The lake has thousands of community events (literally), but this select group is special, drawing participants from across the nation. A couple of annual events have even grown to international level.

Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon

Olympians and world class athletes. www.commonwealthgames.org

Lake Clean-Up Day

National award winning volunteer project keeps Smith Mountain Lake the cleanest lake in Virginia.

Pro Am Golf Tournament

Hundreds of local golfers team up with international pros.

Fireworks On The Water

Spectacular! Watch from your boat or the shore. This has to be experienced. This IS Smith Mountain Lake.

Antique & Classic Boat Show

Nostalgic boats, many wooden, some over 100 years old! www.woodenboats.net

Charity Home Tour

See what life is like for the 1%. Visit fabulous million dollar waterfront homes by boat or by car. (All proceeds go to support local charities.)  www.smlcharityhometour.com

Bassmaster Elite

Televised on ESPN, this gigantic pro-am tourney attracts some of the world's best fisherman.

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There are so many beautiful and interesting places to see that there's no point in trying to list them all... (I would need a separate website.) But for you out of town folks, here are a few to get you started...

Peaks of Otter

Three mountains surround a pristine lake, plus spectacular views from 4,000 feet above sea level. Hiking trails, natural springs, waterfalls, restaurant, gift shop, travel lodge, campsites, flora and fauna galore.

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) and last of all, Balance Rock a true natural wonder! (A boulder the size of a car is perched atop another one, and it wobbles back and forth like a rocking chair!) www.peaksofotter.com

Mill Mountain Zoo

Wildlife exhibits, including the delightfully entertaining prairie dog colony. Also features a stunning overlook of Roanoke. www.mmzoo.org

Booker T. Washington Park

Childhood home of the ex-slave and pioneer of education for black Americans. www.nps.gov/bowa

D-Day National Memorial

National monument to WW-II's turning point. 23 Bedford men made the ultimate sacrifice. (As a percentage of the town's population, it's more WWII casualties than any other city in the United States. And it all happened in one day!) www.dday.org     

Poplar Forest

Beloved country retreat of President Jefferson. (He personally designed and supervised construction.) www.poplarforest.org

Center in the Square

Featuring science, history, and art museums, planetarium, 20 restaurants, 2 live performance stages and farmer's market. www.centerinthesquare.org

Transportation Museum of Virginia

Lovely collection with an emphasis on trains. Also features a nice assortment of local historical photos and memorabilia. www.vmt.org

Taubman Museum

Numerous artistic delights in a building so stunning it stands as art itself. www.taubmanmuseum.org
(Pictured at the top of this column.)

Grandin Theatre

This independent. locally owned treasure is meticulously maintained to look just like it did in the 1930's. Only the seats and projection equipment are modern. Truly a delightful cinema experience.

DAY TRIPS

Don't forget the surrounding area when you need a little inspiration. This is the prettiest place in America! 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 just plain depriving yourself. 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. 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
● Mabry Mill (#1 stop on Blue Ridge Parkway)

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