The story below is from our July/August 2015 issue. For the full story download our FREE iOS app or view our digital edition for FREE today!
Who better than a 20-year resident to provide the prescription for getting the most out of your visit to the lake this summer? (Nobody.)
When people find out I’ve lived at Smith Mountain Lake for more than 20 years, their response usually goes something like this: “You’re so lucky!”
And they’re right.
In addition to scenic beauty and friendly, engaging residents, the lake area offers a wide range of on-water and off-water activities that are fun for all ages. There’s boating, fishing, water sports, parks and beaches, lakeside dining and, my personal favorite, quiet R&R (think lounging on the dock with a good book).
But you don’t have to live at SML to soak up its awesomeness. For most in the Roanoke Valley, drive time to the lake ranges from 30 minutes to an hour. That means you can plan a one-day adventure, weekend getaway or extended stay without breaking the bank.
Summer and fall are great times to explore Smith Mountain Lake, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016. Following are a few of my top recommendations, but for a more comprehensive list of ideas, be sure to log on to visitsmithmountainlake.com.
Visit Bridgewater Plaza
Truly the central hub of SML, Bridgewater Plaza offers a variety of retail shops, a full-service marina, arcade, over-the-water mini-golf course and six restaurants, including several with outdoor lakeside seating. In addition, there’s a midway with carnival-style games, bungee trampoline and rock-climbing tower to keep the kids entertained.
For the grownups, Mango’s Bar & Grill is the place to be weekend evenings during the summer season for outdoor music by top local acts such as Fuzzy Logic, Dragonfly and Seven Mile Ford. Bridgewater Plaza also is where you’ll find the official SML Visitor Center, packed with brochures, maps and publications to help you find everything you need, from real estate to restaurant recommendations. bridgewaterplaza.com, visitsmithmountainlake.com
Get Out on the Water
There truly is no better way to experience the lake than to get out on it. Local marinas have everything you need to get started, including rentals of boats, personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, wakeboards, water skis, paddleboards, towables and inflatables. Houseboats are another popular option. Available through Parrot Cove Boat Rentals and Sales (parrotcove.com), houseboats sleep 6-10 and come with standard amenities such as kitchen, bathroom with shower, heating and air. Many also are equipped with waterslides, grills and outdoor furniture. Of course, if you want an economic, hassle-free way to see Smith Mountain Lake, book a cruise aboard the Virginia Dare, a 63-foot replica of a 19th century side-wheeler. This SML icon, which is handicap accessible, offers a variety of sightseeing options for individuals, groups and private charters. Cruises run about two hours and include lunch, dinner or Sunday luncheon and start at $10 for kids and $20 for adults. Reservations are required. vadarecruises.com
Fish with a Pro
SML is among the most fishing-friendly lakes you’ll find in the region. There are crappie, sunfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, but most fishermen seek out the lake’s prized striped bass (yum!). The best way to ensure a successful day on the water – whether you’re a novice or advanced angler – is to hire a professional guide. Most offer half-day and full-day outings for adults and youth starting at around $300. Rates generally include bait, tackle, reels and gas. You’ll need to bring snacks, water, a hat, sunscreen and a valid Virginia fishing license (available in most tackle shops, marinas and online at dgif.virginia.gov). For a list of professional guides, log on to visitsmithmountainlake.com/list and search “fishing.” If you’d like to angle on your own, SML State Park (Bedford County) and SML Community Park (Franklin County) offer public piers, but you still need a fishing license.
Dine Lakeside
Whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there’s just something special about dining near the water. Smith Mountain Lake has more than 20 eateries that offer views of the lake – from short-order grills (perfect for a busy day out on the water) to upscale restaurants that make a great choice for special occasions. All are accessible by car and boat. For breakfast, I recommend Mitchell’s Restaurant or Bay Roc Marina Café (oh, the biscuits). For a quick bite at lunch, it’s hard to beat the selection at Bridgewater Plaza – Chopsticks, Moosie’s, Mango’s, Pizza Pub or Oar Knot Deli, followed by a frozen treat at the Ice Cream Cottage. Portside Bar & Grill is a local favorite (open in-season only) with a limited menu of casual fare and cold beer in a Key West-themed atmosphere (you may want to leave the kiddos home). For dinner, check out Jake’s Place (great pizza and nachos), Waller’s (frequent acoustic music) or The Landing Restaurant (gourmet fare, top-notch service and laid-back live entertainment in the adjacent bar).
Catch Some Live Music
Retail business choice isn’t the only thing that’s improved dramatically at Smith Mountain Lake over the years. SML is now a hub for live music of all genres – from bluegrass to jazz, Americana to classic rock. A number of area restaurants schedule live music nearly every weekend during the summer season, often outdoors and lakeside. Music lovers who are willing to venture a little further down the road should check out the lineup at Rocky Mount’s Harvester Performance Center. Top national and regional acts that have played the Harvester include Carolina Chocolate Drops, Indigo Girls, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Rodney Crowell, Restless Heart, Suzy Bogguss, and the Bacon Brothers. Check out the full schedule at harvester-music.com.
Visit a Local Brewery or Winery
Yes, Smith Mountain Lake is on board with the craft-beer craze. Sunken City Brewing Company is located right in the heart of Westlake Corner and features a cozy tasting room, outdoor seating and frequent live music. Handcrafted lagers and ales always are on tap or try one of brew master Jeremy Kirby’s distinctive small-batch selections (jalapeno ale anyone?). Food trucks often are on site but you’re welcome to bring your own munchies or order delivery from a nearby restaurant.
Chaos Mountain Brewing opened a little more than a year ago in Callaway, just south of Roanoke. Porters, IPAs, lagers, ales and stouts are all on the menu at Chaos, a play on words referring to the mountain where the brewery is located, Cahas, the highest point in Franklin County.
If wine is more your thing, several local establishments are located at or near SML, including Hickory Hill, Brooks Mill, Ramulose Ridge, Savoy-Lee and White Rock. All offer tastings, tours and gift shops. Hickory Hill in Moneta is well known for Sunset Saturdays, a series of family-friendly summertime gatherings with live music and wine tastings on the lawn overlooking the picturesque vineyard.
Take a Sailing Lesson
What better way to experience the tranquil beauty of Smith Mountain Lake than aboard a sailboat? For nearly 10 years, certified instructor Pete Phillip has been instructing sailors and wannabe sailors at SML in basic boat handling and principles. Classes, which are scheduled by appointment and run about five hours, focus on safety, good seamanship and having fun. Phillip allows students to be as involved as much or as little as they wish. And, if you prefer to just sit back and enjoy a chartered sail, that’s an option, too. Rates start at $200. smithmountainlakesailing.com
If you’re interested in watching the action or getting involved in a sailing club, consider attending an event organized by the Blackwater Yacht Racing Association (byrasailing.org) or Virginia Inland Sailing Association (visayc.org). Both have regatta schedules online and you don’t have to own a sailboat to join or participate.
Catch a Movie at the Drive-In
Located on the Bedford side of the lake near Downtown Moneta, Mayberry Drive-In shows first-run movies on its huge outdoor screen. One of only three theaters of its kind in the Roanoke region (the others are in Christiansburg and Lexington), Mayberry also offers live music in the summer months, as well as a flea market on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unfortunately, the adjacent 1950s-style diner, which had become a popular spot for locals and tourists, was destroyed by fire in April. A concession stand is still available at the drive-in, which features a casual atmosphere where friends and families often arrive early to give the kids time to run around and play before the first of two films starts at dusk. Adults pay $8, while children ages 6-11 are $4 and those 5 and under are admitted free. Find the schedule online at mayberrydrivein.com.
Make it an Educational Experience
Who says learning has to be boring? There are several spots at SML where children and adults can soak up history and science – and have a good time doing it. Your first stop should be the Vipperman Visitor’s Center at Smith Mountain Dam because, well: no dam, no Smith Mountain Lake. Through updated exhibits and hands-on displays, you’ll learn about how the 636-megawatt pumped storage facility uses natural resources and five enormous turbines to produce hydroelectric power. Admission is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s a picnic area, too, below the dam on Leesville Lake that’s open daily. smithmtn.com
Thousands of people make the trek to the SML region each year not to partake of the lake’s abundant beauty and recreational opportunities, but to visit one of the 113 monuments managed by the National Park Service. Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on Virginia 122 near Westlake Corner and honors the famous African-American educator and statesman. Washington grew up as a slave on what was a 207-acre tobacco farm, which now offers indoor and outdoor exhibits, replica buildings and a period farm with livestock (sheep, pigs, cows, horses and birds). Scenic walking trails and a bubbling creek wind through the park, which is free (donations accepted) and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. nps.gov/bowa