Spend the Day, Night or Weekend in the Roanoke Valley

Spend the Day, Night or Weekend in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia (near Milepost 120)

While traveling along the Parkway in Virginia plan to spend time in the Roanoke Valley, the largest metropolitan area along the Blue Ridge Parkway offering southern hospitality at its best.

What will you find? At Milepost 120, you will find the Mill Mountain Overlook home to the Roanoke Star, a 1949 historic landmark 100 feet tall and shines every night.

The overlook captures the beauty of the Valley in an urban setting and is a fantastic vacation picture spot. Just a short walk from the Roanoke Star is the Mill Mountain Zoo. The Zoo exhibits more than 35 species of animals, including endangered species like Snow leopards and Red pandas.

It’s also home to native Virginia animals like the bald eagle, red-tailed hawk and the cougar. The Zoo added several new exhibits for visitors in 2007, including a Children’s Barnyard, Playground Area and two more Corsac Foxes to its collection, making it one of only two zoos in the United States to exhibit this species. The Zoo is open every day from 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The Zoo Choo train runs seasonally, 7 days a week, weather permitting.

Just 10 minutes from Mill Mountain Zoo is the bustling atmosphere of downtown Roanoke and the location of the Visitor Information Center where we stand ready to plan your itinerary and answer any questions. (Open daily seven days a week from (9am – 5pm) follow the directional signs) Be sure to ask about the Historic Farmers’ Market area (open year-round 6 days a week) full of shops, restaurants and museums of art, history and science as well as a professional theater.

The Valley is also a great stop for rail fans. The O. Winston Link Museum allows you to experience America’s steam locomotive era through Link’s acclaimed photography of 1950s life along the Norfolk and Western Railway.

Rail artifacts, interactive displays and films compliment the dramatic black and white photography.

Just 6 blocks from the Link Museum and the Farmers’ Market is the Virginia Museum of Transportation exhibiting nearly 60 pieces of rolling stock including the Class J611 and 1218 Steam Engines. On a much smaller scale inside the former freight station view the one of a kind O gauge train layout with over 600 feet of track and up to 8 trains traveling the scenic model layout.

What a day to plan. Include a live performance or a weekend festival for a touch of entertainment. The Roanoke Arts Festival is set for October 4-7 and is a four-day extravaganza featuring a “moveable feast” of performing and visual arts appealing to a wide range of regional audiences and visitors alike. “Roanoke is a beautiful place to visit, especially in the fall,” said Mayor Nelson Harris. “This October, the city will be transformed into the arts capital of Virginia with riveting performances, dazzling art – and a whole lot of fun.” The line-up includes renowned performers such as Judy Collins to jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and rock ‘n’ roll mainstays Little Feat, and from opera, theater and ballet to “ephemeral art” and photography exhibitions, the Festival will celebrate the world of arts and culture in Roanoke’s historic setting.

Tickets are now on sale. For ticket information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.RoanokeArtsFest.org

For more information: (800) 635-5535 or visit our website www.visitroanokeva.com But the best bet is to stop in at the Visitor Information Center – 101 Shenandoah Ave., NE 24016. And remember to bring your camera!