I’ve Lived in the South for 20 Years and This Is Its Most Underrated City—With Historic Hotels and Scenic Mountain Views

It’s been more than 20 years since I lived near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, but the region’s undulating peaks keep pulling me back. In Roanoke, the mountains provide an enchanting backdrop for a mid-sized city—small enough to get around on foot or by bike, but large enough to have a variety of fun things to do.