Before visiting this small, but significant museum in the history of the City of Roanoke and…read moreWestern Virginia, I will admit I had no idea who O. Winston Link was. I discovered it one day while visiting the Virginia's Blue Ridge Visitor Information Center, which is housed in the former Norfolk & Western Railway passenger depot, a historic building renovated by industrial designer Raymond Loewy, and located in front of the also historic Hotel Roanoke. The museum is dedicated to the work of photographer O. Winston Link, famous for his 1950s photographs of steam locomotives, and is integrated with the Roanoke History Museum, which covers Roanoke and the region's broader history. For a small admission fee of $6, ones gets to explore Link's iconic photographs, audio recordings, and memorabilia, finding out more about the person himself and his significance to this region and to the field of photography and steam locomotives. We find exhibits on local history, industrial design, and the impact of railroads in Western Virginia's past. Walking through this museum was truly a leaning experience for me. With over over 300 black-and-white and color images, interactive exhibits, audio recordings, original photographic equipment, and a 30 minute movie in the theater about Link's life and works. At the end I visited the Museum's Gifts Shop, where you can buy souvenirs, books, rail-road related items, local history resources, Link's recordings, posters, estate prints, and other merchandise related to O.Winston Link and his famous steam locomotive photography, among other things. I purchased a miniature oil painting by a local artist of Mill Mountain with the Roanoke Star. The I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its significance. The Gift Shop is operated by the Historical Society of Western Virginia and here are two links to their online shop and to other useful information: https://roanoke-history-museum.square.site/s/shop and https://roanokehistory.org/ I would highly recommend this museum to all those interested in steam locomotives, photography, Roanoke and Western Virginia's History, and the life of one man who played an important role in documenting all this for us and future generations to enjoy.

The movie was with it. Please see the movie. I enjoyed the entire experience. The staff was…read morehelpful, the atmosphere amazing and art was beautiful. I cannot wait to see how this museum evolves.

This museum is attached to a small college in one of the more rural college towns I've ever…read morespotted. An outdoor farm museum which charges admission wasn't open. I was offered the chance to peruse some indoor exhibitions for free. The two on display were niche, but appropriate, one room chronicling abandoned rural schoolhouses and the other with various crafts attributes to the region. There aren't a lot of places to stop and refuel in the region, so why not get a little local flavor?

We love this place. It's such a great throwback to the good old days. My wife and I have gone to…read moremovies, concerts etc. The service is always great and a lot of fun. It beats the mega theaters. We attended the Rocky Horror Picture Show here also. It was a lot of fun. They had a theater group along with the movie. It's a cult classic. It's a can't miss if they have it this fall. The staff upbeat also. Very friendly.

This Historic and Non-profit theatre which opened its doors more than 90 years ago as a local icon…read morein Grandin Village, continues to be the center of attraction of this dynamic neighborhood in the City of Roanoke. Today I decided to go visit and experience first hand the magic behind this theatre that besides showing movies and holding special events, it has and will always be the heart of this community, and as I was able to see and experience for myself offers a unique movie going experience. When I first arrived, I was fascinated with the magnificent restoration of this Historic Art Deco Architectural building. Little did I know that I was about to experience one of the best movie going experiences of a lifetime. For I discovered that a local community movie theatre is more than just a place to go watch a movie and eat popcorn. It is a place to feel the pulse of fervent community in action. At the ticket booth I was greeted by a young lady and asked to go inside to purchase my ticket because her computer was not working as it should. So I proceeded to do so and walked over to the concession stand where a lady greeted me with a warm welcome and not only sold me the ticket but after I asked her about the theatre, she gave me a personal description of key points of its structure as well as other activities that took place here. Among other things she told me about the Art Gallery on the second floor, the different viewing rooms and the two owls located in the main one, and other events and activities that they have year round including the fundraisers. Also, tonight they were having the Rocky Horror Picture Show showcased by the Tolls of Madness Troupe from Virginia Tech. The cast will dress like the ionic characters and encourage audience participation through callback lilines aimed at the screen and throwing various props as called for by the film. Needless to say the two shows for tonight were sold out. What an exciting event here in this community movie theatre in the Star City of Roanoke! One could see the excitement and enthusiasm of all the theatre employees, from the ones behind the concession stand selling the popcorn to the ones finishing putting up some light up the stairs to the second floor as part of the Halloween decorations. Inside the main viewing room I was impressed with natural red brick walls and the two owls. The chairs even though they weren't as reclinable as some of the ones in new modern theatres, they made you feel at home, maybe because they reminded me of the many time I went to my hometown movie theatre before many of them have become extinct due to lack of creative management and competition from the big new modern ones. Last time I went to one of those the room temperature was so hot to the point of being uncomfortable. But here, in this cozy and warm not so little theatre, the air-condition worked just fine and contributed to the excellent movie watching experience. As I was leaving there was a crowd of people outside waiting to come in for the Rocky Horror Picture Show; and I thought to myself: Now I know and have experienced the magic behind the Grandin Theatre and wish everyone who reads my review can do the same.

The pool is awesome! Very clean, the lifeguards and pool staff are so nice and attentive. No…read moreworries when I go, just sit back and relax. The snack shack is awesome and the kids love the popsicles!

My wife and I went there Saturday 13 July. the building was nice inside and out. but that is as…read morefar as i can speak positively about the place. from the moment we stepped on under the porch roof we were treated like criminals. our bags were searched and told we couldn't have a large bag inside. if they are worried about a shooting taking place in that small building they have others things to worry about. like 4 dollar bottles of water. gouging people for a bottle of water is outrageous. will never go back there.

This place is crazy. By chance, my husband and I had chatted with a woman who works at the old…read morerailroad depot that's been converted into a community center/museum/welcome center and she said that they had had a lot of music performed there until The Harvester was built. So, later, we check out The Harvester. I don't know how you graduate from a renovated train depot doing community events to a center that has big name celebrities - frequently - but they did. The place is excellent. Great parking, great location, easy entrance, nice concession stand, not crowded. The stage is RIGHT THERE. In fact, we went to go see Colin Hay (lead singer of Men at Work with an impressive solo career since then) a few months ago and he made the comment on stage that he was glad that he had invested in a good nose hair trimmer and could flare his nose with confidence. Acoustics are great, tickets prices are reasonable. I could just go on and on...

Never actually been here for a movie but on Sunday morning it is Hope Chapel. Joe Volpi is an…read moreamazing pastor and continuously bringing a great message from God. The movie theater is beautiful old fashion. It has second level seating and the tickets are very cheap.

Seriously, what's not to love?…read more The Lyric isn't your top of the line theater where you see what just came out, but they have a good selection of movies, both indie, new (though it's released later) and classics. The inside of the theater is reminiscent of an old theater, with an old fashioned ticket booth, plenty of seating (there's balcony seating!) and a classic looking stage with a projector. It's really quite beautiful! The location makes it a prime place to go for a movie if you're in college, and the ticket prices are pretty reasonable! Even for a nighttime showing, it's only $5, and the concessions are just as cheap. The staff is extremely friendly, and they accept volunteers if you're looking for any volunteer work. Definitely a place to go, especially if you like seeing quirky movies. The only downfall is that it only shows one movie at a time, for one week each, unless there's a special showing. Harry Potter and the Princess Bride are coming up!

We moved here from New Jersey a dozen years ago. Up there, entertainment required a trip to heavy…read moretraffic areas, with equally heavy parking tolls and usually run-down, tacky facilities. We have been totally impressed with the Jefferson Center. Free parking on a tree-lined street, immaculate facility, friendly and welcoming staff, and invariably terrific performers. Jefferson Center is one of the biggest reasons why we are glad we moved to Virginia.

Nice local high school converted to a performing arts center. There is a unique selection of…read moremusical artists in a unique facility. The parking is a challenge at best, perhaps carpool if going with friends. The gravel lot leaves something to be desired with a few divots. There is one local restaurant in walking distance, making it a challenge to arrive early for dinner and a show.

Christiansburg is a cozy and quaint little town in Virginia, so I'd expect nothing less from their…read moreart and history museum. The Montgomery Museum of Art & History is indeed cozy and quaint, and it is housed in a former bank. You'll pick up on that detail as soon as you step inside -- there's a literal vault that you can step into! They embrace the bank-ness of this space nicely. The museum has rotating exhibits, and when I was there, they were displaying Girl Scouts paraphernalia and locally made quilts. It was really cool to see old-school Girl Scout outfits and patches, as well as intricately created quilts made by community members. This museum seems to really take the time to built exhibits around the community, and involve the community, which is really cool to see. There is also a library that holds information about local history, historic families of the region, cultural achievements from the area, and historical documents. People are free to visit and peruse through the books and papers that are available in the library. Admission to the museum is free! Parking is also free and plentiful. The museum is open every day except Sunday and Monday, so plan accordingly.