Category — weekend getaway

Just a few hours’ drive from Smith Mountain Lake lays Highland County, VA. Aptly dubbed “Virginia’s Switzerland” due in part to its alpine landscape, Highland is home to the annual Maple Festival; a celebration of one of the county’s primary industries. The festival always draws a crowd, and with this year’s unseasonable warm weather, 2012 is expected to bring record breaking attendance.

The festival will be held over two consecutive weekends: March 10-11 and 17-18. Hotels, B&B’s, and cabins book up well in advance, but there are generally last minute deals available. Visit the festival’s website for more information!

What is the best way to keep vacation costs down? Consider vacationing in your local area.

If you live in Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is the perfect vacation spot. There are so many wonderful activities for you and your family to enjoy.

If you follow these tips, this beautiful vacation spot can be very affordable:

First, with the rising price of gas, take advantage of one of the credit cards that offers rebates or rewards when you purchase gas using their credit card. In order to reap the most benefits from credit card offers, make sure these charges are included in your vacation budget.

Second, consider planning your vacation during mid or low season. Peak season at Smith Mountain Lake is from June through August. Peak season demands the highest rental rates and the least amount of flexibility on check-in and check-out dates, as well as the length of your stay.

If you visit Smith Mountain Lake during mid season, four to six weeks prior to or after peak season, not only will it be less crowded, but your rates will be discounted. You will also have flexible check-in and check-out dates as well as the option of daily or weekend rates.

You will get the best bang for your buck if you visit Smith Mountain Lake during the low season, from mid-October through mid-April. Rental rates can be discounted by as much as 50%; check-in and check-out dates are very flexible; and you will have the option of renting by the day, week, or month.

Third, take advantage of Mariners Landing vacation packages. They offer a variety of packages from fishing and golfing to romance, wine, and honeymoon packages.

Fourth, as Rachel Ray always suggests, check with the locals to find the most affordable restaurants that offer the best food. Smith Mountain Lake locals are always friendly and will be glad to offer up some advice.

Remember, Smith Mountain Lake is not just a summer resort. No matter when you plan your visit, there will always be activities and events for your family to enjoy.

Or, call me, Vicki Millehan. I will be more than happy to give you some suggestions. I have over 19 years of experience in selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake. My web page always has a current list of events that are taking place in Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith Mountain Lake offers spectacular views and sightseeing, and Virginia Dare Cruises are a wonderful way to get out and experience the atmosphere of the lake in a new and exciting fashion.

Virginia Dare Cruises and Marina (located at 3619 Airport Road in Moneta, Virginia) is offering unique specialty cruises this summer in order to celebrate Parents’ Day and to enable participants to learn more about the wildlife here at the lake.

On Sunday, July 24th from 2-4 pm you are invited to give mom and dad a special gift for Parents’ Day-send them on a cruise where they can relax and indulge in a catered lunch while enjoying the plentiful sights and scenery. Parents are welcome to bring their children along. Children 5-12 are ½ of full rate and children 4 & under are ¼ of full rate. All prices include a 2-hour cruise, a delicious meal, tax, service charges, coffee & tea. A minimum of 30 people per cruise is required to sail.

Wildlife Wednesdays is another specialty cruise offered by our friends at Virginia Dare. On the first Wednesday of the month (April-November) from 12:00-2:00 pm, you can again enjoy a 2 hour cruise and a meal while a Smith Mountain Lake State Park Ranger teaches you more about the wildlife here at the lake. The next Wildlife Wednesday event will be held on August 3rd.

The menu for Wildlife Wednesdays includes: an appetizer, herb roasted pork loin, roasted chicken in a balsamic crème sauce, seasoned green beans, French onion rice, bread/butter, dessert, and coffee/tea.

The cost is $42.00 for adults, and the group rate is $38.00 per adult. Group rates apply for 30 or more adults.

To learn more about these special events, visit the dining and menu section of VA Dare Cruises at http://vadarecruises.com/cruises/dining-menu/.

Take some time out of your hectic schedule to enjoy these opportunities to have a day of cruising on the lake, relaxing and spending time with friends and neighbors, and enjoying a delicious hot meal!

For more live musicians and entertainment as well as an opportunity to enjoy some great local wine, consider stopping by Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery located in the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake area on Saturdays this summer.

Each event will be held on Saturdays through September 3rd and will run from 7:00-10:00 pm.

The lineup of local musicians is as follows:

July 2nd: Kevin Marshall-a songwriter from Charlotte, NC who previously played in the Sutton Ain’t Right band. He is the cousin of local musician Scott Sutton.
July 16th: Square Peg-a jazz duo performing live
July 23rd: Kat Mills-an acoustic singer/songwriter based out of Blacksburg, VA
July 30th: Sparks Will Fly-A blues/rock/acoustic group based out of Roanoke, with Brittany Sparks on vocals, Billy McCray on guitar, and Scott Sutton on bass.
Hear some of their music at ReverbNation
September 3rd: Larry, Mike & Chip-a group of songwriters who will be performing as “songwriters in the round.”

The cost is $10 including glass and tasting. Kids & DDs get in free.

Bring lawn chairs and a picnic spread and sample Hickory Hill’s fine wines, available for purchase by the glass or bottle, all while enjoying live local musicians!

Offering fine wine and delicious gourmet cuisine, Chateau Morisette is the perfect place to spend your Sunday listening to free live music and enjoying grilled foods, soft drinks and wine available to be purchased beginning at noon. You can even bring your own picnic and just enjoy the atmosphere and free entertainment.

Chateau Morrisette holds these events every Sunday through October. On Sunday, June 26^th, the live music and entertainment begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00. They are located at:
287 Winery Road SW in Floyd, Virginia.

This Sunday’s entertainment is Crusher Run, who has been playing bluegrass, traditional folk country, and folk music since the fall of 2000. They describe themselves as a “Goodtime Band”. You can hear their music at http://www.myspace.com/crusherrun

Come out for free entertainment and purchase some food from the grill. Be sure to bring your own seating.

If you’d rather do something earlier in the morning, a Sunday Brunch Buffet is held every Sunday June-October from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

The buffet is $23.95 per adult and $12 for children under 12.

A limited a la carte menu is also available.

Take advantage of Chateau Morrisette’s special summer events!

For more information visit http://www.thedogs.com, email info@chateaumorrisette.com, or call (540) 593-2865

Every Friday this summer, Mariners Landing, located at 1217 Graves Harbor Trail in Huddleston, Virginia, is now hosting their “Finally Fridays” series. This series boasts live musical acts, delicious seafood cuisine with their signature Grand Seafood buffet available, and discounted overnight accommodations for those interested in staying for a little rest and relaxation at the resort.

Admission to the event is FREE each Friday.

On Friday, June 24, the Breeze Brothers are providing the musical entertainment.

The Breeze Brothers are set to play from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

For more information call (540) 297-4900

or visit http://www.marinerslanding.com

Smith Mountain Lake is well known for its weekend getaways and as a summer vacation hotspot. But with its temperate climate, the region has grown into a year round travel destination boasting a growing residential community. A true “Four Season” community whose shorelines, services, amenities, and attractions create the perfect place to visit and live!!

There is no doubt Smith Mountain Lake has four seasons. Boating is most popular from the early spring all the way to the colorful days of fall. The brave of heart can even venture out on the lake in the winter. The average temperatures in January are highs in the mid forties to lows in mid twenties. The Lake does not freeze over, so about the only thing you can’t do on the Lake is ice skate!

In the crisp spring air you will see flashes of colorful phlox and bright jonquils! Azaleas will begin to put on their yearly show of brilliant colors. Then as spring gives way to summer, the lake becomes a flurry of activity. With perfect temperatures of the mid to upper 80’s during the day and lows in the 70’s at night, it is hard to beat Smith Mountain Lake in the summertime! That is until you see the fall foliage!! Many people come to the area just to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy autumn’s display! Finally as the hustle and bustle begins to slow down, a light dusting of snow puts everyone in the Holiday mood!

With such a wonderful climate, wineries and orchards love the 180 day average growing season. Some of the best wines in the country are made right here in Virginia! It is easy to fill your table with the bounty of the area at the local farmers markets! Spring through winter, Smith Mountain Lake is a wonderful place to live and visit! It is not just your usual summer vacation fling!

The invitation is open all year round! Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to buy your own lake front property, call Vicki Millehan! A local real estate expert and resident of Smith Mountain Lake!!