Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke is a vibrant city brimming with outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and rich history. Whether you're a nature lover looking to explore scenic trails, a foodie eager to sample local cuisine, or a history buff interested in museums and landmarks, Roanoke has something for everyone. From the iconic Mill Mountain Star to the bustling downtown market, this charming city offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. Here are the 10 best things to do in Roanoke, VA, to make the most of your visit.
1. See Roanoke from Center In The Square Rooftop
If you need a place to start your Roanoke adventure, there's no better place to begin than the rooftop at Center In the Square in Downtown Roanoke. From the top, you'll be able to get a view of the Mill Mountain Star, Read Mountain and McAfee Knob along with the sites of downtown Roanoke which can really help orient your trip and your future plans. They also have an aquarium and arcade if you're bringing the kids.

Photo: Hotel Roanoke and Read Mountain from the rooftop of Center In The Square
2. Roanoke River Greenway
Now that you've seen Roanoke from above venture toward the Roanoke River Greenway to see some parks, attractions and wildlife in the area. With endless options in the area such as tubing, breweries, restaurants & even sandy beaches, you'll get to experience a new layer of what Roanoke can offer. You can also check out the Unofficial Guide to the Roanoke River Greenway with stats and the best place to park (spoiler alert: it's at Vic Thomas Park).

Photo: Iconic Roanoke River Greenway Bridge
3. Roanoke Farmer's Market
Roanoke has five farmer's markets for you to choose from within a 30 minute drive. Salem Farmer's Market, The Vinton Farmer's Market & Botetourt Farmer's Market are all great choices, but if you're looking for the farmer's markets closest to downtown Roanoke I'd recommend you check out Roanoke City Market & Grandin Village Farmers Market. Roanoke City Market has a mix of crafts, produce & food while Grandin Farmer's Market sells certified and non-certified organic veggies, fruits, locally raised beef and more.

4. Roanoke Historical Architecture
Roanoke has as much history as it does adventure and nightlife, and an area that reflects this the most is in its buildings and architecture. In fact, Roanoke has 52 locations on the National Register of Historical Places listed on Wikipedia. If you don't have time for 52 stops, don't fret, here's a list of 12 Historical Roanoke Buildings you'll want to check out, and do so in a fraction of the time.

5. Roanoke Picnic Areas
Roanoke is known for it's outdoor lifestyle and it's unique food, so I think it's a natural progression that picnicking will be on top of your Roanoke to do list. The most iconic places to grab a lunch on the lawn would have to be the Mill Mountain Star, Roanoke River Greenway, or Carvin's Cove Natural Reserve among others. You can read more about these and three more stellar locations in Best Picnic Areas Near Roanoke.

Photo: Explore Park Village on the Roanoke River
6. Best Roanoke Happy Hour
Finding the perfect happy hour in Roanoke, Va is all about the right combination of location, drink selection, and timing. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or have lived in the area for years, we've rounded up the best happy hours for any season. Not sure where to start? Check out the Best Happy Hour In Roanoke drink special guide, featuring a list of drink deals and a sneak peek inside each establishment.

7. Hike Roanoke
If you're looking to enjoy a nature walk, take in an expansive vista, embark on a waterfall hike, or tackle a jagged rock crawl, Roanoke and its surrounding areas have you covered. You can explore the 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail that make up Virginia's Triple Crown, or take on more manageable sections like McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon's Tooth. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, check out the 23 Hikes Near Roanoke - Under :59 for a complete checklist of the most popular hikes around Roanoke, from Trailhead to Summit all under 59 seconds.
8. See The Mill Mountain Star, Zoo & Hike the Star Trail
If you ask around, people will tell you to see the Mill Mountain Star before leaving Roanoke, and they're probably right, with an expansive view of the city, a zoo, snackbar & picnic areas, it'd really be a bummer if you didn't. If you're looking for a hike outdoors, the Star Trail at Mill Mountain starts at the base of the mountain travels up the 880ft elevation gain and puts you right at the base of the star at the summit. You can see the full hike from trailhead to finish in the Star Trail Under :59

Photo: Mill Mountain Park Overlooking Downtown Roanoke with McAfee Knob in the Distance
9. Roanoke Waterfall Hikes
If you're in the 6-8 month range in Virginia that waterfall hikes sound enjoyable, Roanoke and it's surrounding areas won't disappoint. Unlike other attractions in Roanoke, the waterfalls are more spread out with the closet being 40 minutes away (Bottom Creek Gorge) and the furthest being 90 minutes away (Falling Springs Falls). For all destinations in between, click the best 9 Roanoke Waterfalls for waterfall height comparison, hike times, maps and more.

Photo: Falling Springs Falls, Va
10. Unique Attractions To Roanoke
There are so many unique attractions in Roanoke that we've had to settle on only naming a few. While you're here you'll have to check out Mast General Store in Downtown Roanoke for anything from outdoor gear, toys & candy. Black Dog Salvage has 40,000 sq feet of architectural salvage, designs, furniture and a reality tv show based off of it. The Virginia Museum of Transportation has automobile, railroad and aviation galleries and more.