Roanoke, in a valley at the foot of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, blends of Southern charm, history, outdoor adventures, and great food.

Roanoke sits in a wide valley at the foot of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The town uniquely blends Southern charm and hospitality, history, outdoor adventures, shopping, art, and great food. It is also very close to where I grew up in Virginia. My roots are firmly planted in the rolling farmlands of Virginia, where I spent my childhood playing on the family farm. Roanoke was about an hour west of my tiny hometown of Hurt, VA. I never thought about it as a tourist destination. But when I returned as an adult, I discovered what makes Roanoke the star of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain region. Come along as I discover it through new eyes.

A Step Back in Time

Roanoke began in the mid-1700s as the village of Big Lick. It has always been a crossroads, with Native American trails, trade routes, and the Great Wagon Road taking early settlers along the edge of the Appalachian Mountains into the Western wilderness.

See the Roanoke Valley from the top of Mill Mountain. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

A century after Big Lick’s founding, trains arrived, and the town soon became the city of Roanoke. Catch a glimpse of that rich past in the History Museum of Western Virginia, in the old Norfolk & Western Railway passenger station.

Train History in Roanoke

Trains have been vital to the city since the 1850s. The O. Winston Link Museum, which shares space with the History Museum of Western Virginia inside the N&W Railway passenger station, chronicles that railroad past. Famed railway photographer Winston Link captured yesteryear’s great steam locomotives along with everyday life vignettes in 1950s America.

Explore the railroad history at the O. Winston Link Museum. Photo courtesy O. Winston Link Museum

Just outside the Link Museum, you should take some time to wander down the Railwalk, a half-mile path that connects the passenger station to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. During its heyday, the N&W Railway designed and built some of the world’s most advanced steam locomotives in Roanoke, including the “Spirit of Roanoke,” a sleek J611 Steam Passenger Locomotive built in 1950.

Check out the J611 Steam Passenger Locomotive built in 1950, on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The J611, with classic bullet-nose and Art Deco curves, could reach speeds up to 100 miles per hour. After a long restoration, she returned home to Roanoke under her own steam in early 2015 and now sits proudly in the museum. More than 50 exhibits detail Roanoke’s railway heritage and other transportation from buses and boats to airplanes.

Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Southern Hospitality

Southern hospitality rules at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a Tudor-style hotel originally built in 1882 by the railroad, which operated it for over a hundred years.

The hotel closed in 1989 but went through a renovation and reopened in 1995. The past glories have been beautifully preserved, from the antiques and Florentine marble floors in the lobby to the Czech-made chandeliers. The AAA Four-Diamond hotel is now part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at The Hotel Roanoke, with a blend of history but all of today’s modern touches. I enjoyed the enclosed bridge that lets you walk from the hotel into downtown without worrying about traffic.

The Hotel Roanoke dates to 1882 when the railroad built it to serve the town. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

Be sure you take a peek inside the famed Regency Room, which has been serving luxurious meals for 75 years. It’s an ideal spot for an evening to remember and is the Blue Ridge area’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. You’ll enjoy French-inspired Southern dishes. Be sure to order the crab cakes. You won’t find them this good anywhere else. For a day of eating, the Sunday Brunch Buffet is unforgettable. It ranks as one of the top 100 brunches in the country. When you see the spread, you’ll completely understand. But make reservations. It fills up quickly each week.

Dine at the Regency Room, an AAA-Four Diamond Restaurant at The Hotel Roanoke. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

I also recommend drinks or lighter fare at The Pine Room. This casual pub served as an Officer’s Club during World War II. It opens in time for happy hour each day, and there’s live music on Friday and Saturday nights. You can get snacks (warm salted pretzel bread) or salads and sandwiches. They also serve the famed Hotel Roanoke Bread Pudding and a peach cobbler in season.

The Hotel Roanoke is within walking distance to downtown Roanoke. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

A great time to visit Hotel Roanoke is during Fashions for Evergreens, held annually from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day. The competition features 24 trees decorated in some of the most outlandish themes imaginable.

You can check out Fashions for Evergreens at The Hotel Roanoke each December. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Boutique Shopping in Roanoke

The historic City Market Building has been a gathering place for people seeking produce, meat, and fish since 1882. It is home to various restaurants, from fast food and pizza to international flavors. It is also home to the state’s oldest continuously operating open-air market. City Market began with a handful of vendors in 1882. More than 40 booths now sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, handcrafted items, and gifts. There are events each Saturday from May through September.

The historic City Market building hosts the state’s oldest farmer’s market. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

City Market is open every day except Christmas and New Year’s. The first three Fridays of each December, it hosts the Dickens of a Christmas celebration featuring a giant lighted tree, parade, and family-friendly events, including carriage rides, street performers, and roasted chestnuts.

Downtown Roanoke is great fun during the month of December. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Downtown Roanoke is dotted with fun boutiques selling everything from gifts to souvenirs. Perhaps the best known is Black Dog Salvage, a 40,000-square-foot building chock-full of reclaimed architectural treasures featured in the DIY Network’s series “Salvage Dawgs.”

Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

I could have spent hours in Black Dog Salvage. It made me want to buy and remodel an old house—and took me back to my childhood which was filled with exploring old barns with my dad.

I loved exploring the found treasures at Black Dog Salvage. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Great Eats in Roanoke

The South is known for good food, and Roanoke is no exception. From an old-time ice-cream shop—Pop‘s Ice Cream serves the best malts and sundaes from its old-time soda fountain—to world-class dining, there are a variety of flavors around town.

Place your order at the traditional soda fountain at Pop’s Ice Cream in Roanoke’s Historic Grandin Village. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

No trip is complete without a visit to the Texas Tavern. Under the neon EAT sign is a tiny eatery with just 10 stools, where good fast eats have been served up since 1930.

Eat at Texas Tavern in Roanoke, Virginia. Look for the bright neon sign. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Stop by Alexander’s for amazing but unpretentious dining. Close to the Farmer’s Market, Alexander’s serves creative dishes using fresh, organic Virginia produce and farm-raised meats. The menu changes each season. It also has a classic Virginia ambiance. The space is decorated with found items from around Roanoke.

For a classic Southern breakfast, the locals recommend Roanoker Restaurant, which has been serving hot biscuits, creamy grits, Virginia ham, and plenty of gravy since 1941. This was a taste of home for me. Those hot biscuits were just like my grandmother always made. They also serve dinners featuring fried chicken almost as good as my mom’s—a huge statement from me!

Fresh biscuits at The Roanoker. Photo courtesy of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

Art and Architecture of Roanoke

With so much history around every corner, it is a thrill for art lovers to discover the Taubman Museum of Art with its collection of modern American art, decorative arts, and folk art. The building’s stunning architectural design uses modern glass and metal to represent the Roanoke Valley.

The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

A major installation by Judith Leiber—known for her exquisite couture women’s accessories—will be on display through October 27, 2019. A pop collection—from Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup to Neo-Pop artists such as Jeff Koons and even comic art—runs from late September 2019 through March 8, 2020.

I also suggest that you check out Mill Mountain Theatre. This regional theatre group has offered family-friendly productions for over 50 years. Mill Mountain Theatre is located in The Center in the Square, an art and cultural center in downtown Roanoke.

Center in the Square is an art and culture center in downtown Roanoke. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

The Center is also home to the Roanoke Pinball Museum, The Roanoke STARCADE, Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Kids Square, and the Science Museum of Western Virginia. Be sure to go up to the Atrium Aquariums and Green Rooftop on the 6th and 7th floors. You can access both of those without charge. Explore more things to do while visiting Roanoke.

Make your way up to the Atrium Aquariums and Green Rooftop at Center in the Square. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

I also suggest that you make your way to Grandin Village. This historic district in Roanoke reflects the 1920s when this area developed. You feel as if you’ve taken a walk back in time. Be sure to enter The Grandin Theatre, the only historic movie theatre in the Roanoke Valley. Again, it made me remember my childhood when we went to a similar movie theatre just a few miles from my home. It was a big treat in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and I hated to see that old theatre abandoned. I was so excited to hear that The Grandin continues to operate.

Explore Grandin Village for a step back in time. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Along with Roanoke’s rich history, the area gives you ample opportunity for outdoor adventures with the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail.

Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo by Bruce Henderson courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

While the area is world-renowned for its fall foliage, it is an idyllic year-round playground when the surrounding mountains are a patchwork of brilliant colors.

Mabry Mill is off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

There are bird and wildlife trails, mountain biking trails, and numerous campgrounds. The area is ideal for fishing. A 68-pound catfish was caught in the nearby James River.

Enjoy fishing and boating on the James River, known for its beautiful fall colors. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

The 20,600-acre Smith Mountain Lake State Park, with over 500 miles of shoreline, is perfect for boating enthusiasts. I have some great childhood memories of swimming, camping, and boating on Smith Mountain Lake. There are places for a picnic if you only go for the day, or you can rent a cabin if you would rather not rough it.

Enjoy fishing and swimming at Smith Mountain Lake. Photo courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

During your stay in Roanoke, you must also plan a hike or drive up to the 100-foot-tall star perched on top of Mill Mountain. Views from the overlook seem to go on forever. The world’s largest man-made illuminated star has brightened the night sky since 1949, welcoming visitors to the Roanoke Valley. It was always a beacon at night when my family would travel through the area.

f you’re looking for a cozy retreat after a day of exploring, Blue Sky Cabin Rentals offers a perfect mountain escape to unwind and take in the beauty of the region.

Hike up to the Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

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If You Go to Roanoke

Be sure to check out the Visitor’s Center at 101 Shenandoah Avenue. The center has a variety of maps and information on current events. You can find more online at the Visit Roanoke website.

With all of these amazing places to see, things to do, and great food, it’s easy to see why Roanoke is considered the brightest star in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Wander writer Teresa Bitler also visited Roanoke, so be sure to check out her suggestions for what to see and do in the area. While visiting, check out the other places we suggest while you Wander Virginia.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with accommodations, meals, and other compensation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.