Roanoke

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Roanoke[1], Virginia, called the "Star City of the South" and "Magic City," is a charming city with beautiful views. A colorfully lighted 100 ft. Star atop Mill Mountain graces the Roanoke Valley. The city is situated between Virginia Tech and Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke Valley has a population of around 300,000.

[edit] Get in

There is no train passenger service to Roanoke, but there is Greyhound service. There is an airport with service to Washington, Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinatti, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, New York and some other eastern seaboard cities. The airport is about 10 minutes from downtown and right next to the major city mall - Valley View Mall.

Amtrak stops in Lynchburg and Clifton Forge, both within two hours drive of Roanoke.

A Greyhound bus station is located on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.

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 and 3 hours from Richmond

[edit] 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. The city does operate a fairly extensive bus system, Valley Metro, that serves most commonly-visited points in the valley. Valley Metro began operating a new bus service in 2004 called The Smart Way, which connects Blacksburg and the New River Valley with Roanoke.

The town of Blacksburg - a small college town not far from Roanoke - operates a far more effective mass transit system, Blacksburg Transit. Many students at Virginia Tech do not own a vehicle of their own and rely on the "BT" for their daily commute.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Art Museum of Western Virginia - Will open in a new building in November 2008 and will be renamed the Taubman Museum of Art. It's primary focus is American art, with particular attention to Appalachian and southwestern Virginian art.
  • Center in the Square [2] - Downtown. Roanoke's cultural center and musueum on the City Market.
  • Explore Park[3] - Unfortunately now closed except for concerts and special occasions, Explore Park features houses and re-enactors from various periods in American history.
  • 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.

  • Hotel Roanoke [4] - The restored historic luxury hotel was given to Virginia Tech by the Norfolk Southern Rwy. A major conference center was added.
  • Jefferson Center [5] - A former High School that has been restored into a luxurious peformance center.
  • O. Winston Link Museum - Located in a former passenger rail station downtown. Dedicated to the work of railroad photographer O. Winston Link.
  • Mabry Mill
  • Mill Mountain Starlocated on Mill Mountain, the 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 Theater [6] - Downtown. In addition to professional performances, Mill Mountain Theater is also home to Roanoke's No Shame Theater - Friday nights at 11:00 PM, which 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[7]
  • ""Mini Graceland"" Located in SE Roanoke. A collection of miniature Elvis landmarks built by Don Epperly.
  • Roanoke Higher Education Center [8] - Across from Hotel Roanoke,the center is part of Virginia Tech. It was formerly the headquarters of the Norfolk & Western Railway.
  • Roanoke Civic Center [9] - A major convention and exhibit facility with a performance center.
  • Virginia Museum of Transportation Downtown. Houses many Norfolk and Western Locomotives, and also features aviation and automobiles.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Camping
  • Clubs
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Holiday parades
  • Movies
  • Old Salem Day's
  • Restaurants
  • Fourth of July Fireworks
  • Festivals
  • Shopping
  • Scenic drives
  • Theater
  • Virginia Tech Football

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Roanoke's City Market The largest continuously running open-air market on the eastern sea board, Roanoke's City Market is a 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., Roanoke. Be aware that children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to shop after 6 pm.
  • Roanoke Valley Printworks 108 E. Salem Avenue 540-343-0296 A variety of prints, letterpress stationary and local items in a lovely setting near the City Market. Owner creates everything himself.

[edit][add listing] Eat

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

[edit] Budget

  • CICI's Pizza Buffet, Towers Mall.
  • International Food Court - Features a 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, Downtown. Known as "Roanoke's Millionares Club." 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.

[edit] Mid-Range

  • Arzu's Mediterranean Cuisine - located near the Market Area.
  • Bridge Water Marina Restaurants & shops on Smith Mountain Lake.
  • Grace's Pizza in Grandin Court, Roanoke.
  • Home Place Restaurant, [10]. Catawba.
  • Hollywood's Restaurant and Bakery, 4646 Plantation Rd., 540-265-1250, [11] Monday-Saturday 11AM-10PM. Delicious sandwiches and seafood. Plenty of cakes and pastries on display. The atmosphere is friendly with original art hanging on the walls.
  • Mac & Bob's, Salem.
  • Macado's, [12]. - A southern chain. Offers a wide selection of sandwiches and entrees.
  • Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea - often simply referred to as "Mill Mountain" (which can be confusing). There are several locations throughout the Roanoke Valley, including the Roanoke Market area, Salem, and Daleville. The Market area Mill Mountain Coffee recently changed locations and began serving food. Good for lunch or breakfast, or open late for a cup of coffee or tea.
  • Montano's Gourmet.
  • Nawab - Indian Restaurant located in the market area. Has an all you can eat buffet for lunch.
  • Szechuan Chinese Restaurant.
  • Billy's Ritz. - recently closed.
  • Zac's Cafe - An eatery on Campbell Avenue. Offers deli-style sandwiches and lighter entrees. Lots of vegetarian options.

[edit] Splurge

  • 419 Club.
  • Bernard's Landing, Smith Mountain Lake.
  • Carlo's Brazilian International Cuisine.
  • Frankie Rowlands.
  • Hotel Roanoke.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Chateau Morrissette Winery in the Meadows of Dan, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Roanoke, [13]. Produces the very popular Blue Dog, an exquisite white wine increasing in popularity.
  • AmRhein Wine Cellars, Patterson Drive, Bent Mountain, [14]. Another popular winery producing award winning wines. A tasting room is located on premise 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.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Econolodge, 308 Orange Ave., (540) 343-2413.

[edit] Mid-Range

  • AmeriSuites, 5040 Valley View Boulevard, ☎ +1 540 366-4700, [15].  edit
  • Holiday Inn Tanglewood, 468 Starkey Road SW, ☎ +1 540 774-4400 (fax: +1 540 774-1195), [16].  edit
  • Ramada Roanoke, 1927 Franklin Rd SW, ☎ +1 540 343-0121, [17].  edit
  • Rose Hill Bed & Breakfast, 521 Washington Ave, ☎ +1 540 400-7785, [18]. checkin: 4PM.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Roanoke, [19]. Historic luxury hotel & conference center, now part of the Doubletree chain.
  • Wyndham Hotel 2801 Hershberger Rd. Luxury hotel. Near the Airport.
  • AmeriSuites - Valley View Mall, 5040 Valley View Boulevard, [20].

[edit] Get out

  • Bernard's Landing - Smith Mountain Lake
  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Bridge Water Marina - Smith Mountain Lake.
  • Mountain Lake Resort
  • Natural Bridge
  • Peaks of Otter Nearby lodge.
  • Smith Mountain Lake[22] State Park & Public Beach.

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