Tag: virginia

Strike Gold in Lake Anna, Virginia

Posted on Maggie Keith Gerakos
Lake Anna, Virginia during sunset
Photo courtesy of Lake Anna Guide.

One of the largest lakes in the state of Virginia, and approximately 80 miles from Washington DC (only 50 miles from Richmond), Lake Anna is a top-notch locale to call home. Lake Anna spans 17 miles and three counties in Virginia – Louisa, Spotsylvania, and Orange. This area, once flush with gold, now boasts a rich history and beautiful surroundings, making it well worth a visit or a full-time living arrangement!

The “Gold Hill” Era

Gold Hill Virginia
Photo courtesy of Terrain360.

Lake Anna State Park once carried the moniker “Gold Hill” after becoming a famous mining area when gold was first discovered there in 1829. The Lake Anna gold rush lasted over a century, until coming to a halt in the 1940s when the last bits of gold were found in a local zinc mine. The freshwater lake, now known as Lake Anna was created three decades later in 1972. A dam was built on the North Anna River, forming a lake west of the dam. Shortly after its creation, the Lake Anna area was developed into a state park, opening to its first visitors in 1983. Today, it is an idyllic locale to spend time or set up roots of your own. Owning a home on Lake Anna means having countless opportunities for adventure at your fingertips – for all ages, and all interests.

Fisher’s Paradise

two little boys fishing in lake
Photo courtesy of Step Outside.

The ways to enjoy Lake Anna and its surrounding areas are boundless. Spend the day at the sandy beach of Lake Anna State Park, take advantage of the 15 miles of hiking trails, or explore the many bike paths in the area. There is a fishing pond in the park, which is ideal for the young ones in your life. You will also find campsites that provide a base for outdoor adventurers. The state park is filled with history and is home to the former Goodman Gold Mine. Go on a tour of the land where the mine once existed. Learn why Virginia was once a top gold-mining state. Beyond the gold rush, this lake is a perfect spot for boating and fishing – it has been particularly regarded as a prime destination for bass fishing.

Must-Visit Local Wineries

Lake Anna winery
Photo courtesy of Family Detour.

Just a short drive outside the lake area, enjoy the highly regarded local wineries of central Virginia. Lake Anna Winery, Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard, and Chateau Merrilanne – to name a few – are all a stone’s throw away from the lake area. Most wineries in the region offer tours and tastings, as well as transportation opportunities that make for a great day trip.

Immerse in Culture and History

Goolrick's Pharmacy
Photo courtesy of Virginia.org.

Lake Anna’s surrounding towns are a must-visit for any history buffs. A hop and a skip away, take a walking tour of downtown Louisa or explore nearby Fredericksburg, a town with impressive culture and history. While you’re there, enjoy a tour of the Mary Washington House, purchased by George Washington for his mother in 1772. See the same sights our forefathers did that still exist in Fredericksburg to this day. The area is also home to four significant Civil War battlefields – Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania – as well as the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Military Park. The region’s local breweries are well worth a visit. Have a beer at one of the several in the area, such as Alstadt, Highmark, or Maltese Brewing Co. You’ll want to check out the culinary scene the area has to offer, while you’re at it – don’t skip out on the local barbecue spots like Allman’s or Billiken’s. 

With Washington, D.C. only a two-hour drive away, Lake Anna is an easy trip from the city. Spend time relaxing by the lake while having plenty of other activities at your fingertips. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time, it’s sure to be golden!

Smith Mountain Lake: The Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Posted on Staff

In Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is a big deal.

Nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, “The Jewel of the Blue Ridge” stretches across three rural counties in southwestern Virginia, including Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania.

With 20,800 acres and 580 miles of shoreline, the 40-mile long reservoir easily dwarfs every other lake in the state. In fact, its total market value is $470.3 million, more than twice the size of the second biggest lake, Lake Gaston.

Homes for sale on Smith Mountain Lake range from around $180,000 to more than $10 million, totaling out to $302.6 million in home market value. So, for those seeking a new home on or near the water, there are more than enough options by way of inventory.

However, when it comes to living at the lake, it’s about so much more than just real estate. It’s all about the lake lifestyle.

Ways to Play

Smith Mountain Lake is Virginia’s most popular recreational lake.

From spring to fall, lake goers can be seen waterskiing, canoeing, boating and kayaking. But that’s just a few ways to play. There’s also parasailing, golfing, camping at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, and above all else, fishing.

The Jewel of the Blue Ridge is every angler’s dream.

The Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament is just one of many ESPN-featured national professional fishing tournaments.

man with fish trophy in boatBassmaster has even ranked Smith Mountain Lake in the USA’s 25 best bass fishing lakes. The favorite sport fish among anglers include largemouth bass, catfish, yellow perch and striped bass to name a few.

Because the community surrounding the lake is so heavily populated–there are 22,000 permanent residents–there’s no shortage of super fun annual events to keep residents busy.

All throughout the spring and summer, there’s everything from classic boat shows and photography contests to beer festivals and triathlons.

Every September for 30 years and counting, the SML Wine Festival features 27 Virginia wineries, 85 artisans, craft and food vendors and live music. There are also chili festivals, art shows and the ever-popular Oktoberfest.

Visitors even have the chance to be airborne. Smith Mountain Lake Aviation offers scenic 40-minute flights, giving participants a bird’s eye view of the sprawling lake and all the gorgeous wooded scenery surrounding it.

Around Town

You can only stay in the water for so long. After a long day of swimming and fishing, you might be in the mood to see what the neighboring towns have to offer by way of a good time.

Is a vacation really a vacation if there isn’t delicious food to choose from every single day? Even permanent residents make it a point to know all the yummy hotspots around town.

Are you craving a good ole’ fashioned, home-cooked meal? Or maybe you have a taste for sushi or hibachi. All around the lake there are tons of cafes, diners and grills. You should probably just try them all.

Smith Mountain Lake is filled with top notch cuisine to satiate any appetite.

It also has a refreshingly convenient location despite the fact that it’s safely tucked away in the Virginia countryside.

Just between Roanoke and Lynchburg, the lake is only two hours from Raleigh, North Carolina and a four hour drive from Washington D.C. So don’t worry, you won’t be too far from civilization.

Roanoke’s very own New York-inspired Broadway offers a variety of shows for theater lovers to enjoy. In fact, their arts and culture scene is teeming with excitement.

Check out some live music, gallery and museum exhibitions and all kinds of performing arts like ballet and opera.

The nightlife is alive and well too, with endless selections of breweries, comedy clubs, musical acts and even food trucks.

And this is just in Roanoke! The recreational opportunities in the other nearby cities could be another blog post entirely.

The point is, Smith Mountain Lake is more than just a body of water. It promises a good time for all. More than likely, you’ll run out of vacation time before you run out of things to do.

So plan a visit today, or better yet, browse some of our Smith Mountain Lake homes for sale and build a life here. You definitely won’t regret it.

 

Ten Signs You’ve Spent Time at Smith Mountain Lake

Posted on Staff

Tree line and open sky over Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake, known locally as “SML,” is the largest lake contained entirely in the state of Virginia.

With beautiful waters and more than 500 miles of shoreline, the lake is more widely known as “The Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

Smith Mountain Lake is host to just 17,000 visitors each year, a fraction of other large Virginia lakes, but if you’ve visited, chances are you’ve been there more than once!

Here are ten signs you’ve spent some serious time there.

You know you’ve spent time at Smith Mountain Lake…

…If you’ve watched the sun set over the mountains from the shoreline.

Most vacationers have to choose between a view of the lake and a view of the mountains. Not here!

You can sit back at the shoreline, or on your boat, and watch the sunset’s reflections on the clear waters as it dips down behind the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

…If you’ve had a cheeseburger in paradise at Portside Grill & Bar.

For a laid back meal right on the water’s edge, head over to the Portside Grill & Bar.

The staff there will make any visitor feel right at home, and the hot wings are to die for. Especially on a sunny summer day, this local attraction is popular for a reason!

 

…If you haven’t gotten lost (but wish you could) at SML State Park.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park contains more than 1,200 acres of wildlife.

More than just water activities, the park offers miles of hiking trails, primitive camping, a visitors’ center and picnicking locations. Families can also enjoy a wide range of kids’ activities and a children’s playground.

 

…If you’ve visited the Smith Mountain Dam, and can’t decide if those tubes look like caterpillars or slinkys.

Smith Mountain Dam coils and mountain sideSmith Mountain Dam was completed in 1963, damming the Roanoke River to create what is now Smith Mountain Lake.

The dam itself stands 235 feet tall, 816 feet long, and 30 feet thick at the base.

Water flows down to the turbines through the dam’s distinctive, 26-foot-wide tubes. The turbines have a combined capacity of 560 megawatts (that’s more than 750,000 horsepower!).

Visitors can tour the dam at the Smith Mountain Visitor’s Center.

…If you’ve dipped your toes in the cleanest body of water on the East Coast.

Smith Mountain Lake is known for its clean water, as any visitor can attest.

The three counties surrounding the lake all work to preserve the natural beauty and wildlife of Smith Mountain Lake. As a result, the lake is a pristine haven for fishing, boating, swimming and wakeboarding, with excellent visibility.

…If you’ve taken your boat to the car wash before putting it in the water.

Much of the lake’s cleanliness is because it has remained free of most regional invasive species, such as zebra mussels.

Boaters visiting from other bodies of water are encouraged to give their boat a wash at one of the off-water car washes near the lake (but well away from the shoreline.)

This will remove any unwanted hitchhikers.

…If you’ve reeled in half a dozen kinds of fish in a single day.

One of Smith Mountain Lake’s biggest draws lies just below the surface of the lake.

On any given day, anglers can pull in black bass, striped bass, catfish, perch, crappie, sunfish and carp. Multiple Bassmaster events have been held at Smith Mountain Lake, including the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Blue Ridge Brawl, televised by ESPN.

…If “going out on a Dare” means something entirely different to you!

Built in 1989, the Virginia Dare is a 19th Century replica side wheeler paddle boat that is 63 feet long, 20 feet wide and 26.6 feet tall!rear view of Virginia Dare river boat

The Virginia Dare takes guests on two-hour tours across Smith Mountain Lake, complete with fine dining for lunch and dinner.

Visit www.vadarecruises.com to find out more about this unique attraction.

…If you’ve had to tell your kids they can’t take an alpaca home.

The Smith Mountain Lake Farm is a bona fide alpaca ranch! The farm offers tours and petting zoo days, where your kids can meet real live alpacas.

These furry friends are much more friendly than llamas, and the farm has special events for kids with games, tours, a gift shop and more!

Visit their website at www.smithmountainlakefarm.com.

…If you’ve spent a day on the lake AND a day golfing – in the same day.

The lake has five golf courses situated around it, three of which are actually situated on the waterfront.

If you plan on spending the day golfing, be sure to plan ahead – two of the five golf courses at Smith Mountain Lake are private golf clubs.

 

Whatever your tastes, odds are if you’ve visited Smith Mountain Lake once, you’ll be back again before long!

Looking to make your stay a little longer? Take a look at homes for sale on Smith Mountain Lake, or contact one of the Lake Homes Realty agents who specialize in this beautiful location.

 

You May Be From Smith Mountain Lake If…

Posted on Staff

Smith Mountain Lake, referred to by locals as “SML,” is a reservoir boasting more than 500 miles of shoreline in the Roanoke Region of Virginia.

The lake, which encompasses more than 20,000 acres, is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in the rural southern part of the state.

You may be from Smith Mountain if you love the lake for its character, stunning scenery, and ability to make any day extraordinary.

Tree line and open sky over Smith Mountain Lake

And if the following list seems all too familiar, you are definitely from Smith Mountain Lake.

The area is rural but still connected to civilization.

Perhaps the best part about living on SML is being able to detach from the world among the mountains but still getting to enjoy world-class amenities.

The area surrounding Smith Mountain Lake has everything you could ever need: supermarkets, plenty of restaurants, banks, marinas, fitness centers, and libraries. There are also doctors, dentists, attorneys, and independent retail stores nearby.

What more could you ask for? And with large metropolitan cities close by, like Raleigh or Washington D.C., you know that SML is the best place to be.

Boating, Golf, Fishing…Oh My!

You know that the beauty of living on the lake is that there is an opportunity to both relax AND participate in any outdoor activity of your choosing.

Whether you want to spend the day boating, skiing, swimming, or fishing, Smith Mountain Lake always provides.

In fact, Bassmaster has rated SML in the top 25 best bass fishing lakes in the United States.

If you want to spend your day golfing with your buddies, try your hand on one of the lake’s five championship courses. You know that a day on the lake is whatever you make of it!

You eat your fill of America’s best ice cream.

Who would’ve thought that the best ice cream in America is located in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia? Well, while this is not a verified fact, you know that locals rave about Homestead Creamery’s ice cream.

The specialty frozen treat, as well as local dairy and meat products, are sold in a stand-alone store, a food truck, and also by the carton in local general stores and supermarkets.

As an SML resident, you love taking visiting friends and family to Homestead to give them a taste of what living in Roanoke is really like!

Boats are used more often than cars.

One of your favorite parts about living on the lake is that most restaurants can be accessed by boat.

What better way to cap off a day at the lake than piling into the boat and docking at Bay Roc Marina Cafe, Blackwater, Heath’s, or King’s Point?

Live music, lakefront view, and amazing food – where you live has it all!

Tours on tours on tours.

You’ll be the first to admit there are a great many touristy attractions around the lake…but you secretly love them. You even consider them to be a rite of passage to getting to know the area!

Aside from traditional lake activities, including great dinner cruises and fishing expeditions, popular off-water options include winery tours, visiting the local alpaca farm, and touring the birthplace of Booker T. Washington.

Catching a movie, playing miniature golf, and spending an evening at Hot Shots or Bridgewater Plaza are also some options you’ll want to consider when making your plans.

Interested in living on the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains?” With 1,295 current listings on Smith Mountain Lake, there is sure to be a home that fits everyone’s needs.

Homes on the lake range anywhere from $60,000 to $25 million, so why not find your dream home on one of the most coveted lakes in the region?

To talk to one of our many lake experts about living your lake dream, visit the Smith Mountain Lake page on lakehomes.com.