivery, and dig in without leaving your loft.
Saturday: Game Day
Saturday Morning: Fuel Up for Game Day
However you like your mornings, Main Street has you covered.
Let someone else cook. Start the day with a walk to Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea for a latte and a fresh pastry, or settle into a booth at Mac and Bob's, where the doors open at 8 a.m. and the breakfast crowd is always wearing maroon.
Cook it yourself. Every loft comes with a fully equipped kitchen, so a slow breakfast in your pajamas is always an option. Stroll to the Salem Farmers Market at Main and Broad (Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon) for farm-fresh eggs, local meats, baked goods, and honey, all grown or made within 100 miles of Salem. It doesn't get more local than that.
Prep the tailgate. Planning a game-day spread? Pick up burgers, brats, and local produce at the farmers market, then grab the rest (ice, chips, drinks, and paper plates) at Kroger Spartan Square, just a quick drive down West Main. Order ahead for curbside pickup and you'll be back at your loft prepping sides in no time. Load up the cooler, and you're off to Salem Stadium. Just remember that coolers stay at the tailgate, since they aren't allowed inside the stadium.
Pregame
Head to Salem Stadium at 1008 Texas Street, either with your tailgate spread or after lunch downtown. Get there early for the Maroon Walk, which starts two hours before kickoff near the Salem Red Sox stadium as the team makes its way to the field. Once inside, the marching band and cheerleaders keep the energy up all afternoon. Wear maroon. Cheer loud.
Know Before You Go
A few details to make game day easy. For the full rundown, see Roanoke College's gameday information.
- Tickets: $10 in advance online or $15 at the gate. Roanoke College students with a valid ID and kids 5 and under get in free.
- Parking: Free, with about 4,000 spaces at Salem Stadium. The lots open at 8 a.m. on game days.
- Tailgating: Welcome in the stadium lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep your tent and setup in the space directly behind your vehicle, and leave roadways clear.
- Clear bags only: Bring a clear bag up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches or a small clutch. Backpacks, coolers, and other non-clear bags aren't allowed inside.
- Concessions: Food and nonalcoholic drinks are sold inside the stadium, and both cash and cards are accepted.
- Maroon gear: Shop the Roanoke College online store before you arrive, or visit the campus store's mobile shop inside the stadium on game day.
Postgame
Celebrate with a pint at Olde Salem Brewing or Parkway Brewing, then head to dinner (see our walkable favorites below) and come home to a loft that's roomy enough for the whole crew to relive every big play.
Dinner Within Walking Distance of The Lofts
Leave the car parked because some of Salem's best restaurants are just a short walk down Main Street.
Mac and Bob's · 316 E. Main St.
A Salem institution founded by two Roanoke College grads. Order the calzone (trust us), grab a seat by the fireplace or out on the courtyard, and catch the late games on one of the many screens.
Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse · 300 E. Main St.
Celebrating a big win? Dress it up with Certified Angus steaks, fresh seafood, and their signature pineapple martini. Game weekends fill fast, so book your table when you book your loft.
Awful Arthur's Seafood Company · 131 E. Main St.
Don't let the name fool you. This lively spot is known for one of Virginia's most extensive raw bars, plenty of TVs, and live music, perfect for keeping the game-day energy going.
Brood · 210 E. Main St.
For a quieter evening, this intimate bistro serves seasonal Southern-American plates with a thoughtful wine list and craft cocktails.
Cap off the night with a local craft pint, indoors or out. Bring the pup, too, since they're pet friendly.
Our favorite neighborhood wine bar for a nightcap and a charcuterie board. Or add our Sip & Savor package, and we'll have a bottle and snacks from Stave & Cork waiting in your loft.
Sunday: Slow Morning, Then the Road
Sleep in (you earned it). When you're ready, stroll a couple of blocks to Bean Bliss Coffee Bar (9 S. College Ave.), a cozy downtown coffee shop right by campus. Grab a specialty latte and a warm breakfast, and linger a little longer (they're open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays).
Remaining 2026 Roanoke College Home Football Games
The Maroons are off to a perfect 3-0 start. Come see them keep it rolling at Salem Stadium (1008 Texas Street):
- Saturday, Oct. 10 vs. Hampden-Sydney, 4 p.m.: ODAC home opener and Breast Cancer Awareness game. With the later kickoff, you'll have extra time for the farmers market and a leisurely lunch. Heads up: the LewisGale Salem Half Marathon is the same morning, so allow extra time getting around town.
- Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. Averett, 2 p.m.: Homecoming weekend. Alumni and families fill Salem fast, so book early.
- Saturday, Oct. 31 vs. Bridgewater, 2 p.m.: A Halloween game day benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia. Costumes encouraged, we won't judge.
- Saturday, Nov. 14 vs. Washington and Lee, 2 p.m.: The home finale and Military and First Responders Game. A perfect way to close out the season.
Why Families and Fans Stay With Us
Looking for hotels near Roanoke College? Our guests tell us the location says it all: walkable to campus, restaurants, and coffee, with space to spread out and a full kitchen for easy mornings. Traveling with your four-legged fan? We're dog friendly, too.
Game weekends book up quickly. Reserve your loft for Friday and Saturday night at theloftsatdowntownsalem.com or call (540) 525-3206. We'll save you a spot on Main Street.
Go Maroons!