Dare to Get Wild on Smith Mountain Lake

You know every once in awhile you need to go a little wild! And there is probably no better place to get a little wild than at Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virgina Dare! On the first Wednesday of the month, you can learn about the local wildlife while enjoying a beautiful cruise on the Lake! Owner Alice Swain loves that it gives passengers a chance to learn more about the Smith Mountain Lake State Park!

On the Wildlife Wednesdays, Lauri Schular, Smith Mountain Lake State Park nature interpreter, will be on board to help narrate the noon cruise! "Some folks don't even know the State Park is right around the corner from where the Virginia Dare docks," said Schular. On the August 5th cruise, she shared about the return of the Osprey to Smith Mountain Lake! Even the Osprey think this is a great place to live!

The Wildlife Wednesday Cruise leaves the dock at noon on the first Wednesday of the month. Boarding begins at 11:30am. From May through October, lunch and a cruise costs $42 a person. The group rate is $38. The off-season rate is $38 a person. Sightseers without a meal pay $20. The Virginia Dare also offers Hawaiian Cruises and Mystery cruises as well! If you want to know the times for the cruises, check out the Virginia Dare calendar!

If you like to embrace your wild side, don’t forget to check out the Portside Grill and Bar located at the Virginia Dare Marina! If you need warmed up as the weather turns cooler, just try their hot sauce!! If it is hot waterfront property you are looking for, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert at Smith Mountain Lake. Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here!

House Hunt from the Deck of the Virginia Dare

What is the first thing you think of when you think about Smith Mountain Lake? The lake, of course! Shopping for a new home in Smith Mountain Lake can be a spectacular experience if you check out lake front homes from the deck of the Virginia Dare.

The Virginia Dare is a 19^th century side paddle wheeler. It will take you on a 2-hour cruise along the lake, starting near the State Park along 10 miles of shoreline in Smith Mountain Lake.

It is named after Virginia Dare who has become a legendary literary figure. The first white child born in the Americas to English parents, she was a resident of the lost Roanoke Colony on Roanoke Island, now part of North Carolina. The fate of Virginia Dare has been the subject of many literary, film, and television adaptations. Her name graces many tourist attractions in Virginia and North Carolina, as well as many products.

The Virginia Dare cruise offers a festive atmosphere that is open all year round for sightseeing cruises, charters, and special events such as weddings. Built in 1989, the boat offers a panoramic view from its enclosed decks so you can see every detail from the beautiful scenery to the amazing houses along the water front.

There is no better way to really get up close and check out a range of homes in Smith Mountain Lake than by sightseeing on the Virginia Dare. You can check out the homes and then speak with Vicki Millehan about what you liked and what you didn’t like. This can help you and Vicki to figure out what type of home you want. It is a fun way to shop for your Smith Mountain Lake home.