Explore Park, Roanoke

Explore Park is much more than the top of the hill adventure. And every thing else is free(except camping). Tons of very well marked trails, which interlink(look at the maps before you go). Bikes and pets allowed on most trails. You can backpack/walk into primitive sites. You can also fish on the Roanoake...trail runs by it and visit a "settler village" with a 150 year old non-working gristmill. Check on open times for village.

My wife & I were visiting Roanoke in early December for a wedding and learned about Illuminights at Explore Park online. We purchased timed tickets in advance. The parking and admission went smoothly. We loved the massive use of Christmas lights decorating the buildings, trees and especially "The Path". It's so hard to convey how well they created different areas accompanied w synchronized lighting, Xmas music, or scenes of outdoor activities like camping or fishing & woodland animals found in the Roanoke County. The relaxing stroll through an amazing light extravaganza is a memorable experience. I only wished the grandchildren were with us.