Science Museum of Western Virginia

The Science Museum of Western Virginia occupies the fourth floor of Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke. The space features multiple exhibition areas covering topics like biology, earth sciences, physics, and technology that visitors can explore at their own pace.

The museum was founded in 1970 to serve the region's educational needs in science and technology. Over the decades it has grown to become a central institution supporting science learning across the surrounding area.

The museum serves as a community gathering place where residents explore science in hands-on ways that connect to their everyday lives. It functions as a local resource for people of all ages seeking to understand the natural and technological world around them.

The museum is easily accessible as it is housed in a central downtown building with good access. Plan to spend several hours exploring the exhibits and trying the interactive displays throughout the floor.

A distinctive section called the Parakeet Garden lets visitors interact directly with about 250 birds in a hands-on setting. This direct contact offers an unexpected way to learn about bird behavior and biology during a museum visit.

Location: Roanoke

Inception: 1970

Website: http://smwv.org

GPS coordinates: 37.27147,-79.93946

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01