Our featured landmark and where Star City gets her nickname, it's a fun drive up Mill Mountain to check it out! I like to tell people, "it's the largest man-made, free-standing star in the world," but it also boasts the best view of Roanoke City around! You may choose to drive up to the star, or take the Mill Mountain Star Trail if you're looking for a moderate hiking challenge.

A small zoo, but hosts a variety of animals, including a tortoise named Tippy Toes who has stolen CJ's heart. Seriously, this tortoise is all he talks about. He wrote this part. The zoo is a short, paved walk from the Mill Mountain Star. On your way, you will walk past the Mill Mountain Gardens -- free to check out!

Free to the public, you just need to provide your zip code at the front desk. When you're finished checking out the cool art, you can walk around downtown for lots of different little stores and restaurants.

Much more than pinball, this museum offers lots of retro arcade games that you can play an unlimited number of times for an admittance fee.

Sweet Donkey has a variety of coffees, teas, and snacks. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. A heads up -- the parking lot is small so you may have to park on the residential street. The neighborhood offers lots of parking within a 2 minute walk of the cafe. This is one of our favorites!

Our favorite ice cream stop! This is a short drive from Mill Mountain Star and downtown if you happen to find yourself over that way. Blue Cow is located right next to the Roanoke River Greenway, so you can take a walk along the river if you so choose.