Roanoke Claims Top Adventure Town Title for Third Time in Five Years

Posted on November 7th, 2023

Once again, Roanoke claims Top Adventure Town title as voted in Blue RidgeTop Adventure Town Front cover of the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Outdoors Magazine.

Roanoke beat out 25 other communities including Asheville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, for the win in the Large Town category and continues to uphold its reputation as a top town:

  • Roanoke earned Top Adventure Town (100K+ population) in 2019 and 2016, Top Mid-sized Town in 2015, Best Trail Town in 2013, was voted Best Mountain Town in 2012, and consistently earns the title of best place to raise an outdoor family.
  • Neighboring locality Bedford, VA, won the top town honor in the Small Town category, and Floyd, VA was a runner-up in the Tiny Town category.

What makes Roanoke a Top Adventure Town? Our landscape is a great place to start: Appalachian Trail, Mill Mountain, Carvins Cove, Explore Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Smith Mountain Lake, James and Jackson Rivers, six State Parks and 1000 miles of trails within an hour radius, plus miles of more trails, greenways, and rivers make this one heck of a destination. And then there are the people working together to infuse that landscape with adventure. From the efforts of local government and business leaders to the events and offerings of outdoor organizations and clubs to the people who get out there and have adventures, we are building a Top Adventure Town through community.

Here’s what Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine had to say about the region: “A Top Adventure Towns champ three of the last five years, it’s no secret that the Star City has a wealth of outdoor opportunities. That opportunity is among the most accessible in the region, too. The city’s rapidly expanding trail network just surpassed over 100 miles of trails, including the fully wheelchair accessible Roanoke River Greenway, adding accessibility to a region notorious for its ruggedness.”

This mention of accessibility is one of the greatest compliments to our region. Leaders and advocates have worked hard to bring the outdoors to everyone and make all feel welcome. That ruggedness BRO mentions is certainly a point of pride–it encouraged women’s Olympic cycling team, Team Twenty24, to make Roanoke its new training grounds and makes this home to America’s Toughest Road Marathon. However, being able to provide outdoor recreational opportunities to people with disabilities and marginalized folks is equally as important. The outdoors are for all, and the Roanoke Region recognizes and prioritizes that.

You can see their November issue online now.

Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has now opened voting for its 2024 Best of the Blue Ridge. Several regional businesses, destinations, and events are nominated, and we encourage you to vote for them now! Check them out below:

BUSINESSES

  • Twin River Outfitters
  • River Rock Climbing
  • E3 Fitness
  • Fleet Feet
  • RunAbout Sports
  • Cardinal Bicycle
  • Mast General Store
  • WalkAbout Outfitter
  • Roanoke Boutique Hotel
  • Yoga with Ash

FOOD & DRINK

  • Get Bent IPA from Parkway Brewing
  • Peg Hatcher’s Straight Whiskey–Twin Creeks Distillery
  • Parkway Brewing
  • Twin Creeks Distillery
  • Brady’s Distillery
  • River and Rail Restaurant
  • Best Dish: Greg Brady Burger: Jack Brown’s
  • Coffee Shop: RND (Roasters Next Door) Coffee
  • The Whole Bean Coffeehouse

EVENTS

  • Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival
  • Blue Ridge Marathon
  • Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon
  • Virginia’s Blue Ridge Ironman
  • Agony in the Alleghenies Gran Fondo

DESTINATIONS

  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • McAfee Knob
  • Jackson River Scenic Trail
  • Falling Springs Falls
  • Roanoke, VA
  • Douthat State Park
  • Mayflower Hills Park

Click here to vote now!