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Roanoke area Roanoke - Salem area
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Old 06-17-2011, 02:09 PM
 
504 posts, read 734,333 times
Reputation: 862

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Coming for a quick visit in July so my husband & kids can see the area. Noticed the Salem fair will be ending the day we arrive. Trying to decide if we should push it to get to town in time to go? Would love to hear from anyone who has been.

Also - is the HoJo in Salem safe and clean? Its pretty inexpensive (which is nice)- just wasnt sure if it was rundown.

Can anyone tell me the name of an easy hiking trail (something a 4 & 6 yr old) can do?
TIA
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Old 06-17-2011, 02:37 PM
 
Location: Central Virginia
124 posts, read 484,638 times
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Sorry I don't have any facts on the HOJO, but it has a 2.9 rating out of 5 stars per 122 user reviews.

Green Hill Park in Salem is convenient to the HOJO and has a paved greenway trail that runs along the Roanoke River. Taken from this website, "Hike on a section of the Roanoke River Greenway, a paved 10-foot-wide walking path that begins near the main park entrance." IMO I think this area offers some great parks, greenways and outdoor rec. opportunities.
Roanoke County, VA - Official Website
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Old 06-17-2011, 02:54 PM
 
504 posts, read 734,333 times
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Green Hill Park in Salem is convenient to the HOJO and has a paved greenway trail that runs along the Roanoke River. Taken from this website, "Hike on a section of the Roanoke River Greenway, a paved 10-foot-wide walking path that begins near the main park entrance." IMO I think this area offers some great parks, greenways and outdoor rec. opportunities.
Roanoke County, VA - Official Website[/quote]


Perfect. Thanks
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Old 06-17-2011, 05:02 PM
j1n
 
Location: Southeast of the Northwest Territories
1,241 posts, read 4,478,715 times
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If you drive up 311 for 5-10 mins out of Salem, you can park at the Appalachian Trail parking lot on the left. Easy hike on the AT to some great rock outcroppings and cliffs with great views south (watch the little ones closely as it's a long way down.) If you're going to take a little hike, might as well do it on a famous trail...take a picture by a white blaze, etc.
I'd avoid the Salem fair, but that's just me.
No personal experience with the HoJo, but generally most things in Salem are safe and clean.
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Old 06-17-2011, 08:00 PM
 
Location: Richmond va
1,570 posts, read 4,412,225 times
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I would definatly check out the Roanoke Star and Mill Mountain Zoo.. I would go to the star/zoo during the day and make another trip to check out the view from the star at night. I too wouldnt make any changes in plans to go to the fair, its not that great. I would also take the kids to a Salem Red Sox game, there are also two music series downtown going on during the week that might be fun with the good weather!
[url="http://www.visitroanokeva.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=15623"]
http://www.visitroanokeva.com/includ...&eventid=15622
As far as hotels it is a bit more expensive but the Hampton Inn has free hot breakfasts which are very nice, they have a large variety of hot foods, if you go later and eat a lot you wont need lunch. There is a newer one in Salem and an older one near the airport in Roanoke.
Have fun!
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Old 06-18-2011, 12:02 AM
 
Location: Daleville, VA
2,177 posts, read 3,594,735 times
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HoJo's have definitely trended downward in quality and price over the years... maybe check out tripadvisor.com for some recent reviews.

Try hotwire.com and I think you can get a little better price for a 2.5 star which is "probably" a little better than the HoJo but it is a bid, so no guarantees!
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Old 06-20-2011, 02:45 PM
 
Location: Cloverdale
216 posts, read 403,048 times
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I too, would say avoid the Salem Fair. Especially with little kids. A lot of shady characters, trouble making middle/high school kids and really just isn't worth it. Tons of better things to do in the area. I 2nd a baseball game, The Star, Center in the Square, etc....

Good luck
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Old 06-20-2011, 05:16 PM
 
504 posts, read 734,333 times
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Ok- avoiding the fair and the baseball sounds fun. Time permitting will check out the star, maybe the zoo. Will also rethink the HoJo... Not sure about taking the kids on the App Trail - might wait til the 4 yr old (all BOY) is a little older. He is good but a bit extra spirited at times. Great suggestions - will let you know how it went.
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Old 06-20-2011, 08:44 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
3,237 posts, read 5,996,127 times
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I dont know if it's the one you are talking about or not, but the Howard Johnson's just off of I81 (exit 137) on Skyview Drive is an absolute DUMP and full of bed bugs I have stayed there 3 times, last in November of this past year and it has gotten progressively worse.
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Old 06-21-2011, 08:06 AM
 
694 posts, read 1,348,238 times
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The Mill Mountain Zoo is up at the Star too, it's a little zoo that your kids could walk through easily so that's kind of a nice 2-part excursion that also gives you a chance to drive through Roanoke & look around. Definitely a baseball game but I'd call first and make sure the kids' area is open, it's not open during every game for some reason.

And come on people, the Salem Fair is awesome for people-watching! Go & have fun, knowing it's a local fair with a traveling carnival, so you know what to expect! There's lots there for little kids and all kinds of greasy fair-food, but the people-watching is the best part.
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