Named after the river that flows along its edge, Roanoke Rapids is a lively city near North Carolina’s border with Virginia. It was originally established as a textile manufacturing town, with the river and its rapids harnessed to power the mills. Many of the settlement’s earliest buildings are now preserved within the Roanoke Rapids Historic District.
Things to do in Roanoke Rapids
One of the city’s most famous buildings is the Roanoke Rapids High School, which was constructed in the 1920s in a combination of Elizabethan Gothic and Tudor Revival architectural styles. It forms part of the Roanoke Rapids Historic District, an area that is notable for its Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and American Craftsman-style buildings. Don’t miss the All Saints Episcopal Church, Dickens-Webb House and the North Carolina National Guard Armory.
Occupying an 1823 canal lock building is the Roanoke Canal Museum, which details the role of the Roanoke River in America’s westward expansion. While exploring the exhibits, learn how the waterway became a commercial “highway” in the early 19th century before the trade route was transformed into a source of hydroelectricity.
From the Roanoke Canal Museum, you can stretch your legs on the 12-kilometre-long walk that follows the route of the Roanoke Navigation and Power Canal. It is dotted with industrial remnants from the early 19th-century canal system, including vintage locks, hand-hewn stone culverts and an impressive aqueduct. Prefer to explore on two wheels? You can take advantage of the trail’s free bike rentals.
Getting around Roanoke Rapids
Roanoke Rapids is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Raleigh and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Regular buses connect to Roanoke Rapids, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the city and the surrounding area.