In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Rutherford County, including our cherished Chimney Rock and Lake Lure communities, has experienced significant challenges. The storm brought widespread damage, affecting homes, businesses, and our natural landscapes. 

Read More

Family Fun Adventure to Lake Lure & The Blue Ridge Foothills

Make new memories with your family in Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills. We know keeping the kids entertained - whether outside or in a museum - is a key component of family travel. Our itineraries give you an easy-to-follow roadmap for ensuring both you and your family have the time of your life experiencing Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills!

banner

Lively Lodging

Rutherford County's location in the North Carolina foothills makes it an ideal spot to home base for almost any weekend outing. If you're looking to rent a mountain or lakeside cabin, a quick search of the VisitNCSmallTowns website renders more options than you can wave a walking stick at. 

If prefer the amenities of a hotel or resort atmosphere, Rumbling Bald Resort offers multiple packages that can include golf, fitness, and even private beach access. The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa offers historic hotel and cabin accommodations, is walking distance from all the water activities that Lake Lure has to offer, and within easy access of Chimney Rock State Park.

lodging

jellystone1jellystone2

A destination within itself and a perfect family adventure spot is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort Golden Valley Tucked away at the base of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

The picturesque 600+ acres feature accommodations including luxury cabins and lodges with all the comforts of home, full hook-up RV sites, glamping tents with lake views, and premium tent sites. Campers can spend the day enjoying an unparalleled line-up of attractions including canoeing/kayaking, fishing, an interactive water playground with water slides, a huge swimming pool, hiking trails, water zipline, sports courts, laser tag, arts & crafts, a jumping pillow & jump pad, 18-hole mini golf course, playgrounds, and numerous planned activities and themed weeks.

If you are more of a 'sleep under the stars' kind of traveler, we have plenty of options to choose from. Starlight Hills Campground offers amazing mountain views, primitive tent camping, off Grid Cabins, teepees, and more. 4 Paws Kingdom Campground and Dog Retreat is America's first and only dog-dedicated campground and is located on 30+ acres of scenic farmland.  

Mouthwatering Munchies

No memorable weekend outing is complete without great food options that include equally fantastic views. If family-friendly dining is at the top of your list, places like Lake House Restaurant Bar & Grill, LaStrada on the lake and Old Rock Cafe in Chimney Rock Village offer fabulously kid-friendly menus to go with their scenic views. If family-friendly dining is at the top of your list, places like the Esmerelda Inn, Lake Lure’s LaStrada restaurant, Larkin’s on the Lake, or the Riverwatch Bar & Grill in Chimney Rock Village offer a fabulously kid-friendly menus to go with their scenic views. The Shake Shop in Spindale holds claim to the title of ‘Rutherford County’s Oldest Eatery’, and their incredible cheeseburger specials and crazy thick and delicious shakes prove why it’s consistently a local favorite. 

Fagan’s Farm in Ellenboro serves up the freshest grilled yummies daily and has an onsite produce store stocked full of their own farm fresh goodies, and Granny B’s Bakery and Sub Shoppe in Spindale is the perfect spot to grab anything from freshly made subs and pizzas to delectable donuts and pastries.

munchies

dog

Looking for canine-friendly dining locations? Medina’s Village Bistro in Chimney Rock Village sits on Main Street along the Rocky Broad, and always welcomes furry family members on their covered patio. They offer dine-in or carryout breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and even have a special menu just for four-legged friends! The Tiki Bar & Grill at Geneva Riverside in Lake Lure welcomes canine companions to hang out and enjoy their island-style menu on their riverside patio with their human companions, and Hickory Nut Gorge Craft Brewery or Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room and Vineyards in Chimney Rock are perfect places to kick back and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view with munchies and a locally crafted brew or glass of wine with your furry best friend by your side.

Invigorating Activities

Being that it is NC's Year of the Trail, consider enjoying one of our many trails perfect for walking, hiking, biking, paddling, and more. Check out The Thermal Belt Rail Trail, a 13+ mile paved trail that offers access to a combination of local towns and scenic beauty. It’s perfect for walkers, runners, or cyclists and you can easily rent bicycles or grab gear before embarking on your trail journey. Buffalo Creek Park with1,527 acres of multiple trails for hikers and bikers, and its Weed Patch Mountain Trail links to Chimney Rock State Park at the incredible Eagle Rock. 

More local favorites include the Bearwallow Mountain Trail, the Purple Martin Greenway Trail and the Broad River Paddle Trail. With so many great ways to get up, get out, and get moving it’s easy to enjoy a day on a trail taking in the beauty of the gently rolling Blue Ridge Mountain Foothills and stunning local scenery.

bike e

For those seeking even more adventure, Boone Life Adventure is situated on 86 acres with breathtaking views and offers guided ATV trail tours.  For a birds-eye view, of the stunning scenery, check out Canopy Ridge Farms has 'fun covered'!  Accommodating ages 4 and up, they provide an exhilarating experience for thrill seekers with zip line adventures and UTV tours

atv

For the perfect balance of water sports and mountainous beauty, check out the Lake Lure Adventure Company. This family-owned group offers more lakeside water activities than you could ever hope to cram into a single weekend. From pontoon boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, to wakeboarding, wake surfing, tubing, kneeboarding, waterskiing, and even guided fishing outings; they know how to make playing lakeside a splash-tacular version of fun! 

boat

 

If you prefer to spend your weekend exploring local shops and boutiques surrounded by historic inns, corner cafes, and mountain vistas, then Chimney Rock Village is the place to be. Transport yourself far away from the modern bustle of e-commerce to a place that offers locally-owned stores that entice all 5 senses. Lose yourself in the local artisan wares of Native’s Rest, Willow Creek, Chimney Sweeps, and Featherheads. Find a myriad of fashionable trinkets and baubles at April’s Boutique, Gayle’s Chimney Rock Shop, and John Bull Trading, or fill up on old-time hospitality with a side of homemade preserves at Bubba O’Leary’s General Store. You can even take a break with a scenic cup of joe or pint of locally-crafted brew at one of the cafes and eateries along the village’s Riverwalk that runs along the Rocky Broad parallel to Main Street. It’s a shopper’s paradise that’s sure to bring home charming memories of a day well spent.

If fishing is your favorite version of water play, then you’ll appreciate Lake Lure Fishing Excursions. They offer private morning or twilight excursions, and you can even bring your furry family member along for the ride if they’re well behaved. Be sure to purchase a NC Fishing License for anyone in your group that’s 16 or older, and book your trip in advance.