Roanoke

Visitor information

• Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau

  phone: +1 540 342-6025
  address: 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE
  The official visitor resource of the Roanoke Valley. The Roanoke Valley Visitor Information Center is located in downtown Roanoke. Its centrally located and easy to get to. Stop and pick up a map, dining guide, event calendar and more.

By plane

• Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional AirportAirlines 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

Roanoke stationafter a long hiatus, with Amtrak running a once-daily Northeast Regional service from New York City and Washington, D.C.. The nearby cities of Lynchburg and Clifton Forge, a two hour drive, has 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

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 James River. Valley Metro began operating a new bus service in 2004 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.

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.

• Center in the SquareRoanoke's cultural center and museum on the City Market.

• Explore ParkUnfortunately now closed except for concerts and special occasions, Explore Park features houses and re-enactors from various periods in American history.

• Grandin TheatreLocally 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.

• Hotel RoanokeThe restored historic luxury hotel was given to Virginia Tech by the Norfolk Southern Rwy. A major conference center was added.

• Jefferson CenterA former High School that has been restored into a luxurious performance center.

• O. Winston Link Museum

  address: 101 Shenandoah Ave NE
  In a former passenger rail station downtown. Dedicated to the work of railroad photographer O. Winston Link. The Museum and the rail station are both treasures. The rail station has great architectural and terrazzo details.

• Mabry Mill

• Mill Mountain StarThe star has been lit with neon since it was built in 1949. It gives Roanoke it's 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.

• Mill Mountain TheaterIn 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".

• Mill Mountain Zoo

  phone: +1 540 343-3241
  address: JP Fishburn Parkway, Mill Mountain Park

• Mini GracelandA collection of miniature Elvis landmarks built by Don Epperly.

• Roanoke Higher Education CenterPart of Virginia Tech. It was formerly the headquarters of the Norfolk & Western Railway.

• Berglund CenterA major convention and exhibit facility with a performance center.

• Taubman Museum of Art

  phone: +1 540 342-5760
  address: 110 Salem Ave
  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.

• Virginia Museum of Transportation

  phone: +1 540 342-5670
  address: 303 Norfolk Avenue SW
  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 yard.

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

• 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.

• Roanoke Valley Printworks

  phone: +1 540 343-0296
  address: 108 E. Salem Ave
  A variety of prints, letterpress stationary and local items in a lovely setting near the city market. Owner creates everything himself.

• Black Dog Salvage

  phone: +1 540 343-6200
  address: 902 13th Street SW
  Architectural Salvage.

Roanoke has many nice restaurants, some of the notable ones are listed.

Budget

• Tazaa Restaurant, An amazing Indian Restaurant.
• International Food Court. Variety of different cuisines for mostly reasonable prices. Includes Chico's Big Lick Pizza, Hong Kong Restaurant, Kim's Seafood and Deli, New York Subs, Nuts and Sweet Things, Paradiso (Cuban), Zorba Restaurant (Greek and Mediterranean), and Burger in the Square.

• Famous Anthony's

• K & W Cafeteria

• The Roanoker

• 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.
• Abbott's Restaurant, Garden City Blvd. Try the Fat Boy Special and a cold beer.
• Jerry'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.

• Arzu's Mediterranean 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.

• Hollywood's Restaurant and Bakery

  phone: +1 540 265-1250
  address: 4646 Plantation Rd
  Delicious sandwiches and seafood. Plenty of cakes and pastries on display. The atmosphere is friendly with original art hanging on the walls.

• Home Place RestaurantCatawba.

• Kabuki.Japanese restaurant which is popular for parties, they prepare the food at your table.
• Mac & Bob's, Salem.

• Macado'sA 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.

• Montano's Gourmet

• Nawab, (in the market area). Indian Restaurant located. Has an all you can eat buffet for lunch.
• The Red Palace, Valley View and Tanglewood Malls. Chinese cuisine.

• Szechuan Chinese Restaurant

• Zac's Cafe , Campbell Avenue. Deli-style sandwiches and lighter entrees. Lots of vegetarian options.

Splurge

• 202 Market

• 419 West

• 419 Club

• Bernard's Landing, Smith Mountain Lake.

• Carlo's Brazilian International Cuisine

• Frankie Rowlands

• The Library Restaurant, Franklin Road, (across from Stephens).
• The Metro, (downtown Roanoke). Modern, yet classy restaurant.
• Stephens, Franklin Rd, (across from the Library Restaurant). Seafood

• Table 50

• Chateau Morrissette WineryProduces the very popular Blue Dog, an exquisite white wine increasing in popularity.

• AmRhein Wine Cellars

  address: Patterson Drive, Bent Mountain
  Another popular winery producing award winning wines. A room is available for tasting and sales. AmRhein Governors Cup award wines are also available at popular retail outlets. Spring, summer and fall wine festivals are available at the winery.

Budget

• Econolodge

  phone: +1 540 343-2413
  address: 308 Orange Ave

Mid-range

• Best Western Inn at Valley View

  address: 5050 Valley View Blvd., Roanoke, Virginia 24012
  Contemporary decor, 37" flat screen TV, premium channels, refrigerator, microwave, leather recliners with ottomans and free WiFi throughout the hotel

• Cambria Suites

  phone: +1 540 400-6226
  address: 301 Reserve Ave
  All-suite hotel with a microwave, refrigerator, free internet, and 2 flat-screen TVs in every guest room.

• Holiday Inn Tanglewood

  phone: +1 540 774-4400
  address: 468 Starkey Rd SW

• MainStay Suites Airport

  address: 55080 Valley View Blvd
  Extended stay hotel.

• Ramada Inn Roanoke

  phone: +1 540 343-0121
  address: 1927 Franklin Rd SW Roanoke
  Suites, outdoor pool, fitness center, games room, free high-speed Internet, free full hot breakfast.

• The Roanoke Plaza Hotel

• Rose Hill Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 540 400-7785
  address: 521 Washington Ave

Splurge

• The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

  phone: +1 540 985-5900
  address: 110 Shenandoah Ave
  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.

• Appalachian Trail.
• Bernard's Landing, Smith Mountain Lake
• Blue Ridge Parkway.
• Bridge Water Marina, Smith Mountain Lake.
• 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.
• Virginia Tech Blacksburg.