Things To Do In Lake Lure

Relax Learn And Dream On A Lake Lure Boat Tours

Check out one of our favorite places in America: Lake Lure, NC

Lake Lure boat tour

You can see the stairs from Dirty Dancing where Baby carried the watermelon on a Lake Lure boat tour, which we did on our last afternoon in Lake Lure, North Carolina.

It was sunny and warm and the breeze gentle. Surprisingly, the seats on the boat were padded and spacious.

We had plenty of room to watch the world go by and learn more about its history and those gorgeous lake houses on its bank from our captain and guide.

Including the famous stairs Baby carried a watermelon up and danced back down.

Look left just beside and behind the house. Thats Babys steps

Lake Lure was artificially made back in 1927 by Lucius Morse.

He envisioned a lake resort that would be one of the largest in the country as he gazed down upon the Broad River Valley from the top of Chimney Rock, which he owned and opened to the public in 1916.

The town of Buffalo, a small Gold Rush and farming town, now sits at the bottom of the lake.

Legend of the church said to be 70 feet below in the center of the lake whose bell is said to be heard ringing on stormy evenings

The lake is now owned by the town of Lake Lure, with private homes surrounding most of it. Access is provided via a town marina, beach and park.

What I love about this beautiful lakeside destination, is that it has NOT become one large lake resort.

Its mostly a popular USA destination of privately owned homes that caters to families who vacation in North Carolina every summer.

Thats what I want!

Is Lake Lure Nc A Good Place To Live

Lake Lure is a great place to live, given its proximity to some of the most scenic views in North Carolina.

The town was named after Lake Lure which offers beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities year-round. Local attractions include:

  • Carvers Gap Farmhouse open March-November each year for living history events.
  • Lake Lure Beach Park a beautiful spot for lakeside swimming and picnics, as well as playing in the sand or fishing on the shore of Lake Lure.
  • Villages at Mountain Springs an apartment-style complex that is only 15 minutes from downtown Asheville but offers some views like youre living in the North Carolina mountains.
  • Lake Lure is a fantastic destination for visitors and residents alike come explore this beautiful town!

    Hike On The Appalachian Trail

    Lake Lure NC is a great place to be if you are a hiker. There are many trails at Lake Lure and the scenery is spectacular. Hiking around Lake Lure is one of the best things to do in this amazing location.

    The Appalachian Trail will take you through some of Nature most beautiful, remote scenes from waterfalls, to mountain vistas, and of course the lakes.

    The hike is about six miles long and will take you through rugged but beautiful terrain. Youll start on the edge of Lake Lure in front of some great panoramic views before descending into Beech Mountain Resort for lunch at their restaurant or cafe where you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a warm meal.

    This hike is not for the faint of heart, but it will be one youll never forget especially if you are visiting Lake Lure in the fall when all the leaves change colour! One thing to remember about this trail: wear good hiking shoes because theres some rocky terrain out here so your feet will thank you later.

    Also Check: Fun Places For Kids In Cleveland Ohio

    Chimney Rock State Park

    Speaking of Chimney Rock State Park, the popular park that is located within 10 minutes of Lake Lure, is another great spot to visit on your Lake Lure vacation. The park offers 75-mile views overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The Park also has family-friendly naturalist programming, rock climbing, bird walks and a 404-foot waterfall to name a few other highlights.

    Chimney Rock State Park

    Play Golf At Apple Valley Golf Course

    The golf courses around Lake Lure are set against a stunning natural setting.

    These golf courses are made even more remarkable by the presence of rolling terrain, running streams, gorgeous scenery, animal sightings, and ideal weather conditions throughout the year.

    Spending the day in these lush surroundings will be a blast!

    Apple Valley Golf Course, one of only two championship courses in the area, offers a unique experience for golfers of all skill levels.

    The Dan Maples-designed, 72-par, 18-hole course, which debuted in 1986 and is located on the resort’s grounds, has been named one of Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play.

    The championship tees have a distance of 6,756 yards, a slope rating of 140, and a USGA rating of 73.2.

    Don’t Miss: Things To Do In Mystic Ct In The Winter

    See One Of Our Many Live Plays At The Lake Lure Playhouse

    Lake Lure is the perfect place to experience live theatre. With a long history of producing original plays, we offer two productions each year including one in our new outdoor amphitheatre!

    All shows are performed by professionals and run from June through September with an excellent childrens production running during July. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the box office on weekdays from 11 am to 12 pm.

    Lake Lure & The Blue Ridge Foothills

    Posted by Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills in Rutherford County NC on Friday, 9 September 2016

    If this place rings a bell to you, itâs because it was featured in the film Dirty Dancing! North Carolinaâs Lake Lure & The Blue Ridge Foothills gives you a majestic view and experience of their different scenery. Drive by their iconic landmarks like the Chimney Rock State Park and Blue Ridge Mountains and experience their outdoor adventures like boat cruises, cycling or mountain biking, golf, equestrian, hunting and fishing, rock climbing, and ziplining!

    Address: 2932 Memorial Hwy. Lake Lure, NC

    A place popular for sightseeing, casual strolling, picnics, and the like. Morse Park showcases a part of the mountains of Hickory Nut Gorge and also consists of four distinct areas, the meadow, the gardens, the wetlands, and the riverside. Apart from these, their amenities and facilities also include two lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, playset for kids, picnic tables, walking/jogging paths, a multi-purpose field ideal for festival events and other recreational uses, a large covered gazebo for events, fishing areas, restrooms, and parking spaces. It is so big that the biggest decision you have to think of is what activity to do first! Aside from those, you may also bring your pets as long as you keep them on leash.

    You May Like: Things To Do Around Wichita Falls Tx

    Go Fishing At Lake Lure

    Lake Lure is home to a diverse species of fish and if youre in the area and want to spend a day fishing, make sure you have a North Carolina fishing license.

    Some of the fishes you can find here are rainbow trout, largemouth, and crappie, smallmouth bass, white bass, bluegill, sun perch, and catfish.

    Using basket trotlines or other unmarked devices, other than poles and other things used for sport fishing, is also prohibited in Lake Lure.

    Remember to read some other fishing regulations to make sure you enjoy your time here without disrupting the ecosystem.

    Due to the requirement of a local fishing license and boat permit, guided boat trips are frequently the best option for out-of-state tourists to catch a fish without breaking the rules.

    Lake Lure North Carolina

    Weekend getaway in Lake Lure, NC – Part I

    Lake Lure, North Carolina
    Location of Lake Lure, North Carolina
    Coordinates:
    14.37 sq mi
    Land 13.17 sq mi
    Water 1.21 sq mi
    Elevation

    Lake Lure is a town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States. In 2010 the town population was 1,192. Lake Lure was incorporated in 1927, and acquired the lake after which it is named in 1965.

    Also Check: Things To Do In Germantown

    Flowering Bridge At Lake Lure

    Lake Lure Flowering Bridge over the Broad River

    One of the newest attractions at Lake Lure is also one of the oldest. In 1925, before there was a Lake Lure, the Rocky Broad River Bridge was built. For almost 100 years it carried traffic between Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village until it was closed when the new bridge was opened in 2011.

    With that, its new life as a footbridge began, but residents couldnt let it become just another aging relic from the early 20th Century. Instead they gathered together and formed Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge and set about creating a truly unique experience.

    Gardens were not only planted on each side of the bridge but flower beds were built along the classic 155 foot three-arch span itself. The bridge is always open and is free. You can park on either side of the river or walk from the Welcome Center. The brick path that runs through the whole town from beach runs directly across the bridge.

    Our Alphabetical Guide For A Great Time And Things To Do In Lake Lure

    Lake Lure is the hub for all things fun. Whether its fun on the lake, the mountains, or the surrounding areas, there is always an activity to leave a smile on your face. Whether youre a visitor or a local youll always have fun exploring Lake Lure. We are continually surprised to learn how many locals dont know about all the great activities and places we have around Lake Lure. And, we are always pleased to learn when they first discover it here on our site. That puts a smile on our face. For our visitors to the area, there are multiple small towns in the area to learn about. This article will give you an insight to what the area offers.

    Read Also: Things To Do Around Mystic Ct

    Wineries Distillers And Brewhouses

    • Parker-Binns VineyardWith our background, we decided we wanted to be part of the emerging East Coast wine industry. We searched up and down the region and finally found what we felt was the perfect parcel, 35 acres in the Tryon Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Polk County, North Carolina had a rich history of growing and selling grapes in the late 1800s. Now with the area having over 20 vineyards and 3 wineries, we knew this was the place to begin. And begin we didclearing the trees and thickets, preparing the soil and planting over 4000 grape vines. Although we were familiar with this, we made an outstanding discoverywere 28 years older and yet another adventure begins!

    Buffalo Creek Park Mountain Biking Trail

    The new trail along the ridge, looking toward Young’s Mountain.

    Posted by WNCOutdoors.info on Sunday, 16 March 2014

    Bike it, run it, climb it. Explore it your way! is the famous tagline of Buffalo Creek Park. This park is for those who seek greater challenge and adventure that involves a lot of physical activity. Cyclists and mountaineers usually bike and climb here to test their fitness. According to their website, the park is nearing completion of another eight miles of trail, ascending another 2, 000 feet to reach ridge lines and scenic viewpoints! It is also the only mountain bike trail system within a 20-minute radius of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park.

    Buffalo Creek Park is open from 8am to 5pm.

    Address: 2191 Buffalo Creek Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746

    Website: Buffalo Creek Park Mountain Biking Trail

    Recommended Reading: Toddler Activities Syracuse Ny

    Lake Lure Dirty Dancing Festival

    One of the biggest must-dos for Dirty Dancing fans is the annual Lake Lure Dirty Dancing festival, held in August every year. Its a 2-day event that starts with an outdoor showing of Dirty Dancing on Friday night then an entire day of festivities Saturday including dance lessons, watermelon races, dance numbers, shopping, food, and of course the lake lift competition.

    And dont miss out on the after parties there are normally a handful of them and include more dancing, movie watching, and tons of outdoor fun! We went to one at the Rumbling Bald Resort, and it was well attended and entertaining to say the least!

    You can get all the details and the full schedule for the 2018 Dirty Dancing festival here! Its going to be held on August 24-25th and going to be amazing once again!

    Check out all the fun in the video in this post!

    The Right Track Train Museum

    This is a small model train museum right down the street from the cottage. It is dedicated to the memory of Larry Keyes who died from pancreatic cancer in 2007. His wife, Peggy, now runs the museum, which is made up of their large personal collection of model trains. All proceeds go to support pancreatic cancer research. Kids can run the trains themselves, and they have a collection especially set up for small children.

    Don’t Miss: Downtown Berkeley Springs Wv

    Go Hiking At Rumbling Bald State Park

    There is a circular route known as the Rumbling Bald Trail that runs along the southern edge of the Rumbling Bald Mountain, taking hikers through boulder fields and the cliff’s edge.

    It’s easy to access the trailhead parking from Chimney Rock or Lake Lure via Boys Camp Road.

    Once at the trailhead, follow the orange blazes back to the parking lot via the bouldering sections, past the cliffs floor, and beyond.

    Rumbling Bald is famous bouldering, mountain climbing, and hiking destination in Chimney Rock State Park.

    It’s a popular spot for rock climbing as well.

    There are some steep portions on the trek through the woods, but they are not too difficult for most hikers.

    The area is accessible to the public, although it may get busy, especially in the winter months when more people visit.

    Find Your Favorite Winery Or Microbrewery

    Exploring Lake Lure area in North Carolina // RV living // Fulltime Rv Living

    The hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are filled with exceptional selections of wine, craft beer, and spirits. This beautiful mountain region houses several wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Everything you need to plan your perfect beverage trail journey is right here. The Western North Carolina Mountains are your passport to some of the best spirits you have ever tasted.

    Don’t Miss: Things To Do With Kids In Cleveland

    Morse Park At Lake Lure

    The walking trail through Morse Park offers great views of the lake and is very well maintained.

    Walk along the shore and enjoy great views of not only Lake Lure but the surrounding mountains, the broad river, and Chimney Rock as well. Follow the trail around the for a scenic walk or enjoy some of the events that take place in the park like festivals, boat shows, car shows, tournaments, outdoor concerts and craft fairs. Lots of people like to fish along the Broad River side of the park. Lake Lure is home to largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, bream/bluegills, crappie, white bass, carp, and catfish.

    Morse Park Trail offers some of the best views of Chimney Rock.

    Near the entrance to the park is the towns Welcome Center, so if youre still looking for places to go, stop in here for some ideas. Behind that youll find a playground, picnic tables, and sporting facilities.

    Come Hungry For A Legendary Dinner

    Come by land or by waterjust make sure you come hungry! Legends on the Lake is one of several restaurants located within Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure. Legends features a menu of fresh entrées served for lunch and dinner. Enjoy handcrafted pizzas and house-ground burgers. Or opt for something a little fancier, like the maple bourbon glazed salmon. After dinner, treat the entire family to arcade games and billiard tables. Or catch a game on one of the many flat screen televisions. The welcoming staff, family-friendly atmosphere, and great views of the water guarantee a legendary dining experience.

    Don’t Miss: Kid Fun Cleveland Ohio

    Peruse A Pumpkin Patch

    The task of picking the perfect pumpkin is a tradition made for every family. Whether you are displaying a variety of choices throughout your home or just selecting the biggest one to carve for Halloween, the fun lies in the process of picking your own. Sites such as Grandads Apples or Stepps Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville have you-pick pumpkin patches along with other fall food attractions. Or venture to The Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, appropriate named as the home of all things pumpkin for your fall season.

    Take A Picnic Lunch To Morse Park

    When you need a break from your vacation activities, pack your lunch and head for the picnic tables at Morse Park. The park is conveniently located between the beach and the Flowering Bridge, meaning you get fantastic views of the lake and the mountains. Theres a playground to help the kids burn off any extra energy.

    Also Check: Things To Do In Cody Wy In August

    Attend The Dirty Dancing Festival

    The Dirty Dancing festival is one of the most popular Lake Lure events.

    On a previous trip to Lake Lure, we attended the 8th annual Dirty Dancing Festival which coincided with the films 30th anniversary, and yes it was a hoot, yes I carried a watermelon, and yes you can go in a lake lift competition!

    The Lake Lure Dirty Dancing Festival is held every year in August. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids. See all the fun we had here.

    For this visit, we stayed at the Rumbling Bald Resort which is an awesome place to stay for families right on the lake with water sports and its own beach, a pool, golf course and much more. Keep in mind it is a 25 minute drive from Lake Lure Beach area.

Leave a Comment