Center in the Square Center in the Square serves as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and economic development, as well as excellence in education through uniting the arts, science, and education. The building houses four cultural arts and science non-profit organizations and is located in the heart of Market Square in Downtown Roanoke. Center in the Square has recently reopened with a refurbished exterior, redesigned atrium, easy access to a new green rooftop, and a butterfly habitat to showcase native varieties of vegetation and butterfly species. Center in the Square is located at 1 Market Square in Downtown Roanoke. Science Museum of Western Virginia The Science Museum of Western Virginia has served the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1970 by making science and technology accessible to all people by being a regional institution that ignites lifelong learning. The museum provides hands-on interactive exhibits, innovative programs within in the community, and special collections for educational purposes. The Science Museum has recently undergone extensive renovations to engage visitors in a new learning experience and has reopened in the newly renovated Center in the Square. History Museum of Western Virginia The History Museum of Western Virginia exists to promote an interest in the broad spectrum of history with emphasis on southwestern Virginia. The museum strives to collect, preserve, interpret, and make materials relating to history available for visitors. The museum also sponsors research and publication in the field of regional history and provides educational services to people and institutions throughout southwestern Virginia. The museum is located in the newly renovated Center in the Square. Taubman Museum of Art The Taubman Museum of Art is in the heart of downtown Roanoke and serves as an arresting landmark for visitors. The building is 81,000 square feet and is Roanoke s most contemporary structure, providing a symbol for the new technology and art driven city. The museum houses a number of collections, including American, Judith Leiber, Visionary, and Folk Art, along with changing exhibitions. The museum also provides learning programs for families, summer camps, and a museum school. There is gift shop and café within the building, which is located at 110 Salem Avenue in Downtown Roanoke.
Virginia Museum of Transportation The Virginia Museum of Transportation is the official transportation museum for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The museum hosts several exhibits, including diesel, electric, and steam locomotives, and houses model train exhibits and road vehicles. The 611-steam locomotive is held within the museum, which is a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The museum is located at 303 Norfolk Avenue in Downtown Roanoke. Greenway Trail In 1995, the citizens of Roanoke started Roanoke Valley Greenway to make the valley a better place to live by making connections between neighborhoods and protecting community resources. To date, 26 miles of greenways with pedestrian and bicycle trails have been built in the Roanoke Valley, with additional trail hubs at Mill Mountain, Carvins Cove, and Read Mountain. The Roanoke River Greenway East trail is easily accessible in Downtown Roanoke starting on Salem Avenue, near the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and ending at the Mill Mountain trail hub. To access the Greenway Trail from Downtown Roanoke, take the trolley from the Market Building to Carilion Memorial Hospital. Access is immediately off the trolley stop. Mill Mountain Theatre Mil Mountain Theatre is a professional, year-round, regional theatre, which has served the community for almost 50 years. The theatre has produced hundreds of shows over the course of five decades, including Annie Jr., Frankenstein, and A Wonderful Life. It is located at 1 Market Square within the newly renovated Center in the Square. Shopping in Downtown Roanoke When you re shopping in Downtown Roanoke, it really is possible to get it all done in one trip. Retail stores line the streets of the market area, offering just about anything you can think of: outdoor gear, clothing, shoes, candy, cards, jewelry, and other specialty shops. Refer to the The Market District map to locate the areas to shop downtown, which are in walking distance to The Hotel Roanoke. Or go to http://www.downtownroanoke.org/explore/shopping to view a list of the retail stores in the area. Shopping at Valley View Mall Valley View Mall is accessible via the Valley Metro Bus and offers department stores such as Sears, JCPenney, Belk, and Macy s, as well as many other retail stores. Refer to the Valley Metro Bus map to view a list of times the bus goes to and from Campbell Court (in walking distance from The Hotel Roanoke) to Valley View Mall. You will need to take Valley Metro Bus (Bus #11 or 15 in Lane 1) from the Campbell Court bus station to the mall. Then take the Valley Metro Bus #12 or 16 from the mall back to Campbell Court and proceed to walk back to the Hotel Roanoke or explore Downtown Roanoke at your leisure. The bus station at the mall is located outside, on the upper level of Sears Department Store, near the service and lawn mowers area.