From LAX to the Virginia city

If you go THE BEST WAY From LAX, connecting service (change of planes) is available on US Airways, Delta, United and Northwest. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $288.Roanoke is an easy drive from several major Southern travel destinations, including Charlotte, N.C., and Richmond, Va. It’s about a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C. WHERE TO EAT Table 50, 309 Market St., Roanoke; (540) 904-2350, www.table50roanoke.com. Modern bistro with crab bisque ($7), house-ground beef burgers and pulled pork sandwiches ($12 to $13), and grilled fish and meats ($22 to $28). Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. until late night. Texas Tavern, 114 W. Church Ave.; (540) 342-4825, www.texastavern-inc.com. The very limited menu includes $2.20 “cheesy Westerns” (grilled cheeseburgers topped with fried egg) and $1.60 bowls of chili. Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day (closed Dec. 25). Roanoke Weiner Stand, 25 Campbell Ave. S.E.; (540) 342-6932. Walk-up counter known for its hot dogs “all the way” (mustard, chopped onions and chili) and inexpensive beers, all less than $2 each. Regency Dining Room, Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave.; (540) 985-5900, www.hotelp.Traditional Virginia peanut soup and spoon bread as well as contemporary Southern cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and Sunday brunch. Dinner entrees, $20 to $32.WHAT TO DO Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. S.E.; (540) 342-5760, www.taubmanmuseum.org. Permanent collection features 19th and 20th century American art, plus a variety of traveling exhibitions. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (Thursdays until 7 p.m.), and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays. $10.50 general admission, $9 seniors, $8.50 students, $5.50 children ages 4 to 12, children 3 and under free.Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Ave. S.W.; (540) 342-5670, www.vmt.org. Norfolk & Western steam locomotives, rail cars and more. Admission: $8 for adults; $7, seniors; $6, children ages 3 to 11; children under 3 free. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays.Historic Roanoke City Market, downtown square, www.downtownroanoke.org/market.htm. Four dozen rotating vendors. Open seven days a week, closed Christmas and New Year’s. Market Street Shops, hours and stores vary, see www.downtownroanoke.org/shopping.htm for a list of stores, including Chocolatepaper, www.chocolatepaperroanoke.com/WHERE TO STAY Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave.; (540) 985-5900, www.hotelroanoke.com. Special discount packages include tickets to the Taubman Museum of Art and Virginia Museum of Transportation. See website for details. Rates from $156. TO LEARN MORE www.downtownroanoke.org