Labor Day Weekend may mark the unofficial end of summer - but that doesn't mean an end to possibilities for outdoor fun! When you're looking to send summer off with a blast and herald the onset of cooler breezes, crisper air, and approaching autumnal glory; the North Carolina foothills are the place to be!
Eventful Endeavors
Holiday weekends are even more exciting when you add a special event into the mix, and the small towns of Rutherford county don’t disappoint. This year we have some truly fantastic happenings:
Rumbling Bald Labor Day Weekend Celebration at Rumbling Bald Resort
From tennis and pickleball, to live entertainment, dining specials, and family-friendly fun - if you’re looking for a resort-style celebration that’s guaranteed to do a national holiday right, Rumbling Bald Resort in Lake Lure is at the top of the list!
Red White & Blue Labor Day Golf Tournament at Apple Valley Golf Course
The annual Red White & Blue Golf Tournament at Lake Lure’s Apple Valley Golf Course is a perfect way to celebrate Labor Day. The tournament format is individual stroke play and when you pair that with this 72 par course that’s listed as one of Golf Digest’s “Most Beautiful Places to Play,” it equals one of the most stunningly memorable Labor Days for any avid golfer.
Chimney Rock Seasonal Sip & Paint at Chimney Rock State Park's Old Rock Cafe
Spectacular panoramic views, artistic creations, and locally crafted beer and wine? For anyone that loves the beauty of nature and the thrill of creation, this is the epitome of holiday weekend perfection.
Rutherfordton Food Art & Brew (Central Street, Rutherfordton)
If you love food trucks, local artisans, street vendors, live music, and locally crafted brews, then Rutherfordton’s Food Art & Brew is definitely the place to be this Labor Day Weekend! Admission is free - fun is required!
Fun in the Sun
It’s easy to turn a day on the lake into your own form of holiday celebration, and Lake Lure makes that endeavor even more fantastic. Looking to explore the area with a guided boat tour? Lake Lure Tours has multiple daily options for individuals, couples, or even private large groups. Does creating your own perfect package of water activities sound like the most excellent of plans? At Lake Lure Adventure Company you can design your own adventure and include anything from tubing and wakesurfing, to paddleboarding, kayaking, boat rentals, and fishing excursions. Love the lake but prefer to stay on dry land? The walking trails at Morse Park connect to Lake Lure’s famed Flowering Bridge. It’s a picturesque walk resulting in an incredible feast for the senses that truly is a “pathway to somewhere beautiful” that shouldn’t be missed!
Celebration of Shade
If you’re all about the shaded side of the great outdoors, then exploring flora and fauna along a forested hiking trail is a perfect holiday weekend activity. Trails like Rutherfordton’s Purple Martin Greenway and Lake Lure’s Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail are dog-friendly and offer pretty picnic areas to pause and enjoy the sights. Buffalo Creek Park and the myriad of trails at Chimney Rock State Park offer hikers varied levels of difficulty - and even the opportunity to stop and take in a breathtaking waterfall or two. Prefer to catch the breeze while playing in the shade? Canopy Ridge Farm's 60 acres of ziplining joy are sure to thrill. With an elevation change that reaches upwards of 1000 feet, there are plenty of opportunities for spectacular views and picturesque scenery along your canopy tour! When your version of catching the breeze involves enjoying the sights from atop a faithful steed, we’ve got the perfect options for you. Both Cedar Creek Stables and Riverside Riding Stables offer 1 and 2 hour guided trail rides through forests and thickets, creeks, and mountain ridges. With activities like these, your Labor Day weekend will be ‘made in the shade’!
Chillin' Like Dillon
When the ‘labor’ leading up to Labor Day has you feeling a bit frazzled, there’s nothing better than a little indulgent relaxation to celebrate the long weekend. Chimney Rock’s Esmeralda Spa, Forest City’s Blake’s Spa, and Lake Lure’s Irongate Spa and Rumbling Bald Spa and Salon all offer customizable experiences that will (literally) soothe the stress away. How does kicking back with a glass of wine and a relaxingly spectacular view sound? Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro offers southern cuisine that’s beautifully paired with their customizable wine flights and even live music to sip by. Prefer your sipping to be of the brewed variety? Located along the Rocky Broad River, Hickory Nut Gorge Craft Brewery may be one of the most rusticly charming locations ever to relax while kicking back with a cold one.
Rest Your Head
Don’t just plan a day - make your Labor Day a long weekend vacation! Rutherford County has more lodging options than you can imagine. From mountain cabin and lakeside cottage rentals, to historic hotels and inns that offer amenities galore - not to mention scenic campgrounds that include yurts and dog parks - it’s impossible not to find the perfect getaway location to stay!
Labor Day Weekend Bliss
You work hard all year. This year let the small towns of Rutherford county help you relax, unwind, and enjoy life to the fullest - because here in the North Carolina foothills, we know how to make celebrations truly special. Book your perfect Labor Day getaway today!
