Roanoke, Virginia

Everything Roanoke is known for

5 songs mention this city 5 artists from here

Roanoke, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is home to a vibrant musical community. While not widely known as a music capital, the city has produced notable artists and is mentioned in popular songs. For example, jazz innovator Don Pullen hails from Roanoke, and the iconic song "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne mentions the city. Roanoke's music scene continues to grow, with a mix of styles and local talent.

The city, often called the "Star City of the South" due to its illuminated Roanoke Star, embraces diverse sounds. Folk music is represented by artists like River And Rail, and Americana by The Reno Brothers, both calling Roanoke home. The city's venues, such as the Berglund Center and The Spot on Kirk, contribute to a lively atmosphere for both local and touring acts.

Music in Roanoke

Songs About Roanoke

Richmond County Line

Wade Forster

62%

"When I get back from Roanoke, will you tell me what I missed?"

Messed Up Kid

Tyler Childers

55%

"That's why I love her so but since Roanoke I don't take her out to shop no more"

Ode To A Half A Pound Of Ground Round

Tom T. Hall

54%

"This is the song about the time I nearly starved to death in Roanoke, Virginia"

Crazy Train

Ozzy Osbourne

13%

"Norfolk & Western Railway headquarters — major Appalachian railroad city"

Wagon Wheel

Darius Rucker

"Walking to the south out of Roanoke"

Artists From Roanoke

History of Roanoke

The Homeplace: All-You-Can-Eat Fried Chicken Below McAfee Knob RoadyGoat

The Homeplace, at 4968 Catawba Valley Drive in Catawba, is the legendary all-you-can-eat, family-style farmhouse restaurant set in a white 1907 farmhouse in the Catawba Valley, directly below McAfee Knob, the most photographed view on the entire Appalachian Trail. You sit down and they bring bowls of fried chicken, country ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuits, and cobbler, and they keep refilling them until you say stop, the way Sunday dinner works at a grandmother's table. Opened to the public as a restaurant in 1982, it became a beloved post-hike reward for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers coming off the knob. It went quiet during the pandemic, closing in 2020 and officially in 2021, then reopened under new ownership on April 22, 2026. Seating is first come, first served. Open Wednesday through Friday 4 to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 8 pm. (Sources: WSLS; WDBJ7; The Trek; AppalachianTrail.com.)

RoadyGoat → · 12.2 mi away

Mill Mountain Star

1949

The world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star, overlooking Roanoke from Mill Mountain since 1949.

Everything Near Roanoke

25 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

Roanoke, VA · Local history
Roanoke nestles in the embrace of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a city forged where the land rises and folds. At nearly a thousand feet above sea level, the air is different here, crisper, carrying the scent of pine from…
Norfolk and Western 1218 · 0.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're near a piece of iron history, a titan of steam: the Norfolk and Western 1218. This behemoth is the only surviving Class A locomotive from the Norfolk and Western Railway. Built right here in Roanoke in 1943, 1218…
Virginia Museum of Transportation · 0.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder how Virginia moved through time? The Virginia Museum of Transportation is the place to find out. Originally a Norfolk and Western Railway freight station built in 1918, the building sat largely unused by the…
Basilica of St. Andrew (Roanoke, Virginia) · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Feast your eyes on this architectural masterpiece, the Basilica of St. Andrew! It's more than just a pretty building; it's a symbol of Roanoke's growing Catholic community at the turn of the century. Construction on…
Virginian Railway Passenger Station (Roanoke, Virginia) · 0.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This isn't just another pretty building; it's a portal back to the roaring twenties when train travel was king. The Virginian Railway Passenger Station opened its doors in 1910, becoming the only brick station along the…
Roanoke River and Railroad Historic District · 0.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder how Roanoke became a transportation hub? This area, the Roanoke River and Railroad Historic District, holds the key.The late 1800s and early 1900s saw massive industrial development here, all thanks to the…
Buena Vista (Roanoke, Virginia) · 1.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine life on this 1840 plantation, built in the Greek Revival style. This is Buena Vista, and for a time, it was home to George Plater Tayloe and his wife, Mary Langhorne Tayloe. George's family was quite prominent;…
Mill Mountain Star · 1.4 mi · Historical Marker
The world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star, overlooking Roanoke from Mill Mountain since 1949.
Roanoke Star · 1.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Look up! That massive star isn't just for decoration; it's a symbol of Roanoke itself, visible for miles. In 1949, the local merchants association decided Roanoke needed a boost. They built the Roanoke Star on Mill…
Colony House Motor Lodge · 2.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a minute; you've GOT to see this. This motor lodge is a time capsule of classic roadside Americana! Back in 1959, when car travel was king, the Colony House Motor Lodge opened its doors. It was built…
The Coffee Pot (Roanoke, Virginia) · 3.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a caffeine fix at a Roanoke landmark that's been brewing up smiles since the Great Depression! This isn't your average coffee shop; it's The Coffee Pot, a roadhouse topped with, you guessed it, a giant…
Old Tombstone · 4.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Right here in Hollins, Virginia, lies a testament to unique local artistry and remembrance. Old Tombstone, also known as the Denton Monument, is a folk art tombstone that stands out from the rest. Back in the mid-…
Black Horse Tavern-Bellvue Hotel and Office · 5.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine weary travelers in the late 1700s, finding refuge right here at the Black Horse Tavern. Built around 1782, the Black Horse Tavern was a vital stop for travelers making their way through the region. Later, the…
Hollins University · 5.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a sec, because this spot is a testament to the enduring power of women's education. Hollins University, founded as Valley Union Seminary in 1842, is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning for…
Valley Railroad Bridge · 6.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This historic limestone arch bridge, built in 1873, still stands as a testament to 19th-century engineering. It's called the Valley Railroad Bridge, or sometimes the Gish Branch Bridge. It was built by Claiborne Rice…
Downtown Salem Historic District (Salem, Virginia) · 6.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Hold on to your hats, RoadyGoat explorers, because this seemingly quiet downtown has witnessed centuries of change! Salem's historic district isn't just a collection of old buildings; it's a living timeline of the…
Jubal A. Early House · 8.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming home birthed a Confederate general who would become both feared and reviled. Jubal A. Early spent his childhood here, on his family's 4,000-acre tobacco plantation. Early went on to become a lawyer, and…
Greenfield (Fincastle, Virginia) · 11.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a minute, because this seemingly quiet spot holds a story of early Botetourt County and the complicated legacy of its prominent figures. This area was once part of Greenfield Plantation, established…
Bryan McDonald Jr. House · 12.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine witnessing the birth of a nation, right here in Botetourt County. The Bryan McDonald Jr. House, built around 1766, stands as a silent observer to centuries of American history. Bryan McDonald Jr. constructed…
The Homeplace: All-You-Can-Eat Fried Chicken Below McAfee Knob · 12.2 mi
The Homeplace, at 4968 Catawba Valley Drive in Catawba, is the legendary all-you-can-eat, family-style farmhouse restaurant set in a white 1907 farmhouse in the Catawba Valley, directly below McAfee Knob, the most…
Booker T. Washington National Monument · 15.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine being born into slavery, yet rising to become a national leader. That's the incredible story connected to this very spot. Here, on a 1850s tobacco farm in Franklin County, Virginia, Booker T. Washington was born…
Bowstring Truss Bridge (Ironto, Virginia) · 15.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming bridge tells a story of ingenuity and resilience. Built in 1878 by the King Bridge Company, this Bowstring Truss bridge, also called the King Tubular Arch Truss Bridge, was a marvel of its time. It…
Blue Ridge Hall · 16.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine weary travelers stopping at this historic stagecoach hotel along the Shenandoah Valley's main road. Blue Ridge Hall, built around 1836, was once a vital stop for those journeying through the valley. This…
Rocky Mount Historic District · 19.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time as we explore the Rocky Mount Historic District, a treasure trove of architecture and stories! This district showcases Rocky Mount's evolution from the early 1800s through the early 1900s, encompassing…
Washington Iron Furnace · 19.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine a time when this quiet spot was buzzing with activity, helping to build a nation. The Washington Iron Furnace, built around 1770, was a vital part of early industry in Franklin County, Virginia. This furnace was…

Explore Roanoke on the Map

All music from Virginia → · Browse more cities