Roanoke pinball museum full#

Other exhibits include the Ancient Ruins, which are home to several amphibians and snakes and the Cabinets of Curiosities, an eclectic collection of natural and man-made objects from around the world.Īddress: 1 Market Square SE, Fourth Floor, Roanoke, Virginiaĥ. There is also an earth sciences exhibit with an interactive meteorologist's set, a Living River exhibit that explores the importance of the flow of water, and a touch tank filled with horseshoe crabs and other small marine life. There are also numerous exhibits focused on the natural sciences, with a major section dedicated to human anatomy and physiology. Visitors can also experiment with engineering and physics in the hands-on How it Works exhibit, and aspiring coders can expand their STEM skills while programming robots to navigate a maze and perform tasks. One of the museum's top attractions is the Parakeet Garden, a unique aviary where visitors can interact with more than 150 parakeets, including the opportunity to hand-feed these friendly birds.Īnother top exhibit is the toy room, filled with oversized building blocks, a giant light-bright, and even retro arcade games. The Science Museum of Western Virginia is located on the 4 th and 5 th floors of the Center in the Square, filled with exhibits made for all ages, from pre-K through high school.

Roanoke pinball museum full#

There is also a freshwater habitat for turtles native to Virginia, and on the rooftop, visitors will find a koi pond full of the vibrantly colored fish the rooftop is also one of the best places in Roanoke to get panoramic views of the city, as well as the Blue Ridge Mountains.Īll the aquarium exhibits are free and open to the public.Īddress: Address: 1 Market Square SE, Roanoke, Virginia The exhibit also educates visitors about the ecosystem of the river and its surroundings and its importance globally. There are also several freshwater aquariums on display in the building, including one that highlights predatory fish that live in the Amazon River.

The tank also has a population of moon jellyfish, both graceful and dangerous. These include well-known brightly colored fish like blue hippo tangs and clownfish, as well as the ecosystem's less flamboyant residents like sea stars, snails, and sea cucumbers.Īnother visitor favorite is the Chomp Tank, which is home to the ocean's more aggressive residents like the venomous lionfish, as well as the spiky pufferfish and vibrant Spanish hogfish. The 8,000-gallon tank is home to both stony and soft living corals, 150 total, which are in turn home to hundreds of saltwater fish.

The Living-Coral Reef Aquarium is a show-stopper, located in the atrium at the Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke. See the Aquariums at the Center in the Square Living-Coral Reef Aquarium | Justin Leonard / photo modified

Children of all ages will love the Mill Mountain Zoo, a small but lively enclave, with local critters like the Indian crested porcupine, the red wolf, and the yellow-spotted side-necked turtle.Īddress: 2198 Mill Mountain Spur, Roanoke, Virginia Hikers are welcome to bring their leashed dogs and will find picnic tables, restrooms, and water at the top and nearby along the Mill Mountain Spur Trail en route to Discovery Center, a naturalist center featuring exhibitions on the park, local wildlife, and trail maps. It is illuminated each evening until midnight and is seen up to 60 miles away. At 89 feet high, the giant star is the largest star in America. This quirky landmark, built in 1949 as a temporary Christmas decoration by the local merchants association, is today listed in the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Find ample free parking and good directional signage at the Star Trail parking lot just off Riverland Road SE at the Star/Wood Thrush Connector.Ĭonnect with the short Watchtower Trail for the best panoramic views and photos directly at the base of one of Virginia's most legendary sites, the Roanoke Star. Hikers experience an 838-foot rise in elevation and are rewarded with two scenic overlooks atop the mountain. The 568-acre Mill Mountain Park - home to the famous Roanoke Star (also known as the Mill Mountain Star) - has more than 10 miles of multi-use trails (hiking, walking, and biking), where visitors can explore the all-season natural beauty of the region.įor a moderately challenging hike, take the Mill Mountain Star Trail, a 3.5-mile round-trip from the base trail, and head along the nearby Roanoke River to the peak of Mill Mountain, the highest point in the city at 1,703 feet. Explore Mill Mountain Park & See the Roanoke Star Mill Mountain Park & the Roanoke Star