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    National D-Day Memorial

    4.9 (59 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Ksenia K.

    If you love history this place is for you! It was so cool walking around and seeing the monuments and artifacts from D-Day. Easily spent an hour here, there is so much to see and read. They also have facts about WW2 and WW1, not only D-Day.

    Mary A.

    We enjoyed our tour with Jeff. He did a great job walking us through the memorial and the history of D-Day. Whether you're a history buff or a novice, this is worth visiting. We look forward to coming back in the spring with everything in bloom.

    Sylvia D.

    Extremely well don't as a military family we really enjoyed this gem. So much history my kids loved it and learned so much from it.

    National D-Day Memorial, Bedford VA
    Bruce K.

    I had one main question and it was answered almost immediately. Why is the D-Day Memorial here in Bedford which is the very definition of "middle of nowhere" USA? The answer is that the town had the highest per-capita number of young men who were killed in the invasion of France. Big thanks to volunteer Twila Sue who was our tour guide today. Our timing worked out perfectly for us, in that it was only my brother and I on the tour effectively making it private for just us. As my brother is a veteran having served 20 years in the US Navy, he was thanked repeatedly and our tour guide pointed out special Navy stuff along the way. About 90 minutes of walking around, seeing the various sites and learning the history of Bedford, of the memorial site and of course, the history of D-Day that began the liberation of Europe. I would not recommend touring the site without a guided tour. There was so much that we would have missed without her kind help and knowledge. It is a private organization and gets much of its funding from paid admissions and purchases at the gift shop. It is not part of the National Parks Service. As such, it is not free but it's well worth the price. [Review 15074 overall, 576 of 2021, number 1291 in Virginia.]

    Tom T.

    Highly Recommended. As you begin to read this review it might occur to you to ask the question,"... why is there a National D-Day Memorial in this rural area of Virginia?..." The answer is the nearby Town of Bedford sustained the highest per capita number of young man killed in the invasion of France during World War II. We had the good fortune to visit this place after having seen Normandy Beach and the towns nearby in France only a few months prior to our visit here. Normandy sustained the greatest military invasion in the history of the earth during World War II. Or course, this site cannot compare with Normandy. But the makers did a masterful job of selecting and presenting the history and imagery of D-Day that matters so much to this day to many who recall or imagine the staggering losses of this war. The memorial is a circular lay out with the magnificent entry headstone but the mark the entrance. Off to the side there's a tent we're visitors can listen to video clips and narratives about the history of this era and of course, there's a storm is Momentos for sale. So, to sum up, just because you've seen Normandy doesn't mean you shouldn't stop here. You'll find it worth your while.

    Jeff W.

    This memorial was excellent. Very well constructed (if you do it the way it was designed). Not many people understand that there is a "flow" to the layout. They just immediately head to the "noise". The layout is designed to follow the events of (and lead up to) D-Day. Everything from the planning to the execution. My suggestion is to start - where the sign says "tour starts here" and listen to the story.

    Alexa S.

    This was an amazing memorial that I had never heard of. It was beautifully and thoughtfully designed and told a beautiful (and sad) story. It's a pretty large memorial and has a lot of walking, but it's worth it! The walking tour was awesome. We learned so much. If you love history or if you have a connection to WWII, this should be on your list of places to visit!

    Francine H.

    When in VA this is a must see!! I've seen many of the memorials in DC, however, this is definitely one of my favorites. It's spread out and huge, so be prepared to walk. If you have young children, I recommend you bring a stroller. When you arrive you first go to the visitor center to pay for admission. They will give you a sticker to wear. Children 6 and under are free. The visitor center has nice restrooms, a gift shop, and offers many brochures and information on all the surrounding areas. I highly recommend you give yourself some time to look around. You drive down from the visitor center to the entrance of the memorial. There is plenty of parking. I was definitely moved by the many flags that stand tall and that represent all the countries that participated at the battle of Normandy. The statues and the battle scene in the large pool of water is powerful and takes you back to that day in history that will never be forgotten.

    Alyssa K.

    Absolutely beautiful monument, memorial and tribute to the fallen on DDay. $26 for three adults. Free tour by a very knowledgeable veteran. Bathrooms close and readily Accessible. Excellent. So glad we stopped. Thank you Bob G!!!

    The national memorial for American D-Day veterans
    Charlie A.

    I live in Bedford County and have visited the National D-Day Memorial several times. This memorial is a wonderful tribute to those who served in WWII, especially on D-Day. The recreation of the beach invasion is amazing. Water explodes randomly to simulate mortar fire. It leaves you with a deep sense of gratitude and makes you understand the depth of sacrifice made on D-Day. I highly recommend visiting this memorial.

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    Incredible monument, the water features were spot on. Great gift shop. Moved to tears.

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    Review Highlights - National D-Day Memorial

    It leaves you with a deep sense of gratitude and makes you understand the depth of sacrifice made on D-Day.

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    Bedford Boys Tribute Center - School memorabilia and some of the steps original to the school, where some of the boys attended

    Bedford Boys Tribute Center

    5.0(7 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I'll start by saying that this is the most powerful war museum I've been to. It really stops you in…read moreyour tracks and makes you realize that these boys had lives back home. They had families, girlfriends, friends, farms, etc. No other museum I've been to has been able to capture the detail that this one does. If you get the chance to visit, please talk to Chris if he is around. He was very friendly and gave me my own little tour. He also seems to know everything about all the Bedford boys and their things in the tribute center. I can't say enough good things about this establishment. I will definitely be stopping in when I have more time.

    If you're anywhere near Bedford, do yourself a favor and stop by the Bedford Boys Tribute Center…read more It's one of the most heartfelt and moving places I've visited. Dedicated specifically to the Bedford boys and remembering them. The center is small but packed with meaning -- located in the original drugstore where news of the D-Day losses first reached the town. Ken and Linda gave one of the best, most genuine tours I've ever had. You can tell how much care and passion they've put into preserving the stories of the young men from Bedford who were part of Company A. It's not just names on a wall -- these are full lives, memories, families, and sacrifices, honored with much respect and attention to detail. You'll see real letters, uniforms, personal effects... things that hit different when you're standing where their stories started and ended. Thank you, Ken and Linda, for making history personal and for keeping the memory of these men alive. This place deserves every bit of attention it can get.

    Photos
    Bedford Boys Tribute Center - School, artifacts, and dance floor donated, where the boys took their last dance before they left.

    School, artifacts, and dance floor donated, where the boys took their last dance before they left.

    Bedford Boys Tribute Center - The Tribute Center is in the former Green's Drug Store

    The Tribute Center is in the former Green's Drug Store

    Bedford Boys Tribute Center - Exterior entrance to the center

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    Exterior entrance to the center

    Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library - Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library

    Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library

    5.0(1 review)
    0.8 mi

    You have got to love the location across the street from the Courthouse and its records plus it's…read morein an old Masonic building. Good gift room but the real reason for this trip is the archives/library. And the staff member is first rate in helping you think through proof evidence. Just call ahead to confirm the time because they do host special events and may close early!

    From the owner: The Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library specializes in the rich history of Bedford County, Va…read more from 1754 to today. We have three floors of exhibits in an 1895 former Masonic Hall in Centertown Bedford. Our Displays cover a wide range of topics including, Native Americans, African American history, World War I, World War II, Civil War and a room dedicated to our "Bedford Boys". The Bedford Boys are the men that serve or served in Co. A, 1/116th, 29th Division Virginia National Guard. Bedford County lost the highest percentage of men on D-Day than any other community in the Nation. Our Genealogy Library has hundreds of books on local families, Bedford County history and National war conflicts. We also offer a free beginning genealogy classes every month and a monthly genealogy forum. We also have a free weekly summer children's program for those from the second to the sixth grades.

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    Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library - The Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library has over 4,000 books and over 2,500 files for Genealogical and Historical Research

    The Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library has over 4,000 books and over 2,500 files for Genealogical and Historical Research

    Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library - Bedford, VA Police Chief Todd Foreman (left) and Tim Hayden Captain of the Sheriff's Department in Bedford, Law Enforcement Grand Opening

    Bedford, VA Police Chief Todd Foreman (left) and Tim Hayden Captain of the Sheriff's Department in Bedford, Law Enforcement Grand Opening

    Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library - We have 1,500 family surname files, local business, churches, war files, etc.

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    We have 1,500 family surname files, local business, churches, war files, etc.

    Kids Square - The mechanic

    Kids Square

    4.8(8 reviews)
    22.6 mi

    My son absolutely loved this place and there were so many activities to do. It's well worth the $9…read moreper person and the price is nothing at all. You can spend hours in here. There isn't time did mission and you can stay as long as you want. There's activities for just about every interest your child can possibly have, a market place, a salon, trains, jungle gyms, digging, construction, sensory play, a black room, literally everything. The staff keeps it nice and clean, but your expected to clean up after your child as well, of course. There's even a section for kids two and below. The only thing I wasn't really fond of was when we first walked in, the employee was talking to my three year old autistic child, and telling him the rules, which he really doesn't understand, and she was expecting a response back from him. Just because you don't know the nature of younger children, I think it's better to direct rules and everything to parents, so they can direct it to the child.

    I had a day to entertain my two year old by myself in Roanoke. This place was perfect! It was in a…read moregreat location, just down the street from our hotel, so we walked. It was a reasonable price. It was the perfect size for her to get through in two hours. She had a blast going from room to room playing in all the different themes. She loved the playground area for climbing and slides. She also loved the little camping area. The Kroger exhibit was quite a hit as well. I loved that she was learning about all the different trades and burning energy at the same time. I also loved the details they put into each station. The news reporting with the live broadcast and microphones were really fun. The working cash register experience at the Kroger experience was awesome. The black light area was a lot of fun too. I think I had as much fun as she did! Definitely recommend for anyone with a toddler and at least two hours to get through it.

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    Kids Square
    Kids Square
    Kids Square

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    Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

    Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

    4.2(30 reviews)
    16.0 mi

    Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest is a perfect pairing to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford. Get the…read morecombo ticket, you'll save a good deal of cash! There are guided tours available on a schedule, but we preferred to wander at our own pace. You can go in the house, just be nice and don't touch stuff. They had a free kennel on site, but we couldn't figure out how to work it, and dog's are allowed to stroll the grounds, so we just took turns going inside. I loved walking on the roof, and the cellar was extremely interesting! The shape of the home was intriguing, and there was a ton of information available to read and discover!!

    Had the opportunity to travel back East to enjoy some fall activities with friends from my DC days…read more We chose to attend the annual Thomas Jefferson Fall Wine Festival at Poplar Forest. Something we used to do as a group. I once worked for a vineyard in Leesburg VA that closed in recent years yet reminisced with the owner of Notaviva a nearby vineyard that knew the owners. The Founder of Notaviva wrote a book about thier wine and farming journey, pairing elements of wine and music. I really enjoyed the cabernet franc from the property. It may be a surprise that you can order the wine in a bag. Not a bottle and not a box, but a packable bag! It was a beautiful November 70 degree day and the event provided programs, glasses and live music to name a few things. A beautiful day at this historic property. #FallFestival #WineFestival #JeffersonsPoplarForest #CentralVA

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    Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
    Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
    Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest - Child completing child scavenger hunt .

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    Child completing child scavenger hunt .

    Taubman Museum of Art - Nice use of color and lighting in designing this room.

    Taubman Museum of Art

    4.4(35 reviews)
    22.5 mi

    One of the required elements of a great city is to have a quality Art Museum. Here in the Star City…read moreof Roanoke that quality Art Museum is the Taubman Museum of Art. Art is what makes our lives ritcher and Art appreciation brings great joy to an otherwise boring life. For this reason is the important role that this Art Museum plays in our community. A couple of days ago I decided to become a member of the Museum, go visit it once more, and write this review for people to read, view my photographs and decide for themselves whether it's worth it to put aside some time to go visit it and what they could get out of it. First of all I would like to mention that the award-winning architectural design of the building by the internationally renowned architect Randall Stout is in of itself a Masterpiece work of art. At first sight it might look like a modern rendition of Noah's Ark. But if you look closer you can see that the architect took special care to honor naturalistic elements of the Roanoke region, such as its beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the Mill Mountain Star. The building itself is something to admire and visually enjoy. Expensive gems come in small sizes. I consider this as one of the most beautiful and valuable assets of the City of Roanoke. As I entered its doors and introduced myself at the guest station in the entrance, simply as a new member who had just joined, I was warmly welcomed and given a ticket for the Special exhibition of Eternally New: The Art Nouveau World of Alphonse Mucha. The general admission to the public is free, but to see the Special exhibition there is a modest fee, unless you're a member. On the first floor they had everything set up for a wedding reception dinner. The area looked so elegant and inviting. I was amazed at how this Museum used some of its space for private or public gatherings and activities to involve members of the community. They also had a nice Museum Shop and a Cafe and patio on this floor. On the second floor they have eleven galleries to exhibit artworks from their respected permanent collection as well as a special space for rotating special annual exhibitions showcasing the best of the best. On the third floor they have the City of Roanoke Atrium and a wonderful Auditorium and other meeting and activities rooms. Besides all these spaces for exhibition and social events, the Museum has excellent programs for the community as well as hosts a yearly Sidewalk Art Show that is very popular to meet local artists, see their work, and be able to purchase some quality original art pieces. Art is wonderful, I remember the joy I had the time I purchased my most valuable painting by Mary K. Trotter, an American woman artist who studied in Philadelphia before moving to Paris. I highly recommend this wonder of an Art Museum in all aspects. Go visit it, appreciate its masterpieces, attend one of its tours, take one of its classes, get involved in one of its programs, learn to love and enjoy art. For art is a wonderful and splendid thing, that brings joy and flavor into our lives.

    You can't miss Roanoke's centrally located and architecturally distinctive art museum. It is free…read moreto enter, though they were working on a paid exhibit when I stopped in. The actual art was mostly on the second of three floors, while the first floor was a cafe and gift shop. The third floor was administrative space and a balcony overlooking the city. I found the utilization of space strange; you'd think a building this size could fit more exhibits, and the other facets of the building didn't seem busy. There was some good variety in the art that was there, and some kid-friendly interactive bits as well. One important positive was that they are open until 9 PM on the first Friday of each month. Art museums are often tough to get to for people who work normal hours, so I appreciate any evening hours I see.

    Photos
    Taubman Museum of Art - Very unique outfits.

    Very unique outfits.

    Taubman Museum of Art - A Museum guest and artist got permission to do this on his laptop and gave me permission to photograph him in action.

    A Museum guest and artist got permission to do this on his laptop and gave me permission to photograph him in action.

    Taubman Museum of Art - Some modern sculptures.

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    Some modern sculptures.

    National D-Day Memorial - museums - Updated May 2026

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