Heading to Roanoke, Virginia and need some tips for what to do, where to stay and the best place for dinner? I’ve got you covered! Recently we spent some time in the city of Roanoke and found some of the highlights to help you plan your next trip. Whether you are visiting one of the 21 colleges or universities near Roanoke or heading to Virginia’s Blue Ridge on vacation, you really must take the time to drive to the top of Mill Mountain and enjoy the Historic Star and Overlook!

Hobbies on a Budget received discounts or tickets for the purpose of this post. All opinions are my own. No monetary compensation was received.

Visiting the Historic Star in Roanoke

No visit to Roanoke is complete without a drive up to the top of Mill Mountain and a view from the overlook at the Mill Mountain Star. It’s only about 5-10 minutes to the top of the mountain from downtown Roanoke.

There is a nice sized free parking area at the top of the mountain as well as restrooms available to the public.

Walk around the Star and enjoy the amazing view of the Roanoke area. Don’t worry. This is not a hike to the overlook. It is simply a matter of parking the car and walking a very short distance to the overlook. It is even wheelchair or stroller friendly! No hike involved.

Fun Facts:

• First Time Illuminated: November 23, 1949
• Height of Structure: 88.5 feet
• Weight of Star: 10,000 lbs.
• Visibility from Air: 60 miles

Don’t forget to check out the StarCam so you can see yourself on the camera. The pictures only last a few minutes or less, so grab them fast!

Real Life Tip: Text the address to your friends or family so they can see you on the mountain in real time! Yes, we tested it and our family was able to enjoy our visit at the same time we were there!

The view is amazing and well worth the short drive. Walk down the path to the 2nd overlook and let the kids play on the super cool playground! #BlueRidgeDay

This is a great overlook and perfect for an after dinner stroll and gorgeous view.

Connect with Roanoke

Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
101 Shenandoah Avenue NE
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 342-6025
(800) 635-5535

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Looking for something else to do in Roanoke?
Check out Black Dog Salvage