DESTINATION

Roanoke

Surrounding lakes, state parks and national forests offer recreational opportunities, including hiking, picnicking and camping along the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fishing and boating are popular activities at nearby Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Downtown Roanoke boasts many historic landmarks, including a 1907 fire station, a historic farmers market and the Tudor-style Hotel Roanoke. The city's farmers market was first opened in 1882; it still operates daily on the same site, downtown on Market Square. The 3-day Roanoke Festival in the Park , a local tradition since 1968, takes place Memorial Day weekend in Elmwood Park at Elm Avenue (SR 24) and Williamson Road (SR 116). A city landmark, the 100-foot-tall Roanoke Star was erected on top of Mill Mountain in 1949; the star is illuminated each night, and the site offers a scenic overlook of the Roanoke Valley.

Visitor Centers

Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Ave. N.E. Roanoke, VA 24016. Phone:(540)342-6025 or (800)635-5535

Self-guiding Tours

The visitor information center offers a map detailing a walking tour of downtown Roanoke.

Shopping

Downtown Roanoke features numerous local, independent stores that sell clothing, recreational equipment, artisanal products and more. She's International (103 S. Main St.), inspired by the founder's former career as a flight attendant, sells trendy clothing and accessories, such as an exclusive line of tulip-inspired handbags from Holland; phone (540) 985-4885. Nearby Historic Roanoke City Market, said to be Virginia's oldest, continuously operating open air market, offers high-quality produce as well as arts and crafts daily at Market Square SE; phone (540) 342-2028. Member One's City Market Saturdays is held at the Market each Sat. 11-2, May-Sept., and features music and family-friendly activities.

Handcrafted food and goods also feature prominently at Crafteria (16 W. Church Ave. SW). The former midcentury cafeteria presents everything from candles, body care products and cutting boards from the Crafteria maker's market to food places and small-batch packaged foods; phone (540) 550-6538.

Home décor and DIY enthusiasts should make their way toward Black Dog Salvage (902 13th St. SW) to shop where the hosts of the former DIY Network series do business. In addition to salvaged and repurposed materials, the expansive warehouse features arts, furniture, show swag and even an event venue. Phone (540) 266-7889.

Off I-581 exit 3E, Valley View Mall (4802 Valley View Blvd. N.W.) offers nearly 100 restaurants and stores, including Barnes & Noble, Belk, JCPenney and Macy's. Tanglewood Mall (4420-A Electric Rd.) features Belk, JCPenney and T.J.Maxx.