Why Visit the Roanoke Valley?
Settling here right out of college I found the people friendly, surroundings beautiful, history interesting, activities plentiful, and lifestyle altogether pleasant. And it’s done nothing but improve since!
2007 marked Roanoke’s 125th Anniversary as a city. It is SW Virginia’s regional service center with plenty of arts, culture, and recreation. For more than 20 years the city has focused on bringing vitality to the downtown area. Converting vacant upper floors of commercial buildings into downtown living spaces “continues to grow at a healthy pace,” says David Diaz, previous executive
director of Downtown Roanoke, Inc., soon to reach 360 units.
Salem is an historic college town and progressive community dedicated to promoting a high quality of life, and where they view family fun as a top priority. They are strong on Rec sports and drawing state and regional amateur tournaments and NCAA championships games – Never a dull moment here! Among the many other activities it holds the largest all-breed, Class-A horse show in VA and largest
free-admission fair in the state. Both area Civic Centers’ schedules are bursting with events, activities, and presentations.
The Smith Mountain Lake area, involving three counties, has a national reputation for pristine water and unequaled striped bass fishing. With captivating views of farmland, mountains, and the lake, what was a short while ago primarily a recreation area is rapidly developing well-planned, year-round communities with greatly improved amenities. A national monument, state park, and numerous
marinas await your visit.
Athletic contests, cultural events, family activities, festivals, expanding nature escapes, historical sites, and natural wonders, combined with active downtowns, business growth and prosperity, educational opportunities, and a great standard of living – we have so much to offer either a visitor or someone looking for a place to launch the next phase of their life.
Come – spend a few days – we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
