Every lake has them. You’ll find the watersports crowd in one area, the boaters in another, the millenials in yet another and the anglers in others. There’s even hotspots for foodies and beer aficionados.
Some spots that draw Lake Anna visitors and residents have a pet name like The Sandbar, Cocktail Cove, The Bahamas, Pirate’s Cove, Ware Hill and The Sanctuary. You won’t find these on a map. No, instead, you have to be shown where they are or have someone mark your map.
This article shares some of Lake Anna’s best hotspots and the reason for their popularity.
Hotspot #1 – The Villas at Tributer Resort
Lake Anna now has brand new golf resort accommodations available to rent that permits guests to enjoy the incredible Cutalong at Tributer golf course. Each villa has four bedrooms/bathrooms and a massive great room/kitchen. They are the perfect, affordable option for a golf buddy weekend at the lake. Guests also enjoy the opportunity to dine at Cooper’s the award-winning restaurant and each villa includes a gas grill. Cottages are also available to rent at Tributer.
Hot Spot #2 – Moo Thru At The Boardwalk
Who doesn’t like ice cream or watching kids/guests enjoy eating it? Moo Thru is the lakeside option for homemade ice cream straight from an area dairy farm. There’s hand-dipped cones, milkshakes and sundaes to savor as you watch the boats parading by the North Anna River branch of the lake.
Hotspot #3 – LKA™ Stage at Lake Anna Taphouse
Visitors to the lake will want to visit this waterfront beer garden and enjoy 30+ beers and ciders, cocktails, pub grub menu, indoor, deck and lawn seating, plus flat screens inside for fall football watching.
With the location within a few steps of the lake, there’s a great “backyard” for folks to enjoy a brew al fresco, plus cornhole, firepits and the LKA™ Stage that backs up to the lake. Fifty+ boat wet slips are available so customers can drive right up. Beverages can be enjoyed inside and out, and most people will want to enjoy their drinks on the deck or out on the lawn.
Hotspot #4 – Prospect Drafthouse/Mineral Brewing
Deliciously refreshing cider, evocative beers, a four-season venue set in the woods just off Rt. 208, food trucks, live music and a central lake location make this hotspot a popular lake destination. Choose from cider, beer, wine, seltzers or sangrias and a suprisingly diverse food menu, then kick back and get On Lake Time!
Hotspot #5 – 53rd Winery
Everleigh Vineyards makes our list this year, it’s second year of hosting locals and visitors. This two-story, spectacular venue overlooks its vineyard and stunning sunsets offer locally made wines, beers and ciders along with live music, light menu fare and food trucks.
Hotspot #6 – Lake Anna Outfitters
Lake Anna Oufitters at Anna Point Marina is full of everything Lake Anna. Trucker caps, tees, hoodies, drinkware, decorative items, stickers, LKA flags, sunglasses, campfire supplies; darn near anything you’d want for a gift or cool apparel for your next dock party, plus they rent and sell kayaks, paddleboards and canoes for the ultimate lake party arrival vehicle!
Hotspot #7 – Cocktail Cove
The first rule of Cocktail Cove is not to talk about the location! It’s a “secret” cove off the main lake in the clear, clean mid lake region where locals and visitors enjoy the aquatic side of Lake Anna life. Beach your rig on the sand bar between the shore and an island and set up your boat picnic. Leave no trace and enjoy what the day brings.
Hotspot #8 – Callie Opie’s Orchard
Restaurant & Event Park
One of Lake Anna’s top restaurants, Callie Opie’s features a full time chef, amazing cocktails and a venue that wows visitors. A post and beam interior dining area leads to a beautiful patio out back complete with firepit. Meals are plated impecably and each bite offers multiple taste sensations. There’s that awesome patio, beautiful event barn and performance venue, too. Rental cabins are now available!
Hotspot #9 – The Sandbar
A perennial hotspot, The Sandbar is a 150-yard long spit of soft sand located just underwater at the mouth of Gold Mine Creek up the North Anna River arm of the lake. When the water levels are normal, much of The Sandbar is under about two feet of water. On most summer weekends you’ll find dozens of boats with their captains and crew enjoying various water-related activities. One of the most popular is people watching, however water volleyball and “power-lifting” vie for second place. This crowd trends younger and bit wilder!
Hotspot #10 – The Speakeasy at
The Lion’s Den
This is an LKA Must-Do for locals and visitors looking to experience a special, historic atmosphere and an equally special cocktail and meal. Head downstairs from the main dining room and you’ll find a cozy, pub-like setting with the full menu and it’s own bar with talented mixologists at your service and the occassional drink special.
Hotspot #11 – The Cove At Lake Anna
Located on Rt. 719 at Dillard’s Bridge on the Pamunkey Branch of the lake you’ll find a marina, convenience store, restaurant and bar that focuses on good times. The Cove offers indoor and outdoor dining (sunset views) and bars with plenty of dockage for amphibious landings. The outside bar is perfect, even on hot days, with cooling misters and plenty of cold Mermaid Juice served promptly. Start with the Cannonball appetizer and try to eat Blackbeard’s Platter!
Hotspot #12 – The Patio at El Gran Patron
Lake Anna’s very own Mexican restaurant is located next to the dam at Pleasant’s Landing. A massive, lakeside patio offers incredible sunset views – even of the Blue Ridge Mountains some days. Giant margaritas, Dos XX Ambar Especial on tap, a staff that seeminly only knows the words, “Hell yeah!” and a huge menu make this one of LKA’s most festive new hotspots. Parking can be tricky and water access is limited, so be sure and arrive early for the fiesta!
Hotspot #13 – The Volleyball Court
While we won’t reveal the exact location (half the fun is finding these places!), this ephemeral hotspot is down lake around the islands known as The Bahamas across from the power plant. It’s a family-friendly area with clear, clean water you’ll want to visit if you enjoy water volleyball.
Hotspot #14 – Everleigh Vineyard & Brewing Everleigh Vineyards makes our list this year, due to it’s great reputation for hosting hosting locals AND visitors. This two-story, spectacular venue not far from the lake overlooks its vineyard and offers stunning sunsets, locally made wines, beers and ciders along with live music, a light menu fare and food trucks.
Hotspot #15 – Christopher Run Campground
Good old-fashioned family fun away at this wooded haven in the North Anna branch of the lake. There’s a camp store, sandy beach, mini golf, game room plenty of shoreline to fish!
Hotspot #16 – Pleasants Landing
Head down lake to witness the best sunset and long view of the mountains from the beach at Pleasants Landing. Families will love the rental watercraft and a park-like setting await. El Grand Patron is on site, too.
Hotspot #17 – Uncle Mike’s Bait & Tackle
Located on Kentucky Springs Rd. this is a great place to stock up on the fishing gear you’ll need for fishing during your visit. There’s everything from bass lures to live minnows, fishing poles to PFDs, plus food, fuel, beer, soda and a coffee bar!
Hotspot #18 – As the song says, life is better on a pontoon or any ol’ boat! Rent one, buy one or beg passage on a friend’s or book Captain Gina’s Sunshine Swan Boat and tour the lake with your cooler filled and ready for fun.
Dock watch, boat in to a restaurant or drop anchor in a secluded cove or off an island and make yourself comfortable. This is living the lake life! You’ll never lack companionship if you have a ‘toon.
Rentals can be found at Duke’s Creek Marina, Shipwreck Boat Rentals, Pleasants Landing, LKA Watersports, Anna Point Marina and Sturgeon Creek Marina. Be sure and get a Party In Slow Motion shirt from Lake Anna Outfitters!
Bonus Hotspot – Duke’s Creek Marina has it all including rental pontoons, ice cream, gift shop, boat ramp in the lower lake region, not far from the popular island beaches and Cocktail Cove. LKA
