Center in the Square

Located in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Center in the Square is a one-stop arts and cultural shop.

Since 1983, Center has provided rent- and upkeep -free housing to various arts organizations. Now, the five-story building is home to two museums and a live theater. (The Art Museum of Western Virginia was also housed there until 2008, when it moved into the new Taubman Museum of Art).

At the Science Museum of Western Virginia (fourth and fifth floors), get up close and personal with the cosmos during a star show at the Hopkins Planetarium or catch the latest in larger-than-life film at the MegaDome Theatre . Six permanent galleries and ever-changing feature exhibits make this nationally accredited museum an excellent source for hands-on exposure to science and technology.

The History Museum of Western Virginia (third floor) boasts a blend of learning and fun. In October 2008, the museum opened an exhibit chronicling the illicit moonshine trade in Virginia. There are also general displays highlighting Roanoke Valley history.

After spending a day at the museums, round out the evening with a performance at Mill Mountain Theatre (first floor). A year-round production schedule means there's always something new to see.

Center in the Square also supports Opera Roanoke, located at The Dumas Center for Artistic & Cultural Development on First Street and the Roanoke Ballet Theatre on Grandin Road.

Directions to the Center in the Square from your Location

Center in the Square

1 Market Square, Roanoke, VA 24011

(540) 342-5700 or visit www.centerinthesquare.org

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

History museum admission: $3, adults; $2, seniors (60+), students, and children; free, children under 6 and members. | Visit www.history-museum.org.

Science museum admission: Adults: $8 (add $3 for MegaDome and $2 for Planetarium); MegaDome only, $5; Planetarium only, $3. Seniors (60+): $7 (add $3 for MegaDome and $2 for Planetarium); MegaDome only, $4.50; Planetarium only, $3. Children (3-12): $6 (add $3 for MegaDome and $2 for Planetarium); MegaDome only, $4 ; Planetarium only, $3. Toddlers under 3: Free, not recommended for MegaDome. Members: free, with $3 for MegaDome. |Information: www.smwv.org