Looking to create some for exciting family memories this summer in Roanoke, VA? From museums and parks to farms and zoos, locals have several options for a special day out with the family.

Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke provides an interactive experience that will surely provide lifelong memories for the whole family. Mill Mountain Zoo has committed to care for for endangered and vulnerable animal species. Over 90 different species of animals live in the zoo, creating a wide variety of attractions and exhibits for families to enjoy together. Available for birthday parties or private events, the zoo provides a great setting for any family celebration.

Plan to come on the third Saturday of any month between May and October, and you can sign up to have Breakfast With the Animals. This special event includes a breakfast buffet with one of the animals, a chat with a zookeepe,r and ends with a child-parent learning project.

Roanoke, VA is known as the Star City of The South , and the 88-foot star on top of Mill Mountain holds the city true to that name. Also known as the Mill Mountain Star , the illuminated display is the largest of its kind in the world, with over 2000 feet of neon tubing. The Roanoke Merchants Association erected the star in 1949 as a holiday season celebration and has since been lit every night until midnight. The star sits on Mill Mountain, overlooking a gorgeous city park complete with biking and walking trails. As one of the most photographed sites in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Roanoke star is sure to become a family favorite.

The Virginia Museum of Transportation provides an educational experience for parents and children alike. Interactive attractions within the museum create an exciting, fun-filled experience for families to learn more about the history of U.S. transportation. The museum’s location near modern railroad tracks allow children to watch today’s trains zip by as they walk around locomotives from centuries before their time. Planes, trains, and automobiles abound in this museum, and every member of the family will find something of interest.

This museum is dedicated to the art, science and fun of pinball machines. Pay a flat fee (free for children under 5) and play all day on the 50 machines dating back to the  1930s. Before or after your visit, make it a family project to learn more about pinball machines and the science behind them.