Hurricane Helene Update

We are thinking of our neighbors in SWVA and are grateful for the first responders and organizations that are providing assistance. Virginia's Blue Ridge region (Cities of Roanoke & Salem and Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, & Roanoke) was fortunate to sustain minimal damage from the storm and our local businesses are open and ready to welcome visitors. Learn More

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75 Reasons to Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains 

There are many reasons to visit the Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. As the largest metropolitan area in the Blue Ridge Mountain chain, the region boasts a great collection of experiences for a metro mountain adventure.

We've put together a list of 75 reasons to visit Virginia's Blue Ridge. It can be your bucket list for when you experience your own Blue Ridge Day! 

Think you can check all of these off? Let's give it a try.

1. Scenic Beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains

2. Hot spot for activities and events

3. The Virginia's Blue Ridge Visitor Information Center - open daily from 9:00am - 5:00pm

4. Trains! The Roanoke Region features a rich rail heritage

5. Running & Biking on the Roanoke Valley Greenways

6. The Historic Roanoke City Market - recognized as a "Great American Public Place."

7. Multi-cultural cuisine from local restaurants

8. Local produce, plants and specialty items at farmers markets throughout the region

9. Cool off with a breathtaking waterfall hike, such as Roaring Run Falls in Botetourt County

10. The view from the Roanoke Star & Overlook

11. Ride the ZooChoo at the Mill Mountain Zoo

12. Have a classic cocktail at Lucky Restaurant

13. Historic steam locomotives at the Virginia Museum of Transportation

14. Art Studios and Galleries

15. Wine Festival at Smith Mountain Lake

16. The Taubman Museum of Art in Downtown Roanoke - Art on the inside and out

17. Find your favorite machine and play a few rounds at the Roanoke Pinball Museum

18. Shopping - Antiques, Boutiques & More

19. See a Salem Red Sox baseball game

20. Take a motorcycle route through the Blue Ridge Mountains

21. Hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail

22. See over 500,000 sunflowers in bloom at the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival in Botetourt County - the largest sunflower festival on the East Coast

23. Tour Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

24. Camping at one of our Virginia State Parks

25. Take in the views from the rooftop at Center in the Square

26. Hands-on activities at the Science Museum of Western Virginia

27. Take the Amtrak train for a scenic ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains

28. Play a round of golf on a scenic golf course

29. Have a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway

30. See railroad photography at the O. Winston Link Museum

31. Get the day started with a delicious biscuit at Scratch Biscuit Company

32. Hear award-winning performers at the Jefferson Center

33. Olde Salem Days in the City of Salem

34. Exploring all the fun museums at Center in the Square

35. Stay at a friendly, quaint Bed & Breakfast

36. Dickens of a Christmas Festival in Downtown Roanoke

37. Enjoy a Cheesy Western at the Texas Tavern and become part of Roanoke's Millionaires Club

38. Get to know the culture of craft beer, craft spirits, and craft ice cream.

39. Rich history at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture

40. Follow the bluegrass culture of The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail

41. Enjoy the hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway

42. Have a chocolate treat from Chocolatepaper

43. Get on the Roanoke River or take a walk in the woods and be surrounded by nature at Explore Park.

44. Visit our beautiful college campuses, such as Virginia Tech, Roanoke College, Hollins University & Ferrum College

45. Honor our allied forces of World War II at the National D-Day Memorial

46. See a live performance at the Showtimers Community Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, or Attic Productions - our great local community theatres

47. Attend a concert at the Berglund Center

48. Taste locally-grown ingredients at a farm-to-table restaurant

49. Having a tour and tasting at a local winery

50. See the unique antiques at Black Dog Salvage, which is featured in Salvage Dawgs on the DIY Network

51. Explore underground at Dixie Caverns

52. Visit the art galleries of Downtown Roanoke during Art by Night, held the first Friday of every month

53. Learn about African American history at the Booker T. Washington National Monument

54. Fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains

55. Spend a day splashing around at Splash Valley Water Park

56. Go fishing for local trout on the Roanoke River

57. Stand in awe of the iconic Natural Bridge of Virginia

58. Grab a pair of binoculars for bird watching on the Blue Ridge Parkway

59. Sample beer from the local breweries of the region

60. Listen to great live music as part of our unique nightlife scene.

61. Discover the charm and history of Roanoke's Old Southwest Neighborhood

62. Take a walk across the Historic Swinging Bridge over the James River in Buchanan

63. See Virginia's Blue Ridge from the Roanoke Mountain Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway

64. Stop by the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Milepost 115 in Explore Park

65. Taste the banana pudding at The River and Rail, which was named one of the best desserts in America by Food Network Magazine

66. Sample your way through the wineries along the Blue Ridge Parkway

67. Take a kayaking trip with Twin River Outfitters on the Upper James River Water Trail

68. Hit the trail for mountain biking at Carvins Cove

69. Make new friends on a guided tour - Food Tours & Beer Tours

70. Hear the sounds of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

71. Attend a concert at the Harvester Performance Center

72. Get your picture taken on the ledge at McAfee Knob.

73. Pitch a tent and spend the night camping under the starlit sky

74. Take a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains

75. Conquer the mountaintop at the River Rock Climbing Wall

Header photo via Star City SkyCams in Botetourt County
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