Roanoke
Around Roanoke
Photo: Joe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Virginia · 315k people
Roanoke
Locals say Roanoke Valley · “Star City”, “Magic City”
Where the mountains meet the star
Deep BlueForest Green
Welcome to the Roanoke Valley, where the mountains meet the city. Whether you're here for the trails, the food, or the friendly folks, you'll find plenty to love. Come say hi and share what makes this place special to you.
Clubs for Roanoke
No clubs for Roanoke yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Roanoke. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Roanoke. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Roanoke Star and Mill Mountain Iconic star overlooking the city.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic highway with overlooks and trails.
- Roanoke City Market Historic farmers market in downtown.
- Appalachian Trail Long-distance hiking trail passes nearby.
- Virginia Museum of Transportation Showcases locomotives and cars.
- Taubman Museum of Art Contemporary art museum in downtown.
- Outdoors Hike McAfee Knob
- Outdoors Bike the Roanoke River Greenway
- With kids Visit Mill Mountain Zoo
- With kids Ride the Virginia Museum of Transportation trains
- Evenings Catch a show at the Jefferson Center
- Evenings See a film at the Grandin Theatre
- Locals love hiking trails
- Locals love microbreweries
Through the year
- Blue Ridge Marathon April America's toughest road marathon, held in April.
- Roanoke Go Outside Festival October Outdoor gear demos, live music, and adventure sports in October.
- Salem Fair July Annual fair with rides, games, and food in Salem.
- Roanoke Valley Horse Show July Major horse jumping competition at the Salem Civic Center.
- Vinton Dogwood Festival April Parade, arts and crafts, and community celebration in Vinton.
Roanoke has four distinct seasons with mild winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and fall are the best times to be outside, while summer brings afternoon storms and winter brings occasional snow. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “the Star”
- The Roanoke Star
- “the Parkway”
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- “the Valley”
- Roanoke Valley
- “Hokie”
- Virginia Tech fan
Getaways
- Blacksburg Visit Virginia Tech campus and enjoy the college town vibe.
- Lynchburg Historic districts and the James River.
- Martinsville NASCAR racing at Martinsville Speedway.
- Mount Airy The real Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show.
Local flavour
Teams
- Salem Red Sox MiLB (Carolina League)
- Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs SPHL
Also rooting for Virginia Tech Hokies (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- Country ham biscuits A staple of Appalachian cuisine, often served with red-eye gravy
- Virginia peanuts The state is famous for its peanuts, and they're a local snack
- Sweet tea A Southern classic, ubiquitous in local diners
- Texas Tavern chili From a beloved local institution known for its 'cheesy western' and chili
Where people go
- Roanoke Star and Mill Mountain The world's largest man-made star, a symbol of the city
- Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic drive with overlooks and hiking trails
- Roanoke City Market Historic farmers market in downtown
- Appalachian Trail The trail passes nearby, drawing hikers and nature lovers
Heritage and traditions
Roanoke is proud of its mountain backdrop, the iconic Roanoke Star, and its deep railroad heritage, along with a vibrant outdoor culture rooted in the Blue Ridge.
This time of year in Roanoke
- Fall foliage drives October Taking the Blue Ridge Parkway to see autumn colors.
- Apple picking September-October Nearby orchards offer fall apple picking.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Roanoke Greek Festival May Greek food, music, and dancing at the Greek Orthodox Church.
- Local Colors Festival May A multicultural celebration with ethnic food, performances, and crafts.
- Roanoke Valley Irish Festival March Celtic music, dance, and heritage activities.
- Roanoke Pride June LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade and festival.
- Bluegrass and BBQ Festival September Local bluegrass bands and barbecue vendors.
- Fiesta del Pueblo September Hispanic heritage celebration with food and music.
Landmarks with a story
- Gainsboro Historic District An African American neighborhood with deep roots in Roanoke's history.
- Old Salem Historic District Preserved 19th-century homes and streets in Salem.
- St. Andrew's Catholic Church A historic Catholic church in downtown Roanoke.
- First Baptist Church A historic African American church in Gainsboro.
- Covington Historic District A railroad town with preserved architecture from the early 20th century.
- Clifton Forge Historic District Known for its railroad heritage and Victorian buildings.
Food traditions
- Country ham biscuits A Virginia staple, often served at breakfast and special events.
- Virginia peanut soup A colonial-era dish made with peanuts, a Virginia crop.
- Spoonbread A Southern cornmeal casserole, soft and spoonable.
- Fried apple pies A mountain favorite, especially in autumn.
- Vinegar-based barbecue Virginia-style BBQ with a tangy vinegar and pepper sauce.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Rooted in Appalachian traditions, with many local bands and jam sessions.
- Roanoke Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Mill Mountain Theatre A regional professional theatre offering plays and musicals.
- Appalachian folk art and crafts Quilting, pottery, and woodworking are celebrated in local galleries.
A little history
- 1882 Roanoke was founded as a railroad town.
- 1880s Norfolk and Western Railway established its headquarters in Roanoke.
- 1949 The Roanoke Star was erected on Mill Mountain.
- 1930s Construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began, linking Roanoke to the Shenandoah.
- 1960s Civil rights movements in Gainsboro shaped the community.
Rivalries
- Virginia Tech vs UVA In-state college football rivalry.
- Salem Red Sox vs Lynchburg Hillcats Minor league baseball rivalry.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Blue Ridge Marathon
- Outdoors Hike McAfee Knob
- Outdoors Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
- With kids Visit the Roanoke Farmers Market
- With kids Ride the carousel at the Valley View Mall
People in Roanoke speak with a Southern Appalachian accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words and using 'y'all'. They also have a distinct pronunciation of 'creek' as 'crick' and 'mountain' as 'mount'n'.
Only here
- The Roanoke Star is the largest illuminated star in the world.
- The Blue Ridge Marathon is known as 'America's Toughest Road Marathon' due to its elevation gain.
- The Virginia Museum of Transportation houses the largest collection of diesel locomotives in the world.
- The Texas Tavern has been a local institution since 1930, serving chili and burgers.
New here? A few tips
- Roanoke is pronounced 'ROH-noke' (rhymes with 'smoke').
- Be ready for four distinct seasons; summers are humid, winters can bring snow.
- Traffic on I-581 can back up during rush hour; use the Blue Ridge Parkway for scenic commutes.
- Try a country ham biscuit at a local diner for breakfast.
- Get outdoors—hiking and biking are big here.
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Nearby
Every areaBlacksburg–ChristiansburgVirginiaWhere the mountains meet the Hokie spirit.Alleghany HighlandsVirginiaMountain air, small-town heart.MartinsvilleVirginiaRacing heart, Piedmont soulLexingtonVirginiaWhere mountain ridges cradle a storied valley.LynchburgVirginiaA hilltop haven where the Blue Ridge meets the James.Greenbrier ValleyWest VirginiaWhere the mountains meet the river.DanvilleVirginiaWhere the Dan River hums with history.Mount AiryNorth CarolinaWhere Mayberry lives on, with a touch of granite.
Roanoke, VA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.