Center in the Square
A vibrant hub in Roanoke featuring museums, an aquarium, and rooftop gardens, offering a mix of paid and free attractions for all ages.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed exploration.
Center in the Square
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed exploration.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant hub in Roanoke featuring museums, an aquarium, and rooftop gardens, offering a mix of paid and free attractions for all ages.
"A hidden gem offering a great mix of free and paid experiences, highly recommended for families and tourists."
🎟️ Multi-Attraction Pass
Consider a pass for access to multiple museums and save money.
🦋 Free Upper Floors
The butterfly habitat and rooftop gardens are free to visit!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Aquarium
Lower Level
A small but well-maintained aquarium offering a delightful experience for all ages.
Butterfly Habitat
6th and 7th Floors
Wander through a vibrant habitat filled with free-flying butterflies.
Pinball Museum
Upper Floors
Relive childhood memories with a vast collection of working pinball and arcade games.
Rooftop Gardens
6th and 7th Floors
Enjoy scenic views and a peaceful escape in these accessible rooftop gardens.
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Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to Center in the Square
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Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Multi-Attraction Pass
Consider a pass for access to multiple museums and save money.
🦋 Free Upper Floors
The butterfly habitat and rooftop gardens are free to visit!
🕹️ Pinball Fun
Admission to the pinball museum includes unlimited play on all machines.
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Great for kids! The aquarium and butterfly garden are big hits.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Multi-Attraction Pass
Consider a pass for access to multiple museums and save money.
🦋 Free Upper Floors
The butterfly habitat and rooftop gardens are free to visit!
🕹️ Pinball Fun
Admission to the pinball museum includes unlimited play on all machines.
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Great for kids! The aquarium and butterfly garden are big hits.
📸 Photography Exhibits
Check out the interesting photography exhibits in the hallways.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Center in the Square is widely praised as a versatile and engaging attraction, offering a unique blend of museums, an aquarium, and free-access gardens. Visitors particularly enjoy the extensive and playable pinball museum, the charming butterfly habitat, and the overall value for money, especially with free areas available. Some minor maintenance issues were noted in the gaming museum, but the friendly staff and diverse offerings make it a highly recommended spot for families and tourists alike.
"What a hidden gem! I stumbled into Center In The Square by chance, and it completely exceeded my expectations. It’s like a mall of museums and attractions all in one beautiful building.
On the lower level, there’s a small but well kept aquarium that’s great for kids and adults alike. Then, if you head up to the 6th and 7th floors, you’ll find rooftop gardens and a butterfly habitat and best of all, those upper floor areas are completely free to visit!
The whole center is spacious, bright, and well-maintained, with surprisingly clean and modern bathrooms (a bonus!). Whether you’re there for one of the museums, the views, or just to wander, this place offers a great mix of free and paid experiences. Highly recommended for families, tourists, or anyone looking for a fun and relaxing indoor activity."
Theresa N.
"I just wanted to go to the Pinball museum. I had no idea this was a whole complex before I entered. What a treat!"
Journi
"Took my son to the gaming museum Disappointed with how many of the games were broken half working sadly seems not maintenanced they really need a tech to make repairs perhaps modify existing parts to avoid issues moving fwd if that were to happen that place would be way better and I could see people frequent it more often spend a little to make a little more cmon it would be worth it see if someone from vt could volunteer their skills be better center in the square id love to see it at it's best"
ValTeece Salazar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Center in the Square is located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. It's easily accessible by car, with nearby parking garages. Public transportation options are also available.
Yes, there are several parking garages and street parking options available near Center in the Square. Check local parking apps for real-time availability and rates.
Roanoke is a walkable city downtown, and Center in the Square is centrally located. For exploring further afield, consider ride-sharing services or local buses.
Center in the Square is part of a vibrant downtown area with many shops, restaurants, and other attractions like the Taubman Museum of Art.
Absolutely! Center in the Square makes for an excellent day trip destination, offering a variety of activities to fill your day.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission varies by attraction. The aquarium and pinball museum have separate admission fees, while the rooftop gardens and butterfly habitat are free. Consider a multi-attraction pass for savings.
While not always necessary, purchasing tickets in advance, especially for popular attractions or during peak times, is recommended to avoid queues.
Operating hours can vary by attraction within Center in the Square. The pinball museum is typically open from 11 AM to 8 PM. It's best to check the specific hours for each museum you plan to visit.
Yes, the rooftop gardens and the butterfly habitat on the 6th and 7th floors are completely free to access and enjoy.
Look out for potential discounts on multi-attraction passes or special event days. Checking their official website or social media pages is a good strategy.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Center in the Square houses several museums, including an aquarium, a pinball museum, and an African American history museum. There are also photography exhibits in the hallways.
Many visitors rave about the pinball museum, highlighting that admission includes unlimited play on all the working machines. It's a great way to relive childhood memories.
Yes, the aquarium and the butterfly garden are particularly popular with young children. The overall environment is family-friendly.
The rooftop gardens offer a peaceful escape with nice views. They are free to access and a great spot to relax.
The building is generally spacious and well-maintained, with modern bathrooms. Specific accessibility details for each attraction should be confirmed directly with Center in the Square.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While Center in the Square itself may not have extensive dining options, the surrounding downtown area offers a wide variety of restaurants, from casual to upscale.
Outside food and drinks policies can vary. It's advisable to check with Center in the Square directly or look for designated picnic areas if available.
The area around Center in the Square boasts numerous dining choices, including cafes, diners, and restaurants serving diverse cuisines.
There's a candy store located on the ground level, which is a fun option for a quick treat.
Yes, the downtown Roanoke area has many family-friendly restaurants that cater to various tastes and budgets.
📸 📸 Photography
The butterfly habitat offers vibrant and colorful photo opportunities. The rooftop gardens also provide scenic backdrops.
Photography policies can differ between museums. Generally, personal photography is allowed, but flash photography might be restricted in certain exhibits.
The sheer variety of pinball machines and vintage arcade games in the museum provides a nostalgic and visually interesting setting for photos.
The building is generally bright and well-lit, especially in the free-access areas. Museum interiors will vary.
Yes, you can find interesting photography exhibits displayed in the hallways throughout Center in the Square.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The Pinball Museum is another major draw, providing hours of interactive fun for all ages. The 'unlimited play' aspect is a huge plus for keeping kids entertained without breaking the bank.
💰 Budget Travelers
The Pinball Museum's admission fee includes unlimited play on all games, making it a cost-effective way to spend several hours. Consider purchasing a multi-attraction pass if you plan to visit multiple paid museums to get the best overall deal.
🕹️ Nostalgia Seekers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Museums
Beyond the games and aquatic life, the African American History Museum offers a more reflective experience, delving into important local and regional narratives. The butterfly habitat, located on the upper floors, provides a serene and visually stunning environment where you can walk among free-flying butterflies.
It's worth noting that while some attractions have admission fees, the rooftop gardens and the butterfly habitat are completely free to explore, offering great views and a peaceful respite.
Family Fun at Center in the Square
The butterfly habitat is another highlight for families, providing an immersive and educational experience where kids can marvel at the colorful insects.
With a mix of free and paid attractions, Center in the Square offers flexibility for families of all budgets. The spacious and well-maintained environment, including clean restrooms, adds to the overall positive family experience.
The Pinball and Gaming Experience
A significant perk highlighted by visitors is that the admission fee grants unlimited play on all the pinball and video games. This means you can spend hours reliving childhood memories or discovering new favorites without additional costs per game.
While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, one visitor noted that some games were in disrepair, suggesting a need for ongoing maintenance. However, the overall sentiment is that this museum offers exceptional value and a deeply nostalgic experience for all ages.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit