As you may know from our Instagram feed, we love Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. It has such a special place in our hearts and something about it is magical for us.
Smith Mountain Lake is a large man-made lake (the largest lake contained entirely within Virginia, according to Wikipedia) nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, close to Roanoke, VA. Created in the 1960’s by a large dam, the Lake has stunning shorelines and a lot of recreation.
But the true beauty of Smith Mountain Lake is how diverse it is. From large, million-dollar homes rumored to be built by GE executives to mobile homes that claimed a large swath of land that ended up being shoreline, there is something for every taste.
The thing to understand about Smith Mountain Lake, though, is this is a retreat destination. If you are looking for mind-blowing culinary experiences, exotic nightlife, and impressive live entertainment, this is not the place to go. Rather, it is a place to escape to. It is a place where you bury yourself simply in what is in front of you moment to moment, where a good glass of wine while watching a stunning sunset is better than any television show you can imagine, where families can really be together.
That said, while Smith Mountain Lake is about an unassuming vacation, there are still plenty of things to do with the kids.
And note that fall is a fabulous time to visit. While you may not want to dip your toes in the water (or maybe you do, we’ve gone swimming quite late into the season some years), it is usually warm enough for boating. Additionally, when the leaves on the mountains start to change color, Smith Mountain Lake really shows off.Â
Any time you decide to go, keep our list with you!
Things to do at Smith Mountain Lake with kids:
Rent a boat (or houseboat!). Smith Mountain Lake is HUGE. Plus, different parts of the Lake have a totally different feel. There are rugged, undeveloped shorelines, mountain peaks, hidden coves that light up at night with fireflies, and neighborhoods with gorgeous multi-million dollar homes. If you can swing it, renting a boat is a fantastic way to see the area. Or, for the more adventurous, take your beds with you and make it a houseboat!
Go to Bridgewater: feed the carp, play minigolf over the water, order sandwiches and Shirley Temples at Moosie’s, eat ice cream. Moosie’s nachos and Shirley Temples were basically what sustained me through high school (I know, so healthy). This unassuming sandwich shop has something for everyone. Then walk down to where the carp are at the marina, they absolutely have to be seen to be believed. (Then then come back and let us know: freaky or cool? We can’t decide.) Bridgewater also has an arcade, an outdoor mini-golf course, a pizza place (in case you are tired of sandwiches), boat rentals, ice cream, art galleries, and more. It is pretty much the center of Lake life. Crowds and traffic will be large during peak summer months, but it has never been so much of a problem that we can’t dock, park or get a table (which is why we love this Lake so much).
Ice cream boat! Unfortunately, ice cream boat isn’t a year-round affair but it is a locally known tradition. And it is just what it sounds like: a pontoon boat circles the Lake during the summer and sells ice cream for $1.50. The word is the gentleman who started the boat put himself through college with ice cream boat earnings. We love the couple, and have even gotten to know their route and timing. The kids jump up and down to the loudly blasted “Music Box Dancer” that comes from the boat to flag him down. He’ll pull up alongside your dock, boat, shoreline…and furry family members get dog treats.
Go to Booker T. Washington National Monument. This is such an easy and fun park to visit, complete with some family-friendly hiking trails out back. Booker T. Washington was an incredibly inspirational person that kids (really, everyone) should know about.
Geocache and hike Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Feel free to enjoy the beach, too, if you are there in the summer!
Paddle. There are plenty of places to rent a board or kayak. I really miss paddling around the ICW, but here at SML I at last get to do it with my pup! The smooth Lake waters (no tides, no whitewater waves, and coves to hide from any wind) make this a great place to try SUP for the first time – and to let the kids try! But also consider exploring the coves in kayaks and canoes. You never know what you might see. We’ve seen deer swimming on one paddle excursion.
Fish. Smith Mountain Lake is a wonderful fishing destination. It has hosted nationally televised bass tournaments and rewards most fishermen. I don’t know much about fishing, but I do know that watching the bobber dip and reeling in a bluegill is exciting for all kids. Be sure, of course, to fish legally and get licensed, and also be sure to catch-and-release.
Visit the Smith Mountain dam. This isn’t going to be an all-day adventure, but taking time to appreciate the engineering that went into creating this huge dam is worth a visit (especially for little minds interested in STEM activities). You can see the top of the dam from the waterside, but being able to read the history and see the downstream side is fun.
Drive to the National D-Day Memorial. Located in the nearby town of Bedford, Virginia, the National D-Day Memorial was dedicated in 2001. Bedford suffered the largest proportional loss in the battle, and Congress decided to honor the small town’s commitment by locating the National D-Day Memorial here.Â
Just relax. Take some books, some board games, put all the screens and devices in “off” mode for the time you are there, and listen to the gentle sounds of water lapping the shoreline.
