Just minutes away from the legendary Peaks of Otter, Bedford offers delightful diversions from your travels along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Five wineries scattered throughout Bedford, from the slopes of the Peaks of Otter to the shores of Smith Mountain Lake, comprise the Bedford Wine Trail.
Thomas Jefferson’s amazing retreat which he designed and built, Poplar Forest, provides an intriguing glimpse into his personal life. Other American heroes are remembered at The National D-Day Memorial, an extraordinary moving tribute in the community which suffered the largest casualties per-capita on D-Day.
The Bedford City/County Museum, housed in the historic Masonic Temple, offers exhibits including what the Washington Post hailed as one of the best displays in the state dealing with the heritage of Virginia’s Indians.
Historic Centertown offers shops, restaurants, art galleries and cafes in a delightful historic old-fashioned downtown.
Smith Mountain Lake offers boat cruises aboard the Virginia Dare and many other recreational offerings.
Begin your stay at the Bedford Welcome Center, open daily. To reach Bedford from the Parkway, exit at Milepost 121.4 (VA Route 460 East), Milepost 63.8 (Highway 501) or Milepost 86 (Route 43 East) at the Peaks of Otter. Follow signs to the Visitor’s Center, adjoining the entrance to the National D-Day Memorial at the junction of Route 460 and Highway 122.
For more information, visit www.destinationbedfordva.com or call (877) 447-3257.