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    Old Cranks Museum

    4.4 (7 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Old Cranks Museum Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Old Cranks Museum

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Such a fun museum! Lots of things to view and learn about. Lots of cool photo opportunities.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Blue Ridge Music Center

    Blue Ridge Music Center

    4.6(9 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    This is a turnoff from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was impressed that the commitment was made to the…read moremusic of the mountains. There are daily small-scale performances in an open section of the visitor center, which I stopped to listen to for a bit. An outdoor amphitheater offers larger scale performance opportunities, which I wish I'd found the occasion to come down for. Additionally, there are a couple of miles of trails on the site which run through bucolic hilly territory and offer a variety of sights and sounds. There is no charge to visit the site, and an abundance of reasons to be driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Note that the musical performances are seasonal.

    This was a great place to stop while I rode through the Blue Ridge Parkway on my motorcycle. I…read moreneeded to take a break, and as somebody who likes to play the guitar (calling myself a musician might be a bit of a stretch) I couldn't pass this one by. They have a wonderful little museum on the history and development of Appalachian music and instruments. Some of it is interactive as well. I was there on a Saturday and they had local musicians playing some of the old Appalachian music outside in a little covered area, sponsored by the BLM I am assuming. In a smaller building they have a whole section pertaining to the old moonshiners of the region, explaining their craft and their inevitable run-ins with the revenuers. I didn't make too many stops along the way but I am very glad this was one of them as it was totally worth it!

    Photos
    Blue Ridge Music Center
    Blue Ridge Music Center
    Blue Ridge Music Center

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    Mystery Hill

    Mystery Hill

    3.9(66 reviews)
    52.8 mi

    We had such a great time and ended up picking up the base ticket that includes: Gravitational…read moreAnomaly, Hall of Mystery, Bubblerama, Native American Artifacts, 2903 Dougherty House & Farmyard, Rodeo Rampage Bull Ride Challenge. It is a really cool place to visit, walking in that gravitational anomaly room is the weirdest sensation I've ever felt, but it is something cool to experience. In the hall of mystery, we literally let our inner child just wander around. And sadly we weren't able to do the bull ride, because of timing. For sure it is a place where you can spend your day in there. They're very hospitable and our tour guide was very funny.

    A pretty fun straightforward diversion good for rounding out an afternoon in Blowing Rock. I ended…read moreup coming here on a day trip weekend getaway. I'm originally from Michigan and grew up pretty close to the Mystery Spot in the Upper Peninsula, so I was somewhat familiar with this sort of place. I ended up checking out the "gravitational anomaly" room along with the "Hall of Mysteries" but none of the other stuff. There was also Axe Throwing and some sort of Native American History Museum but didn't see those as I was somewhat pressed for time. There was also somewhat randomly a huge obscure soda collection which was kind of cool. And they also had Vernors which as a former Michigander I appreciated. The "gravitational anomaly " room was pretty cool and is obviously the main focus of this place. There were a few demonstrative tools like a water flow demonstration, a rubber ball on a track that apparently defies gravity and a swingset. The room itself isn't too large and those three things were the only "tools" in there but goofing around in the room on your own is plenty entertaining as you can see from the attached pictures. Beyond that the "Hall of Mysteries" was basically a small section of optical illusions and science demonstrations which was interesting enough but something probably more interesting to and suited to kids. Overall the place is cool but kind of feels like it doesn't know what it's trying to be beyond the "gravity room" and feels like it could use a little update and some more focused development/presentation. If you haven't been before it's probably worth experiencing at least once if you're going to be in the area and have time for it. They also have a Zoltar machine, which is always a plus in my book.

    Photos
    Mystery Hill - Tomahawk Hill (Axe Throwing)

    Tomahawk Hill (Axe Throwing)

    Mystery Hill - Gem Mine

    Gem Mine

    Mystery Hill

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    Virginia Museum of Transportation

    Virginia Museum of Transportation

    4.4(50 reviews)
    68.6 mi

    From the outside I never expected to see such an amazing variety of quality exhibits highlighting…read moreour nation's transportation history. Located in downtown Roanoke's historic freight station, The Virginia Museum of Transportation does a great job in preserving Virginia's transportation history with a major focus on rail, featuring iconic locomotives like the N&W Class J 611 and Class A 1218. It houses a vast collection of steam, diesel, and electronic locomotives, including famous Roanoke-built engines. The museum offers interactive family-friendly exhibits covering trains, automobiles, and aviation, featuring over 30 antique automobiles, aviation displays, an outside railyard with historical locomotives on the rail, and a U.S. Army Jupiter Rocket. In 2025 it also launched the Maritime Gallery, with the Naval History of Virginia, located on a second floor. There they also have an interesting exhibit of the Circus and America's Railroads. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its amazing exhibits. The museum also houses the Traveler's Treasures Gift Shop with lots of desired item for sale, such as pins, posters, apparel, wooden trains, hats, toys, books, and tumblers, among other items. These can be also purchased from their website vmt.org Free parking is available for guests immediately adjacent to the museum. Also, cross from the museum is located the award winning Valley Metro Third Street Station, providing convenient bus transportation. Admissions prices are reasonable at $14.77 for adults, and discounted to $12.66 for Youth (13-17), Seniors, and Students with ID (17-59). Children (3-12) pay $10.55, and 2 & under are Free. I highly recommend you visit this museum if you have not yet done so. It is definitely an enriching experience.

    I was in Roanoke for work and work ended early for me and since it wasn't dinner time, I'd say to…read morestop at the Virginia museum of transportation. They have there planes, trains, and automobiles. Reminds me of a movie I once saw. The museum is very nice. They have a big area for trains lots of information about trains. They also have airplanes there. They have one hanging from the ceiling. They have a couple cars actually more than a couple cars. Some of them were very nice, but it's a good place to go for a couple hours and check it out.

    Photos
    Virginia Museum of Transportation - Interesting exhibit.

    Interesting exhibit.

    Virginia Museum of Transportation
    Virginia Museum of Transportation - Birthday party room

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    Birthday party room

    Greensboro Science Center - Aquarium side. Seahorse made from plastic trash

    Greensboro Science Center

    4.5(262 reviews)
    70.5 mi

    The Greensboro Science Center is a true gem for families AND adults. They are committed to wildlife…read moreconservation, rehabilitation and education. The center is constantly improving and evolving the facility by maintaining current exhibits and adding new ones. They also host traveling exhibits such as BODIES. Right now, they are working on adding a new rainforest biosphere (Current ETA September 2027). There is also a butterfly room filled to the brim with butterflies, it is quite a site to see! The interior features children play areas, weather ed, reptiles and more. Not to forget about the AQUARIUM (my favorite part), which gives visitors the opportunity to touch rays and sharks, see the penguins, awe at massive tank with a wide variety of fish, and don't forget the penguins and jellyfish! The exterior is like a mini zoo, it could easily take you an hour+ to visit the flamingos, monkeys, tigers, Pygmy hippos, wolves, red panda, petting zoo and more. They also have concessions inside and outside if you need a beverage or some snacks. Don't forget to end the day with a ride on the carousel! During the December/January holiday time, they also have a lighted exhibit outdoors that you can walk through with lighted sculptures, shows, and hot cocoa. The Greensboro Science Center is a great value experience for something to do in Greensboro, I can't recommend it enough.

    A great attraction that includes an aquarium, zoo, butterfly house, and more!…read more You could spend an entire day (or few days) here and experience something new. The zoo had many cool animals, the aquarium was super fun, and I absolutely wished we had time to do the rope/adventure course. I really enjoyed my time here. A few things to note was that the restrooms were very dirty, some of the exhibits and other areas of the science center were not maintained.

    Photos
    Greensboro Science Center - Playground

    Playground

    Greensboro Science Center - The amount of plastic each of us uses a year

    The amount of plastic each of us uses a year

    Greensboro Science Center - Flamingos

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    Flamingos

    Old Cranks Museum - museums - Updated August 2026

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