Fun Fact: Franklin County is known as the Moonshine Capital of the World.

We found this sign at Franklin County’s Rocky Mount Smokehouse.

After visiting Franklin County, our pack compiled the “Franklin County caNine List” to showcase our 9 favorite dog friendly features.

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1. Smith Mountain Lake

Franklin County Boat Launch Locations:

• Oak Grove 37.1343, -79.6682
• Penhook 37.0130, -79.6255
• Scruggs 37.0512 -79.6633

For an incredible day on Smith Mountain Lake, we brought our paddle boats, fishing gear, snacks, water, sun protection, and most importantly, our life jackets. However, we were pleased to find these life jacket loaner stations at the boat launch locations.

We asked each pack member to share their favorite thing about Smith Mountain Lake.

Jake: “Kayaking means I can stay dry, view the scenery, and let someone else do all the work.”

Amos: “My favorite movie, What About Bob? was filmed here on location.”

Grendel: “WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!”

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2. Booker T. Washington National Monument

12130 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Hardy

Amos, our pack’s historian, took us on a tour of the Booker T. Washington National Monument.

Amos: “This National Monument commemorates the birthplace of influential educator, leader, and early civil rights champion, Booker T. Washington.”

Amos: “Visitors to the monument will find a working farm which provides a glimpse into Booker T. Washington’s childhood. Washington lived on this tobacco plantation until the United States abolished slavery when he was nine years old.”

Amos: “In his autobiography, Up from Slavery, Washington described his family’s one-room cabin on the plantation as cold and drafty in the winter and hot in the summer.”

Amos: “Today, Booker T. Washington’s legacy lives on, especially at Tuskegee University, where he is remembered as the institution’s principal founder and first president.”

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3. Franklin County Animal Shelter

81 State St., Rocky Mount

Your new beloved family member is waiting for you at the Franklin County Animal Shelter.

During our visit, to the shelter we met Amelia who reminded us so much of Amos. Today, Amos is a beloved member of our family, but he was once a small, scared puppy at a Virginia animal shelter.

We are thrilled to report that Amelia has since been adopted. However, the shelter has many more furry friends available.

Can’t adopt right now? No worries. Here is the link to make a monetary donation, The shelter can also use the following items:

• Dry Dog Food
• Dry Cat Food
• Cat Litter
• Canned Kitten Food
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Pumpkin
• Soft Treats
• Hotdogs for Training
• Collars, Harness and Leashes
• Blankets (non-quilted)
• Towels

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4. Lunch at Rocky Mount Smokehouse

480 Tanyard Rd., Rocky Mount

Jake, our pack’s restaurant reviewer and gastronome extraordinaire, recommends a visit to the Rocky Mount Smokehouse.

Jake: “First impressions are important and I was immediately impressed by the spacious dog friendly seating that protects customers from the elements. I was also impressed by the excellent customer service. Not only did our server bring out a large bowl of water for us, but she told me that I’m cute and called me a sweetie.”

Jake: “Next, I noticed that the restaurant makes barbecue sauce that incorporates the region’s moonshine heritage.”

We ordered the pulled pork sandwich and catfish.

Jake: “The food arrived and included an order of hush puppies. Fittingly, I didn’t have anything to say for the remainder of our visit because I was too busy eating. Then, I took a long nap.”

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5. Twin Creeks Distillery

140 Franklin St., Rocky Mount

At Twin Creeks Distillery, we were thrilled to sample recipes perfected through generations of bootlegging. This delightfully dog friendly distillery welcomes four-legged customers both outside and inside the tasting room.

Amos: “Moonshine production plays an enormous role in Franklin County’s history. Selling moonshine helped many residents make ends meet, but authorities cracked down on bootleggers because they operated without a license, didn’t pay taxes, and continued operations during Prohibition.”

Amos: “The 2012 movie Lawless centers around Franklin County’s Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. Law enforcement officers were accused of soliciting bribes, but the Virginia Governor explained that he had ordered officers to collect these ‘fines.’ Historians like me who wish to learn more will be disappointed to know that the court transcripts for this trial have mysteriously disappeared.”

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6. Dinner at The Porch & Voodoo Lounge, Bar & Fire Kitchen

17 Claiborne Ave., Rocky Mount

Jake: “I like the fun, relaxed vibe at The Porch & Voodoo Lounge, Bar & Fire Kitchen. This place provides walk-up service for its customers and does not allow tipping.”

Jake: “I also like the ample seating area for customers such as myself who possess four legs and a tail.”

Jake: “But most of all, I like the food here. We ordered the Vegetable Spring Rolls and a Sloppy Joe with homemade potato chips. I’m not exaggerating when I say that these might be the best homemade potato chips I’ve ever had, but I need to conduct a great deal more research to be absolutely sure.”

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7. A Stroll through Rocky Mount

Parking at Rocky Mount Farmers Market & Citizen Square, 435 Franklin St., Rocky Mount

These photos provide just a sample of the public art we saw while strolling through Rocky Mount.

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8. This AirBnb

Boones Mill

We found everything we needed for our trip at the Shepherdess Cottage.

Upon arrival, some of us started doing nonstop zoomies in the huge fenced-in yard.

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9. Waid Park

701 Waid Park Rd., Rocky Mount

Can anyone guess who was most excited about hiking the River Ramble Loop at Waid Park?

If you guessed Grendel, our chief executive water dog, you are correct.

The River Ramble Loop is an easy hiking trail with access to the Pigg River and a bonus waterfall.

Amos also appreciated Waid Park’s preserved portion of the Old Carolina Road, the 18th century version of a superhighway.

Photo from Facebook | Franklin County Genealogy Research Group

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P.S. We recommend these audiobooks during your trip to Franklin County.

Franklin County’s namesake published the Poor Richard’s Almanack each year from 1732 to 1758 under the pseudonym Richard Saunders and provided words to live by for generations to come.

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Named one of the best books of the 20th century, Franklin County’s native son Booker T. Washington published his eye opening and hugely inspiring autobiography Up from Slavery in 1901.

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Author Matt Bondurant wrote this fascinating novel about his ancestors who were bootleggers in Franklin County during Prohibition.

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