Mill Mountain Park is the 568-acre wooded park that occupies the small mountain rising directly south of downtown Roanoke. The park contains the Roanoke Star, the Mill Mountain Zoo, a small visitor centre, and around ten miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails.
The Discovery Center near the summit has natural history exhibits on the park, including a small wildflower garden. The Mountain View Trail is the most scenic short walk, a 1.5-mile loop along the eastern flank of the mountain with views down into the city. For a low-effort mountain experience, drive up the Mill Mountain Parkway from Walnut Avenue and walk the level paved path between the Star and the Discovery Center.