No boat? No problem. Head to Clarksville Water Sports located at the boat ramp at Occoneechee State Park. Here on the beautiful Buggs Island Lake/John H. Kerr Reservoir you can rent a pontoon boat, canoe or paddle board and get out on the lake for water skiing, tubing, fishing, and cruising. Clarksville Water Sports has a gas dock here and a nice shady location for packing a picnic and taking in the views of the lake!

Dine with a view of the Roanoke River and Phillip Saint Julian Wilson Bridge. Bridgewater is a local favorite for seafood, hand-cut steaks, burgers, and more. If you have a hankering for it, they have it. Don’t leave without trying one of their homemade desserts. Creamy banana pudding will set you up for the afternoon’s adventures.

New threads are calling your name at this classic main street clothing store. Hite’s Clothing carries a complete line of apparel, shoes, and accessories for the whole family in some of the brands you love: Heybo, Brighton, Old South, Lake Life, and more. Shop local and leave happy.

At the intersection of comfort and yum, you’ll find Cooper’s Inn and Traveler’s Tavern. Dine in the main restaurant for a quaint and cozy vibe or catch some live music on the covered patio, festooned with blooming wisteria and dozens of twinkling lights. In true farm-to-table spirit, the menu changes seasonally and features the freshest, locally sourced meats, herbs, vegetables and ingredients available. Signature items include Black Angus beef, wild caught game, steamed seafood and organic produce. So come hungry. You can’t live a full life on an empty stomach.

Lace up those hiking boots for a 15-mile round-trip jaunt down the Panhandle Trail in Occoneechee State Park. Find the forest hush on the secluded, lightly traveled trail which takes you along a peninsula poking into Kerr Lake. Perfect for spotting wildlife native to the area and working up a sweat, this is definitely the scenic way to get your steps in. Be sure to leave time to check out the visitor center and museum where you can learn about the history of the indigenous Occoneechee people that give the park its name.

Its real name may be Caparatta's Restaurant & Lounge, but locals know it as the Pizza Pub. Savory, satisfying Italian cooking ala your favorite pastas, pizza, subs and more is just one highlight of this poppin’ spot. Catch sports on the big screen, play a few games, or challenge a buddy to a round of pool. On the weekends, stop by for karaoke, live music, or a DJ hosted dance party.

This cute shop is part ice cream parlor, part upcyclers paradise. The owners of the Cottage Barn take old antiques and used things and give them life again. Purveyors of Anne Sloane Chalk paint, they sell furniture items they’ve refurbished and made over and offer workshops where folks can learn how to turn old heirlooms into pieces that fit their style. At the cafe, customers love the Homestead Creamery ice cream and sitting at the 1900s handbuilt counter bar for hot dogs, nachos, BBQ sandwiches and more. Two scoops while you shop? Now you know why we included this stop.

Get a hint of 18th Century plantation life with a tour of Prestwould Plantation. Originally built in 1794 by Sir Peyton Skipwith for himself and his second wife, Lady Jean, the grand home, many of the original outbuildings, and Lady Jean’s garden are open to the public. When built of stone quarried on the plantation, it was one of the largest homes of its day. The plantation once consisted of 10,000 acres along the Roanoke River. Stroll inside the home and get a peek of what it was like back then, you’ll spy some of the home’s original furnishings.

Perhaps the only thing better than a cold beer after a day exploring is enjoying it on a lakeside patio. Grab a Without a Paddle IPA and wander outside to the shaded wraparound deck of Buggs Island Brewing. From there you can scout a seat at one of their lakeside picnic tables or snag a spot by one of two fire pits. There really is no better setup for unwinding after a day of exploring. Try one of their flagship beers like the Kerr Lake Kolsh or the Life Jack Required IPA. Heck, you may just want a tasting flight. With this view at the only brewery on the water, you are going to want to hang a while.