The Lucky Duck - Entertainment Center

Bridgewater Plaza, 16410 Booker T Washington Hwy , Moneta, VA 24121

Hours

Open weekends Saturday & Sunday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Check their website for updated seasonal hours.

Cost

There is no admission fee to The Lucky Duck as visitors purchase tickets for individual activities and games on site (from $3 to $15).

About

The Lucky Duck Entertainment Center in Smith Mountain Lake, VA is a fun-for-the-whole-family, wholesome place to bring the whole family. There are activities to keep both kids and adults amused the entire time. Stop by here while you’re staying at your Smith Mountain Lake vacation rental, or anytime you’re driving through the lakes region.

The whole thing consists of multi-levels connected by a boardwalk. Most of it is outdoors, so you’ll also get to enjoy the clean, fresh air while you’re here.

The owner prides himself on operating a clean, family fun center. They even have a “signature” Lucky Duck game where your youngster is guaranteed to win a prize. The owner grew up on the lake and this is a way for him to spend time on the lake and give back to the community where he grew up. He’s actually a special education teacher nine months out of the year, so you know that he’s truly committed to the welfare of kids and to family values.

I like this place because it clearly puts people ahead of profits. It’s affordable, simple entertainment that you can take advantage of on any nice weather day. Because it’s outside, you wouldn’t want to go there when it’s pouring rain or snowing, but other than that, it’s the ideal family bonding destination.

Getting There

The Center is located at 16430 Booker T. Washington Highway in Bridgewater Plaza. If you’re staying at a vacation rental in Smith Mountain Lake, it’s hard to miss this spot that juts out onto the lake just off of Hales Ford Bridge.

From downtown Smith Mountain Lake, just take SR 834 to VA-122, where you’ll hang a right to get onto Bridgewater Pointe Place. Lucky Duck will be on your right.

There’s a big parking lot out front with free parking. It tends to fill up, because it’s also the parking lot for a lot of other businesses in the Bridgewater Plaza, but you should be able to find a spot. If you can’t find anything up front, swing around to the back past the Mexican Restaurant, and you’ll find a second gigantic parking lot.

Cost & Info

This is an extremely low-key place. There’s no entrance fee for Lucky Duck Entertainment Center. You just pay for the activities that you want to enjoy with your family. The prices of each activity vary between $3 and $15.

It’s also a seasonal business, with no “official” fixed hours. For example, on Labor Day, they may stay open until 8PM, or they may close at 7:30PM, depending on the crowds. But for example, they’ll be open on Saturday from around 10AM to 10PM, on Sunday from about 11AM to 9:30PM and on Monday from 11AM until about 8PM.

The best thing to do is just go out to eat at one of the nearby restaurants and if you see that the Lucky Duck Entertainment Center is open, pop in and have some impromptu fun. If you want to plan your visit, it’s best to call ahead and confirm their hours. The place is in a great location, right on the lake, and it’s wheelchair—and stroller!—accessible.

Activities

They have several different activities, and there’s something for all ages. The prices for games and activities range from $3 to $15. Depending on your abilities, you can win small carnival-style prizes.

Lucky Duck

One of the best little activities that I love is the one where kids can fish for rubber duckies from a little water trough. Even if you don’t have little ones, you’ll enjoy watching the little tikes get all excited. With this activity, everyone’s a winner. No matter what, each child wins a small little carnival prize. The cost for this activity is just $3

Duck Shooter

They also have a duck shooter game for $5, where you have to hit the duckies to win a prize. (Don’t worry, the ducks aren’t real!)

Climbing Rock Wall

There’s a rock climbing wall for $15 that’s best enjoyed by adults and older kids.

Bungie Jumping Trampoline

For $15 you can bounce on the bungie jumping trampoline while you’re safely strapped inside a harness.

Backyard Ball Challenge Pit

This game is just $5 and you toss basketballs and footballs into the nets to win prizes.

What's Nearby

There are five restaurants in Bridgewater Plaza, which is good because no food or drinks are served at Lucky Duck. Lots of people go up to the ice cream parlor on the second floor and eat their ice cream on the deck while they watch people bouncing on the bungee trampoline below.

The other nearby attraction is the boat rental dock. If you’re feeling like actually getting out on the water, all you have to do is rent a boat by the hour or by the day.

Local Tips

  • Wheelchair and stroller accessible!
  • Activities range in price from $3-15.
  • Hours of operation vary based on season and crowd.

Location

Bridgewater Plaza, 16410 Booker T Washington Hwy , Moneta, VA 24121

Frequently Asked Questions

Smith Mountain Lake is located about 45 minutes southeast by car from Roanoke, Virginia and an hour drive from Lynchburg. As Virginia’s largest lake, SML is a popular drive-to destination from a number of east coast metro areas - at about 3 hours from Richmond, VA and 4 hours from Washington, DC.

If flying to the area, the closest airports to Smith Mountain Lake are Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional (ROA) or Lynchburg Regional (LYH).

The months of May through September represent the high season at SML as the weather is ideal for water sports and outdoor fun. While October through April are considered to be the low season, spring and fall are great times to visit the lake as autumn colors dot the landscape while spring buds start to bloom.

There are several boat rental companies and marinas at Smith Mountain Lake, which makes renting a boat easy. From fishing boats to jet skis and charter cruises, to guided tours, there’s a boatload of experience for your entire crew.

Definitely! Ongoing monitoring of water quality at Smith Mountain Lake is carried out annually by a dedicated team of volunteers from the Smith Mountain Lake Association. Stay alert to announcements as to partial lake closures, as applicable.

Some of the best spots to get in the water include Smith Mountain Lake State Park, which has a large sandy beach, or from the Smith Mountain Lake Community Park - where you will find seasonal lifeguards.

Smith Mountain Lake is host to numerous festivals, concerts, and festivities throughout the year. In addition to holding one of the top lakeside 4th of July fireworks displays, some of SML main events include:

  • SML Poker Run (May) - Charitable event featuring boating across the lake to several scenic spots
  • Pirate Days (July) - A swashbuckling affair on Smith Mountain Lake for over a decade
  • SML Wine Festival (September) - The region’s premier outdoor weekend event welcoming over 10,000 wine enthusiasts
  • Antique and Classic Boat Show (September) - For over three decades, this fun-filled event has provided boating enthusiasts an opportunity to see and be seen on the pristine waters of Smith Mountain Lake.
  • SML Charity Home Tour (October) - Voted Best Annual SML Community and Charity Event
  • Chili Festival (November) - The perfect blend of fall foliage and intensely hot chili cook-off competition
More questions

More questions?

Feel free to send us an email with any and all questions you might have regarding the start of a Casago Franchise!

We'd love to help answer your questions!