Mill Mountain Star & Park Reviews

Took two granddaughters up Mill Mountain to see the Star. We got pictures to show how big it is from up close. You also get a good vantage point to see the city below. Unfortunately, it was was hazy on the day we were there so taking pictures of the valley was not so good. We stayed at the Hotel Roanoke and went out at night to see the star lighted at night. There is no entrance fee to pay so it provided excellent return on investment.

Great to see the star close up as I have seen it from afar for years! Easy parking and quick walk for photo opportunities. Walking not biking trails in immediate area.

Beautiful views of the Valley. Did you know there is a camera at Mill Mt you can log on and see yourself or invite your family to see you.

City view is great! Road to the top is easy...just take ones time.
Short walk from parking to the bottom of the star and overlook.
Remember the lights in the night sky are merely holes in the box!!!

This was our first time up to the start, it was a great experience. We didn't do the zoo or garden, but you probably can spend 2 hours here. They have trails also, if you are interested. We are glad that we experienced this place.

We were lucky enough to have perfect weather for our hike. Family members ages 7-65 walked to the top and back down (about an hour each way). There are areas with some challenging terrain (rocks, etc.) so anyone with any trouble navigating those areas should drive directly to the top. There are areas to walk around up there. The scenic overlook is great and makes for great photo opps!

The World Largest Man Made Star Erected in 1949 as a symbol of the progressive spirit Of Roanoke Star of the South.
A wonderful view at night and you can see the city below and you will really feel like a giant.

We spent the day in Roanoke and were glad we discovered this wonderful man-made star atop a mountain overlooking Roanoke. It is very well taken care of and the overlook below it allows a breathtaking view of the city. The surrounding park is very clean and well worth the visit just to walk in a peaceful calm away from the hustle of city noise.

Been here several times over the years… it’s a quick, easy ride from the Hotel Roanoke (if you’re staying there) and is well worth the drive! You can see a lot of valley below and learn about the star, which is they claim is the largest manmade star in the world. It’s also a free attraction!

When out-of-town guests come to Roanoke, this is where the locals take them. It's a quick drive up Mill Mountain and it's free.

The drive up to the star is beautiful. Lots of wild life. Once on top there is a look out point, you can see all,of Roanoke Virginia. The star is massive and beautiful you will,not be disappointed.

The overlook was breath taking. Clean well maintained.. Family friendly. nice place for a picnic and a walk.

The Mill Mountain Star has shown over Roanoke valley for decades and decades. It's an iconic area to visit and see up close. The views are awesome from the top of the mountain. Ample parking and clean trails to make your walk comfortable. Enjoy the views of the Roanoke valley.

This has a fantastic view of the city it’s definitely a great place to visit if you’re in Roanoke. It’s easy to get to and there is parking right at the star

We had intended to hike from the base of the mountain to the star but ended up at the parking lot near the star, still not sure where the trailheads are to park and go to the top. The views from the top are spectacular and well worth it, there is ample parking near the visitor center. The wild flower garden is beautiful and you should visit the garden. There are lots of hiking trails you can take from the top that will loop you back to star or visitors center. The trails are mostly easy and good exercise. The only complaint is the signage is confusing.

Beautiful views and oh, The Star! Pretty spectacular sight to see. We were there at 7 am and of course there was a snow fog and we couldn’t really distinguish the different mountains but it was quiet and peaceful. Well worth the drive up but see if you can get a picture with it lit up!

Nice view of the city at night. Nothing fantastic like any other things to just look at. They have a zoo nearby if you have children. Can take some pictures of the star and city below.

What a wonderful local attraction that allows you to view a large part of the Roanoke Valley. Each time we go to it we're riding our Harley so it's fun going up the twisty mountain road to our destination. On weekends it's very crowded if it is a nice day so have your patience with you. Parking is very difficult if it is crowded. You may be parking down the road and have to hike up so if you aren't a hiker or have elderly or handicap people with you keep that in mind. Wonderful spot.

My husband and I visited Mill Mountain Star while visiting Roanoke. Awesome view and so neat to see in person. While you are there you can be seen on livecam for friends and family to watch. Really cool.

I have many visitors from out of town. I take them to Mill Mtn Star often. We have taken our children and grand children to the Star for the past 28 years. The view of the Roanoke Valley from the Star is always beautiful. We have lived several different places in the Roanoke Valley so we always challenge members of the family to locate our old homes. The flights into Raonoke airport fly in over the Mill Mtn Star and the children enjoy watching them fly by. We will continue to visit the Star for as long as we can.

This was well worth the drive from Salem, VA to see this giant star. The hiking paths are easy & short & lead to some spectacular views. The visitor's center is top notch. We did not visit the zoo as there was a Halloween kid's activity going on & we did not want to spend $9 admission either. There is plenty to see. Parking lots are located near both trails. I would love to see the star when it's lit also.

This is a great place to go at night to see Roanoke. It has a fantastic view of the city and it is absolutely beautiful with the lights at night.

Always a new way of looking at the city, and meeting new people!
Great place to take visitors, and even native Roanokers!

We learned that Roanoke is The Star City and this short trip up the mountain to see the oldest man made star in the world with beautiful view of Roanoke was recommended by our BandB owner, Roanoke Boutique Hotel (high recommend).

Very nice views of city. Also easy walking paths to follow, some with overlooks. I have not seen it at night, but worth the drive up to see.

This was a revisit for us having been here once before in 2003. It is still as good as ever. It sits overlooking the city and can be seen from many miles away. Set in a nice park which also has a zoo. Great views of the city.

The parking lots comfortably accommodates passenger cars, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. Be on the lookout for hikers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, as trails intersect the roads. Bathrooms are nearby. A large deck affords you the opportunity to view the city of Roanoke. On a clear day, you can see for miles. The visit is free.

This is a worthwhile climb by car to a local park and pavilion overlooking the city below.

I’d recommend this in the evening just as sun is setting

We drove up the mountain to see the star. Went during the day so we saw a giant metal star. The view is the real amazing part. Parking area is very close to star. We then went to the zoo. It was 10 bucks per person and while the animals were amazing it was not worth it. Not sure if animals were rehabbed or given to the zoo. Poor amount of information. I would give the zoo a pass but go check out the free view from the star.

Do not miss the opportunity to view Roanoke from this hillside! Another fun feature is the webcam that is available.

Enjoyed hiking a couple of the trails there. Nice grounds and place for a picnic. Convenient location to city of Roanoke.

Beautiful views great for everyone lots of photo opportunities and hiking trails. Would go again. Fun

Hard to social distance and many did not wear masks so hard to enjoy. Would like to have known what else was close by.

Such a beautiful view of the Roanoke Valley from the star. Limited parking, with a walking trail to another lookout. The star is lit up at night and you can see it from all over the Roanoke Valley. A must see. There is a small zoo located near the star.

The overlook in front of the star is an amazing view! We went during the day, but would love to return to see it at night.

A short climb to the mountaintop and you find a breathtaking view of the city. We didn't get to see the star lit up at night, but imagine it would be lovely. We met a sweet lady whose uncle helped to build the star way back when. Must have been exciting as a kid to see it for the firsr time.

We just spent the weekend in Roanoke and visited the Star twice, once at dusk and once after dark. Both times it was cloudy (hurricane weekend), but the view was still stupendous! Just drive up, park, and get out and take in the view of the valley. I love that there's a helpful picture/map of how far away the mountains are that you are seeing. So simple. So delightful! And, I love the star -- love that you can see it from down in the town. We could see it from our bed and breakfast, and I got used to looking for it, even the short time that we were there. Great view, free of charge. Just go and be awed.

Nice drive to the mountain top and an interesting story about the big star. Nice hiking trails around the overlook.

Views are amazing. Hiking is set up on any level you wish to try. the star and its history made an impression not soon to be forgotten

There is a reason Roanoke is called the Star City of the South. This is a great place to see when you come to our city. Not only is it unusual but you great a beautiful view of Roanoke City on a clear day or evening.

We went to see the star at night. The view was wonderful. It was neat to look down on the city lights and you could see the airport runway lit up in the distance. The one difficulty was that it was hard to read the signs to see the way to go since the signs are not lit.

We only stayed at Roanoke for a night as we passing here to head to Natural Bridge state park the next day. We had only few hours, so what's better than heading to the mountain to get a view of the Roanoke city.
The view won't disappoint you. Parking could be challenging as the parking lot is small.
And of course, took a selfie of the Roanoke star.
The star usually just in white light except July 4th, it will be in red, white and blue.

Whenever you have a time to visit Roanoke, you have to go up to the Star to get a look at the entire city. Always a tourist attraction, couples place, and great for families to go and see. Bathrooms are nearby and another overlook is just down the path. Sometimes my wife and I will ride the bikes up the Greenway Trail for a good work out. Always busy but worth the visit.

My husband made fun of me when I told him where we were going but he was wrong. We went in the dark about 7:00. Theres a winding road leading to the top. Its a pleasant ride.We parked in the lower parking lot and walked up the hill. It was invigorating. We stopped at an overlook to enjoy the view then continued on. The Star is really pretty and the view even better. We had such a nice time and everyone else that was visiting seemed like they were enjoying themselves too.

An interesting sight: man made very large star that is lit up at night . Can't say the actual visit to it during the day is all that spectacular. If in Roanoke area after dark, I'd say.

If you want something free yet out of the ordinary to do in Roanoke, that will entertain kids, teens and adults, the trail hiking, the overlook and the paved and non paved park area are a must see.

This park is great for spending an afternoon on a nice walk in the woods. Non of the hikes are to strenuous (very easy) and its beautiful. The Roanoke star is nice for getting pics but even more exciting was the view of Roanoke from the star.

We went for a late night picnic at the base of the star. The night lights were gorgeous, finding a parking spot was challenging but a little patience wins you a spot. Night lights of Roanoke were amazing.

Great place to have a picnic and enjoy the view. No fee to use. It has nice hiking trails and a nice play ground for children.

Worth a night time visit! Open till 11pm. View of the city lights is phenomenal. Watch for deer on drive up/down.

Finally made it here after traveling to Roanoke for 20 years. It was awesome. My son loved it and the views were amazing! Virginia is the greatest! Enjoy

Mill Mountain is a very nice place to just relax and view the city. Zoo is quaint and nice, nothing spectacular. So, take your lunch and enjoy doing nothing but some quiet time.

Fun tidbit: We texted a pic of the webcam info sign to our son. He logged on, viewed us, and texted back a pic of us from the webcam at the top of the star! While we were right there! : )

My goodness this was a great little side trip up to visit the top of this little mountain. We were right there where the star is. The view are gorgeous from up there. It was an easy walk from the adequate parting lot to the overlook.

One of the most accessible overviews of Roanoke and surrounding area. It's almost an aerial view. Nice trails, nice picnic area close by. All around great place to visit. I saw no litter, and area was well maintained.

An easy, quick drive from Roanoke to a beautiful park.
Plenty to see and do here, with spectacular views of the area.
A must see at night !

We drove up there to take a photo with the Star.
There is a good view of the city, but, mid-day in the winter=, would not be my first choice of prime time. Probably very delightful on an early summer evening.

What a cool spot! History of the star was interesting to learn and the views of the city were pretty. Easy to get to, nice playground for the kids. Loved the tree lined paths.

I had heard about the Star of Roanoke but knew no history. It was great to learn about the star and how it came to be. The walk was great with a superb view of the city of Roanoke. I would suggest that you do this for the experience. We really enjoyed it!

Spectacular views of Roanoke and surrounding areas from the Star. We just love going up there a few times a year !

Love coming up here to walk around and look out at the view of the valley. We always take out of town guests here as it is such a pretty place to visit. Very clean. Lots of walking paths. Right next to the Mill Mountain Zoo also. I don't think the view up at the star ever gets old, it always is a pleasure to see. Just minutes from restaurants and downtown.

There were three of us and we decided to hike up to the big star that looks out over Roanoke. The hike is pretty easy terrain wise but creeps up in elevation so I had to take breaks from time to time to catch my breath. It’s a couple of miles to hike round trip. I recommend bringing some water with you and a flashlight if it’s close to nightfall. The star is a great big star. At its base is a nice lookout point and you can see all of downtown Roanoke and distant mountains. There are public restrooms closeby to the star area and water fountains.

Great view from the star and an interesting history. Short trails nearby. Plan ahead and wave to your friends on star-cam!

A lovely view of Roanoke, especially nice in the fall. Just a short trip up the mountain, and a good place to connect with the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Beautiful! Just walked the trails and the butterfly garden. Take a picnic. Amazing views!A must see.

It was my first day of an epic road trip, but I was already running behind schedule due to northern Virginia traffic (of course). I wanted to at least have one sightseeing stop, so even though my hotel was still about an hour away, I detoured into Roanoke, went up Mill Mountain, and got a most spectacular view of the city all lit up at night. The Roanoke star is also an amazing sight to behold. So amazing, in fact, that there were a bunch of late teen guys getting high for one of their birthdays, and one of them shouted out, "Dude, it’s so f***ing beautiful up here." Dude wasn’t lying. There was a platform/deck to walk to the edge of that part of the mountain, with a plaque describing the overlook and the star. From there, immediately in front was greenery, and beyond that, the city lights just blazing like stars along a dark sky. The drive up the mountain was dark! I felt a bit anxious getting up there, especially when another car came down the opposite direction and the road suddenly felt too narrow for both of us (it was not). I'm sure the drive would be nice in the daytime, but the payoff wouldn't be as wonderful.

Mill Mtn is a great place for a lite activity afternoon. Provides spectacular views of the valley. There are a couple paths you take for different activity levels from lite to heavy.

We enjoyed the overlook and walking through the park area. Beautiful at sunset! The star is lovely, though we did not stay till dark.

It takes a about 15 minutes to drive up there to enjoy the view of Roanoke, and to enjoy the park. If you are a hiker, the Roanoke Valley Greenway can lead you up there as well. Great view of the city and is the connecting point to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The star is supposed to be the biggest man made star.

Sitting right on the top of the mountains, visitors will discover an overlook right under the Mill Mountain Star. This landmark is nestled right in the heart of Roanoke, offering a view of the entire Roanoke Valley.

One of my favorite views is under the star during the darkness. The Mill Mountain Star is lit up in red, white, and blue and offers a beautiful backdrop to a view that is completely breathtaking.

We love stopping by the attraction during each of the seasons to take in all the beauty of the area with an amazing backdrop!

Nice place to visit. Limited parking right at the top. A lot of visitors around sunset because the views are beautiful! If you can’t make it to the Parking lot at the top, Visitors can park nearby and take a short walk to the star.

Everyone who has family or friends visit take them to the Star. The view is beautiful. There is a zoo and picnic area. A great place to hike, walk or run.

MM Park is (for adults with or without children) a great place to spend a day.

Bring a picnic and claim home base at one of the many picnic tables (or go old school and spread a blanket). Go for a walk or a hike; let the kids loose in the small playground, visit the center with displays and a tiny gift shop, enjoy the amazing views, and visit the neat little zoo. A great way to spend the day—get some sun and a little exercise and have fun!

Nice drive & a beautiful view. It's best to visit during the week when it's not as crowded. I hope to visit at night eventually.

Roanoke loves it’s star. A must if you are in town. Fun to drive up to the top or hike up. Great views. Fun history lessons.

After dinner on the second evening of our trip to Roanoke, I surprised the family with a drive up Mill Mountain to see the star lit up. No one knew what to expect but it was way past sundown and very dark. Even from the parking lot it's not easily seen but walking out to the viewing platform was just mind-blowing seeing the entire valley and city of Roanoke lit up and this massive white illuminated star behind us. We enjoyed it so much and it's always the simplest things that create such lasting memories. My 8 and 10 year olds were so excited and will remember it their whole lives!

A must see for anyone in or near Roanoke! Don't miss the view from the Star! This park is just as fantastic in winter as you can see more of the view through the trees.

The route to the top was very nice and the over view of the area made the effort more than worth while. You have to do it at least once.

It was a bit tricky to find at first but this is quite a place with an awesome view of Roanoke downtown. It would look really cool at night when it's lit up.

Easy to drive to and parking was good. The star provides great views of the valley and a good backdrop for a selfie. ;) I would recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

This is such a great, free treasure for the area of Roanoke, VA. It's easy to get to. There were a lot of people bused in for the picnic pavilion and general area for some kind of event, There were great places to walk, set up your own little area for a peaceful picnic and reading area. The views are super. The trails are numerous. There's one restroom available for men and also one for women (2 stalls). It was very well used and needed more frequent cleanings to knock down the smell and help the condition.

The view from the Star is unbelievable! The Valley and Roanoke downtown are a sight to see and at night the Star is ablaze with light! The Park and Zoo are attractions not to be missed!!

Visited during my short stay in Roanoke during a road trip. I visited for the sunset views as well the next morning to see the view during the day. Not very far off the Blue Ridge parkway so if your driving the parkway, its a nice quick stop for a view of the city. Get there early for the sunset views-the parking does fill quickly and you end up having to walk quite a distance uphill if the parking lot is full. Glad I visited.

This is such a fun and spectacular stop - you must make this!! The views are beautiful and the star is amazing!! So glad we made time to see this wonder up close!!

We enjoyed an evening visit to the Mill Mountain Star and a beautiful view of the lovely city of Roanoke. My kids were particularly "tickled" to learn that it had appeared on an episode or two of The Walking Dead.

Nice place to see the beautiful views! Great trails and the discovery center is great for kids. Wished the zoo had been open.

We were visiting Roanoke for the first time and it rained almost our entire trip. Luckily we were staying at the Roanoke Hotel and we could see The Star lit at night.

Finally on the day we were leaving the fog of the morning lifted and the sun came out so we drove up. There is a parking lot up top, not super big. We didn’t have time to check any trails out we just stopped to see The Star up close and more importantly the view of the city and surrounding landscape. It did not disappoint! Beautiful!

Our family made a quick stop at the Star on our way North. Beautiful drive to the top of the mountain and fantastic views from the Star’s overlook. I am sure visiting at night, when the Star is illuminated, would have been even better. During the day, it’s all about the views and trails and just nice ti see the biggest manmade star. The area and trails were very nicely kept and charming. This area would make for a great sunset picnic date. I wish we would have had more time to explore the trails and nearby zoo. Definitely recommend a relaxing visit here!

I had the privilege of attending an intimate wedding ceremony at the Mill Mountain Star. Although the weather was cold, it was a crisp and clear morning as the sun rose over the Roanoke Valley. The view is amazing! The drive up to the star is beautiful and parking is close to the star and the overlook. There are plenty of hiking trails, and of course the Mill Mountain Zoo is close by. A must see for anyone making a visit to Roanoke! While you are here, be sure to visit the downtown Roanoke Market.

It was fun to take selfies in front of the Star. Also, the view of the city at night was so beautiful from on top of the mountain.

This is a free and unique landmark. The vistas are magnificent! One can understand why our residents enjoys living with all the surrounding mountains.

Great view of the city valley. Tried to visit the small zoo, but was too late to get in, closed. Maybe next time.

It's great seeing the Roanoke star up close, especially when it's all lit up. The live camera on it is great too! You can't beat the view of the city up there either!

What a great spot, amazing views from all over. The star was a sight to see and you could see yourself on live camera as well! Great hiking trails, with all different lengths, is a great place for anyone, no matter the age!

No trip to Roanoke is complete without a stop at Mill Mountain Star. The view is breathtaking. A quick drive from downtown.

Beside the star, the hilltop had a walking trail, a small zoo, a wildflower garden, and a visitors center. All of it was worthwhile and a nice place to overlook the city.

It’s iconic. Roy Kinsey was the architect behind the star, built in 1949. The Kinsey’s are still in the area and are wonderful folks to know. It’s a favorite landmark for our fair city,, Roanoke, The Star City of the South. As a former flight attedant and a frequent air traveler, that 1st glimpse of the star on approach says, ahh, I’m home. And you can visit for free by taking a short drive or a fairly easy hike up Mill Mountain. The views of the area are spectacular on a clear day. Trrere is a webcam to have a little fun with. The zoo is nearby, as are some lovely nature walks kept up to snuff by a local garden club. Why not check it out.
Mandy Pomm

It was the totality of the experience.......
We can see the star from a far.
And we realize we can climb to touch it....We realize the path is clear and defined.
People along that path-become one.
Grateful to have the knowledge and the history of this wonderful mountain along the Blue Ridge path!

Robert

We have been to Roanoke for years but never visited Mill Mountain & the Star. We went at night & the view was beautiful. You could see the city lights. The Star itself is huge!!!!! You must at least visit once. There is limited parking, so it can get crowded.

nice views of the city. nice ride up the mountain. Best viewed on a clear day. take lots of photos; panaromic

Gorgeous view over Roanoke. Cute little garden trail to follow. Perfect spot to take photos. Easy access directly from parking lot paved way for easy mobility.

The Mill Mountain Star is worth a drive through the park up. There's a good view of Roanoke. The parking lot may be crowded, but turnover is such that you'll eventually find someone backing out of a space. The signature site of Roanoke.

We loved the star, especially at night! The view from here is amazing. You should definitely check it out

Ended a nice evening in Roanoke by visiting the Mill Mtn. Star on a clear and beautiful summer evening. Not very crowded and the weather was nice. The parking lot was very close to the star, so don't worry about long walk to see amazing vista.

This is a must in Roanoke. There is a great view of the entire Roanoke Valley. The Star is impressive. I'm sure it is more impressive at night but we were there in the afternoon.

Note there is very limited parking near the Star so you may have trouble parking close during peak times

We visited the Roanoke Star on a Friday afternoon in May. When I noticed the live camera embedded in the Star, I texted my son to see if he could view us on their website. Sure enough, there we were. At first glance approaching the mountain from 581 S, I thought we’d still have a little distance to go. I was surprised when my GPS indicated we were only ten minutes away, which included driving up the small mountain (1045 feet). I’m sure this place can get very busy in the evening to take advantage of the changing lights on the star. Be aware that parking is limited. We had no problem on Friday afternoon, but I imagine evenings can be challenging and result in a little walk. Still the overlook is worth the trip and there are nearby tables and benches if you want to make a picnic of it. If not, there are nearby restaurants in a range of prices. Be sure to check ahead for those requiring reservations. All in all, we enjoyed the stop on a very pleasant Roanoke experience.

It’s fun driving along the winding road and be rewarded with a magnificent view of Roanoke Valley. There are many people who are hiking up the hill which I think is more exciting. It’s worth visiting and fun to take a selfie with the huge white star.

The star is beautiful, and it's size is extraordinary. The view from the deck is breath-taking. It is a romantic, and relaxing place. It is clean, and I really enjoyed the experience.

Went up here at sunset and what a view! It was so beautiful enjoying the sunset. There were quite a few people enjoying it too.

It only takes about 10 minutes to find your way to the road leading to the top of Mill Mountain in Roanoke. At the top, you're treated to a broad vista of the city and surrounding hills. Cool and peaceful, this is a great spot to just relax, sit or stand and soak in the ambiance. Not breathtaking, but nice to do and worth the short drive. Thanks, Roanoke, for maintaining this experience.

We visited twice during our weekend in Roanoke. It was beautiful. The view was breathtaking- just wish the leaves had started to turn! Once we drove to the top. Once we parked at nature center then walked a bit.

Beautiful view of the entire city and valley. The star at night is magical and the glittering lights of the city below are amazing.

Drive up. Ride, bicycle, or run up, the view from the star is pretty cool. Don't forget to wave for the camera.

Stopped up while visiting Roanoke, was easy to get to with parking right by the star and overlook (lot was busy due to weekend) Great vistas from the overlook. Would love to see it at night as well, maybe next time. There are also hiking/walking/biking paths, a wild flower garden and play area down the road a little bit (separate parking lot there) also a visitor center there and just beyond the wild flower gardens a zoo (all free except zoo which we did not explore). Was a nice little segway on our road trip.

Great trail! Shady most of the way, and not crowded on the trail (10am). As of Sunday, 6/19, there’s a fallen tree about .3 miles up from the parking lot, so be prepared to climb over that. We enjoyed waking around the star and other paths (easy) up at the top. Took us 2.5 hours total. Most of the hike is on rocky roots, and we hiked with our poles which helped. Parking lot at the trailhead has room for 10-12 cars. Our first hike in the Roanoke area- we enjoyed it!

Love the Roanoke Star! Quite unique. The hiking paths on Mill Mountain are very enjoyable and easy to use. It is very nice!

This can be a very quick stop. There's an excellent overlook at the Star to see Roanoke, the valley and beyond into the Appalachian Mountains.

With great views of the Roanoke Valley as well as schematic maps that let you know what you're looking at, Mill Mountain Star and Park is a great introduction to the Roanoke Valley as well as a great place to hike . If you want to hike the mountain it might be best to do a two car hike with one at the top of the mountain and another at the bottome on Riverside Road. Very doable ; even with kids. Enjoy.

The Star city of the South, Roanoke, VA 24012, is not hard to find as long as you keep your eyes open and focusing on a Star, a manmade Star.
Mill Mountain Star is something that you can stop your life, mind and soul if you are a home body.
The MMStar is both beautiful and majestic from a distance and standing right in the front of. Very romantic with a serene ambience and to spend some quality time together with your loved ones.

Really made the night feel special. I wish the lights for the paths worked, but we found our way. I didn’t think much of Roanoke as a city until I saw it from this perspective at night. All you can see is lights for miles on end. Great place for photos.

This was fun to do and free.

Only a few miles drive from downtown and definitely worth it! Make the drive, it’s not steep

What a beautiful view of City of Roanoke and the entire valley. We have passed by the star in the evenings and never realized it was accessable and part of a park. The view from the overlook is incredible and the park has walking trails and is nice and cool on a hot summer day.Dont forget the star cam which allows you to stand on the overlook and wave to your family and friends if they are looking for you on the cam.

Lots of trails about the area. Plenty of areas for dog and kid play. Good views if town. Educational.

A nice scenic drive up the mountain to get to the star. What an amazing view of the city and the star itself was very impressive.

Drove to the star after a day of business in the area. Had not heard of it prior to our visit, but it was highly recommended locally. So glad we me made the short trip from down town. So glad we did. Definitely worth it! Highly recommended!

Beautiful views! There are some wonderful trails here, a bathroom, which is always a plus. It's fall so the gardens weren't pretty but in spring and summer I imagine they're lovely.

Very panoramic and pretty views from the look-out on top of the mountain. The star is very emblematic in Roanoke and it lights up at night in red and blue. You can also walk around the area as there is shade created by the woods around. I recommend bringing food and water, the area is nice to have a mini picnic outdoors.

Great place for sunset, pictures and walking. If you go eat you can use the trails. Dog friendly on a leash. You can picnic as well.

We heard about this and thought we needed to check it out. It’s just an over glorified “look out” point. You can get better valley views from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

My brother and I were staying in Roanoke for the NASCAR weekend in Martinsville. We were looking for something to do on Saturday and decided to take a short trip up to the "Roanoke Star".

What a beautiful way to see the surrounding area! The views are outstanding from the lookout directly below the star. We went early in the morning but met someone that said it is even more stunning at night which I can believe from the various pictures I've seen.

There was at least one other lookout which we found and we did some hiking and walking through the woods on a variety of trails in and around the star. There is a nature center that is geared to kids and a zoo as well which we did not visit.

Overall, a very nice way to spend a couple hours. Recommended!

Mill Mountain Star& Park is such a beautiful place to visit ,only thing missing for us older folks is a coffee machine instead of all soft drinks.

This is a unique park. We went at night and the lights in the city were beautiful, helps when it's a clear evening. We didn't get to explore, I'm not a cold weather person and for me, the temperatures were cold. We visited on 12 April.

We drove up to the overlook just before sunset and were rewarded with beautiful sunset views and the lighting of the star. It is definitely something you should do if you are visiting the city. The star lights at sunset.

From atop the mountain you can see all of Roanoke Valley. I went a few times there. Once to go to the zoo and the other times just to walk in the woods.

Simply went for the view. Went after sundown to get a shot of the star lit up as well as the city. Great view and easy access.

If you are in Roanoke you don’t want to miss the vista from this park’s observation deck just below the star. It is just as good night or day.

It is so beautiful! I love seeing all the bright lights at night. It is such a fantastic view of the area!!

Great view of downtown Roanoke and the surrounding area. Lots of hiking trails. Great photo spot especially on a sunny day

If you only walk to the star and look at the city, that's ok, but wait, there's more. The walking paths are lovely, And even though we did not have the grandkids with us, we enjoyed the kid's discovery museum. We could imagine the fun they would have in this lovely building and with the interactive displays.

Star is okay, the real attraction is the view of the city from the overlook. Go at night. The view is spectacular. Free parking and easy access.

Local friends took us here hoping for a sunset. It was too cloudy for a great sunset, but it was very nice. Enjoyed looking down on the town.

The star is a unique structure and I love that it is a celebrated location in Roanoke that symbolizes the progressive nature of the community. Hiking paths are wide but strewn with litter. Needs regular clean up days.

Lovely view, perfectly shaded, even has a playground. Just be warned it is VERY uphill! The star is huge with the overlook offering a stunning backdrop for pictures.

The Mill Mountain Star is an icon of the Roanoke valley located on Mill Mountain. Overlloks the Roanoke valley and makes a perfect photo-op spot! The mountaintop park also includes picnic ground and children's zoo. Took our nephew and wife from Tennessee during their stopover in September. They loved it! Beautiful vistas during the day and stunning sunsets at night. Accessed from parkway extension that connects downtown Roanoke to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Beautiful drive up to the star and when you arrive the views are amazing. There are trails to hike or walk and there are restrooms. Glad we did it.

For a first time visitor to Roanoke especially a trip to the Star is a must. Perched atop Mill Mountain the Star is an impressive steel structure that looks over the Roanoke Valley and beyond. The park is well maintained with picnic tables and benches, bathrooms and a visitor center. You can walk around the area and visit two big overlooks on tarmac pathways. And if you walk further round you can visit Mill Mountain Zoo.

This was a beautiful observation point. We were there during prom season and it was great to see the couples using the scenic view as the backdrop for their pictures.

We saw the star on the hill and had to go investigate. Up close it was huge and had a beautiful overlook. We didn’t do any hiking, but there are some short trails around it.

Came up around 8pm and loved the huge illuminated star. There’s not loads of parking but we did get a space immediately. We hung out talking to some really friendly young local people and loved the glow of the star at night. Great panoramic views of the city too. Come at night for the full impact of it.

It is not the attraction that you travel far distance to see but if you are around you can enjoy great view from here.
They picture of what you are seeing with clearly marked landmarks.
Sunset is beautiful.
If you are hiking fan there are good hiking around.

The Roanoke star is beautiful. It’s just a short walk from the small parking lot to the overlook. Day or night the view is a treat.

So the view is incredible and the Star is much fun. Its a quick must do on a summer night if you are in town. Don't miss it.

This was a beautiful, peaceful, scenic place to spend an hour on a beautiful day. I highly recommend it for anyone who is visiting Roanoke and wants to get a perspective on the area. It is beautifully maintained and a joy to walk around. I must admit I was awed by the Eagle Scout project that created a deck-like overview.

I've been driving to the top of Mill Mountain my whole life. I love the views day and night. I wish the old original road to the top was still open, but understand why it was closed.

Notes: There's not a lot of parking near the Star, so don't be surprised if you have to wait for a spot.

I'm a native and a visit to the star never gets old, just more popular! Hike up, bike up, or drive up to enjoy a lovely view of the star city. And stop by afterwards for homemade ice cream at Blue Cow! :)

Great view of Roanoke and the star is cool to visit. There is some great walking trails and a little outdoor garden to walk that's all in the shade. Very small playground for the kids and there us a zoo as well. Look forward to coming back here to visit and do more hiking.

Very peaceful, well kept site on top of a gorgeous mountain. Perfect for all families, including kids! A must see if you’re in the area

Mill Mountain Star is the largest man made star in the US. It is a beautiful structure, lit up at night and seen for several miles. The view of the Roanoke Valley from the Star is breathtaking. It is definitely worth a trip to the Star!

This is a must do if you are visiting Roanoke. Great view of the city, Love the view at night when the city is glowing.

This was our families first trip to Roanoke, Virginia and the first place we went was to Mill Mountain Park. We mainly stopped to see the star and get a view of the city. Now I can laugh at every other light up star I see as I know I have been to the world’s largest.

The view of Roanoke was wonderful. There was a web cam at the star and you could stand on the viewing platform facing the star and have others look at yu real time. My only complaint about the short hikes we took at the top was that they were not loops but out and back.

This is a great place to view the historical Roanoke Star, hike, picnic, walk the gardens, view the city scape, throw out a blanket and read a book in the summer and even go to a small zoo.

Roanoke is also popularly known as the Star City and the Star is located on top of the Mill Mountain which is a part of the Blue Ridge mountain range.

There are multiple ways of reaching the Star, most convenient being driving all the way to the top which shouldn’t take more than 10 mins I suppose.

Other common way is to go on foot on the Star Trail which takes you straight up however we did something else. The Mill Mountain has multiple trails which is more scenic & slightly more difficult, needless to say we took the scenic route😁

So we started with taking the Woodthrush trail instead of the Star trail then took the Sidewinders trail hiking all the way till the Monument Trail which meets the Star trail at the top. These trails consists of more winding routes which increases the difficult level but it’s definitely worth it. There are signposts everywhere to make sure you don’t get lost but what the hell we anyways did which costed additional 30 mins of hiking up the trail.

It’s fairly a moderate intensity hike with a lot of good trails for bikers as well. Wish I had my cycle there I’d have definitely gone up cycling .

Even though it’s not that difficult ensure that you have enough water, carry rain jackets in case it starts raining , a good
Pair of trail or sports shoes.

Happy Hiking !!

This is one of those "must see" things in Roanoke. And, for good reason; the view out over the city is terrific. We live in Roanoke and the Mill Mountain Star & Park is actually on my daily walking route. From out home, I wind my way over to the Mill Mountain Greenway and ascend Prospect Road past the loop and Fishburn Mansion to the top. Autos on this route are dead ended part way up. This route is fairly steep. Note that there are two overlook platforms at the top. The most popular is under the famous Roanoke Star, and the other is 0.1 miles downhill from the Star on the paved path.

This is a must go place, I highly recommend going there to see the sunset and stay until night time. Temperature was great in the mountain even though it was close to 90F in the city. You can see downtown Roanoke and believe me it is beautiful!!

The star is a great place to go get a great view, take some pictures and you can even wave at friends via a real time webcam mounted to the Star. If you have a bit of time or prefer outdoor activities there is a hiking trail up (~1.5 miles each way and 800 feet elevation.) I did complete this while at one of my least fit stages so anyone without significant movement limitations could do. At the top you will also find a road leading to the blue ridge parkway and a small zoo.

A quick ride from downtown to the top of the mountain. Great views of Roanoke and easy to get to. Impressive architecture and design of the metal star.

All the travel sites say this park gives the best views. Um, no it does not. The sunsets are not great and all you are seeing is the city of Roanoke. The park itself offers some main trails to run or bike on. The star is neat to see.

Tips: Wear bug spray or you will hate your life after. I would not recommend being here after dark by yourself (follow general personal safety precautions). The road to get to the parking lot is winding and narrow. Be careful if you are not used to this.

I live in Roanoke and have my whole life and we still go to the star and look over the city
The zoo is there too and is very well maintained

I didn’t see this mentioned so wanted to say you can drive directly to the star and overlook area. Use the zoo as a GPS way point as google maps wanted to send me to trail head. Easy and very pretty drive up ample parking and restrooms at top

Go at night for a full experience.
Be careful, it's high up and has a lot of curves going up the mountain.
Bring coins for the viewer.

It is worth the drive up the mountain. Nothing special, but nice view of Roanoke and surrounding area.

It was fun to see the star up close and be at the overlook. They also have a website that our kids back home could see us in the live cam.

A gorgeous tourist area. It was chilly but a wonderful place to visit and take pictures. First timer and I really enjoyed seeing the star and looking over the mountain in front of it. It has several areas you can stop by and have lunch and also do events with family and small groups. There's a zoo as well but didn't get to see it.

Of all the things to see in the area the star is a must see. The skyline is breathtaking, the mountains are majestic and worth the drive to the star

While visiting the city of Roanoke for a college graduation, my family and I visited the star Roanoke. What an amazing view of the city from the star. Well worth the drive up!

This is THE place to bring out-of-town visitors. The view of the valley is breathtaking no matter the weather or time of day (or nite). Great place for group photos or selfies. Groups with coolers are often seen enjoying refreshments while watching clouds drift by and trains snaking through town.

The view is wonderful.Beautiful day or night. Worth the trip up the mountain. Must visit at least once in a life time.

The view is amazing, very, very captivating view. Beautiful scenery and plenty of hiking also has a zoo there.

Easy to find and a nice view of Roanoke. There is limited parking but most people don't stay too long and spots open up. We saw it in day light and I'm sure it is very impressive when lit.

This was our second visit to see the store. Great history surrounding it, and beautiful views of the Roanoke Valley. Make this a stop the next time you’re in the Roanoke area. Bathrooms, and a center are available. Is it on premises too.

Gorgeous view. Not far from Roanoke and worth the drive. Only thing is GPS tries to take you somewhere else. I would recommend searching for the zoo. The signs are very clear from there.

We went here to look ever the city of Roanoke. It was a very quick and neat trip. The Roanoke Star was interesting and very unique.

Nice view of the city went at night then in the day which was nice it was a hot day so made it a little uncomfortable. There is a nice path to the little zoo area. Didn’t go in there but might be nice for a family to see.

The views were spectacular. The drive to the top was easy and there was sufficient parking. We went during the day to get the full effect of the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the city.

The reason I liked this view so much is the view of Appalachian mountain range. Its fairly simple to get to the looking point and there are enough trails to hike, bike or run around.

We enjoyed a few hours here, walking Star Trail, enjoying great views of the city and relaxing. Major drawback is sketchy trailhead parking near check cashing places, etc., plus dirty city park bathrooms. War the star, but a short drive takes you to great downtown restaurants. A surprising and pleasant urban oasis!

We did the rite of passage of going to see the Roanoke star. It was windy and super cold but worth it. We stayed briefly, and might go back during the summer to see the surrounding activities.

Beautiful view during the day and night. The park and zoo were run and well designed. We really enjoyed our visit to the Star

My favorite place to visit when I come to Roanoke. I spent my summers here as a kid, and I used to love when my aunts and cousins would drive me up the mountain at night. A must when you some to Roanoke.

I drove up to the parking lot at the top of the mountain and hiked a few of the trails. There is a small zoo there that costs $10 to get in. The trails are decent and there are signs marking the intersections. There are a number of places with nice views of Roanoke, and they make it worth seeing. I was there during the day so I did not get to see the star lit up, but it was still pretty neat to see up close.

Every time we have out of town guests, we take them up to see the star. Usually, we take them once in the daylight for the view and then again at night for the ambiance. Our grandchildren love to go up there and our son in law, who lives out of town, rides his bicycle up there every visit. There are usually some other people, and we take each other's pictures. Everyone in Roanoke goes up to see the star!

This is a must do for Roanoke visitors! It gives you the best view of the entire city, and great photo op. The park is great place to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery.

We had fun hiking around Star Mountain 😀 lots of folks out with kids and dogs enjoying the pretty views

Nice place to see the lights of the city and surrounding area. It's an easy drive up there, with lots of signage. Some short hiking trails are available for those who want to venture forth during the day.

Experience the view. Sunset best time for me. Zoo nearby. Driving to the star a pleasure. Nice spot to meet people.

Beautiful view of Roanoke.
Right off the blue ridge Parkway.
Clean bathroom and a few trails ranging from easy to hard to stretch the legs.

If you are looking for time to kill, drive there and take a look. Else it is sufficient to take a look when driving past. I wouldn’t bother going there again.

It was worth the trip up the mountain, the view of the city was beautiful. We went late in the afternoon and the it was still really crowded, so be prepared to search for a parking spot. Cars were parked along the road on the way down to the zoo area, which made for interesting walking and driving. We didn’t get to see it at night as the rain came in and the mountain was foggy.

Went Saturday, it was packed, must have been something at the zoo. The view is peaceful and quiet. There is also a live webcam. You can get s picture online or just share with friends. Nice stop.

Mill Mountain Star and Park has amazing views of the city, and you can see the famous Star up close. There is a playground, zoo, and picnic areas for enjoyment. Highly recommend a visit to Mill Mountain.

We went during the day and it was nice. A few minutes to see the scenery and snap a few pictures and your done.

Breathtaking views and you can call you family and they can watch you live from the comfort of their home anywhere in the world.

Built in 1949, the Star is at the heart of this region’s identity. You cannot come to Roanoke and NOT make that 15 minute journey up Mill Mountain. Take your lunch and enjoy the day!

This tranquil park is a wonderful place to come for a strenuous hike or a more peaceful meander across the trail that crisscrosses this park, and of course, the big star (apparently the largest freestanding, manmade star in the world) is worth visiting. There's also a cute zoo and plenty of picnicking areas, and from the mountain summit, you can overlook the entire valley.

They have a few parking spots at the top. We went at dusk/night when it was lit up, which is another way to experience it. We enjoyed taking our photo up there. There were some paths to walk down. I though it was unique.

Cool park. The star has a live webcam on it, so you can have your friends and family back home log on to see you there. You can park just a 100 feet away and us ADA friendly.

We stopped in Roanoke for one night on our way to a wedding. Read about this park and drove up to visit just before sunset. Lots of people enjoying the spectacular view and waiting for the star to light up. Bike riders, families with kids, hikers with dogs. A great place to view the town and enjoy a quiet moment together.

My son wanted to see this and I had not been up to the star in many years. It was easy to get to, parking was convenient, and the view was absolutely amazing! I would say if you are in Roanoke, take the time to stop here!

Great view of the city. Impressive to stand under the star. The park is well maintained and it's a nice ride to the top.

worth the winding road to the top. You can log on and see yourself from the camera on top of the star... or call friends to do so. The view of town is great. We could see our The Hotel Roanoke from the Star.

Coming home by the interstate or a plane, I know that I am home when I see the star. I love it, people that visit me from out of town, that's our first stop in sight seeing.

Located near downtown Roanoke. Great view of the city and surrounding region! Attached to nice park area with walking trails. Play area for kids. Easy to reach via automobile with adequate parking. Rest rooms nearby. A must visit for Roanoke!

Stayed overnight in Roanoke & chose this park as our only stop before leaving the City. Amazing views, history, park area & light hiking trails (& of course the star). Well maintained & had restrooms. Did not disappoint.

First trip to Roanoke. We saw the star and decided we must see it up close. Wonderful choices of trails. Fabulous view from top.

It is an easy drive from the downtown area
of Roanoke to the Mill Mountain Star and Park. The area offers beautiful views of
the city. Restrooms and picnic facilities
are available. Paved walkways are also available.

Take some food sit on a bench and enjoy the views. Nice short walks to different view points great place to take some selfies and see downtown and the mountains in the distance.

Love seeing the star from all over Roanoke and then fun to see it close up after a short drive Rainy while there but still a great landmark and view

This Roanoke icon is a must. You can see the valley as you seemingly sit on top of the city. The platform is roomy enough for all the visitors to enjoy the view. I especially life the hike up the mountain to get to the star. It is well marked and is of moderate difficulty. It takes about 30 minutes.

Mill Mountain is a very family friendly place with many things to do and explore. The zoo is great for kids of all ages and the view from the star is spectacular. A must see when visiting Roanoke, VA.

We took the side trails to the star. Beautiful landscape and trees along the trail then the view in the back ground made this fun for the kids. The view once you get to the star is of the Roanoke valley.

Worth the trip. Has zoo next door to the Star. Good parking. Children love the view and trails. Can see commercial flights coming in to airport and Valley View Mall.

The drive up was smooth. Ample parking. Easy to access from the parking lot. Nice overlook of the city and they also have a "star cam" for friends/family to see you from afar.

Something to do with a nice view of the city and the Blue Ridge mountains. There are some nice trails if you are looking for some exercise or the zoo right nearby. Definitely looks more impressive lit up at night.

Visited Roanoke for a family wedding. The view from the top was awesome and well worth the trip up the hill.

I had seen the star a few times in the past but first went up to the start in Jan. 2019. This was one of the first spots my finance and I visited. We visited the zoo and were pretty much the only ones there which was nice. it was cold but some of the animals were out. The overlook under the star gives you a great view of the city of Roanoke as well as the surrounding mountains. Besides the overlook under the star there is also another one near by. The star is awesome in that it lights up at night. I believe there are some walking trails around as well. I still have yet to explore everything here. This spot will always be a favorite as this is where I proposed to my finance. I would certainly recommend a visit if you have the time. The zoo has a train that runs in the summer. I have not been to the zoo during the summer yet. Be sure to add this to your list of things to do while in Roanoke.

If it is hot downtown, take a drive up the hill. Was nice and cool up there and was beautiful seeing the city lights. Be sure to text your family and friends that you are there & wave to them on the webcam. 😉

I guess it's not like this would be really far out of your way if you're already in town. The star is pretty, and the observation deck offers a great view of Roanoke. Still, there's not much "to it." I'd go at night for the best view. We didn't spend any time utilizing the trails, but there did seem to be a decent number around.

You have to visit the Star in the daytime and night time. The views of the Roanoke Valley are spectacular. There is also a zoo, hiking trails, a wildflower garden, nature center and playground. You can access the park from Roanoke or The Blue Ridge Parkway.

I usually come here since I’m local. If you’re going to go, pick a day when it’s not hot, not a weekend or when a kids birthday party is going on. You can see the star and get some incredible views of Roanoke. Make sure you walk over to the little park in the area. The City of Roanoke always keeps it up so it’s always been in great condition. Pick a good weather day and have a picnic

Come out here at sunset. It’s a gorgeous view of the city and mountains. Bring your camera and enjoy the sunset.

The Mill Mountain Star shines brightly like a beacon over the Roanoke Valley. In days of yore, It was lit in Red, White and Blue. If there had been a traffic fatality, it was lit in all Red. Now it is lit in white only. It has quite the history and it's location once had the Mill Mtn. theater (playhouse) about 100 yards from the Star wherein you could enjoy a play. Now, the Mill Mountain Zoo resides a hundred or so yards from the star and is a lovely place to visit. Adults and children alike enjoy the zoo. There used to be a trolley that took you up to the star, unfortunately it's long gone. But, access to this location is very easy. It's just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, a short drive from the Roanoke City Center. The look out or viewing platform is just below the star and the views are outstanding. You can see most of the Roanoke Valley from this vantage point with all the surrounding mountains as a backdrop to this city. You could easily spend a hour looking at the view and finding points of interest during the day and it's just as beautiful at night with the valley's bldg's and road ways lit up and laid before you. Many photo opportunities while visiting the Star. It gives a beautiful perspective of the Roanoke Valley. There are walkways near the star if you care for a stroll, and perhaps 75 feet away from the star is another viewing platform with a slightly different view. There are benches allowing you to sit awhile in the wooded area along the the paved walkway between the two viewing platforms. A lovely place for a conversation or to simply meditate awhile. Definitely worth the small trip up there.

As the Star is visible from many parts of the area, driving up to see it up close was a must-do on this visit! As expected, the view from this vantage point is awesome & I was happy to see decent parking, rest rooms, & a nice observation deck as well.

Took a while to figure out how to get to the top from the restaurant parking lot where we started;) ...but definitely worth the trip!

Love the zoo (wish it had more animals!) and playground fun time always! Also love the lookout below the star and pointing out places we recognize! Always a fun visit with the granddaughter!

When we have people from out of town come and see us we will usually go up to the Star and see the city especially in the evening when the city lights are on. During the day is great too and you get to see how spaced out the city is. Great views and history of the Roanoke Star.

We enjoyed walking here for a little while and seeing the star and city view. It is a nice place for a short walk and quick visit.

Visited in both the daytime and nighttime. Seeing the town alight from above, and seeing the star lit up, is best when the sun goes down!

Just to look out over the city, pick out areas you know, photo ops, the cloud formations, a must see

At the top of Mill Mountain, there is a very nice park with a few miles of walking trails of varying difficulties. There is a little more than a mile of paved trails without much incline. On one end of this area, there is a lovely small zoo, including gems like Red Pandas. Expect to take an hour or two, depending on your level of interest in zoo animals. The other end goes to the Roanoke Star, an impressive landmark overlooking downtown Roanoke. The view is great, and if you can see a train running, it will seem smaller than the toy trains of your childhood.

The area is nice for bird watching, Ingress portals, and pokestops too.

Best time to be there is night. Lights are amazing. Beautiful view of the city!! Always try to go to the star when im in town!

Never knew about this place but it was interesting with a great view! Lots of people about and everyone was very nice.

We visit Roanoke a couple times of year and we always make it a point to go up to the star. The views are amazing and the little nature center and gift shop have some great things for all ages. I admit the first time I was a little scared driving up the road to the top, but I was very foolish for even being the least bit afraid. It’s a beautiful and safe drive. Don’t forget to take pictures while up there. There is a nice playground for kids and a little zoo. You can see everything in an hour, but you can take all day if you wish too.

I grew up in the area my entire life. This is just on of a few places I go just to see how much the valley has grown over the years.

You can see the star from many points in the city. Don’t miss
going up the mountain to view the city from the star.

Nice overlook. This is a must see and photo opportunity to see the entire Roanoke Valley. Especially visit at night to get the full effect

Winter time is not the ideal time to visit, but if you can stand the cold, A Fabulous place to view Roanoke City and the Roanoke Valley. Star is tremendous!

Lovely view and cooler up there! We had seen the star on a friend's Facebook posts and had to see it up close. Then when we saw it from downtown at night it meant a lot more to us.

Nice side trip if you’re in Roanoke or cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Star is neat, but the view of the Roanoke valley is stunning.

Even on a foggy morning this is worth a visit. From here, even through fog, you get a good view of the city and its environs. Easy parking, good views, and clean rest rooms.

Beautiful view of the city of Roanoke. If you plan to come for sunset, you need to get there early as parking can be a little bit of a challenge.

Great place to walk.

The bathrooms, however .. NO toilet paper anywhere to be found.

It is a quick drive up to the top of the mountain. We were there on a clear day and the views were amazing. Great photos!! The architecture was impressive but would like to see the star at night.

Also did the nature walk and the zoo. Spent a couple of hours out in nature.

This park was fantastic. Lots of great views of the town and the little zoo there was fun. We had the fortune of seeing most of the animals as we arrived in the morning when the sun was nice and warm. Definitely would recommend a trip to see the park if you are in the area.

Of all the times to Roanoke had never been up to see the star, but drove up this afternoon. Nice overlook with decent parking and quite a view. Interpretive map and signs. Looks like a nice place to come and spend more time on a warmer day. Before we left had pretty clean and heated bathrooms.

Beautiful view or downtown Roanoke. Free to the public. It can be crowded at times. The view at night is absolutely the best view. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop at overlooks for different views.

Easy, not scary ride up the mountain. Magnificent view of Roanoke, Va. Interesting and unique huge lighted star. Plenty of evening parking the day we were there.

It's worth the drive up to see this iconic spot. Even if you didn't grow up in Roanoke (I grew up nearby), it's still really cool to see how big the star is when you're in front of it. Plus you have GREAT views at the top of the Roanoke Valley. And there's no cost to see it or to park.
Can be crowded on the weekends.

Good spot for little ones to run around. The free nature center also had some activities for kids. Several people were picnicking and enjoying the park and the view.

This is my second time. This time at night. Excellent view with all the lights of the city below. Man made star is gorgeous up close as it is from long distance. A walk out view with rails. I will never get sick of going there. A must see.!!!!!

We have loved this spot as a family for picnics on Sundays or lazy summer days. The Hiking options include a short flat hike and the steep trail (proper shoes required)! Don’t miss the zoo!

This is well worth the climbing of the mountain. You can walk right under the Star and see the whole Roanoke Valley. It's a great place at night to observe. It's really silent expecting the sounds you think you would hear from below. Cool place.

We drove to the star. Parking was plentiful and situated very close to the attraction. Next time I think I will hike the trail to the star!

So easy to find from downtown. Beautiful drive up the mountain that led to parking lot very close to the star. Look out over the city was gorgeous. It was very busy the day we were there with lots of visitors.

We hiked the Star Trail to get to the top. It was a moderate hike with a rocky terrain but the trail was well marked. (We used All Trails app). The view and star at the top were well worth the climb. Highly recommend making this a part of your trip to Roanoke. The star lights up at night too and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. ❤️

Interesting (cool!) drive up to the star. Amazing views from the star and looked like many well marked and maintained trails and picnic areas. A great spot to then jump onto the blue ridge parkway!

Very beautiful view of Roanoke and the Appalachian Mountains. Easy hiking trails. Well kept playground and picnic area.

Excellent views of the city from the overlook beneath the star. We also took in the little zoo, which as many zoos, needs help. It was a nice day and we are glad we went.

A brief history of Mill Mountain Park is outlined in the Discovery Center.

The star is easily accessible from the parking lot, so the whole family can visit. There’s a cool feature that allows people at home (or wherever) to go to a website and see you live at the star! My parents logged on and sent me a screen shot of my husband, my dog, and me as we were looking at the view. There are informational signs posted around the area for inquisitive minds. It’s worth a visit.

Every trip to Roanoke includes a visit to the star! It is absolutely amazing at night time. Get there early to see it actually light up!

We drove to the star. The parking lot is several yards from the attraction which was great. There is also a hiking/mountain biking trail that leads to it from the base of the hill...next time.

It’s a really quick stop with a short walk to the star, which is pretty impressive. However, the best part of visiting is the view of Roanoke. If you’re in the area, make the trip up the mountain and check it out!

We were able to walk from town, but suggest the short drive .. very fun view from the top ... smile you will be on camera .. let your friends know you are there

Beautiful place to see the lights of Roanoke. The star is huge and so bright. It looked like there were some nice trails to hike, but unfortunately it rained the next day and we weren’t able to explore it more.

This is worth the 10 min drive up the mountain if you are passing through Roanoke. The view is amazing.

Can’t beat the view of the Roanoke Valley. It’s absolutely beautiful up at the Star. Definitely a must for visitors in Roanoke.

Being from the area, I have visited this area many times. The star is large and an icon of Roanoke. It is certainly worth the drive to it. It also affords terrific views over the Roanoke area.

Signs led us up the mountain to the small parking lot right by the star. Luckily people come and go so we didn't have to wait too long to get a parking space. It was around 10:15 PM on a Saturday in May (the park is open until 11 PM). You can't see the star from the parking lot, but I noticed where people were walking from and walked in that direction. Before I saw the star, I saw the view. Oh, what a view at night! Photos do not do it justice. Finally, I turned around and saw the star, all lit up in white. It was impressive. It was totally worth the drive. All in all, it didn't take too long to drive up the mountain, park, ooh and ahh by the star, then leave. Obviously there is more to do in the park during the day, but if you like lights, go just for the views at night.

This was an awesome view with the winding, curving, mountain road it was worth it just for the view.

Worth the short drive up to the Star. View on a clear day can see all Roanoke. You can even be on the Live Cam. There is also a zoo there, but we did not attend

The view from the platform beneath the star is fantastic, the whole valley unfolds . Landmarks can be identified, it is splendid.

Definitely worth a visit. Lovely park with wildflower walking trail, zoo, hiking, picnic areas, biking and of course the giant star

The Star is the Star, not much else to say. View is okay--bathrooms are very not okay. Looks like a reasonable attraction for locals, but wouldn't recommend more than a quick pass for tourists.

We had some time to kill in Roanoke and decided on the zoo. The location is great with the star overlook and the zoo was nice, a good way the enjoy a few hours

This place makes Roanoke special. Awesome place to take your guests that are visiting the Roanoke are. Paved paths to two overlooks, picnic shelter, bathrooms easily accessible, playground for the kids. Stroller friendly, family friendly. Other than the overlooks, you can also hike several trails, you can walk through their perennial garden, and can even visit the Mill Mountain Zoo. You can bike, and you can even ride your horse. Worth the trip!

If you're looking for a great view of the city of Roanoke, you must stop here and take in the scenery. This easy access location is perfect for all to enjoy.

A gem in our local area that is all too often overlooked by us locals. We were there recently on an early spring afternoon and were struck by all the different languages being spoken by visitors from around the world. Kind of made us think about what we’ve been taking for granted.

Great history, good views, at little hike, God when it is cool and not to breezy. Clear day see a bountiful of the area.

Gorgeous, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Roanoke from up here! We didn't have time to hike, so we parked in the parking lot right behind the star and enjoyed the scenery. Watching the fog roll in over the mountains was epic, and I can't wait to go back to explore the trails, too!

If you visit Roanoke, you can’t miss seeing the Star from many vantage points around town. But it’s worth a quick visit to see the hilltop star up close and learn a bit of its history. The city and mountain views are gorgeous.

This is such a beautiful place -- has been in existence since I was a little girl, The star is a Roanoke landmark and the overlook gives a breathtaking view of the beautiful Roanoke Valley. I strongly recommend the visit -- free and you can take as little or as long as you'd like!

The star itself isn’t much to look at. However, that area of Mill Mountain is easy to drive to from downtown Roanoke. Also, there’s an overlook right in front of the star, at which you can get a great high-up view of Roanoke and the mountains further in the distance.

Very peaceful and a great view of the city. I was surprised how close to the city it really was. We were there in minutes. It's well worth a stop.

If you're in the Roanoke, Virginia you must take a trip up Mill Mountain and check out the spectacular view of the Roanoke Valley from the famous Star. The view is breathtaking and a visit to Mill Mountain Zoo should be included as well. Friendly staff and you can get a closer view of the animals than you can at other Zoo's.

We drove up the mountain to see the star on Christmas morning 2018. WOW, what a beautiful day with such amazing views. We saw the star when we were driving into Roanoke on Christmas Eve and decided to research and see how to get there. Definitely worth the trip!

Wife & I visited here on our Anniversary trip. The views from the Star are breathtaking! We loved Roanoke and area, and no visit would be complete without driving up the mountain to see this local icon. We’ll be back!

We spent an enjoyable 2 hours at this park walking to the star, enjoying the view, and playing on the (nice but small) playground. The drive up is very enjoyable as well. Was glad to get out of town for a bit on a very short visit. This would be an excellent picnic spot in warmer weather, as there is plenty of shade available with all the lovely trees.

On our first night we went up and enjoyed the wonderful view with all the town lighted up below. The last day of our trip we went back and loved the view again. Then took a long walk on the well maintained trails.

If you are a tourist in Roanoke you HAVE ago go to see the star. Limited parking but enough, bathrooms available, the info about the star is interesting and well displayed. We were glad to see it up close and personal.

Enjoyed the overlook with amazing views of downtown Roanoke! There was a map with the mountain ranges in the distance, which I thought was cool. The park was nice too. Can get crowded, so arrive early.

On a drive south we were passing Roanoke and decided to detour to see the star. The vista is nice and the star is large. If you happen to be passing by, is nice to see. We stretched our legs for 10 minutes and were back on our way.

Drive up is very easy. We were there late mid morning on a nice summer day and had no troubles parking at the Discovery Center and walking the little trail to the star. Don’t need to spend very long at the star, so if you’re there with little ones, it’s pretty easy to knock out the star and zoom in a few hours. Definitely worth the visit.