The largest city in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, VA is an important commercial and cultural hub for the entire region, as well as an excellent base to explore the states of Virginia and neighboring North Carolina and West Virginia. If you're planning a day trip or a weekend escape from the city, these are some great ideas and destinations that can be reached in less than a couple of hours' drive. 1. George Washington and Jefferson National Forests As one of the largest public land areas in the Eastern United States, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are a great destination for nature lovers who want to get away from the city and breathe some fresh air. The forests cover more than one million acres of territory, with designated wildness areas, viewpoints, hiking trails, and Mount Rogers, considered the highest point in the state of Virginia. One of the most fascinating places to visit within the limits of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests is the ghost town of Lignite, which was once an iron ore mining town owned by a private company. The industrial areas of the town were abandoned in the 1920s, but people lived in the area until the 1950s. Currently, there are only a few remains of the old churches, post offices, and schools that once existed in the town. 2. Smith Mountain Lake State Park With camping facilities and several recreational areas, the Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a prime destination for day-trippers from Roanoke, Lynchburg, and other nearby cities in southern Virginia and North Carolina. The park opened its doors to the public in 1983, attracting thousands of visitors every year, most of whom come during the warmest months of the year to swim in the lake and perform water sports. The Smith Mountain Lake State Park is located less than 35 miles east of downtown Roanoke, a drive that usually takes a little under an hour in good traffic conditions. Once inside the park, there are lodging areas and designated picnic spots for visitors. Whether you're planning a trip with friends, family, or solo, this is an optimal destination to get away from the city and enjoy the natural wonders of the area. 3. Greensboro, NC The third most populous city in the state of North Carolina is a popular destination among visitors from Roanoke and other nearby towns across the state line in Virginia. Some of the most popular touristic attractions in the area include the International Civil Rights Museum, the Greensboro Science Center, and the historic houses in the College Hill area. From downtown Roanoke, Greensboro is a little under two hours away by car. Before you set off to explore the surroundings of Roanoke and go on memorable day trips in the area, create a game plan to make the most of your time off! Who knows - try out a few and you may find a new favorite destination!
A Buyer's Guide to the 2021 Honda Odyssey
Every detail comes together in the new 2021 Honda Odyssey to give you an outstanding driving experience. With modern conveniences and advanced safety systems, this minivan can handle both play, recreation, and tasks! Read on to find out more about the impressive 2021 Honda Odyssey. Easy Accessibility This minivan holds up to 8 passengers and provides up to 158 cubic feet of cargo. All 8 passengers can easily reach their seats with power-sliding rear doors and Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats making the third row readily accessible. Let your Odyssey do the work by using your remote key fob up to 50 feet away to turn on the tri-zone climate, start the engine, and open the rear sliding doors so everyone can quickly hop in. Don't worry about debris from shoes or spilled snacks with the available HondaVAC®. Use this handy feature to reach every seat from front to back with its long-reach hose, and then clean up is a cinch with the easily-emptied dust bin. Access the vacuum and rear cargo with a gentle kick of your foot under the rear bumper. This move will automatically raise the hands-free power liftgate letting you stow your gear and fold down the third row Magic Seat® into the cargo floor. 2021 Honda Odyssey Trim Levels The 2021 Odyssey is offered in 5 impeccable models: the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Every Odyssey trim includes the Honda Sensing® Suite standard, a state-of-the-art set of safety features to protect you from bumper to bumper. These safety technologies keep your eyes on the road with a series of visual and audible warnings and alerts to assist with timely braking, unintentional lane drifting, gap time between you and the vehicle ahead, and road sign detection to ensure you are always following posted safety laws. Be In-the-Know Keeping everyone happy will be a breeze with the conveniences Honda has designed. The available 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot makes it easy to stay connected while the front and rear USB ports make sure all devices are charged and ready for the drive. The front seat's 8-inch digital infotainment center connects seamlessly with your Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM compatible smartphone to easily access music, podcasts, messages, phone calls, and navigation. Hoping to keep eyes on the road, Honda has created CabinWatch® and CabinTalk® to minimize the number of times you need to turn around to see what's going on in the back seats. CabinWatch® uses multiple cameras to allow you to keep an eye on things, even in the dark, while CabinTalk® utilizes the 11 speakers to let you reach the rear occupants. The 2021 Odyssey has all the bells and whistles to make every drive comfortable and safe. Call or stop by Priority Honda Roanoke today to take a look at this incredible vehicle! Whether around town or on the road, the Odyssey has got you covered - schedule a test drive today to enjoy the experience for yourself!