Roanoke, Virginia, often called the “Star City of the South,” is one of the most exciting destinations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is surrounded by incredible mountain scenery yet offers the culture, food, and energy of a thriving downtown.
Jenn and I visited Roanoke for a long weekend in August 2025, and we came away impressed by how much there is to see and do. From fantastic hiking trails and the Blue Ridge Parkway to outstanding local restaurants and unique coffee shops, Roanoke has the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and city life.
Our guide pulls together everything we experienced and loved, along with tips to help you plan your own visit.
Our Roanoke Travel Guides
Where is Roanoke?
Roanoke sits in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, right along the Blue Ridge Parkway between mileposts 110 and 121. It’s the largest city directly on the Parkway, making it a natural base for exploring this iconic scenic road.
Getting here is easy. Roanoke is about 4 hours from Washington, D.C., 3.5 hours from Charlotte, NC; and just over 2.5 hours from Richmond, VA. If you don’t want to drive, the city is also served by Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
During our visit, we found Roanoke to be easy to navigate, with a walkable downtown and quick access to outdoor adventure just minutes away.
Why Visit?
Roanoke is a mountain city with something for just about everyone. For us, the highlight was the variety of things to do all within a short drive or walk. One morning we were sipping lattes at a local coffee shop, and later that same day we were standing on a mountain overlook with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge.
Here are a few reasons to put Roanoke on your travel list:
- Hiking and scenery – Iconic trails like McAfee Knob and Dragon’s Tooth are right outside the city.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway – Roanoke is perfectly positioned to explore one of America’s most scenic drives.
- Food and drink – From biscuits and brunch to craft beer and fine dining, Roanoke’s food scene really stood out on our visit.
- History and culture – The Taubman Museum of Art, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and the historic Hotel Roanoke all bring the city’s story to life.
- The Roanoke Star – Overlooking the city, this iconic landmark offers one of the best night views in the Blue Ridge.
Things to Do
We only had a long weekend to explore, but we packed in a lot and still left wishing we had more time. Roanoke is one of those places where you can fill your days with outdoor adventure and still enjoy evenings downtown.
Some highlights from our visit include:
- Hiking
- Exploring Downtown Roanoke
- Seeing the Roanoke Star & Mill Mountain Park
- Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Visit museums, including the popular Roanoke Museum of Transportation
Learn more about all the exciting and fun things we did during our visit:
Restaurants
One of the highlights of our long weekend in Roanoke was the food. The city has a surprisingly diverse restaurant scene for its size, and we only had time to sample a few. Every meal we had was excellent, and we left with a long list of places we want to try on our next visit.
In Roanoke, you’ll find everything from cozy breakfast spots and creative coffee shops to farm-to-table restaurants, authentic Italian dining, and lively breweries. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual lunch, an elegant dinner, or just a sweet treat with your coffee, Roanoke delivers.
We share more details on the restaurants we visited and the many others in our restaurant guide:
Where to stay
When we visited Roanoke for our long weekend, we stayed at The Historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, and it was the perfect choice. The hotel is stunning, full of character and history, and located right in the center of everything. From the moment we checked in, we felt like we were stepping back in time, but with all the modern comforts you’d expect.
What we loved most was the convenience — we could walk across the pedestrian bridge straight into downtown Roanoke for dinner, coffee, and exploring. Yet the hotel itself felt like a retreat, with beautiful architecture, comfortable rooms, and plenty of charm. If you’re planning a trip to Roanoke, this is where we’d recommend staying.
Here are some photos we captured during our visit to this historic and beautiful hotel:
Other lodging options in Roanoke that we have personally stayed at include:
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown – Comfortable, modern, and just steps from the action.
- Courtyard Marriot – Great for longer stays or if you prefer a more home-like experience.
Planning Your Visit
Having spent a long weekend in Roanoke, Jenn and I picked up a few tips that will make your visit smoother and more enjoyable.
Best time to visit – Fall is hard to beat. The mountains around the city light up with color, and the view from the Roanoke Star in October is unforgettable. We visited in late summer, and it was hot during the day, but mornings and evenings were perfect for walking downtown and enjoying outdoor dining. Spring brings wildflowers and festivals, while winter offers a quieter vibe and holiday lights.
How long to stay – We had three nights, which was just enough to experience downtown, enjoy some restaurants, and explore a bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We could have easily stayed a few more days to hike more of the bucket-list trails and check out more of the food scene. If you love hiking, plan on at least 3–4 full days.
Where to stay – We stayed at the Historic Hotel Roanoke, and one of the best features is the pedestrian bridge that connects directly into downtown. It made exploring so much easier — instead of having to walk a much longer way around, we could just cross the bridge and be right in the heart of the restaurants and shops. That convenience, combined with the hotel’s history and comfort, made it the perfect home base for our trip.
Getting around – Downtown Roanoke is very walkable, and we never had trouble finding parking when we did need to drive. You can also rent scooters and ebikes to get around as well. If you’re planning to hike McAfee Knob or Dragon’s Tooth, start early — the trailheads get busy. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just minutes from downtown, so it’s easy to squeeze in a scenic drive even if you don’t have a full day.
Pace yourself – Roanoke has more to do than you think. We tried to pack a lot in and still only scratched the surface. Plan a mix of activities — a hike in the morning, some downtime at a coffee shop, dinner downtown, then maybe a drive to the Roanoke Star at night. That balance worked really well for us.