12 Incredible Things to Do in Lake Lure, NC
Views of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village from Chimney Rock State Park
If you’re thinking of visiting the Western North Carolina mountains, you’ll be spoiled for choice on things to do in Lake Lure, NC!
As one of the best mountain towns in NC for family vacations, Lake Lure is packed with history, hiking, swimming, and vistas to make the entire family happy.
This quaint, welcoming area has ties to some of Hollywood’s most beloved movies, but it also serves as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of our faced paced modern lives.
Let’s explore why visiting Lake Lure needs to be next on your must do list!
This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through the links, I will receive a commission at no charge to you.
This post was written after a press trip sponsored by Rutherford County Tourism. All opinions are my own.
Where is Lake Lure, NC?
Lake Lure, NC, is located in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
This area is about 40 minutes outside of Asheville, which makes Lake Lure and the nearby towns an easy add on to your trip there.
As Lake Lure is one of the best lakes near Asheville, you’ll enough to do to fill a complete vacation destination if you want to stay longer!
It’s an easy turn off of I-26 just over the North Carolina-South Carolina border.
The exits are well sign posted on the interstate as well as on the smaller two lane roads into Lake Lure.
Despite criss-crossing all over Rutherford County, we never drove more than 30 minutes to any of our destinations.
I definitely don't hate driving, but there's something about being able to pack more into your trip because there's so much close to you.
10 Best Things to Do in Lake Lure NC
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One of the themes of my trip was to find out about the ways that Lake Lure, North Carolina, was embracing the past while also looking to the future.
So many people that I spoke with were proud of the area's efforts at revitalization and growth.
In the month leading up to my visit, the area had seen many great additions including a new hiking trail, an award-winning whisky distillery, and new ownership of the Chimney Rock State Park.
These activities are layered on top of tried and true attractions like the Dirty Dancing Festival and Chimney Rock State Park.
The entire family will love exploring and learning in these beautiful mountains.
1) Explore the natural beauty of this area.
Buffalo Creek Trail in Lake Lure, NC
If you want to get outdoors, you’ll be spoiled for choice in this corner of North Carolina.
Start out with some of the Lake Lure hiking trails, many of which wander by lakes in the North Carolina mountains and scenic rivers.
The Buffalo Creek Trail near Bill’s Mountain is located just north of Lake Lure.
The circular trail meanders up and down hills, building to a beautiful overlook of the lake below.
It’s a 3.5 mile loop trail and is pet friendly.
Youngs Mountain Trail is another loop trail in Lake Lure. It’s a bit longer at 4.5 miles and isn’t quite as kid friendly due to a few substantial drop-offs on the upper end of the trail.
You’ll need to reserve a free parking pass for this trail, so plan ahead. The long range views of Rutherford County and little waterfall are worth the work.
2) See Lake Lure like never before at Chimney Rock State Park.
At one of the lookouts at Chimney Rock State Park
Here, you’ll see natural formations like Devil’s Head Rock, and revel in sweeping views of the mountains.
A tourism institution in Rutherford County, Chimney Rock State Park has been offering visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the mountain since the late 1800s.
Thankfully, today’s visitors don’t have to balance on a ladder to get to the titular Chimney Rock anymore, but the experience remains breathtaking!
Plus, the property is kid-friendly with substantial railings, paved walkways, and a snack booth.
>> Read my full review of Chimney Rock State Park here. <<
3) Pick your own apples at the local orchards.
My husband and I at Sky Top Orchard
This must-do fall activity will have you ready to bake your own apple pies and go on a hayride or two.
The area between Lake Lure and Hendersonville is filled with local apple orchards that open around September 1, including Creasman Farms, Bee Hive Orchards, and Apple House and Owenby Orchards.
Sky Top Orchard, my personal favorite, is a bit further from Lake Lure, but is well worth the extra drive time! From Lake Lure to Sky Top Orchard is about 45 minutes.
4) Check out the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.
Entrance sign to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
This unique take on the community garden repurposes an old bridge while beautifying the main thoroughfare.
Plus, it’s free and a great place to take photos.
>> Read more about the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge here. <<
5) Take a boat tour of Lake Lure.
Get a different perspective of the area from the water!
Lake Lure is the centerpiece of this community, and it wouldn’t be right to visit and not explore the lake.
The Lake Lure Adventure Company offers boat rentals, waterskiing, tubing, and more, so you can get out onto the lake for some unforgettable fun.
You can also rent one of the many homes on the lakefront and try out lake front living on your visit.
The lake front homes often have boat docks, so you can rent a boat for the weekend, and truly live the lake life!
6) See the fall foliage.
Fall foliage on Lake Lure NC
If you visit at the end of October or early November, the colors on the leaves are out of this world.
Explore this dazzling natural display by heading out onto one of the trails, trying out the zipline at Canopy Ridge Farm, or completing a trail ride with Cedar Creek Stables.
7) Support one of the local franchises.
Local shops at Chimney Rock Village, NC
I was particularly impressed by this part of the Lake Lure community, and I cannot imagine how tempting it must be to let in hotel chains, national restaurants, and the like.
But somehow this town has kept the focus on their residents, and only local businesses are given permits to open.
I love this decision because you have to meet locals since they are the ones making your food, running the attractions, selling your souvenirs, and booking your hotel rooms.
We stayed at the Geneva Hotel and Tiki Bar during our time there, and its quaint charm embodies the community here.
It’s locally owned and operated, and the employees are happy to help with any questions or concerns you might have.
>> Read my full review of the Geneva Hotel and Tiki Bar here. <<
8) Recreate Baby’s time at Kellerman’s.
At the heart of the community is the Lake Lure Inn, which dates back to the 1920s.
Lake Lure Inn | source
However, the Lake Lure Inn is most famous as a Dirty Dancing film location!
The movie was partially filmed here, and the Lake Lure Inn is a fun place to stay if you're interested in adding a bit of film history to your Lake Lure vacation.
Even today, almost thirty years after the movie came out, there's still so much interest in the movie.
You’ll find a thriving annual Dirty Dancing festival each September. The 2022 Dirty Dancing Festival will be held on Saturday, September 10th, 2022.
An entire corner of the welcome center is devoted to movie fun facts.
People flock to stay at the Lake Lure Inn so they, too, can practice their famous dance lifts a la Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
People love Dirty Dancing, and the locals love that visitors love it.
Most of the locals who lived there in the late '80s know something about the filming of the movie and are happy to share their stories, strike up a conversation!
9) Bring the entire family.
The majority of the places that we visited had something for my toddler to do, which I always appreciate on a family outing.
She waved to Grady the Groundhog at Chimney Rock State Park and stacked blocks at the Bechtler House and Mint Site.
And don't even get me started on the glee that ensued at the Kid Senses Children's Museum in Rutherfordton.
At the kids' museum, Britton played until she was exhausted--but still didn't want to leave!
You’ll find that the entire Rutherford County will go out of their way to ensure your family has a great time.
If you're visiting the area with your family (and you probably are since it's a major family vacation destination), rest easy knowing that there are things to do in Lake Lure for everyone.
10) Eat your way through Rutherford County.
Bacon cheese fries at Gregory’s Original
On our trip, I ate my way through Rutherford County, dining on everything I could find!
Favorites included a hot sub at the Fountain at Smith's Drug in Forest City to a gargantuan eggplant parmesan at La Strada in Lake Lure.
Another stand out was the Cuban sandwich at the Geneva Hotel’s Tiki Bar in Lake Lure.
Bacon cheese fries are my absolute weakness, and the ones from Gregory's Original in Rutherfordton was loaded to the top with bacon and cheese.
Want more Western North Carolina inspiration? Check out the best mountain towns in NC that are perfect for family vacations!
11) Visit a local distillery.
Inside the Blue Ridge Distilling Co., Lake Lure, NC
Blue Ridge Distilling Co. was started in the Lake Lure community by a pair of salvage divers who’d always dreamed of owning a distillery.
On top of their fascinating backstory, the owners at the Blue Ridge Distilling Co. can make a tasty drink, too. They’re wholeheartedly focused on their signature—and award winning—Defiant Whiskey.
I had the opportunity to visit with them on my trip to Lake Lure, and it was fascinating! Take one of their weekly distillery tours to learn more about the process behind the whiskey.
>> Explore my full Defiant Whiskey tour here. <<
12) Become a part of the community.
One of Rutherford County's official hashtags is #smalltownfriendly, which sounds like it could be a marketing gimmick, but it isn't.
No matter where my dad and I went, people greeted us with a smile and a wave and a "What brings you to this part of the country?"
They were happy to answer all of my questions (and I have a lot) and always sent us off with a "I hope to see you again soon."
Friendliness is a dying art--but not in Rutherford County.
Start planning your Rutherford County vacation with the friendly people at the Rutherford County Tourism Bureau!
Have you visited Rutherford County? What’s your favorite thing to do in Lake Lure NC?
