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Are you looking to book a vacation somewhere warm and exciting? Do you want to see a new place in the wonderful United States of America and learn more about its history? Then, you might want to check out Smith Mountain Lake as your next getaway in Virginia.
Smith Mountain Lake is one of the several impressive state parks in Bedford County, Virginia. In this outline, we cover the best Smith Mountain Lake things to do while on vacation. These activities vary from boating, kayaking, and going on a sightseeing cruise to visiting an art gallery or checking out many of the restaurants providing delicious food in this region.
Keep reading to learn all about the top Smith Mountain Lake things to do during your vacation.
Go Boating on the Water
You can rent a sailboat to use at the marina and spend a relaxing afternoon out on the lake. You’ll see that there are many places or charters where you can rent boats, canoes, and other items to take out on the water. We suggest renting from Mitchell’s Point Marina in Huddleston. Here you can rent a pontoon boat, and sometimes speedboats or houseboats.
In particular, the Smith Mountain Lake State Park concession spot has various boat rentals to choose from. The gorgeous lake views are going to blow you away. You’ll be having so much fun, you’ll find it hard to leave the lake and return your boat!
On your boat, you can spend the day fishing for catfish and crappie or get some exercise by water skiing.
Yet, if you don’t like being out on the water, you’ll love the miles of shoreline you can stroll down.
Visit the Booker T. Washington National Monument
You can learn plenty of history when visiting this region of Virginia. For instance, the Booker T. Washington National Monument is a portion of the tobacco farm where Booker T. Washington was born and went into slavery before becoming a major leader and educator.
The National D-Day Memorial will also provide you with a strong historical context of this region. If you’d rather learn about science, you can check out the Visitor’s Center at The Smith Mountain Lake Dam where you can learn how electricity is produced and see other interesting science exhibits.
Check Out the Fish at Bridgewater Plaza and Go Fishing
Bridgewater Plaza is the perfect place for tourists. Here, you can actually feed the fish with popcorn given to you on the boardwalk near the Bridgewater Marina. In addition, you can enjoy the restaurants, mini-golf courses, gift shops, and arcades at Bridgewater Plaza.
If you like fishing, Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect place for you to vacation with your friends or family. This area is one of the best places to go fishing on the east coast. You’ll love seeing the background of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the dark blue waters of the lake.
Get Some Grub at Great Restaurants in the Smith Mountain Lake Region
You’ll see that there are plenty of excellent restaurants at Smith Mountain Lake. You can find coffee shops, fine dining restaurants, steakhouses, and bars. For instance, if you want to get some tea and a sandwich, you can go to CJ’s Coffee and Sandwich Shop.
If you want a fine dining restaurant to take your significant other out on a date, check out The Landing Restaurant at 773 Ashmeade Road, Moneta, VA. If you want a tasty burger, steak, or chicken wings, then you’ll definitely want to visit The Mill Iron Grill. Further, Mango’s Bar and Grill is the perfect place to get a delicious drink.
Try Out Mini-Golf
()When looking for Smith Mountain Lake things to do, be sure to check out the mini-golf courses available here. You’ll see that there are tons of mini-golf places, such as Harbortown Mini Golf, Hot Shots, and Putt-Putt Fun Center.
You can either enjoy playing mini-golf at an 18-hole golf course or you can also go biking at Smith Mountain Lake. If mini-golf isn’t your thing, consider walking one of the many hiking trails in this region, such as those on the Smith Mountain Cooperative Wildlife Management Area.
Go on a Sightseeing Cruise at Smith Mountain Lake
Virginia Dare Cruises & Marina provides incredible sightseeing cruises at the gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake. You’ll see the dark-blue waters for miles and view the dazzling mountains with colorful trees.
You’ll love the guided tour with knowledgeable captains and seeing the three islands with osprey nests and an antique carousel. You’ll also get to see one of the oldest tobacco barns in the region. You’ll learn plenty of history while enjoying the gorgeous views.
Visit a Winery
Hickory Hill Vineyards is one of the best wineries to visit when vacationing at Smith Mountain Lake. You will also love checking out Ramulose Ridge Vineyards, Peaks of Otter Winery, and Chateau Morrisette.
You will love looking over the gorgeous vineyards while sipping on white or red wines. Some may taste sweet while others are more tart, but there are plenty of choices for everyone’s taste. Chateau Morrisette even has an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy fine dining.
Get Adventurous by Renting Some Jet Skis, Kayaks, or Paddle Boards
Another great idea to have a good time on your vacation is to rent kayaks, paddleboards, or even jet skis at Smith Mountain Lake. Usually, you can rent out kayaks or paddleboards at the same place where people rent a boat for the day.
You won’t regret going kayaking or paddleboarding on the calm waters of Smith Mountain Lake. And if you go jet skiing, you’ll have loads of fun!
Spend Some Time at Blackwater Junction Wakepark
If you love water sports, then be sure to check out the Blackwater Junction Wakepark. Here, you will have the option to go wakeboarding or wakeskating. Regardless of your skill level, you can have some fun here. All types of riders are served at this wake park.
Even if you’re a first-timer, you can get a lesson with one of the instructors here. You won’t regret spending an afternoon at the Blackwater Junction Wakepark.
Check Out The Little Gallery to Get Some Art Culture
If you want to spend a day looking at quality art, then visit The Little Gallery to enjoy more culture. You can view the art of multiple different artists here, such as Bill Firestone, Anthony Bowes, Anne Vaughan, Arlene Daniel, Bev Kennedy, and Bruce Bingham.
Before You Go
Before you actually visit Smith Mountain Lake, you’ll need to make some reservations for your vacation. If you really want to check out all these awesome places, you’ll need to spend a few weeks here. As such, be sure to reserve a short-term rental or a vacation rental.
Get ready for your vacation today by checking out some awesome vacation rentals at Smith Mountain Lake.
Featured Image Credit: Kathleen Riordan
