Smith Mtn. Lake State Park
1235 State Park Rd.
Huddleston, VA 24104
(540) 297-6066
www.smithmtnlakestatepark.com
Trails, swimming, boating, camping, cottages, nature and farming
exhibits
Smith Mountain Dam & Visitor’s Center
2072 Ford Rd.
Sandy Level, VA 24161
(540) 985-2587
www.smithmtn.com
Features a stunning overlook and self guided tour
Blue Ridge Pkwy - Mile #176
Meadows of Dan, VA 24120
(540) 952-2947
www.blueridgeparkway.org
Working 19th century grist mill, it's the most photographed site on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway!
(75 miles from lake)
Explore Park
Blue Ridge Pkwy - Mile #115
Roanoke, VA 24014
(540) 427-1800
www.explorepark.org
Living history museum of Appalachian life circa 1750-1880.
It's truly nice, similar to colonial Williamsburg
(20 miles from lake)
Blue Ridge Parkway - Mile #86
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-1081
www.peaksofotter.com
Three mountains surround a pristine lake, plus spectacular views from 4,000 feet above sea level. Hiking trails, natural springs and waterfalls, too. In addition, there's a restaurant, gift shop, travel lodge and campsites, botanical and wildlife galore. (I walked right up to the yearling doe and took the blue ribbon photo you'll see on the "photos" link.. She awoke from her nap as I snapped it!). The Peaks also feature Johnson Farm, a restored museum quality, working farm, Polly Woods Ordinary (food, drink and lodging for early travelers), an Outdoor Amphitheatre (summer shows, call 586-4496 for performance times) and last of all, Balance Rock a true natural wonder! A boulder the size of a car is perched atop another one... if you push it wobbles back and forth like a rocking chair! This is not a fable. The well worn trail that leads to it seems to stop at another gigantic balanced rock. This one does not move so people feel tricked and walk back in disgust. The secret is to leave the beaten path that ends here and continue down the hill on a “deer path” to your reward. Guaranteed - I have personally done it!)
(27 miles from lake)
Roanoke, VA 24014
(540) 343-3241
www.mmzoo.org
Wildlife exhibits, including the delightfully entertaining prairie dog colony. Also features a stunning overlook of Roanoke
(22 miles from lake)
Hardy, VA 24101
(540) 721-2094
www.nps.gov/bowa
Childhood home of the ex-slave and pioneer of education for black Americans
(5 miles from lake)
D-Day National Memorial
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-DDAY
www.dday.org
National monument to WW-II's turning point. 23 Bedford men made the ultimate sacrifice that day. As a percent of the town's population back then, which was very tiny, it's more American WWII casualties than any other town in the United States, and it all happened in one day!
(16 miles from lake)
Rt. 661
Forest, VA 24551
(434) 525-1806
www.poplarforest.org
Country retreat of President Jefferson. He personally designed and supervised construction.
(35 miles from lake)
Johnson's
Orchards & Winery
2122 Sheep Creek Rd.
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-3707
www.johnsonsorchards.com
Thousands of trees, dozens of varieties, all atop a mountain with
breathtaking views.
(25 miles from lake)
Roanoke, VA 24019
mall - (540) 563-4400
theatre - (540) 362-8989
www.valleyviewmall.com
Features 150 stores, 16 theatres, 15 restaurants
(30 miles from lake)
Roanoke, VA
mall - (540) 989-4388
theatre - (540) 725-9800
www.shoptanglewood.com
Features 80 stores, 10 theatres, 6 restaurants
(28 miles from lake)
1 Market Square
Roanoke, VA 24011
(540) 342-5767
www.centerinthesquare.org
Featuring science, history, and art museums, planetarium, 20 restaurants, and 2 live performance stages
(25 miles from lake)
O. Winston Link Museum
101 Shenandoah Ave.
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 982-5465
www.linkmuseum.org
The best and largest collection of the famous photographer's work
(25 miles from lake)
303 Norfolk Ave. SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 342-5670
www.vmt.org
Lovely collection with an emphasis on trains. Also features a nice assortment of local historical photos and memorabilia
(25 miles from lake)
Blue Ridge Institute
Hwy Rt. 40
Ferrum, VA 24089
(540) 365-2121
www.blueridgeinstitute.org
Lovely re-creation of a pioneer homestead
(25 miles from the lake)
100 Salem Ave.
Roanoke, VA 24016
www.taubmanmuseum.org
Numerous artistic delights in a building so stunning it stands as art itself
(25 miles from lake)
Don't forget the surrounding area when you need a little inspiration. This is the prettiest place in America! Check it out! There are thousands of different mini vacations you can make with the Lake as your launching point. If you haven’t gone scenic driving to explore our delightful back roads, then you’re plain depriving yourself. The "swimming hole" pictured above is just one of the wonderful places I recently stumbled onto. So if you have cabin fever, pick up your keys, jump in the car, and go! “Off the beaten path” heaven awaits. In a half-hour you can be someplace you’ve never seen before. And don’t forget the hundreds of miles of roads in Virginia’s National Forests! (Here are links to a few suggested stops, but personally, I find the back roads leading to no place special the most special of all!)
● Appomattox
● Luray Caverns
● Natural Bridge
● Natural Tunnel
● Martinsville Speedway
For the young at heart, there’s a happening in Roanoke every other weekend that is truly delightful. It’s called “No Shame Theater” and it features performances by the general public in the true spirit of community - come as you are. This is truly an eclectic mix of skits, songs, poetry, dissertations, etc. It usually starts at 9:00pm or 11:00 pm sharp, (yeah, it’s after your bedtime, but you have my permission to stay up late :)). The mix of people is young, most between 21 to 35, but there’s always a 100 or so of us aged 40 to 80. This public venue is a real joy and the younger crowd is surprisingly polite to us older folks who show up, grateful for the recognition and support. There are 15 or so original performances every Friday night, each running about 5-6 minutes long, with about 400 people in the audience. And don’t think for a moment that some of these performances aren't first rate. I have seen a number of performances that were professional caliber, and most of the ones that aren’t are still a treat. Who knows, maybe you’ll get to see a future superstar!
And don't forget the Big Lick Conspiracy improv troupe!! >>>
Last,
but not least.... The Salem Red Sox, our minor league pro baseball team (featuring a new stadium). This is great fun with the kids or grandkids.