As far as local visitor centers go, the Roanoke one is a winner. Not only does it include…read moreeverything that you'd expect to find in a standard visitors center (loads of free maps, brochures, and local publications that help you navigate the area), but there's a museum here, too. I didn't get a chance to go through the museum during my stop, but the fact that it was there was a nice touch. The staff here was friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The restrooms were clean and free. Parking out front was simple. Overall, a great little stop to make before you had out and start exploring everything the Roanoke area has to offer.

Nice place to stop in before hitting up the blue ridge parkway. We didn't have time to do the…read moremuseum, but we did swing into the gift shop. Everyone was really polite.

We visited yesterday, February 29,2024. Yes leap day. It was so exciting & educational. Lots of…read moreanimal exhibits & nature in it's finest. Looking forward to many more trips in the future.

Took my little buddy from church to see Philpott Lake, and the dam. We checked out the visitors…read morecenter, which has some nice exhibits featuring animals (taxidermy), examples of local trees and old photos of the construction of the dam. Lady at the front desk got my little friend a coloring sheet, a button and sticker. Viewing platform in the back overlooks the dam, and there is another platform outside just a short walk from the visitors center. In the center of the park are picnic tables, grills and a small playground. Beautiful area!

Lady at the front desk was very nice, and knowledgeable about the area. Park on the South side of…read morethe building, directly across the street from the Farmers Market. The visitors center is located on the lower level.

The staff here is always incredibly friendly and helpful. Anytime I am visiting Martinsville…read morewhether it's for Nascar or visiting the beautiful lakes for fishing, I always make sure to stop in for information on new restaurants, and aquire details about any new regulations I need to be aware of on the lakes. Thanks again for all the help over the years.

My family has lived on the lake for over half my life. I was curious what information was available…read moreat the center. There are lots of brochures on area cities that seem standard for tourists. There is real estate and rental information available. If you want to hunt or fish, you can grab a brochure. There were limited items to purchase. They looked like leftover swag glasses from events. The employees were nice. Bonus points on the swag keychains that float.

From the owner: With more than 20,000 acres of pristine waters and 500 miles of picturesque shoreline, Smith…read moreMountain Lake is an outdoor lover’s paradise located at the foot of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you seek days full of activities or more serene time spent relaxing, our region's amazing beauty and natural resources make for the perfect destination.

Perfectly positioned Visitor Center for information on the Peaks of Otter area. The very helpful…read morepark ranger gave us hiking maps for the area which includes views of Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. The Visitor Center also has a small shop, exhibit area, and clean rest rooms. There is also a cancellation station for your National Park Service stamps. We also recommend a stop at the Peaks of Otter Lodge just down the street. There's a nice, flat 1.0 mile walk around Abbott Lake in the back. gorgeous in mid-October!

If you're in the western part of Virginia anywhere near Peaks of Otter, I absolutely suggest a…read morevisit. The three mountains -- Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill -- are stunning. There's a few ways you can take them in, including a walk or picnic around the lake, a meal or stay in the lodge, camping, and/or hiking up the mountains. Sharp Top has a shuttle that takes you within 1,500 feet of the summit. Ahead of visiting, I didn't do sufficient research, but I will say they should add to the Peaks' website to be a little more clear about the hike level. The website currently states this: "Not everyone can hike a nearly 4,000-foot mountain, but it would be shame to deny anyone the view, so we provide transportation to within 1,500 of the scenic summit!" With that in mind, I thought the last portion (quarter-mile each way) would be fairly easy. It was not. My mom immediately took the shuttle back down to ground level upon seeing the trail, but I proceeded. On the way up, I was able to follow some other hikers, so it wasn't as daunting. On the way back down, I was solo. Lots and lots of steps, narrow path at times, very uneven with many rocks to contend with. Not for the faint of heart! I don't regret the hike at all. The view from the top of Sharp Top was nothing short of incredible. I hadn't climbed a mountain in any capacity since college, so while it was challenging, it also felt like such a feat to complete it without hurting myself. I was really proud of myself. I only wish I was better prepared -- so for those interested in the hike: bring water, possibly a walking stick, and really good shoes. Oh, and bug spray. The summit was fillllled with flies. No one on the shuttle down had spotted any bears, but I hear they're pretty prevalent along with snakes, deer, and other wildlife. After the hike, I stopped by the visitor center and purchased both a shirt and a stuffed otter (so cute). My cat thinks the otter is his new toy, but for me, it's a nice reminder of the day I randomly and safely climbed to a summit, unprepared and solo.

The city of Galax, Virginia is a great stop not too far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The quaint…read moredowntown area is lined with an assortment of shops and restaurants (most of which boast great reviews). I passed through on a fall morning, so the cool mountain weather and freshly fallen leaves added an additional layer of loveliness. While visiting, I followed a sign pointing out a Visitor's Center. I popped in and was impressed at the vast selection of free maps, magazines, and information on attractions not only in the Galax area, but around both North Carolina and Virginia. They also had a few cute Galax items available for purchase -- postcards, stickers, magnets, etc., all of which were nice looking and gift-worthy. A very sweet older gentleman provided me with a Galax-branded tote bag for my stack of information. Parking was easy on a Saturday morning, and I was incredibly grateful to find this little hub.

While we did not go into the visitor center building, the adjacent trail is very pleasant for a…read morestroll. Easy enough in length for our toddler to walk it as well! There are places along the way to sit and take in the scenery for 5 seconds before your kids pester you to keep moving, and if you see my buddy Mr Snake hanging out in the tree next to the bench by the water, tell him Justin sent you! Seriously, this is a perfect place to come and enjoy a nice weather day and family time out in nature! In my opinion, nature is what the triad does best, and this place is yet another shining example!

VERY cool spot for trail walking / picnic lunch! We took a few toddlers and we all had a lovely…read moretime exploring the trail and sipping our toes in the water at the creek. It's one of our new favorite local outdoor spots!