Plan an escape from the daily grind, and retreat to a recreational destination where the alluring beauty pulls you in and the noise of the world turns to silence. Nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina in the heart of the Hickory Nut Gorge lies Lake Lure, a majestic small town surrounded by towering vistas and 27-miles of shoreline. Named “Best Mountain Lake Getaway” by The Official Best of the Carolina's, Lake Lure is a place visited by generations, many of which have turned it into their home away from home. Fed by the Rocky Broad River and created by the dam in 1926, the 720 acres of pristine water is a perfect haven for all styles of water enthusiasts. The lake has been a popular filming location for scenes from iconic movies such as Dirty Dancing, My Fellow American and Firestarter. With so many awe-inspiring ways to spend the day, from leisure, charm and romance, to a natural playground with high-octane adventures, Lake Lure lives up to the hype and delivers an experience set at your own pace.
Download a printable flyer of this itinerary along with complete addresses and hours of stops featured. Below you’ll find a quick reference to all the stops in the itinerary.
STAY
The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa | Rumbling Bald Resort
EAT
Legends on the Lake | The Gardens | The Veranda Restaurant | Moose & Goose Lounge | Point of View Restaurant | Tree Tops Restaurant at Lodge on Lake Lure | Larkins on the Lake | El Lago Mexican at the Lake Lure Beach | La Strada at Lake Lure | Scoop Lake Lure | Bears Den | Pinnacle Southern Kitchen
SHOPPING & ATTRACTIONS
Lake Lure Tours | Rumbling Bald Resort Lake Lure Cruise | Lakeview Driving Tour | Buffalo Creek Park | Canopy Ridge Farm | Boulderline Adventure Company | Apple Valley Golf Course | Bald Mountain Golf Course | Lake Lure Golf Club | Cedar Creek Riding Stables | Riverside Riding Stables | Lake Lure Flowering Bridge | Morse Park Meadows | Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail | Town Center Walkway | Irongate Spa | The Spa & Salon at Rumbling Bald Resort | Climbing access at Rumbling Bald Resort
CAN'T MISS SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
Lake Lure Adventure Company | Lake Lure Beach & Water Park | Lake Lure Arts and Crafts Festival | Dirty Dancing Festival | Lake Lure Olympiad
Spend the day in Lake Lure, NC, heralded as one of “America’s Best Lakes” by USA Today. Lake Lure is centrally located between Asheville, Charlotte, and Spartanburg. Enjoy a place where the lifestyle inspires us to relax and unwind, soak in the natural wonders and charming surroundings, and experience the outdoors the way nature had intended. Read on for a guide of things to do both on and off the lake.
RELAX, REJUVENATE, AND INDULGE
Stunning views of mountain cliffs and lush forests make for a peaceful outing by boat with Lake Lure Tours. Glide across the serenity of the lake and take in all of the amazing sites as you learn about its rich history. Tours are given daily from April – October and depart from the Lake Lure Marina located in the center of town. On the opposite side of the lake at Rumbling Bald Resort, you can cruise the lake in style from the north shore. Bring the whole family aboard for a guided scenic tour or select an evening cruise, just for adults. Every Tuesday beginning at 4:30PM, the resort offers a special wine cruise for adults 21 and over which includes a Chef’s Cheese and Charcuterie platter. Upon your return, check out the newly opened sports lounge inside Legends on the Lake. With a spectacular view that overlooks the lake and comfortable seating, you’ll be entertained in a casual atmosphere with tastes of signature pizza, handmade sandwiches, and refined entrees including steak, salmon, and pasta.
Make the most of your day by doing nothing but reinvigorating the soul. The Irongate Spa is located inside the historic1927 Lake Lure Inn and offers a variety of experiences including their signature therapeutic massages, couples’ treatments, facials, and body wraps; all designed to reduce tension and ensure relaxation. Afterwards, continue relaxing with a glass of wine or cold beverage at the Moose & Goose Lounge or grab dinner at The Veranda Restaurant, both located inside the historic inn. The Veranda provides elegant dining facing the lake with an exquisite menu.
If you are staying on the other side of the lake, indulge in a luxurious spa and wellness treatment inside the Spa and Salon at Rumbling Bald Resort. Revitalize and restore the body with a traditional Swedish, deep tissue, or hot stone massage. Following your spa visit, continue relaxing with a chef-inspired meal at The Gardens, located next to Bald Mountain Golf Course. An ever-changing menu will delight your taste buds with homemade soups, delicate shrimp and lobster, fine cuts of meat, and sweet desserts.
Along your driving route you’ll pass superb dining spots all of which offer breathtaking views of Lake Lure. Just pass the dam is Point of View Restaurant, a local landmark for high quality cuisine, using only fresh ingredients, serving steak and seafood. Next is a place where you can dine under a canopy of trees in a relaxed atmosphere. Tree Tops Restaurant, inside the Lodge on Lake Lure, delivers top-notch service and fare from a culinary team that rotates a locally sourced, seasonal menu. Larkins on the Lake is a premier hot spot brimming with southern hospitality. The lakefront restaurant is best known for items such as their world-famous Spinach and Artichoke Dip, signature Herb Baked Prime Rib, and house specialties: Blue Ridge Mountain Trout and Pecan Encrusted Salmon. Don’t forget to treat yourself to one of their scrumptious desserts!
NATURE AND LEISURE
Immerse yourself in nature and discover the beauty that surrounds you in Lake Lure. Located in the center of it all is Morse Park, a 23-acre community landmark consisting of four distinctive areas, all perfect for a leisurely stroll, impromptu picnics, bird watching, and catching the ducks and boats floating by. There are recreational activities for playtime on the basketball and tennis courts, plus an area for kids to swing and slide. Check out the views along the Town Center Boardwalk and then follow the paved path to the historic 1925 Rocky Broad River pedestrian bridge, where you’ll be amazed to discover a blooming garden designed by a community of volunteers. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge consists of more than 700 different types of plants and a dozen garden beds that play host to a bounty of butterflies. In the winter, the bridge transforms into a fairy wonderland complete with lights and themed fairy houses. A ten-minute drive from the bridge leads you to a natural woodland hiking experience at Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park. The cozy park encompasses ten trails creating 3-miles of natural trail surface used by families of all ages and abilities, and a great outdoor playground for your furry friends.
Speaking of furry friends, another way to explore nature is by horseback. Saddle up with a friendly horse for a woodland trail ride at Cedar Creek or Riverside Riding Stables. The stables at Cedar Creek offer multiple trail lengths taking you through a variety of terrain and views. They also offer gem mining, fishing, and several great areas for picnics. Riverside Riding Stables guides you on 1- or 2-hour trail ride along the river which includes several stops where you can swim with your horse. There is also an opportunity for overnight pack trips where you can camp, fish, and ride for three fun-filled days.
Lake Lure is a hidden gem for golfers framed amidst a paradise setting with a stunning backdrop. Tee-off on one of the two world-class, championship golf courses at Rumbling Bald Resort. Famous for its role in the film Dirty Dancing, Bald Mountain is a challenging yet rewarding course, that provides views of the soaring cliffs it was named after. Called the “most beautiful mountain golf course” by Golf Digest, Apple Valley offers wide fairways and rolling greens. It’s an 18-hole experience for the accomplished and novice golfer leaving all who swing with a sense of bliss and fulfillment. Whether you are starting your day on the links or just finished your round, you can pick up a fast and savory bite at The Bears Den. They offer a menu of breakfast items, lunch salads and sandwiches. You can also choose to feed the soul with bites of southern classics at Pinnacle Southern Kitchen, a traditional restaurant with a menu featuring handcrafted meals such as smoked barbecue meats and fresh garden vegetables.
Lake Lure Golf Club offers a historic 9-hole course has stood the test of time since the late 1920’s and provides an enjoyable challenge still today. Designed for all skill levels the course provides open tee times, a rustic clubhouse, driving range, two putting greens, and an opportunity to play foot golf. If you aren't sure exactly what that means, we encourage you to take time to find out. It's worth the visit!
ADVENTURE ENTHUSIASTS
Lake Lure is an outdoor adventure wonderland complete with miles of mountain terrain. Step off the beaten path and soar through treetops, let loose on the water, or test your climbing skills. Whichever way your style of fun flows, we’ve got you covered with top-notch activities to keep you coming back for more.
Take in the sites from new heights and experience nature from a different perspective on a Lake Lure Zipline Tour. At Canopy Ridge Farm, you’ll fly through sky-scraping tree lines on one of six exhilarating ziplines with speeds up to 35 miles per hour. For those who have no fear, Zip Zilla is more than1,000 feet long and engineered for heart-pounding thrills. Boulderline Adventure Programs hook up six lines of zip-sailing tours and four mini zips for the kiddos ages 3 and up. Plus, they have adrenaline pumping night flights that soar you through dimensions you can only see with headlights and glow paint. Plan for extra time to spend on the climbing tower and giant swing.
Lake Lure is a treasured attraction for water sport enthusiasts who travel from near and far for a recreational haven set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The attractiveness of short wakes, multiple coves, bays, and miles of sleek water, draws skiers and paddlers of all ages and skill levels. At Lake Lure Adventure Company, visitors can choose their adventure by combining a multitude of high-octane activities, or some laid back ones. From skiing, wake surfing, wakeboarding, and tubing, you can have high-flying fun for hours. Hone your skills with their certified instructors that can help you learn, practice, and excel at the various sports. For those who wish to move at their own speed, rent a pontoon boat, kayak, or paddle board and enjoy the scenic views of wildlife up close and personal. They even have guided fishing trips! After a day of adventuring, you need to refuel. Grab a seat and enjoy the view overlooking the lake at La Strada, a popular Italian bistro in town center. Sit outside under the covered deck and fill up on generous portions of baked pasta, handcrafted pizza, chicken specialties, fresh seafood, and signature appetizers.
In the center of it all is the Lake Lure Beach and Water Park, boasting three acres of relaxation under the sun packed with activities for the young and the young at heart. Splash into the lake from water slides, go rafting, build a sandcastle, and have a picnic under one of the large covered shelters here. Passes for beach access can be purchased at Lake Lure Tours, located at the marina. Guests can soak in additional fun by renting a pontoon boat, kayak, canoe, or paddle board from the same location, by the hour or for the full day. Grab a sweet treat at Scoop Ice Cream located across from the water park, for breakfast, coffee, or an afternoon snack. Choose from over 16 different flavors of ice cream or take their Boatload Challenge, if you dare. Also across from the beach is a great casual spot for lunch or dinner. El Lago Mexican serves an authentic menu with quick service at a convenient location inside the Arcade Plaza. Choose from a combination of items, visit the salsa bar, or try a margarita.
Adrenaline seekers looking to get into the woods and on the trails can hike, bike, and climb at Buffalo Creek Park. Challenge your fitness and cycling skills along varied terrain through rugged backcountry that provides high rewards of panoramic views. The trails will soon connect with Chimney Rock State Park and the Climbing access at Rumbling Bald Resort, both popular destination sites for trail hikers, runners, and mountain climbers alike.
As you can see, regardless of what you're seeking on your trip to Lake Lure, there is something for everyone. Now, throw those bags in your car and get here to see one of the most special places you'll ever visit.
