When you come to the Roanoke Valley, you will be able enjoy the vast outdoor opportunities that await you during any season. If you have access to a car, take an afternoon drive on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America's favorite drives, and home to some of the nation's most beautiful scenery in the spring and fall.  Have a mountain bike? Try a challenging single-track ride through the nationally known Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, the second largest municipal park in the country. You can even enjoy the Roanoke Valley on foot by taking a leisurely walk on the ever popular greenways or hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail. And don't forget about the fishing, boating, and water activities just a short distance away at Smith Mountain Lake. If you're more of an urban-dweller, take to the downtown part of Roanoke by foot and check out the city's great local retail and market vendors.  

The cultural viability gives visitors the opportunity to listen to the classical sounds of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Opera Roanoke or travel along southwest Virginia's Crooked Road, exploring the history of our local bluegrass music.  Experience major productions at the Roanoke Civic Center or check out local thespians at the Showtimers Theater in south Roanoke. There also numerous art galleries, including the fine art of the Taubman Museum of Art and the exhibits on railroad photography at the O. Winston Link Museum.

In addition to the amazing art and outdoor adventures, history comes to life just 30 minutes outside the core area. The Booker T. Washington National Monument takes visitors back in time to relive the birthplace of one of the most influential voices in American history. Also, visitors can pay tribute to some of our country's fallen soldiers by visiting the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, which sustained the highest per-capita losses of any community the nation during the Normandy Invasion. The Virginia Museum of Transportation brings our unique railroad heritage to life with opportunities to climb aboard steam locomotives and learn about the trains of today. Visitors can also turn the pages back in time at the History Museum of Western Virginia and educate themselves about how life was lived in this part of the country. You'll learn about the history of this great area while making memories that will last a lifetime.

Before you visit, be sure to check your calendar. The area serves as a hot spot for a variety of food, music, and cultural celebrations that take place throughout the year. Between the Dogwood Festival in the Spring, the Salem Fair Festival in the Summer, the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival in the Fall, and the Dickens of a Christmas Celebration during the holidays, the Roanoke Valley has every season covered, and those are just a few of our most popular special events.

With so much culture and local charm, it should come as no surprise that the Roanoke Valley is also home to outstanding local cuisine. Local farmers markets are scattered throughout the area, and visitors can sample the fresh fruits and vegetables the valley has to offer. You can visit the Historic Farmer's Market in downtown Roanoke and taste a fresh peach that has been locally grown or a ripe, juicy tomato that has just been picked off the vine. Take a trip to one of the many local wineries and sample some of the rich, robust wine produced in southwest Virginia. Join the Roanoke Millionaires Club and pay a visit to the Texas Tavern, a local greasy-spoon favorite that has been in operation since 1930. And you can check off "Best Biscuits" from your food bucket list when you try one that has been freshly made at The Roanoker Restaurant, which recently had their biscuits featured on The Today Show. No matter what type of food or drink you're craving, you'll find restaurants ranging from sushi to sandwiches and everything in between.

A taste of Americana awaits you in this beautiful region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. No matter what you're interested in, the Roanoke Valley has mountains of possibilities. For more information, visit our website at www.visitroanokeva.com, call or stop by the Roanoke Valley Visitor Information Center at (800)-635-5535.