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Independent city in the United States
Photo: Kevin Boniface, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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Roanoke's cultural center and museum on the City Market.
Open only for concerts and special occasions, Explore Park features houses and re-enactors from various periods in American history.
The restored historic luxury hotel was given to Virginia Tech by the Norfolk Southern Rwy. A major conference center was added.
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.
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.
A collection of miniature Elvis landmarks built by Don Epperly.
Part of Virginia Tech. It used to be the headquarters of the Norfolk & Western Railway.
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.
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.
A major convention and exhibit facility with a performance center.
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".
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.
A former high school that has been restored into a luxurious performance center.
The farm where Booker T Washington was born into slavery in 1856.
Delicious sandwiches and seafood. Plenty of cakes and pastries on display. The atmosphere is friendly with original art hanging on the walls.
A southern chain. Offers a wide selection of sandwiches and entrees.
Half-price pizza on Wednesdays with a bar and other authentic Italian food.
Produces the very popular Blue Dog, an exquisite white wine increasing in popularity.
Contemporary decor, 37" flat screen TV, premium channels, refrigerator, microwave, leather recliners with ottomans and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
All-suite hotel with a microwave, refrigerator, free internet, and 2 flat-screen TVs in every guest room.
Extended stay hotel.
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.
Architectural Salvage.
By bus
A Greyhound bus station is located on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
By train
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.
By bus
The city does operate a fairly extensive bus system, Valley Metro, that serves most commonly-visited points in the valley.
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Roanoke · Regional · ROA
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