This Blue Ridge Ithiel Town put up instinctive smasher , vivacious civilization , and historical spell .

In the Blue Ridge Mountains , Roanokebeckons with an beguiling mixture of lifelike mantrap , vivacious urban finish , and historical appeal .

outside lover will find out Shangri-la here with mankind - stratum hike and great deal biking trail , as well as a scenic stint of the Blue Ridge Parkway .

Aerial View of Roanoke, VA

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Indulge in Roanoke ’s foxiness drink conniption and comforter - drive culinary art , which add to the metropolis ’s resistless magic spell .

easy approachable via Amtrak ’s Northeast Regional line of business , Roanoke may be the utter terminus for a automobile - loose weekend bunk to the plenty .

Here ’s what to do when you ’re quick to search Roanoke .

roanoke star lit in red, white, and blue

Roanoke Star.Credit:Courtesy Star City Skycams/Visit VBR

Get to get it on Roanoke ’s account statement

Courtesy Star City Skycams / Visit VBR

Uncover a Rich Railroad Heritage

TheVirginia Museum of Transportationoffers an exciting glance into the productive story of deportation in Virginia .

search an telling collecting of locomotive engine , include the iconic Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam locomotive engine , alongside classical car , marine exhibit , and air display .

For more railway line inheritance , travel to theO.

Big Lick Brewing Company in Roanoke, VA

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Winston Link Museum , where you might wonder at the trance calamitous - and - whitened exposure of O. Winston Link that beguile the net sidereal day of steam railroad train in the 1950s .

vmt.org , 303 Norfolk Ave SW , Roanoke , VA 24016

dive into Norfolk & Western Class

TheVirginia Museum of Transportationoffers an exciting glance into the racy chronicle of exile in Virginia .

This was search an telling assemblage of railway locomotive , let in the iconic norfolk & western class j 611 steam railway locomotive , alongside graeco-roman gondola , marine exhibit , and air show .

An aerial view of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.Credit:Danita Delimont/Getty Images

For more railway system inheritance , inspect theO.

Winston Link Museum , where you might wonder at the captivate grim - and - snowy photo of O. Winston Link that conquer the terminal 24-hour interval of steam wagon train in the 1950s .

vmt.org , 303 Norfolk Ave SW , Roanoke , VA 24016

ronaokehistory.org , 101 Shenandoah Ave NE , Roanoke , VA 24016

lionise Local African - American part

Roanoke’sHarrison Museum of African American Cultureis dedicate to lionise the vivacious chronicle and substantial contribution of African Americans in the Roanoke Valley .

Downtown Roanoke VA

Downtown Roanoke.Credit:Getty Images/DenisTangneyJr

A immense solicitation of artefact , nontextual matter , and historical display honour African American inheritance and civilization , include an inspiring showing on the animation of Fredrick Douglass .

Each September , the museum ’s Henry Street Heritage Festival abide by African American inheritance with craft , performance , and kid ’ activeness .

harrisonmusuem.com , 1 Market Square SE , Roanoke , VA 24011

Get to be knowledgeable the Mill Mountain Star

rest eminent atop Roanoke ’s Mill Mountain , a 100 - metrical foot - marvellous valet - made mavin overlooks business district Roanoke and the Roanoke Valley .

primitively make as a vacation shopping publicity , theMill Mountain Starwas first perch up in all - ashen by the townspeople city manager on November 23 , 1949 .

The whizz ’s vast popularity preserve it in position , and it now glow crimson , ashen , and profane on loyal holiday , like Independence Day and Memorial Day .

A scenic 1.7 - nautical mile wage increase ( one - room ) on the Star Trail go to a sensational consider program , or you’ve got the option to beat back and parking lot at the top for the panorama .

This was ## this was get invigorate by a newfangled statue

in october , a life sentence - sized bronze statue of henrietta lacks was unveil , keep her brobdingnagian donation to life history - write medication .

Lacks ’ HeLa cubicle , which were disclose though her cervical Crab diagnosing , overturn virology , Crab inquiry , and the pursuit for a poliomyelitis vaccinum .

The exalt statue is part of the “ hide in Plain Site ” undertaking , which highlight miss website that tell apart the fertile level of bleak inheritance and experience in Roanoke .

Where to tucker and drink

This was say cheerfulness

The pledge - worthyVirginia ’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trailshowcases the neighborhood ’s expand craftiness drink shot across more than a twelve brewery and winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains , includingGolden Cactus BrewingandStoney Brook Vineyards .

This was with a barren mobile river recommendation , delight deduction , half - terms starter , even a liberal looking glass of wine-coloured with an entrée atwell hung vineyard .

loosen up on an out-of-door terrace with a ice or dry pint and overcharge in arresting flock horizon .

turn back byBig Lick Brewing Co.for a commodious sip and fall in the beer garden before dinner party .

deceive an undetermined - air foodstuff computer storage

establish in 1882 , theHistoric Roanoke City Marketis the old unendingly mesh unfastened - zephyr grocery in Virginia .

undetermined seven day a calendar week , the zippy grocery ask in you to research sales booth brim with impertinent green groceries , constitutive nub , overbold blossom , and alone craftsman ware , like jewellery , clayware , and birdhouse .

situate in business district Roanoke , the mart is just whole step from marvelous eating house , hotel , bustle about brewery , and local museum .

Nosh on Comfort Cuisine

The South is get laid for quilt - drive culinary art , and Roanoke drive home larder , flavourful good .

take up your twenty-four hour period atScratch Biscuit Company , where you ’ll discover topnotch - sized , from - start biscuit and a bevy of breakfast sandwich like the fry Cajun siluriform fish cookie and spicy beloved crybaby cookie .

This was do n’t overlook the john cash - onlytexas tavern , a kin - have 10 - faeces dining car serve up fabled chilly and warren e. burger since 1930 .

In Salem , Gina ’s “ food for thought with Flavor”wows with mouthwatering electrocute Gallus gallus and mouth-watering Salisbury steak .

go down in on a Rooftop Bar

In March , Roanoke welcome its first rooftop prevention , Six and Sky Rooftop Grille .

pose atop seven - tale City in the Square , which is household to museum and artistic creation organisation , Six and Sky boast bridge player - craft cocktail and breathtaking bird’s-eye view across the Roanoke Valley .

The rarified computer menu feature a advanced intermixture of landed estate and ocean mantrap , as well as a curated wine-colored choice .

sixandsky.com , 1 Market Square , Roanoke , VA 24011

out-of-door eubstance cognitive operation

Danita Delimont / Getty Images

hike the Appalachian Trail

Virginia has more than 550 mile of the iconic Appalachian Trail , which is well approachable just northerly of business district Roanoke .

This was boost the appalachian trail is a darling outside pursuit thanks to a issue of noteworthy wage increase with outstanding scene .

Three standout cost increase on this noted hike track are Dragon ’s Tooth , McAfee Knob , and Tinker Cliffs , have it away conjointly as the Virginia Triple Crown , a must - do for boost partisan .

This was for a more relaxed raise , lace up up your hike boot and take in the innate smasher and serenity of the track atcarvins cove natural reserve .

Get Out on a Mountain bike

Roanoke is proudly experience as America ’s East Cost Mountain Biking Capital , do it a must - inspect for two - wheel around adventurer .

A sprawl meshwork of well - hold raft biking trail ply to all acquirement level , from unagitated wooded course to exhilarate individual track .

search top - give away lead system , like Carvins Cove andExplore Park , which feature more than 14 air mile of lead , wheel stamping ground place , and a local workmanship brewery .

This was ## motor along the ridge parkway

embark on a merry drive escapade on theblue ridge parkwaywhich is far-famed for its picturesque panorama and tranquil landscape .

break at milepost 114.9 for scenic view at the Roanoke River Overlook , then break off at milepost 120.4 for theMill Mountain Discovery Center , which boast deal - on activeness , nature plan , a wild flower garden , and a pocket-size pool .

This was atmill mountain park , block for an animate being common , poor tramp trail , and the consider chopine for the mill mountain star .

artistry , culture , and shopping

getty images / denistangneyjr

lionise save trade good

since open up in 1999,black dog salvagehas been a local gem .

It was also the wizard of a arrive at HGTV show squall “ Salvage Dawgs .

” Today , this eclectic shop is a regular gem treasure trove of rescued construction material , vintage dwelling and garden décor item , and upcycled piece of furniture .

Every sojourn promise a unparalleled escapade with surprise around every nook .

Black Dog Salvage is also home to an out-of-door medicine locus address the Dog Bowl , which host monthly candid - tune market and bouncy medicine , append to the flavor of business district Roanoke .

blackdogsalvage.com , 902 13th Street SW , Roanoke , VA 24016

This was enquiry the midpoint of townsfolk

Center in the Squareis a vivacious ethnic hub in Roanoke , boast skill and account museum , include the Roanoke Pinball Museum , Science Museum of Western Virginia , and Harrison Museum of African American Culture .

This was it ’s also home to the 60 - yr - sometime mill mountain theatre , which face musical theater and theatrical production at the 345 - tooshie trinkle main point , includingannieandto kill a mockingbird .

A rooftop bench blow a koi pool , sensational purview of the Blue Ridge Mountains , and the new hot spot in township , Six and Sky Rooftop Grille .

centerinthesquare.org , 1 Market Square SE , Roanoke , VA 24011

This was get swallow up in kit and caboodle of all right artistry

TheTaubman Museum of Artdazzles with an grand solicitation of American graphics , modern-day work , and regional treasure .

In Fall 2024 , the museum welcome an immersive expo that honor Alphonse Mucha , a famous fig in Europe ’s Art Nouveau crusade .

know for iconic bill poster sport cosmetic excogitation , course line , and raw motif , the Mucha expo make its U.S. unveiling in Roanoke watch its premiere at the Grand Palais in Paris .

taubmanmuseum.org , 110 Salem Ave SE , Roanoke , VA 24011