The story below is a preview from our July/August 2018 issue. For the full story Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!
Photos By Anne Sampson
Bridgewater Plaza delivers big SML fun with one small stop.
Twenty thousand acres of water, 500 miles of squiggly coastline and constant new development make it hard to choose a place to go at Smith Mountain Lake. To make it easy, I defaulted to an old favorite of mine: Bridgewater Plaza.
2014 marked the 25th anniversary of what started as a small marina on Route 122 in Bedford County. It has become a compact wonderland of things to do for adults and children, enhanced by pretty views of the lake.
Watersports are still the focus, with a large fleet of pontoons, tritoons, ski boats and jet skis for rent, as well as slips for your own boat or ‘ski. Wakeboarding is supported at Smith Mountain Wake Company.
When you’re not on the water, everyone in the family can find something to do: from Fun-n-Games Arcade, Lucky Duck climbing tower and bungee trampoline and Glazed Bisque-It ceramic parties, to shopping at Bridgewater Sportswear or Gifts Ahoy (plenty of lake- and Hokie-themed swag). The Little Gallery is home to artists, local to national, who work in everything from oils to glass to jewelry.
When everyone’s hungry, gather up for lunch at the Pizza Pub, Moosie’s or Mango’s and finish at the Ice Cream Cottage. Then have a family game at Harbortown Miniature Golf, a fantasy frontier town suspended over the water. Stay into the night for live music on the water at Mango’s or party at Mexico Viejo Tequila Bar.
You can’t leave Bridgewater without feeding their famous monster carp. Watch for the special gold and white one! Sales of Carp Popcorn benefit Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia.
And if you really can’t leave, the Chamber of Commerce is right on-site to help you relocate!
… for more from our July/August 2018 issue, Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!
