Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Roanoke?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Roanoke?

Many travelers spend one to three days in Roanoke during their visit. After all, the outdoorsy town has plenty to explore such as the hiking, the famous sights and museums, and the nightlife scene.

Roanoke is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers access to hiking trails, museums, and parkland. It's also one of the largest cities in western Virginia and has a diverse selection of restaurants and activities.

Do you have one or two days to visit Roanoke? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Roanoke?

Roanoke is a fun town that is somewhat popular with tourists because of its great list of sights and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to experience the ambiance of the town as well as the surrounding vistas and hiking trails. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the outdoorsy town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have one to three days to fully enjoy the activities in the area. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Roanoke

Known for it's hiking, Roanoke sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The surrounding countryside is filled with mountain hikes. The Blue Ridge Mountains are crossed by trails that take you to waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and through serene forest. McAfee Knob, Sharp Top Mountain, and Roaring Run Trail some of the best hikes in the area.

This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There are local venues in the area that have drinks and often live music. You'll find jazz, country, rock, and bluegrass, particularly along Crooked Road in Franklin County.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Roanoke?

A weekend is the perfect amount of time in Roanoke, as many vacationers prefer to spend around one to three days in this mountain town. With this schedule, you'll be able to get out into nature, wander through the museums, take advantage of the local nightlife, and browse the shops. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.

Roanoke, Virginia Roanoke, Virginia

How to spend 2 days in Roanoke

With a weekend (two to three days) in Roanoke, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

This town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. There are several museums and sights around town such as the Living-Coral Reef Aquarium, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Taubman Museum of Art. There's also the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and even the Roanoke Pinball Museum.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Roanoke, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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