Smith Mountain Lake Blog

When most of us plan our annual summer vacation, we usually don’t plan on competing in an Ironman 70.3 during our time off work. Vacations are for relaxing, sleeping late, and eating as much rich foods as our stomach can handle, not for swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running 13.1 miles—but some people wouldn’t have it any other way! The Roanoke Ironman is coming to the Smith Mountain Lake area on June 7, 2020, and we and thousands of potential visitors and competitors couldn’t be more excited! Whether […]

When vacationing during the holidays, sometimes dining can be the most frustrating activity, especially when you just don’t feel like preparing meals. Trying to find a restaurant that’s open on New Year’s Eve can be next to impossible, and hunger pangs may lead to eating the jerky and trail mix you packed for travel, but this won’t be an issue during your Virginia getaway! We’ve done the legwork by calling ahead to some of our favorite places, and we have created this list of restaurants that are open on the […]

If you have followed the same holiday traditions for years but are starting to feel as if you’re just going through the motions and not really feeling the joy anymore, maybe it’s time to start a new Christmas tradition. Maybe your 2019 Christmas could be one spent by the lake, enjoying peace, tranquility, and quite possibly a dusting of snow. Maybe this Christmas will be the one where you discover the breathtaking beauty of Smith Mountain Lake and the warm comfort of one of our Smith Mountain Lake Christmas cabins! […]

For those of you who remember vacations in the past—what could now be considered the dark ages—you probably remember driving for miles and miles, stopping in cheap but clean motels each day, and ending your journey in a campground or equally inexpensive motel. Sleeping quarters were just that, a place to rest your head between vacation adventures. Today, however, travelers expect their vacations to not just be a getaway from real life, but to be an experience that is unforgettable, and that includes their vacation accommodations! When you plan a […]

As we move deeper into the coldest season of the year, many of us begin to feel a restlessness, a sense of needing something but not understanding what that vague need is all about. And then the answer dawns clear: Their itchy feet are telling them it’s time to travel! For those who understand the romance involved in a stormy lake under a gloomy sky, or the sight of their breath fogging the air, to Smith Mountain Lake getaway in the winter is the solution they’ve been waiting for all […]

As you start planning your visit to Smith Mountain Lake in November, you may be wondering what there is to do in the area during this time. Cooler temperatures rule out many water-based activities, but that’s ok. Sometimes all you need for a great vacation is beautiful scenery and a glass of wine. Or lots of glasses of the wine, as the case may be when you attend one of our favorite festivals, the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival! Held on November 16th and taking place in our former President’s favorite […]

When you vacation in Smith Mountain Lake, you won’t ever forget the beauty and tranquility that accompanies the scenic spots. And because pretty much every spot in the area is scenic, we have created this special guide designed to help you find the MOST scenic Smith Mountain Lake attractions. You can choose to visit them all or devote all your time to just one. It’s your vacation and your rules; we’re just here to make your trip be the one you dream about for years to come! Smith Mountain Lake […]

As the months fly by at rates of speed generally only reached by rockets shooting into space, we tend to get a little afraid to look at the calendar. No one is ever ready for the big holidays to take place, and that includes Thanksgiving! Stressful, busy, and expensive, the holiday designated for being thankful often leaves us anything but—the good news is we think we have a solution. We would like to invite you to the tranquil and peaceful landscape of Smith Mountain Lake for your 2019 Thanksgiving celebration, […]

We get it, you don’t come to Smith Mountain Lake for the museums, the nightlife, or even the shopping. You visit our piece of paradise for the flamboyant sunsets, the serene water views, and the beauty of our natural landscape! Outdoors is best in this area, and these outdoor Smith Mountain Lake activities are designed to ensure you get to enjoy every second of your getaway! Charter a Fishing Expedition There’s no better way to worship the great outdoors in Smith Mountain Lake than with a pole in hand, and […]

Every day spent in Smith Mountain Lake is guaranteed to be one filled with fun and excitement, but there are some times that are better to visit than others: holidays, special occasions, and our favorite salute to the end of summer, the weekend the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival comes to town! Occurring the weekend of September 28th & 29th and bringing with it the first cooler days of fall and the start of the changing of the color of leaves, this fun festival offers something wonderful for everyone that […]