Halifax County is located on the northern tip of the state. Here the Halifax Resolves, the first declaration of independence, was signed on April 12, 1776. Roanoke Rapids is in the northeastern section of the state, eight miles south of the North Carolina - Virginia boundary and adjacent to Interstate 95. U.S. 158 and N.C. 48 pass through the city.
The climate is relatively mild with daytime temperatures averaging 45 degrees in winter, 66 degrees in the spring, 85 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the fall. Annual rainfall is 41.43 inches with snowfall 7.0 inches each year.
Halifax Regional Medical Center
50 Smith Church Road....................................252-535-8011
Recreation
The Roanoke Rapids City Parks and Recreation Department provides a well-rounded program year-long at its various facilities. Athletic programs include soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, swimming, road races, and football. A popular summer concert series “Fridays in the Park” features bands once a month at Centennial Park. Other activities also programmed are arts and crafts, music, dance, summer camps, playground programs and special events. The department also has a very active Senior Citizens program through the Jo Story Senior Center. Activities include club meetings, bingo, card games, exercise programs, covered dish dinners, seasonal events and trips.
The city of Roanoke Rapids operates the T.J. Davis Recreation Center which offers two gyms, an indoor walking track, game room, multipurpose rooms, and an arts and crafts room. An award-winning Aquatics Center offers aquatic exercise for adults and senior citizens, as well as a full array of instructional classes and open swim. Other facilities include two outdoor pools, 12 parks with picnic shelters, trails, play equipment, 15 lighted tennis courts, eight lighted athletic fields and other amenities.
The Roanoke Canal Commission operations a 7.5-mile historic and natural trail that follows the historic navigation canal that parallels the Roanoke River. The trail has many beautiful areas and highlights a stone aqueduct built in early 1800s.
The Roanoke Canal Museum features excellent exhibits touting the fascinating history at the canal and Roanoke Rapids.
Cultural Arts
The Lakeland Cultural Art Center in Littleton offers a variety of classes in dance, music, drama, art and the busiest local theatre in the United States. The Arts Center also produces a number of their own dinner theatre productions and hosts professional touring groups and concerts. Dance and musical theatre camp in offered for young people in the summer.
Water Recreation
The Roanoke River is considered by many fishermen to be one of the best fishing places anywhere. The area is known as the Rockfish Capital of the World.
Roanoke Rapids Lake borders the city on the west side. The city maintains a recreation area on its beautiful shores. The lake has 47 miles of shoreline and has been stocked with all kinds of fresh water fish.
Lake Gaston, location nine miles west of Roanoke Rapids and five miles north of Littleton, is 34 miles long and has 350 miles of shoreline. Both lakes provide facilities for all types of water sports, boating, skiing, etc.
Dam Releases
USGS Real-Time Water Data
