The Smith Mountain Dam Visitor Center is a little gem celebrating the breathtaking technological marvel that created the lake. The exhibits - informative enough to make an engineer happy but straightforward enough to intrigue children - explain that the water that is stored in Smith Mountain Lake first passes through turbine-generators in the powerhouse to produce electricity and is then discharged into Leesville Lake. Most of this water is retained in the Leesville Lake and is pumped back into the Smith Mountain Lake for re-use. Other displays include a three-dimensional map of the area and a wall mural showing Smith Mountain Gap before the dam was constructed, back in the 1960s. Step outside, and the overlook gives a great view of the lake and the dam, complete with a shaded picnic area with plenty of space for a picnic lunch, for kids to play and for all to marvel at the giant dam and its 20,600-acre lake. The center is open Tuesday-Saturday, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and on Sundays between 1-5 p.m. through Labor Day. There is no admission charge. Follow signs from Route 40 to Smith Mountain Dam. (540) 985-2587 ERIC HILL 90 | VISITSMITHMOUNTAINLAKE.COM