Roanoke, Virginia - A Great Place to Visit

 Roanoke, Virginia is situated at the hub of transportation, finance, health care, and retail. It's an energetic city that welcomes visitors with a mix of small and large businesses alike. Shopping aside, Mill Mountain offers plenty of exciting activities and attractions for visitors. One of the major draws is arguably the world's largest man-made star perched atop Mill Mountain.

City Market

City Market is a year-round public market that showcases local fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants as well as fresh meats, cheeses, baked goods, and artisan hand-crafted items. Established in 1882 in Downtown Roanoke's heart of Downtown, The City Market boasts retailers, restaurants, museums, and plenty of free entertainment throughout the year. City Market is a unique community hub that serves as an accessible pedestrian destination for the entire region. Situated within four walkable downtown city blocks, it forms part of the regional greenway network and provides access to nature via street trees and Elmwood Park's connection.

Recent increases in pedestrian activity have been driven by several redevelopment projects, including the privately funded $27 million renovation of the Center in the Square building and the $7.9 million restoration of the Historic City Market Building along with infill development along Market St. Additionally, City Market serves as a primary commuting and walking destination for the region with easy access to multiple bus and trolley stops, bike share program, Greyhound Bus station and Amtrak stations nearby - each just one block away! It's also an ideal spot for friends and families to socialize, as well as take in live music every week. Additionally, this area boasts numerous shops, boutiques, and galleries with everything from clothing and jewelry to home decorating supplies and outdoor gear.

One of the key characteristics of a healthy and vibrant market is its emphasis on offering quality locally-grown food products. At City Market, they ensure all produce and other items sold there meet state agricultural requirements as certified by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and come from locally owned farms. This is the first step in making Market Square sustainable and healthy for all. After you've purchased your fresh produce, take a leisurely walk around its 42 permanent tables as well as Market Square where vendors set up tents to show off their wares.

Science Museum

Spend an enjoyable day at the Science Museum in Roanoke. Housed in a historic building, this facility provides numerous engaging exhibits suitable for visitors of all ages. The museum hosts seasonal events and has a children's gallery where kids can explore scientific subjects. It's the perfect spot for families to spend quality time together while getting their children engaged in exploring their environment. Another reason to visit the Science Museum is its newly refurbished galleries from San Francisco's Exploratorium science museum. These additions include a "health gallery," "Body Tech," and an expansive "science lab" with worktables, environmental chambers and microscopes.

Due to its successful growth and revitalization, the science museum is now an important educational resource for school districts throughout Virginia. In 1992-93 alone, it served students from 47 school districts - representing 33% of all Virginia schools. Science teachers find the museum to be an invaluable resource, offering classes, planetarium programs, workshops, and other educational materials that can help them hone their science abilities. Despite its remarkable growth, the museum still needs to catch up with technological advances and educational trends. Ken Schutz, the new executive director, has spearheaded change within the organization and brought it into the future.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the museum is its commitment to science education. For instance, they provide grants to science teachers across Virginia, especially in rural areas. The museum has earned numerous awards from the National Science Foundation, including the esteemed National Distinguished Museum Program. This honor recognizes institutions that demonstrate excellence in science education and promotes a vibrant science culture. The museum is not only a fun destination to explore, but it has been instrumental in revitalizing the downtown area. Now there's an urban core full of eclectic restaurants and shops. What's more, this city makes for the ideal weekend getaway location; situated halfway between New York and Atlanta, with one-day drive distances covering two-thirds of US population within reach.

O. Winston Link Museum

Roanoke, Virginia is home to numerous museums, with several located downtown. One such attraction is the O. Winston Link Museum situated within a restored Norfolk and Western railway passenger station. The museum features the work of Link, renowned for his captivating photographs that showcase steam railroading and rural life. In his 1950s photographs, Link carefully lit and staged locomotives while including human subjects in many of them. After a guided tour, visitors explore six galleries that span Link's entire time period and context. Each gallery provides a different perspective, allowing the visitor to appreciate the power of the N&W railway and its impact on rural communities.

A special gallery showcases images from the Abingdon Branch, a line that ran only during daylight hours and attracted Link to its vibrant fall colors. Accompanying these photographs are items used by Link himself, such as his numbered carrying cases, reflectors, power boxes and flashbulbs. This museum is situated alongside the History Museum of Western Virginia in an iconic Norfolk and Western railway passenger station. Admission fees include access to both attractions. In addition to the museum, this building also houses Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge offices and Roanoke Valley Visitors Bureau. Exhibits and educational programs are offered daily. The Science Museum of Western Virginia is an excellent destination to learn about science and its relevance in daily life. It boasts a variety of hands-on exhibits that cover everything from astronomy to zoology.

Besides the science museum, Franklin County offers other museums that give an understanding of its history and culture. Booker T Washington National Monument commemorates this African American educator and speaker who was raised in Franklin County. Another excellent way to discover the city's history is through a tour of a historic home or antique store. Alternatively, take a drive along one of its greenways and get up close and personal with nature. The city is an ideal vacation spot for families, offering activities and attractions suitable for every age group. Beyond museums, there are plenty of places to shop and eat; try City Market for a wide variety of foods and drinks; you could also catch a live performance at one of many local theaters.

Taubman Museum of Art

The Taubman Museum of Art is the largest art museum in southwestern Virginia and one of its premier cultural destinations. Named one of the nation's best-designed museums by Architectural Digest, its permanent collection showcases 19th and 20^th-century American art as well as decorative arts, plus modern, contemporary, and changing exhibitions. Roanoke's landmark building, The Atrium at Downtown Roanoke, features a 77-foot glass atrium with breathtaking balcony views of iconic landmarks and an on-site popup cafe (hours vary). Inside there are 10 galleries plus various programs like gallery talks, family days, classes, and camps.

With an expansive collection of international, national and regional artists as well as a carefully curated schedule of exhibitions, visitors of all ages are sure to find stimulating learning in various media. Complementary education is available for each exhibition as well as through Art Venture's vibrant interactive center. The museum is the first purpose-built art museum to be constructed in Roanoke. LA architect Randall Stout paid homage to Roanoke's Blue Ridge Mountains with flowing forms made out of steel and patinated zinc. Additionally, its sweeping roofline incorporates an undulating glass and steel facade featuring a 77-foot glass peak that mirrors the Roanoke Star's point.

Roanoke's iconic landmark stands as the hub of an exciting metro mountain mix of art, culture, and outdoor fun in downtown Roanoke. Surrounded by an open-air farmer's market and specialty shops, as well as numerous restaurants located throughout its historic district, this striking structure serves as the epicenter for visitors from near and far alike. At the center of the building, a striking composition of steel forms and patinated steel pays homage to Roanoke's famed Blue Ridge Mountains that shape this city and inspire its spirit. Designed by renowned Los Angeles architect Randall Stout, this 81,000-square-foot facility will serve as the new home for the Taubman Museum of Art. The museum is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the life and legacy of photographer O. Winston Link, who traveled along the Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1950s and captured images that marked the end of steam train travel in America. This extensive collection of photography and sound recordings spans much of Western Virginia as well as neighboring states such as North Carolina, West Virginia, and Maryland.