Roanoke: See
In addition to its other attractions, Downtown Roanoke has at least 2 great old restored and lit neon signs perched up on the roofs of buildings. One for Dr. Pepper and the other for H & C Coffee.
Center in the Square (Downtown). Roanoke's cultural center and museum on the City Market.
Explore Park. Open only for concerts and special occasions, Explore Park features houses and re-enactors from various periods in American history.
Hotel Roanoke. The restored historic luxury hotel was given to Virginia Tech by the Norfolk Southern Rwy. A major conference center was added.
O. Winston Link Museum, 101 Shenandoah Ave NE. In a former passenger rail station downtown. Dedicated to the work of railroad photographer O. Winston Link. The Museum and the rail station are both treasures. The rail station has great architectural and terrazzo details. (updated Aug 2019)
Mabry Mill.
1 Mill Mountain Star (Mill Mountain). The star has been lit with neon since it was built in 1949. It gives Roanoke its name of "Star City." There is an overlook accessible directly in front of the star that looks at downtown Roanoke. Follow the signs from downtown to Mill Mountain Park. (updated Jan 2024)
2 Mill Mountain Zoo, JP Fishburn Parkway, Mill Mountain Park, ☏ +1 540 343-3241.
Mini Graceland (SE Roanoke). A collection of miniature Elvis landmarks built by Don Epperly.
Roanoke Higher Education Center (across from Hotel Roanoke). Part of Virginia Tech. It used to be the headquarters of the Norfolk & Western Railway.
3 Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave, ☏ +1 540 342-5760. Mon Tue closed, Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM. Formerly called the Art Museum of Western Virginia. The new building opened in November 2008 and is worth a visit in itself. It was designed by Los Angeles' Randall Stout Architects. Randall Stout and others on the team previously worked with Frank Gehry's office in LA. The Museum's primary focus is American art, with particular attention to Appalachian and Southwestern Virginian art. Free.
4 Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Avenue SW (Downtown), ☏ +1 540 342-5670, info@vmt.org. Houses many Norfolk and Western Locomotives which used to run through Roanoke, and also features aviation and automobiles. In addition, the museum features a model train layout plus a live web cam overlooking the rail yard. (updated Aug 2019)