If you were going to spend a couple of days in Roanoke what should you see to get a feel for the place? (Franklin: houses)

[gimme it]

We are visiting for a couple of days with a 7yo child, and we want to get a sense whether we like Roanoke. Any suggestions? Parks? Streets with cafes and bookstores, Etc? Thanks.

PS- are there any must-see playgrounds around??

[seanpecor]

Your 7 year old would LOVE the Mill Mountain Zoo. It's a small zoo but it's a real fun trip for kids. Plus there is a cool little toy train with its own conductor you can ride around and through the zoo, with some fun tunnels and such for the kids and some sweeping views of the valley for the adults.

Mill Mountain Zoo

Another fun place is the Center on the Square. It's downtown and has a fun science museum and the art museum's kids art room is alot of fun for children:

Center in the Square (broken link)
Art Museum of Western Virginia | The Learning Center

Try hitting the center late morning and having lunch in the Market building.

Grandin Village in the city might have the village vibe you're looking for:

Grandin Village Business Association - Home

Parks:

Guide to the greenway - Roanoke.com
Greenways

Since we live 20-25 minutes from Roanoke in the country in Franklin County I'm not familiar with Roanoke's playgrounds.

Sean

[happygal0000]

Originally Posted by gimme it

We are visiting for a couple of days with a 7yo child, and we want to get a sense whether we like Roanoke. Any suggestions? Parks? Streets with cafes and bookstores, Etc? Thanks.

PS- are there any must-see playgrounds around??

When are you planning on being here? There are some fun activities each month...also, will you be visiting on the weekend or during the weekdays, too? That makes a difference what will be available to you to see.

Would you like to visit some schools while you are here?

There's a fun park, Garst Mill Park, off Garst Mill Road in SW County with a small stream running through it, tennis courts, walking trails, baseball diamond, playground equipment.

You should check out the Grandin Road area -- lots of cafes and bookstores, small restaurants and shops, a great health food store, the Roanoke Co-op, and the Grandin Theater, which I think is on the register of historic places. It's also a wonderful neighborhood to walk around and look at the architecture of the houses! They have some neighborhood parks and playgrounds there, too.

If you'll let me know when you plan to come for a visit, how long you'll be staying, and what you want to experience/know more about, then I can add more things to your "must see" list.

Regards,
happygal0000