Road trip from Poughkeepsie to Roanoke

This small museum is all about steam engines and their contribution to America's economy in the 19th century.

The head church of Philadelphia's Catholic Archdiocese is on the National Registrar of Historic Places. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here in 1979.

Visit John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum! Come enjoy 10 miles of walking trails through wooded forests, an impoundment pond, and 300 acres of the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in PA. Visitors can also experience the marsh on the water through 4.5 mile of Darby Creek by canoe or kayak. Stop by the front desk to borrow binoculars or fishing rods. Refuge trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The visitor center building is closed for all Federal holidays however the trails remain open. Darby Creek is tidal and navigable only within 2 hours before and after high tide. Boat Launch is located at the trailhead of Dike Trail. Visitors must provide their own canoe/kayak and life vests. John Heinz NWR offers year-round free recreational and educational programs.

Teddy Roosevelt declared that this Italian Renaissance-style building was “the handsomest building I ever saw”. Indeed, the State Capitol, with its vaulted dome and grand staircase and the murals and painted floors inside, is thing to behold.

The Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University is a premiere arts destination in the Roanoke Valley and presents exhibitions and related programming that explore currents in contemporary art. Providing a forum for the creative process, the museum enhances the life of both the university and the community beyond. Free and open to the public.

Designed with family fun in mind, Green Ridge offers two great attractions in one convenient location! The indoor center is open year round, featuring family friendly activities like swimming, interactive games, a gymnasium and fitness area. Splash Valley Water Park is an outdoor aquatics area open Memorial Day to Labor Day, featuring two 34-foot high slides, a sprayground and a current river. Daily admission is available to either facility.

Fun for the whole family, the Science Museum of Western Virginia features a tropical butterfly garden filled with butterflies from around the world; fun and interactive exhibits exploring Healthy Bodies, Healthy Earth and How It Works; live animals and the popular "FROGS"; the Living River & Touch Tank; and amazing traveling exhibits such as "TUTANKHAMUN: Wonderful Things From The Pharaoh's Tomb," running June 14-Dec. 31, 2014.

Antique automobiles and trucks, electric and deisel locomotives, and vintage steam, are all part of the nostalgic show at this historic freight station that doubles as a museum .