Roanoke Named a Top Destination for Fall Colors 🍂

Big news for our hometown—Roanoke just earned the No. 2 spot on USA Today 10Best’s nationwide list of Best Destinations for Fall Colors. Out of twenty destinations nominated by editors and travel experts, the final rankings were decided by the public after a four-week vote. And our corner of Virginia came out near the very top.

Here’s how USA Today 10Best describes us:
“No. 2: Best Destination for Fall Colors — Set next to the iconic Appalachian Trail, Roanoke, Virginia, is a natural when it comes to fall leaf viewing. Hike up to McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail for an awesome overlook of the trees, drive to the Pine Tree and Purgatory Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and stop at the iconic 100-foot-tall neon Roanoke Star. For the adventurous, fly through the foliage on a zipline at Explore Park, an outdoor recreation spot with hiking and mountain biking trails to go with its aerial adventure course.”

It’s hard to argue with that. With over 1,000 miles of trails, bucket-list hikes like McAfee Knob, and world-class mountain biking at Carvins Cove, the Roanoke Region comes alive in the fall. The brilliant backdrop of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains makes every outdoor adventure, whether hiking, biking, or just sipping coffee downtown, that much more memorable.

For us, this recognition isn’t just about the views (though they’re spectacular). It’s about what makes Roanoke and Salem such special places to live, work, and do business. Being based in the heart of downtown, we see firsthand how the vibrancy of the outdoors flows into our community, energizing our businesses, drawing in visitors, and reminding us daily that there’s truly no better place to be.

Top 10 Best Destinations for Fall Colors (USA Today 10Best):

Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Roanoke, Virginia
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
Potter-Tioga, Pennsylvania
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia
Adirondacks, New York
Hocking Hills, Ohio
Mountaineer Country, West Virginia

🍁 We’re proud to call this place home. Roanoke isn’t just one of the best places to see fall colors—it’s one of the best places to build a life and a business.