Roanoke Valley Attractions

The Roanoke Valley offers a wide variety of activities for individuals and families of all ages. With easy access to the Roanoke river, James river, Appalachian Trail, Carvins Cove, and Roanoke Greenway; there is something here for outdoor enthusiasts of every discipline. If getting outdoors isn’t your thing, or the weather isn’t cooperating, there is always plenty to do inside as well. Roanoke boasts a variety of museums (art, transportation, science, and history) as well as an indoor climbing gym, a spread of excellent restaurants, and craft breweries galore. Check out our hand picked list below and start planning your trip today.

McAfee’s Knob hike - Appalachian Trail

Enjoy stunning views of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding area from McAfee’s knob. This 8.3 mile hike (round trip) climbs 1,740ft as it follows one of the most famous sections of the Appalachian Trail.

Mill Mountain Star

Visit the iconic star that gave Roanoke its nickname as the star city. With commanding views of the surrounding area and easy access via a short drive and 1 minute walk, this is a great way to get your bearing and see everything the valley has to offer.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway and take in the panoramic views it offers. The Parkway offers scenic overlooks, picnic spots, and hikes so you can make a day of it or just take the long way into town and enjoy the views along the way.

River Rock Climbing Gym

Put your grit to the test in this indoor climbing gym. River Rock offers numerous bouldering walls as well as top roped climbs with state-of-the-art auto-belay devices. This is the perfect way to pass an afternoon, burn off some energy, and get a workout while having fun.

Taubman Art Museum

The Museum offers eleven galleries as part of the Fralin Center for American Art and originates 15-20 exhibitions per year. Featured artists have ranged from Kehinde Wiley to John James Audubon and from Sally Mann to Norman Rockwell.

Children under the age of 17 can enjoy a hands-on, creative experience in Art Venture, the Museum’s interactive learning space.

Virginia Museum of Transportation

The Museum’s collection includes approximately 2,500 objects, including more than 50 pieces of rolling stock—locomotives and other rail cars—including the largest collection of diesel locomotives in the South. The Museum has expanded its collection to include automotive, aviation, transit, and other artifacts and frequently exhibits loaned objects.

O. Winston Link Museum

The O. Winston Link Museum collection comprises the striking photographic and auditory works developed by photographer-artist O. Winston Link between 1955 and 1960. A successful commercial photographer from New York, Link brought his studio outdoors to create carefully arranged images designed to convey the end of the steam propelled Norfolk & Western Railway and the communities and countryside along the right of way

Black Dog Salvage

Our inventory changes daily! We now have two warehouses in Roanoke, Virginia. Discover architectural salvage, old house parts, custom upcycled designs, reproduction garden statuary, furniture paint, salvage inspired furniture and decor in our main showroom. Curated regional artisans and vendors add a constantly changing mix of new, vintage, and antique home decor. Shop for unique gifts, souvenirs, apparel and dog gear, and our expanded gourmet Market collection.

Mill Mountain Zoo

Mill Mountain Zoo is located within Mill Mountain Park, a beautiful 568-acre regional park which is maintained by Roanoke Parks and Recreation. Located at the top of Mill Mountain just off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the zoo overlooks the city of Roanoke and the surrounding mountain vistas. Exhibits include Red Pandas, Palla cats, Snow Leopard, Red wolf, birds, and reptiles.

Roanoke Greenway

The Roanoke Valley Greenways system features over 30 miles of space throughout the region that is used for outdoor recreation.

It's a hugely popular spot for biking, walking, and running, and winds through various communities in Virginia's Blue Ridge, connecting you to many interesting parts of the area, including local parks, downtown districts, and the Roanoke River.

Big Lick Brewery

Originally Roanoke’s first Nano Brewery, our success has been built slowly through the development of quality beers, brewed with the best ingredients, by people using state of the art equipment.

Tuco’s Taqueria Garaje

Tuco’s is all about modern Latin American food, inventive spirits with select ingredients organically grown on-site, and more than 90 tequilas and mezcals served up to your liking at our industrial-style bar. 

Surround yourself with the textures of reclaimed wood and the vibrant colors of a renowned street artist as you discover the charm of downtown Roanoke. 

Distance from tournament: 20 minutes (7.3 miles)