Virginias Blue Ridge

Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is a winner of the Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Towns contest!

Thanks to the support of the many who cast their votes over the four rounds of the competition, Roanoke is the winner of the Large Adventure Town category, edging out Chattanooga, TN and Asheville, NC in the finals.

The 2020 victory marks back-to-back Top Adventure Town titles for Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, which also won the Large Town category in the 2019 Top Adventure Towns contest. It’s the 5th Top Town title in the past 9 years of the competition for Roanoke!

With over 1,000 miles of trails, Virginia’s Blue Ridge has established itself as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and adventure.

Roanoke is the largest city on the iconic Appalachian Trail, one of the best hiking trails in the world, and the region is the only IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center on the East Coast, establishing Virginia’s Blue Ridge as America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital. Many visitors from around the country plan vacations to Roanoke for experiences like hiking the Virginia Triple Crown or mountain biking at Carvins Cove.

You’ll also find multiple access points for the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most visited units in the National Park System and “America’s Favorite Drive,” and thousands of acres to explore in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.

In addition to the trails for hiking and biking, you can get on the water in Virginia’s Blue Ridge with paddling trips along the Roanoke River Blueway and Upper James River Water Trail, two amazing local blueways, or boating and fishing at Smith Mountain Lake and Philpott Lake in Franklin County.

Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is the perfect location to be a #Trailsetter and find all kinds of unique adventures.

We’re thrilled to be named a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and so appreciative of everyone who cast a vote in support of Roanoke!

We’d also like to congratulate our fellow Virginia destinations that won their respective categories – Floyd, VA (Tiny Town), Bedford, VA (Small Town), and Charlottesville, VA (Medium Town).  Check out our Top Adventure Towns Itinerary for an epic road trip featuring all the winning destinations. View Itinerary.

We invite you to plan your next metro mountain adventure in Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge!  Plan a Visit today.

NEW Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Marketing Campaign Launched – “Worth the Wait“

Featuring a message of optimism and hope, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge has developed a campaign encouraging future visitors and local residents to get inspired and dream about making new memories in Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR).

The campaign, which was made completely in-house with existing resources, features a Worth the Wait video, virtual activities and events, online tours, coloring sheets, and VBR-themed games like trivia and bingo.

Another integral part of the program includes opportunities to support local businesses during this time of COVID-19 by taking advantage of special VBR takeout maps, online shopping options, and ways to participate in local campaigns & fundraisers.

Visit the new landing page here.

More information, including editorial images, regarding the new “Worth the Wait” campaign is available.  Please contact Taylor Spellman.