Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Roanoke is a city of about 100,000 people in the Roanoke Valley of southwestern Virginia, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. It grew rapidly in the 1880s as the junction of the Norfolk and Western Railway and the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, earning the nickname Magic City. The railroad heritage is still everywhere, from the historic shops to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
Roanoke's best-known landmark is the Roanoke Star, a giant illuminated star on top of Mill Mountain built in 1949, which glows over the city at night and offers sweeping views. The historic City Market, operating since 1882, anchors a lively downtown with restaurants, galleries and the Taubman Museum of Art. The grand Hotel Roanoke, a Tudor-style landmark, welcomes visitors across the tracks.
Roanoke is also a gateway to the outdoors. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right past the city, the Roanoke River Greenway offers miles of trails, and the Appalachian Trail's famous McAfee Knob is nearby. The O. Winston Link Museum displays dramatic photographs of the last days of steam railroading.
The 88-foot illuminated Mill Mountain Star, built in 1949 and said to be the world's largest freestanding man-made star, sits atop Mill Mountain above downtown. An overlook beside it gives wide views over the city and the Blue Ridge. Drive up at dusk to see the star light up.
A grand Tudor Revival hotel built in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railway, now run with Virginia Tech, with a famous lobby, the Pine Room pub and a pedestrian bridge to downtown. Even non-guests can walk the lobby and grounds. Try the peanut soup in the hotel restaurant.
One of the oldest continuously operating open-air markets in Virginia, with farmers and vendors selling produce, flowers and crafts since 1882, surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops. The City Market Building has a food hall. Visit on a Saturday morning for the busiest market.
A cultural center on Market Square housing the Science Museum of Western Virginia, the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and other museums, plus a rooftop with a butterfly habitat and city views, and an aquarium-style exhibit in the lobby. It is great for families on rainy days.
A small zoo on top of Mill Mountain next to the Roanoke Star, home to red pandas, snow leopards, wolves, a tiger and native Virginia animals. It is compact and easy to see in about an hour and a half. Combine your visit with the star overlook and the Mill Mountain park trails.
The official transportation museum of Virginia, in a former freight station downtown, with a large collection of locomotives including the famous Norfolk and Western Class J 611 and Class A 1218 steam engines, plus cars, buses and aviation exhibits. Allow two hours; kids love the trains.
A striking modern art museum downtown with a glass and steel design by Randall Stout, showing American art, folk art, decorative arts and changing exhibitions. General admission has been free. It is near the City Market, so it is easy to combine with lunch nearby.
A museum in the restored Norfolk and Western passenger station showing the dramatic night photographs of steam trains taken by O. Winston Link in the 1950s, along with his recordings. It shares the building with the Roanoke Valley history exhibits. Allow about an hour.
A paved greenway following the Roanoke River through the city for many miles, linking parks such as Wasena and Smith Park and connecting to other greenways in the valley. It is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. Start at Wasena Park for an easy riverside walk.
The famous scenic road passes along the southern edge of Roanoke, the largest city on its route, with overlooks, trails and fall color within minutes of downtown. The Roanoke Mountain loop and the Mill Mountain spur are close. Check for closures in winter, and drive slowly on curves.
A large Roanoke County park along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke River with hiking and mountain bike trails, river access for paddling and fishing, a zip line and treetop adventure, cabins and campsites. It is a good outdoor base close to the city; check activity hours ahead.
One of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail, a rock ledge jutting over the Catawba Valley northwest of Roanoke. The round-trip hike is about 8 miles with steady climbs. Start early to get parking at the trailhead or use the shuttle, and bring plenty of water.
Top-rated local businesses in Roanoke, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Roanoke? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Roanoke? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Ben Schumin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: vastateparksstaff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nick Gray, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Dstewart21, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: O484~enwiki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: BrokenSegue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: SchuminWeb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: SchuminWeb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: SchuminWeb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: SchuminWeb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ben Schumin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Pruitthall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ben Schumin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Nolanwebb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Warfieldian, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: O484~enwiki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: O484~enwiki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Warfieldian, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Boston Public Library, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Boston Public Library, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Boston Public Library, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Emma Frances Logan emmafranceslogan, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Asaf antman from Golan Heights, Israela, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
