O. Winston Link Museum
O. Winston Link Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles301 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
72
Average
15
Poor
3
Terrible
1

David M
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Even if you are not interested in railroads, photography or even period architecture, this museum may ignite a flame in you. It's that good. Unassuming at first glance, you will be pulled into a time machine. Don't be fooled by that monstrosity across the tracks which looks like a crashed flying saucer. This is a real museum where you learn, feel the passion and be immersed in the work of a gifted artist to point that you can in some small way feel what he felt. How cool is that ?
Written 6 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Di Hu
Reston, VA18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
A very neat museum tucked on the left side of the Roanoke visitor center. It has a lot of great information about photography and railroad. Great admiration for Mr Link’s work!
Written 8 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nova654
mclean, va125 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Since we were in Roanoke for a few days, decided to purchase the joint ticket for the Transportation and O. Winston Link Museums. The photos were beautiful and there is a 30 minute film covering his photos, process and life. Note the film starts every hour on the hour if you go as the entire visit is not much longer than 1 .5 hours. It is well worth the visit and the joint ticket is a saving.
Written 25 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian B
Peoria, AZ1,104 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
If steam engine history is of interest then the Link Museum is well worth your time. The photo's show local and railroad history. There are other period piece artifacts to view.
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The3ofus60614
Raleigh, NC216 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
Mr. Link photographed steam engines in the most dramatic way and created art by his magnificent lighting. He also photographed the people of the railroad capturing their character. He worked in black and white which makes these pictures more poignant.
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CarolynQ63
Huddleston, VA122 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021
Link was an artist with a degree in civil engineering. This interesting combination of interest, knowledge, and talent make for a spectacular collection of trains and folk art tied together. Link's story is is almost as interesting as his photographs and the photos are stunning. The museum is set in the original train station in Roanoke. It appears to be a work in progress with many odd artifacts laying around- lots to look at. The tour is self-guided. Admission fee is modest.
Written 9 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travel-here-there
Vienna, Virginia313 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Despite some adjustments to flow due to the pandemic, this museum is an excellent presentation of both local and railroad history so it should appeal to a variety of people. In addition, for those interested in photography equipment and techniques, the museum includes excellent exhibits and explanations of the tools and processes used. I also found the Roanoke 1980s flood story an interesting addition for variety. Possibly the best part of the museum though is the amazing historic train station building it is in! You could spend an hour or three in here, but be sure to stay for the worthwhile video in the theatre that plays on the hour!
Written 31 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

908hanss
Roanoke, VA10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
An excellent place to spend an afternoon learning about the history of the main industry that made Roanoke the city it is. Full displays of early and more current photographs by an excellent photographer.
Written 26 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

George S
Cornelius, NC52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
I really enjoyed this museum which provides an interesting and graphic window on the importance of the regional rail system to the growth of Roanoke. Housed in former passenger station. Highly recommended. Also be sure to the Virginia Museum of Transportation nearby with a combined ticket.
Written 7 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gary W
65 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019
I had never heard of Mr. Link before my visit to this museum. Without this experience, I might have even admired his work without giving great thought to his process. But having seen the short film detailing his engineering of the shoot, I have to confess that I am both amazed and appreciative of what he accomplished with his control of lighting and the great limitations of the technology of the period. For those interested in photographic technique, spending time with the documented setups and displayed equipment, will give one pause about his brilliance. And sadly there is the aspect of his life that could easily play out today on reality television. Great achievement is tempered in his later years by great sadness. By either measure, the presentation is astounding. Don’t miss this stop in Roanoke.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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O. WINSTON LINK MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about O. Winston Link Museum

O. Winston Link Museum is open:
  • Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM