From Big Lick to 'Star City': This Virginia mountain town shines | CNN

From Big Lick to ‘Star City’: Roanoke, Virginia, has leaned into its rail and outdoor heritage to become a destination. The southwestern city earned early nicknames as railroads helped transform the once-sleepy Roanoke Valley into a commercial hub in the 1880s, while a large illuminated star became an enduring civic symbol. Located between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail, Roanoke’s access to hiking draws visitors year-round. In early May, Appalachian Trail volunteer Ryan Wagoner ran up to McAfee Knob, an 8-mile out-and-back trek known for 270-degree views. Nearby, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway and the “Triple Crown” routes sit north of town. Nearly 100,000 residents now support attractions including the Virginia Museum of Transportation, housed in a century-old freight station.