Overview
Roanoke, Virginia, called the "Star City of the South" and "Magic City," is a charming city with beautiful views. A colorfully lit 100-ft star atop Mill Mountain graces the Roanoke Valley. The city sits between Virginia Tech and Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke Valley had a population of around 315,000 in 2020.
16 sights · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Roanoke
Mill Mountain Star
The star has been lit with neon since it was built in 1949. It gives Roanoke its name of "Star City." There is an overlook accessible directly in front of the star that looks at downtown Roanoke. Follow the signs from do…
Taubman Museum of Art
Formerly called the Art Museum of Western Virginia. The new building opened in November 2008 and is worth a visit in itself. It was designed by Los Angeles' Randall Stout Architects. Randall Stout and others on the team …
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Houses many Norfolk and Western Locomotives which used to run through Roanoke, and also features aviation and automobiles. In addition, the museum features a model train layout plus a live web cam overlooking the rail ya…
Berglund Center
A major convention and exhibit facility with a performance center.
Booker T Washington National Monument
The farm where Booker T Washington was born into slavery in 1856.
Center in the Square
Roanoke's cultural center and museum on the City Market.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bedford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ROA Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport, Roanoke — 4 mi away. Directions
- LYH Lynchburg Regional Airport - Preston Glenn Field, Lynchburg — 41 mi away. Directions
- GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro — 81 mi away (major hub). Directions
A Greyhound bus station is located on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $89–$89 a night (typical $104), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$260.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mill Mountain Zoo, Taubman Museum of Art, Center in the Square
- Lunch Hollywood's Restaurant and Bakery
- Afternoon O. Winston Link Museum, Mill Mountain Theater
- Dinner Macado's
- Evening Chateau Morrissette Winery
Day 2
- Morning Virginia Museum of Transportation, Explore Park, Mabry Mill
- Lunch Fortunato
- Afternoon Mini Graceland, Grandin Theatre
Day 3
- Morning Berglund Center, Hotel Roanoke, Mill Mountain Star
- Afternoon Roanoke Higher Education Center, Jefferson Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Roanoke has many nice restaurants, some of the notable ones are listed.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Visitor information
Get in
By plane
Go Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (is also known as Woodrum Field ROA)
Airlines serving the airport are Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, and United Express.
By bus
A Greyhound bus station is located on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
By train
Passenger rail service has returned to
Go Roanoke station
after a long hiatus, with Amtrak running a twice-daily Northeast Regional service from New York City and Washington, D.C. The nearby cities of Lynchburg and Clifton Forge, a two-hour drive, have additional train services.
By car
Roanoke is at exit 146 on I-81, about 40 minutes north-east of Blacksburg, 40 minutes south of Lexington. It is about 4 hours drive from Washington, D.C. and 3 hours from Richmond.
Get around
The city layout of Roanoke does not lend itself well to effective mass transit, and in fact most locals never use mass transit at all.
By bus
The city does operate a fairly extensive bus system, Valley Metro, that serves most commonly-visited points in the valley. The main transfer points in downtown are along Campbell Ave SW near 1st street. A trolley called The Star Line Trolley runs in downtown along South Jefferson Street between Campbell Ave SW and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on the other side of the Roanoke River. Valley Metro operates a bus service called The Smart Way that connects Blacksburg and the New River Valley with Roanoke.
The town of Blacksburg, a small college town not far from Roanoke, operates Blacksburg Transit, has a far more effective mass transit system. Many students at Virginia Tech do not own a vehicle of their own and rely on the "BT" for their daily commute.
See
In addition to its other attractions, Downtown Roanoke has at least 2 great old restored and lit neon signs perched up on the roofs of buildings. One for Dr. Pepper and the other for H & C Coffee.
See Mabry Mill
See Mill Mountain Star (Mill Mountain)
The star has been lit with neon since it was built in 1949. It gives Roanoke its name of "Star City." There is an overlook accessible directly in front of the star that looks at downtown Roanoke. Follow the signs from downtown to Mill Mountain Park.
See Taubman Museum of Art
Formerly called the Art Museum of Western Virginia. The new building opened in November 2008 and is worth a visit in itself. It was designed by Los Angeles' Randall Stout Architects. Randall Stout and others on the team previously worked with Frank Gehry's office in LA. The Museum's primary focus is American art, with particular attention to Appalachian and Southwestern Virginian art.
Do
Outdoor activities include hiking on the Appalachian Trail, boating, camping, and fishing. Other activities include:
- Old Salem Day's
- Virginia Tech Football
- Roanoke River Greenway - bike trail, also suitable for walking or running
See Mill Mountain Theater
In addition to professional performances, Mill Mountain Theater is also home to Roanoke's No Shame Theater - Friday nights at 11PM. This is open to any performance that is "original, five minutes or less, and doesn’t break anything – people, the space, or laws".
See Grandin Theatre
Locally owned theatre located in the Grandin Village area. Shows free cartoons on Friday and Saturday morning and hosts a quarterly "Open Projector Night" that shows locally produced short films.
Buy
- Roanoke's City Market. The largest continuously running open-air market on the eastern seaboard. Good place to look for fresh produce and herbs in the summer, and gifts and decorations in the winter. In addition, numerous shops & restaurants surround the market area.
- Tanglewood Mall I-581/220S at Franklin Rd., Roanoke.
- Valley View Mall. A major shopping mall in the region featuring 130 stores and 4 anchors serving an estimated market of over 800,000 people, near the Roanoke Regional Airport at I-581 and Hershberger Rd. Be aware that children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to shop after 6PM.
Eat
Roanoke has many nice restaurants, some of the notable ones are listed.
Budget
- Tazaa Restaurant, An amazing Indian Restaurant.
- Texas Tavern, (Roanoke's Millionares Club), (Downtown). Only seats 10, but also has a walk-up order window. Try the Cheesey Western and a bowl of chile.
- Renee's Restaurant, Washington Ave. in Vinton.
- New York Pizza, Hardy Road in Vinton.
- The Dogwood Restaurant, (downtown Vinton, about 5 minutes from downtown Roanoke), Home style cooked food.
Mid-range
- Alejandro's, (downtown Roanoke near the market), Tex-Mex cuisine.
- Bridge Water Marina, Smith Mountain Lake. Restaurants & shops.
- Fork in the Alley, Crystal Spring Ave. Brick oven pizza and draft beer.
- Grace's, Grandin Court. Pizza.
Eat Hollywood's Restaurant and Bakery
Delicious sandwiches and seafood. Plenty of cakes and pastries on display. The atmosphere is friendly with original art hanging on the walls.
- Kabuki. Japanese restaurant which is popular for parties, they prepare the food at your table.
- Mac & Bob's, Salem.
Eat Macado's
A southern chain. Offers a wide selection of sandwiches and entrees.
- Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea, (alt: Mill Mountain). There are several locations throughout the Roanoke Valley, including the Roanoke market area, Salem, and Daleville. The Market area Mill Mountain Coffee outlet serves food. Good for lunch or breakfast, or open late for a cup of coffee or tea.
- Nawab, (in the market area). Indian. Has an all you can eat buffet for lunch.
- The Red Palace, Valley View and Tanglewood Malls. Chinese cuisine.
Splurge
- Bernard's Landing, Smith Mountain Lake.
Eat Fortunato
Half-price pizza on Wednesdays with a bar and other authentic Italian food.
Drink
Drink Chateau Morrissette Winery
Produces the very popular Blue Dog, an exquisite white wine increasing in popularity.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Historic and restored Tudor style hotel, part of the DoubleTree by Hilton group, and built in 1882. Outdoor pool, fitness center, several allergy friendly rooms, in-room spa services. 35 meeting rooms, lecture hall, 2 boardrooms, conference center lounge, 1,400 guest ballroom. Includes the excellent The Regency Room restaurant, opened in 1938. $15-40 for main courses, with many regional menu options, and an extensive wine list. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a grand buffet brunch on Sunday.
Go next
- Appalachian Trail.
- Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Mountain Lake Resort.
- National D-Day Memorial, Bedford.
- Natural Bridge.
- Peaks of Otter Lodge, (Milepost 86 off the Blue Ridge Parkway), Bedford. Hiking trails, overnight lodge with food buffets, Abbott Lake contains catfish, smallmouth bass, golden shiners, sunfish, and blue gill. Virginia State fishing licenses, Bedford County licenses, or short-term permits are required. Sharp Top Mountain - 3 mi, Flat Top Mountain - 5.2 mi, Harkening Hill - 3.5 mi.
- Smith Mountain Lake, . State park & public beach.
- Bernard's Landing
- Bridge Water Marina
- Virginia Tech Blacksburg.
Nearby
Nearby
Vinton
City / town · 3 listings · 3 mi away
Salem
City / town · 18 listings · 6 mi away
Bedford
City / town · 12 listings · 23 mi away
Blacksburg
City / town · 20 listings · 26 mi away
Christiansburg
City / town · 8 listings · 28 mi away
Floyd
City / town · 32 mi away
Radford
City / town · 1 listings · 36 mi away
White Sulphur Springs
City / town · 135 listings · 41 mi away
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