Awards & Accolades for Virginia's Blue Ridge

It should come as no surprise that the Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge has received numerous awards and accolades over the past few years.

With our outstanding quality of life, stunning natural beauty, and wide variety of activities, the region constantly finds itself on 'Top 10' lists and other rankings from numerous publications and organizations.

People in Virginia's Blue Ridge take a tremendous amount of pride in where they live, and they're excited to share our culture and character with visitors.

Many of these awards and titles are thanks to the hard work and passionate commitment of locals who do so much to make the Roanoke Region a wonderful place to live, work, play, and visit.

It gives Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge great pride to be able to partner with the community and help celebrate this ever-growing list of awards, accolades, and recognitions.

People worldwide are learning what makes Virginia's Blue Ridge the perfect place to experience a metro mountain adventure, and we hope you'll experience it for yourself.

The following is a list of awards and accolades for the Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge:

• Roanoke - Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family - (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2024

• Blue Ridge Parkway - Best Public Lands (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2024

• Smith Mountain Lake - Best Lake (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2024

• McAfee Knob - Best Overlook (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2024

• Blue Ridge Marathon - Best Running Event (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2024

• Roanoke - Top Adventure Town | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2023

• Roanoke - 25 Best Hiking Cities in the U.S. | CNN | 2023

• Roanoke - Fun Fall Weekend Getaway Destination | TODAY with Hoda & Jenna | 2023

• City of Roanoke Achieves Highest Score of 100 Points in the 2023 Municipal Equity Index - an assessment that evaluates cities on their inclusivity towards LGBTQ+ individuals | Human Rights Campaign (HRC) | 2023

• Roanoke - Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2023

• McAfee Knob - Best Hiking Trail (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2023

• Blue Ridge Parkway - Best Public Lands (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2023

• Blue Ridge Marathon - Best Running Event (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2023

• Roanoke - 12 Best Cities in the U.S. for Mountain Bikers | Two Wheeled Wanderer | 2023

• Virginia's Blue Ridge - The Best U.S. Cities for Biking | AAA | 2022

• Roanoke - Best Mountain Towns in the United States | Outside | 2022

• Roanoke - Best Virginian Cities to Bring Your Pets | Trazee Travel | 2022

• Smith Mountain Lake - 12 Best Places to Buy a Lake House in the U.S. | Travel + Leisure | 2022

• Blue Ridge Parkway - America's 7 Most Romantic Road Trips for Couples | MSN | 2022

• Fincastle - Every State's Most Charming Small Town | MSN | 2022 

• Roanoke - Best Places to Live in Virginia in 2022 | The Apartment Guide | 2022

• Smith Mountain Lake State Park - The South's Best State Parks | Southern Living | 2022

• Roanoke - Where to Go in the South in 2022 | This is My South | 2021

• Roanoke - The 10 Most Scenic East Coast Cities | WorldAtlas | 2021

• Roanoke - Top 20 Cities to Pursue Faraway Jobs | LinkedIn | 2021

• Roanoke - 9 Quaint Southern Spots for a Destination Wedding | Southern Living | 2021

• Smith Mountain Lake - Top 8 Beaches in Virginia | Lonely Planet | 2021

• Roanoke - 12 Beautiful Places to Visit on the East Coast | Hand Luggage Only | 2021 

• Blue Ridge Marathon - Hardest Races in the World | Runner's World | 2021

• Roanoke River - 3rd Place for Best Urban Kayaking Spot in the United States | USA TODAY 10Best | 2021

• Roanoke - Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2021

• Smith Mountain Lake - Best Lake  (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2021

• McAfee Knob - Best Instagrammable Spot  (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2021

• Blue Ridge Marathon - Toughest Race  (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors | 2021 

• Roanoke - Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community | League of American Bicyclists | 2020

• Roanoke - Top Romantic Getaways in Virginia | U.S. News & World Report | 2020

• Smith Mountain Lake - Prettiest Lake in Every State | Reader's Digest | 2020

• James River - Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the South | USA TODAY 10Best | 2020

• Blue Ridge Parkway - Most Spectacular Scenic Road Trips in the U.S. | AARP | 2020

• Natural Bridge State Park - Best State Parks in the South | AFAR | 2020

• Roanoke - Best Places to Raise Kids | Smart Asset | 2020

• Appalachian Trail & Blue Ridge Parkway - Best Places in the United States to Plan a Hiking Trip | Travel + Leisure | 2020

• Cedars Lebanese Restaurant - The Food Worth Traveling for in Every State | Conde Nast Traveler | 2020

• Primland Resort's Highland Course - America's 100 Best Courses You Can Play | Golfweek | 2020

• James River - The Most Beautiful River in Virginia | Cheapism.com | 2020

• Primland Resort - Best Destination Resorts in the U.S. | USA TODAY 10Best | 2020

• Blue Ridge Mountains - Beautiful U.S. Mountain Ranges for a Scenic Adventure Trip | Travel + Leisure | 2020

• Roanoke - Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2020

• Roanoke Valley Greenways - Best Urban Park/Greenway (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2020

• George Washington National Forest - Best National Forest (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2020

• Blue Ridge Parkway - Best National Park (Best of the Blue Ridge Awards) | Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2020

• Roanoke - Top Adventure Town - Large Town Category | Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2019

• Roanoke - Most Affordable Destinations for a Fall Getaway | Travel + Leisure | 2019

• Roanoke named an All-America Hall of Fame City by the National Civic League | 2019

• Roanoke named one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability | 2019

• Smith Mountain Lake - 100 Best Bass Lakes | Bassmaster Magazine | 2019

• Dragon's Tooth - "Epic Views Every Hiker Should See" | Men's Journal | 2019

• Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2019

• McAfee Knob - Best Section of the Appalachian Trail - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2019

• Roanoke River Greenway - Best Urban Park/Greenway - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2019

• Peaks of Otter - Best Spot Along the Blue Ridge Parkway - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2019

• Tinker Cliffs - Best Hiking Trail - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2019

• Roanoke Makes List of "The 7 Most Epic, Secret Mountain Bike Trails in America" by Men's Journal | September 2018

• Roanoke Named a "Top Destination for a Solo Road Trip" by CarRentals.com | August 2018

• Roanoke Named One of the "Top 6 Secret Mountain Bike Destinations in the U.S." by Bicycling Magazine | July 2018

• Virginia's Blue Ridge designated a Silver-Level Ride Center™ by the International Mountain Bicycling Association | May 2018

• Roanoke is a seven time All-America City - National Civic League

• Roanoke named one of the "25 Most Beautiful East Coast Destinations" by Vacation Idea | April 2018

• Smith Mountain Lake named a "Best Fishing Lake or River" - Best of the Mountains by Blue Ridge Country Magazine | April 2018

• Runner Up for "Best Revitalized Downtown" - Best of the Mountains by Blue Ridge Country Magazine | April 2018

• Runner Up for "Town on My Bucket List" - Best of the Mountains by Blue Ridge Country Magazine | April 2018 

• Roanoke named a "Best U.S. Mountain Bike Town with the Lowest Cost of Living" by Singletracks | March 2018

• Roanoke named a "Featured Trail Town" by American Trail Running Association | March 2018

• Roanoke named a Favorite Travel Destination by Expedia | March 2018

• Roanoke named a "2018 Best Affordable Place to Live" by Livability | February 2018

• Roanoke named a "Top U.S. Destination for 2018" by AARP | January 2018

• The Natural Bridge of Virginia - "The Most Romantic Destination in Every State" | Travel + Leisure | 2017

• Roanoke named one of "25 Great Scenic Places to Retire" by Forbes | November 2017

• Roanoke named one of "25 U.S. Cities That Millennials Can Afford - and Actually Want to Live In" by The Penny Hoarder | July 2017

• Roanoke named one of "The 20 Best Mountain Towns in America" by Men's Journal | May 2017

• Roanoke named one of the "20 Greenest Cities in the Nation" by Expedia Viewfinder | April 2017

• Best Place for Outdoor Singles - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2017

• Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2017

• Mill Mountain - Best Running Trail - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2017

• GO Outside Festival - Best Festival - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2017

• "Top Adventure Town" by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• One of the "South's Best Places to Retire" by Southern Living | 2016

• Roanoke named one of the "10 Best St. Patrick's Day Cities in the United States" by Bustle | 2016

• Town of Floyd named one of the "South's Best Small Towns" by Southern Living | 2016

• Best Place for Outdoor Singles to Live - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• Blue Ridge Marathon - Toughest Race & Running Event - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• Go Fest - Blue Ridge Festival - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• Wild Gear Chase - Adventure Race - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• Carvins Cove - Best Biking Trail - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2016

• "Top Mid-Sized Town" by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2015

• Salem named one of the "20 Best Places in Virginia to Start a Business" by NerdWallet | 2015

• Smith Mountain Lake named the "Best Lake in Virginia" by MSN Travel | 2015

• Town of Floyd voted by USA Today Travel 10Best as one of the "Best Southern Small Towns" | 2015

• "10 Great Southern Downtowns" by Southern Business & Development | 2015

• Roanoke - "North America's Best Paddling Towns" by Canoe & Kayak Magazine | 2015

• Named one of "The 10 Best U.S. Destinations for a Weekend Mountain Bike Getaway" by Singletracks | 2015

• Roanoke - "Best Retirement Town" - Platinum by Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway Readers Poll | 2015

• Downtown Roanoke - "Best Local Farmers Market" - Platinum by The Roanoker 2015 Best of Readers Poll | 2015

• Mill Mountain Star - "Best Place to Take a Selfie" - Platinum by The Roanoker 2015 Best of Readers Poll | 2015

• Dickens of a Christmas - "Best Holiday Festival" - Platinum by The Roanoker 2015 Best of Readers Poll | 2015

• Strawberry Festival - "Favorite Annual Festival" - Platinum by The Roanoker 2015 Best of Readers Poll | 2015

• Best Biking Trail - The Gauntlet at Carvins Cove - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2015

• Best Blue Ridge Parkway Spot - Peaks of Otter - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2015

• Best Marathon - Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2015

• Runner Up as Best Place for Outdoor Singles - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2015

• Runner Up as Best Urban Park - Mill Mountain Park - Best of the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2015

• Top 10 Mid-Sized American Cities to Visit - World Property Journal | 2015

• Top 10 Road Trips Around the World (Blue Ridge Parkway) - World Property Channel | 2014

• Blue Ridge Parkway named one of the best scenic drives in the South - USA Today Travel | August 2014

• Blue Ridge Parkway named one of America's Best Road Trips - Travel & Leisure | April 2014

• Top 10 Valentine's Getaways - World Property Channel | 2014

• Center for Digital Government recognized Roanoke as a "Top Digital City" | 2000-2018

• The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau was selected as one of the "Best Meeting Sites in the South" in the ConventionSouth Magazine Readers' Choice Awards | 2014

• Ten Best American Vacation Towns to Live in Year-Round - Money Crashers | August 2014

• ConventionSouth Magazine selected Roanoke as one of the Top 5 in its 2014 list of "The South's Cool Spots for Summer Meetings"

• The Roanoke Valley was ranked as one of the 10 best bike-friendly cities in the United States by USA Today Travel | July 2014

• Named one of America's Best Small Cities on the Rise by Smarter Travel | July 2014

• Roanoke - "Best Big City" - Gold by Best of Blue Ridge Country Readers Poll | 2013

• Roanoke - "Best Revitalized Downtown" - Gold by Best of Blue Ridge Country Readers Poll | 2013

• Best Trail Town - Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2013

• Roanoke was voted the "2013 Southern Hospitality City" in Virginia.

• Next Great Neighborhood: Downtown Roanoke - Southern Living | November 2013

• Featured in "5 awesome and affordable drives" from TODAY Travel | November 2013

• Roanoke recognized as a "Bicycle Friendly Community" - League of American Bicyclists | 2012-2016

• Best Mountain Town - Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine | 2012

• Business Insider named Roanoke County as one of the 20 American Cities and Counties That Could be the Next Silicon Valley | 2011

• The Forbes list of "America's Best Colleges" ranked Hollins University the 95th best college in the United States | 2009

• Roanoke County ranked No. 9 on Money Magazine's "10 Best Places for Jobs" | 2009

• Expansion Management named Roanoke of the Top 50 cities for expansions and relocations.

• Expansions Management named the Roanoke Valley a Five-Star Community for quality of life.

• Named by Inc. Magazine as one of the 100 best places for business development.

• Cities Ranked and Rated ranked Roanoke as the 11th best city in the United States.

• Money Magazine ranked Roanoke as one of the top three "Best Places to Retire" in the United States.

• Ranked by Forbes.com as one of the 100 best places for businesses and careers.

• Progressive Farmer Magazine named Botetourt County one of the Top 20 Places to Live in Rural America.

• Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine named the Roanoke Valley one of the 10 healthiest places to live in the United States.

• Money Magazine named Roanoke as the third most livable Southern city.

• Parenting Magazine called the Roanoke Valley one of the 10 best places to raise a family in the United States.

• The Historic Roanoke City Market has been named one of America's Great Public Places.

• Named one of "America's Most Livable Communities" by Partners for Livable Communities.