Employers appreciate our easy way of life, historic and cultural resources, excellent dining and shopping venues, and outstanding recreational opportunities - all while living within 90 minutes of larger metropolitan areas such as Raleigh-Durham, NC and Richmond and Norfolk, VA. 

Everyone has heard that it is the simple pleasures in life that matter most. In the Roanoke Valley, we could not agree more. And the wide variety of recreational opportunities available here reflects that belief. One of the best places to find an array of water-related activities is Lake Gaston. The lake is 34 miles long with over 20,000 acres of water surface and 350 miles of shoreline. Lake Gaston offers you a choice of swimming, wind surfing, water skiing and other boating activities.

If you prefer fishing, Lake Gaston, Roanoke Rapids Lake, and the Roanoke River are a fisherman's paradise. Fishing is an option year round for a variety of species including large-mouth bass, striped bass, and wall-eye. Local guides are available for tourists and local residents who would like to visit our lakes and river. The riverfront Town of Weldon is designated as the "Rockfish Capital of the World."

For the explorer in all of us, the Roanoke Canal Trail offers a seven mile walk, stretching from the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam to the old corn mill in Weldon. You can spend the afternoon enjoying a picnic overlooking the aqueduct. Another place to hike or spend the afternoon outdoors is at Medoc Mountain State Park,  with over 2,300 acres. The park offers streamside fishing, hiking, picnicking, group camping, canoeing and nature studies.

The City of Roanoke Rapids has an outstanding parks and recreation system. With 15 tennis courts and 7 multi-purpose athletic fields, the Recreation Department offers numerous programs in soccer, softball, baseball and most other sports with different leagues for all ages. There is also an indoor swimming pool and two outdoor pools.

If you like to spend your leisure time golfing, then you may find the golf courses at Chockoyotte and Scottfield Country Clubs more your speed. Both facilities feature an 18-hole golf course, outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts. There are also  several public golf courses around Lake Gaston.

For the fitness minded, there are several private athletic clubs in the Roanoke Valley which offer racquetball, aerobics, treadmills, life cycles, and more. There is also an 18-lane bowling alley in Roanoke Rapids that is the site of many league competitions.

The Roanoke Valley is also rich in history and heritage. Today our culture and heritage are reflected in special events and theater productions held throughout the region. Events such as Halifax Days, Harvest Days and the annual Haliwa-Saponic Pow Wow attract visitors to witness this heritage first hand.

The Lakeland Arts Center in Littleton offers the opportunity to enjoy the more refined arts. Dinner theater programs are held regularly throughout the year. It's a wonderful way to relax and enjoy classic theater productions. Additionally, the Roanoke Valley hosts the North Carolina Symphony each year in early December.

Halifax County offers endless leisure. Water sports, fishing and kayaking abound on Lake Gaston, Roanoke Rapids Lake, and the Roanoke River. Municipal parks, golf, tennis, baseball and stock car racing are just a few of the sporting opportunities. Live performance and community theaters, outdoor concerts, art galleries, historic tours, local festivals and craft fairs are all here for the choosing.