Considering the majestic beauty and unspoiled vistas, you might think the Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge is a remote, far-away destination. In reality, the Roanoke Valley, located at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, is easy to reach by car or air. Because it has always been an important crossroads to travel and commerce, the Roanoke Valley is easily accessible by several major highways as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Directions to the Roanoke Valley Visitor Information Center (located in Downtown Roanoke):
The Visitor Information Center is open from 9:00am - 5:00pm, seven days a week.
From US 220 heading North which becomes Interstate 581 in Roanoke City:
* Take Exit 4 East off Interstate 581/Route 220 North to Orange Avenue (also Route 460 East)
* At the light take a right on Williamson Road (Roanoke Civic center is on your right)
* Proceed to the fourth stop light at Shenandoah Avenue and take a right. (The Historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will be directly on your right.)
* The Visitor Information Center is the building on the left. (located in the former Norfolk & Western Railway Passenger Station - circa 1905.)
From Interstate 81:
* Take Exit 143 off Interstate 81 onto Interstate 581 South toward downtown.
* Take Exit 5 to Wells Avenue. The exit ramp will split - proceed left and merge onto Williamson Road.
* Take Williamson Road and turn right at the second light, which is Shenandoah Avenue (The Historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will be directly on your right.)
* The Visitor Information Center is the building on the left. (located in the former Norfolk & Western Railway Passenger Station - circa 1905.)
From the Blue Ridge Parkway heading north:
* Exit the Parkway at Milepost 120 and follow directional signs toward Mill Mountain on J.P. Fishburn Parkway.
* Take J.P. Fishburn Parkway down Mill Mountain for 1.5 miles and this road becomes Walnut Avenue.
* Continue on Walnut Avenue SE for 1/2 mile and then turn right on Jefferson Street, which is just after the bridge over the Roanoke River.
* Take S. Jefferson Street for 1/2 mile and turn right Franklin Road.
* Go one block on Franklin Road SE and then turn left at first light on Williamson Road SE.
* Take Williamson Road SE for .4 miles and make a u-turn at the intersection of of Williamson & Wells Avenue.
* Take Williamson Road NE and turn right at the first light on Shenandoah Avenue (The Historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will be directly on your right.)
* The Visitor Information Center is the building on the left. (located in the former Norfolk & Western Railway Passenger Station - circa 1905.)
