Roanoke is a major transportation and retail center set in a scenic area of Virginia. While the city offers theaters, museums, interesting restaurants, and shopping, the gorgeous valley in which the city is located offers a number of interesting day trips.
The Roanoke Valley
Roanoke serves as a convenient base from which to explore the Roanoke Valley. Outdoor activities within an hour of the city include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and golfing. Over 600 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail, are within easy reach. Mill Mountain Star Trail leads to the 60-year-old hundred-foot tall star that serves as the city's signature landmark. A nearby overlook offers an excellent view of the Roanoke Valley.
The valley's lakes, rivers and streams provide excellent fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Kayak and canoe rentals are available with or without guides. Guided fishing trips are also offered. Possible catches include large and smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and walleye.
If golf is your bag, at least five public and semi-private courses in the valley are available. A few courses offer specials and many of the area's lodging facilities provide packages that include golf.
Several sites in the Roanoke Valley area are popular with history buffs. Three of particular note are theNational D-Day Memorial in nearby Bedford; Booker T. Washington National Monument in Hardy that preserves the birthplace of this famous American; and Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's nearly forgotten retreat near Lynchburg. Special events are offered at each of the three locations.
Wine, Music, and Crafts in the Roanoke Valley
Wine lovers will not be disappointed with the valley's wineries, several of which host special events.Virginia Mountain Vineyards offers programs that include food, music, an astronomy exhibit complete with telescopes, and, of course, wine. Wine tasting and music were offered on Sunday afternoon when we stopped at the Chateau Morrisette Winery near Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Roanoke Valley is a slice of Appalachia where residents are known for arts and crafts and for music that is rooted in bluegrass and blues. This area is also well known for the musical instruments made by local residents. Artists from a wide area are attracted to this beautiful part of the country and galleries are scattered throughout the Roanoke Valley. The best method for viewing the work of several artists without traveling all day is to attend an arts and crafts festival. Music festivals are also prevalent.
The annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival held each October at Ferrum College includes craftspeople making guitar, banjos, fiddles, dulcimers, and mandolins. Traditional crafts represented include broom and basket making, chair caning, quilting, knitting, and wood carving.
Those interested in music and/or crafts should check the calendar of events on Roanoke Valley's website. For those interested in learning or perfecting a craft, classes are offered at the Rocky Mount Center for the Arts in Rocky Mount. Items made by local craftsmen are offered for sale.
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