| If you have driven this section of I-81 at night you've seen the 100 foot tall star on the top of Mill Mountain which marks the Roanoke Valley. An unusual way to mark an unusual community, but, then, Roanoke has been doing things in unusual ways for over two centuries.
Visitors' Center -
The visitors' Center is in Market Square.
Directions to Market
Square - From I-81 take exit 143 and follow I-581 to exit 6. Exit and bear right onto US-11/221 (Williamson Rd NE) and follow it into Roanoke to Campbell Avenue. Turn right (US-11 also turns right), go one block to Market. We
recommend you park in the parking garage there, then walk the one block up Market Street to the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau at 114 Market Street.
For more information, phone 1-800-635-5535 (toll free).
The Visitors' Center is at the center of things. Park in the parking garage on Campbell Avenue and you can walk to the several
museums, including a Planetarium (see list, below) and Roanoke's famous Farmers' Market. The immediate area is also a plethora of excellent restaurants. If you are a vegetarian, the Edens Way Vegetarian Garden Cafe is at the corner of Market Street and Church Avenue - just two blocks south of the parking garage.
Following are in
Market Square:
Other attractions in Roanoke:
Roanoke City Market
- Organized in 1882, the Roanoke City Market is the oldest, continuously operating, open-air farmer's market in Virginia. The current market building was built in 1922 to replace the old structure. The current market building, rebuilt in 1922, has been renovated to house an international food court and is one of the most popular lunchtime destinations in Roanoke. At last count there were about 69 stalls selling
products such as fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants and even handmade crafts.
Open Monday through Saturday from about 5a to 6:30p although most of the vendors don't arrive until 7 or 8a and leave as early as 3p.
For more information, phone 1-540-342-2028 or visit their web page:
CityMarket.
The City Market is on Market between Campbell and Salem Avenues
(see directions to Market
Square).
Art Museum of Western Virginia
- houses Nineteenth and Twentieth Century American art, especially featuring works by Southern artists. The museum has many rotating exhibits; phone the museum for current displays.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a to 5p; Sundays from 1 to 5p. Admission $3; under 12, free.
For more information phone 1-540-342-5760 or visit their web site:
AMWV.
The museum is in Market
Square.
History Museum & Historical Society
of Western Virginia - More than just another museum, this is more of a historical education center with a
potpourri of ways to explore the history of the region. Yes, they do have the usual permanent exhibits covering the history of the region from prehistoric times to the present. They also house galleries for changing exhibits, a theatre for multi-media presentations of regional history and a very complete library of historical documents. In addition, they conduct a wide variety of guided, off-premises tours of historic districts, buildings, National Register homes and churches.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a to 4p; Sundays from 1 to 5p. Admission $2; kids 6 through 17, $1.
For more information phone 1-540-342-5770 or visit their web site:
HMHS.
The museum is in Market
Square.
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Science
Museum of Western Virginia
- Housing six permanent galleries - including 30,000 sq. ft. of interactive science exhibits - this facility also maintains a lecture hall, science library, classroom, and science laboratory plus their 120-seat Hopkins Planetarium and MegaDome Theatre (for showing large format films). In addition to the permanent exhibits, they operate a traveling exhibit gallery.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a to 5p; Sundays from 1 to 5p. Admission $7; kids 3 through 12, $5. Additional admission charges for MegaDome Theatre, Planetarium and special exhibits (Phone museum for details and schedules.)
For more information, phone 1-540-342-5710 or visit their web site:
SMWV.
The museum is in Market
Square.
Harrison Museum
of African American Culture
- Located in the Harrison School, the first public high school built in 1916 for African-Americans, this institution features oral recollections highlighting the culture and significance of the Roanoke area African American community. Supplementing these oral histories are many photographs and documents. Also on display is African and contemporary art.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5p.
For more information, phone 1-540-345-4818 or visit their web site:
HMAAC.
From I-81 take exit 143 and follow I-581 to exit 4W (Orange Avenue W). Exit and
turn left at the first traffic light onto Gainesboro Road. Drive 3 blocks to Harrison Avenue and turn right. The Museum is another 3 blocks at 523 Harrison Avenue NW.
Mill Mountain Zoo
- On display are over fifty species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Animals include a rare Siberian Tiger, Snow Leopards, Red Pandas and Japanese Macaques. Also on the site are a wildflower garden, picnic facilities plus an awesome view of the Roanoke Valley.
Open daily from 10a to 4:30p. From mid-June through August operating hours are extended to 7:30p. Closed Christmas Day. Please note that no admissions are allowed after 30 minutes before official closing times. Admission $6.50; kids 3 through 11, $4.25. All admissions are plus tax. There is an extra $2 fee for the Zoo train ride.
For more information, phone 1-540-343-3241 or visit their web site:
MMZoo.
From I-81 take exit 143 and follow I-581 to exit 6 (Elm Avenue). Exit and turn right at the end of exit ramp onto Elm Ave. Drive past the hospital and turn left at second traffic light onto Jefferson Street. Continue on Jefferson to the fourth traffic light and
turn left onto Walnut Ave. Follow Walnut up Mill Mountain (note: Walnut becomes Parkway Spur Road) and at the top of the mountain turn right at the Mill Mountain Park Sign. The Mill Mountain Zoo is located to the left of parking
area.
Virginia Museum of Transportation
- Located in Roanoke’s historic Norfolk & Western Freight Station is the largest collection of locomotives in the Southeast. Over 40 pieces of rolling stock are on display, including both diesel and steam locomotives. Rail Buffs will especially appreciate the presence of a Class J locomotive. Also included in the rolling stock are antique carriages, cars, trucks, buses, and trolleys. On the miniature scale are a model traveling circus and a large "O" gauge model train layout with four levels for viewing. Miscellaneous aviation equipment and some interactive exhibits help complete the exhibits.
Open Monday through Friday from 11a to 4p; Saturdays from 10a to 5p and Sundays from 1 to 5p. Note: Closed Mondays in January and February. Admission $6; kids 3 through 18, $4.
For more information, phone 1-540-342-5670 or visit their web site:
VMTrans.
From I-81 take exit 143 and follow I-581 to exit 5 (Williamson Road - US-11). Exit and bear right on Williamson following it to Norfolk Avenue. Turn right on Norfolk and follow it to the Museum which is just past 2nd Street.
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