Booker T. Washington National Monument

Administered by the National Park Service, Booker T. Washington National Monument preserves the birthplace and commemorates the life and accomplishments of one of America’s most prominent black heroes. Born a slave on Burroughs farm, Booker T. Washington was freed at age nine and became an internationally recognized educator, author, orator and spokesman for his race.

A Visitor Center with an audio-visual program, exhibits and bookstore are located at the Monument. Nature and history trails, park ranger programs and tours, a picnic area and many special events are scheduled throughout the year.

Smith Mountain Lake Dam

One of the most interesting places to visit at the Lake is American Electric Power’s Smith Mountain Lake Dam. At the Visitor Center overlooking the Dam, you’ll enjoy learning how electricity is generated in a pumped storage and hydroelectric project. There are hands-on exhibits and computer models to try, a theatre with audio-visual presentations, and a three-dimensional terrain map, which shows the lake area as if viewed from an altitude of 25,000 feet. Outside the Visitors Center there are overlook areas providing spectacular views of the dam, gorge and lake plus picnic facilities with charcoal grills located near the base of the dam. So make a day of it at this great attraction that created the lake back in 1966.

Smith Mountain Lake Dam Visitors Center, Phone: 540.985.2587

The lake borders three counties and all are full of history.

In Bedford County, you can visit “Poplar Forest”, a home that Thomas Jefferson built for himself as a private retreat. Historic “Avenel Plantation” served as the social hub for the area and hosted guests such as Robert E. Lee and Edgar Allen Poe. The Centertown historic district of Bedford includes a historic Meeting House, Courthouse and Museum. For more information visit, www.poplarforest.org.

The County seat for Franklin County is in Rocky Mount. There are walking tours of the many historic buildings. Franklin County is also the boyhood home to Jubal Early, a Confederate General.

Blue Ridge Institute & Museum
Recognized as Virginia's Center for Blue Ridge Folklore, the Institute and Museum are located just 29 miles down 122 south past the SML Visitors Center at Ferrum College. Visit a re-created 1800-style Virginia-German farmstead and see the gallery exhibits of crafts, music and decorative arts. Attend events staged by the Institute including the annual Blue Ridge Draft Horse & Mule Show held the fourth Saturday of July and the annual Folklife Festival on the fourth Saturday in October. Phone: 540.365.4419, www.blueridgeinstitute.org  

In Pittsylvania County, visit historic Chatham to see Virginia’s only two street car diners, the 1853 Greek Revival Courthouse, and to take a walking tour of this 1777 town full of Victorian architecture. Be sure to stop in at the historic Yates Tavern in Gretna on the way. The SML Visitors Center offers brochures on walking and driving tours of many of these sites.

Bedford County: www.co.bedford.va.us
Franklin County: www.franklincountyva.org
Pittsylvania County: www.pittgov.org

Also nearby is The Natural Bridge, a natural wonder and historic landmark, is located on Route 11 between exits 175 and 180 from Interstate 81. Visit our attractions which include the Natural Bridge, Wax Museum, Caverns, Toy Museum, Haunted Monster Museum and Dinosaur Kingdom, Drama of Creation, Foamhenge, Monacan Indian Village and Cedar Creek Trail.
We proudly offer our signature Friday Night Seafood Buffet in the Colonial Dining Room. The Natural Bridge Hotel has 158 guest rooms, free high-speed Internet, room service, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and has one of the largest gift shops in Virginia. We have the facilities and the setting for all types of gatherings.

For more information visit: www.naturalbridgeva.com.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is ranked “America’s most scenic drive” by leading travel writers. Following mountain crests through Virginia to North Carolina and Tennessee, the Parkway is the gateway to an Appalachian empire where visitors escape the speed and crowding of modern life. One of those gateways is to wonderful Smith Mountain Lake.

From the Peaks of Otter area located along the parkway just north of Bedford to the US Route 220 South exit heading into Franklin County, our section of the Parkway is full of awesome natural beauty, weathered pioneer cabins and splitrail fences. There are mountain forests, quiet river streams, wildlife and wildflowers—all looking over a patchwork of orchards and farms.

Included along this stretch of parkway are several attractions that make for a wonderful day. The Peaks of Otter offers a 5,000-acre area with hiking trails to three peaks: Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Spend the day enjoying the Visitor Center, self-guided trail, historic farm, summer interpretive programs and picnic area.

At mile marker 120.4, exit to Roanoke Mountain (a drive loop). Follow the road to the wonderful Mill Mountain Park and Zoo, picnic facilities and the giant Star that earned the city of Roanoke the name “Star City of the South.”

Mile Marker 121.4 is the exit for US Rt. 220 South taking you through Boones Mill to Rocky Mount and back to State Route 122 and Smith Mountain Lake.

Website links:
www.blueridgeparkway.org
www.mmzoo.org