H eadlines
Roanoke, Blue Ridge Mountains Worth a Visit
T RAV EL
JEFF AND GINNY ORENSTEIN |
JE FEATURE
Note: The venues mentioned are
open, some by appointment, but
check before you go.

IF YOU ENJOY scenic valley, a
mild temperate climate, beautiful
mountains, abundant outdoor
recreation opportunities, art
and/or trains, you should put
Roanoke, Virginia, and vicinity
on your must-see list.

This appealing city of about
100,000 (about 325,000 in the
region), set against the backdrop
of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
has all of that and more.

Located just west of the
mountains on the Roanoke
River, the geography that made
the town a natural trade center
has shaped its history. It became
a significant railroad town in
the 1880s, and today it has
evolved as a major freight rail
center that also celebrates its
rail history with two excellent
museums and an informative
rail walk downtown. Roanoke
also has a lot of urban appeal
due to its emergence as western
Virginia’s epicenter for business,
education, tourism and health.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge is
now open in Phase Three of
the commonwealth’s Forward
Virginia Recovery Plan in
response to COVID-19. Most
businesses are open, but
occupancy is limited to 50% of
capacity, or 1,000 patrons.

Before You Go:
Check these websites:
• visitroanokeva.com/
• facebook.com/
RoanokeValley • virginia.org/cities/
Roanoke/ • downtownroanoke.org/
Airport (ROA), six miles from
the city center, is served by four
airlines. • By train, there is Amtrak
service to Roanoke. It is part
of the Northeast Regional
Route, making it easy to
reach destinations like
Lynchburg, Charlottesville
and Washington, D.C. where
connections to frequent East
Coast trains can be made.

• By car, Roanoke is on
Interstate 81. It is 56 miles
from Lynchburg, 100 miles
from Greensboro, North
Carolina, and 189 miles
away from Richmond.

When You Are There for a
Short Trip
• Explore the historic Roanoke
City Market open daily.

• Learn about Roanoke and
railroads (and see some trains)
along the 1/3-mile downtown
David R. and Susan S.

Goode Railwalk’s interpre-
tive displays (temporarily
located at the nearby Virginia
Transportation Museum due
to construction.)
If You Only Have Two or
Three Days:
Must-sees for a short stay:
• Visit the O. Winston Link
Museum for some truly
spectacular black-and-
white rail photography by
a master photographer from
the steam era.

• Tour the Virginia Museum
of Transportation, home of
restored steam locomotive N
& W #611 and many other
historical locomotives built at
the Roanoke Shops. (vmt.org)
• Visit to the Taubman
Museum of Art.

If You Have Several Days:
• Kayak on the Upper James
River Water Trail.

Getting There:
• Take a drive on the Blue
Roanoke can be easily
Ridge Parkway.

reached by highway, air or • Hike a section of the
train. Appalachian Trail or other
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional
Blue Ridge trails.

12 MAY 27, 2021
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers
spectacular views of striking
mountain vistas in the vicinity of
Roanoke. Courtesy of Visit Roanoke
• Visit Black Dog Salvage
(as seen on the DIY
Network), a 40,000-square-
foot warehouse filled with
antiques and commercial
salvage items.

• Participate in a Roanoke food
tour (roanokefoodtours.

com), once the temporary
suspension is lifted.

• Visit Natural Bridge Park.

The Historic City Market is a downtown gathering place and offers an
array of shops and restaurants near many major city attractions.

Courtesy of Dominion Images - Roanoke Valley CVB
Ginny O’s Tips for Dressing
the Simply Smart Travel Way:
Since Roanoke is a regional
business center with nice
hotels, museums and some
fine restaurants, the appro-
priate in-town dress should be
a bit more formal than resort
casual. Business casual that is
appropriate for the weather is
always in order.

For recreation in the
The striking architecture of the Taubman Museum of Art is an
Courtesy of Taubman
surrounding Blue Ridge, important part of Roanoke’s walkable downtown.
though, typical activewear is
the norm.

Spring is gorgeous, summer the airport.

Senior advantage: There are
is pleasant and fall color is
This Destination at a Glance: incredible. Winters are cold museums and a great hotel.

Special travel
inter- Mobility level: Low for in but not severe.

town strolling and shopping,
Where to stay: The classy ests: Mountain exploration,
moderate to high for Blue Hotel Roanoke downtown, or railroads and rail history l
Ridge explorations on foot, MainStay Suites Airport is also
boat or mountain bike.

a good choice for proximity Jeff and Ginny Orenstein are travel
When to go: Anytime. to restaurants, a mall and writers from Sarasota, Florida.

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