Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are neighboring North Carolina mountain towns with a lot to offer visitors.
As their names imply, the town of Lake Lure is home to one of the most popular lakes in North Carolina, while the town of Chimney Rock is best known for its unique geological formations.
Both places are packed with fun things to do for the whole family, especially movie buffs. The 1987 film Dirty Dancing was partly filmed in the area, as was 1992’s The Last of the Mohicans.
We visited both towns with my sister, a huge Dirty Dancing fan who was delighted to tread on the hallowed ground where Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey shot their classic film.
But even if you aren’t a movie buff, Chimney Rock is a quintessential small North Carolina town, with a gorgeous state park that’s well worth exploring. There are also lots of great restaurants and other outdoor activities.
Lake Lure, on the other hand, is a stunning place to simply relax, go swimming, savor the beauty of nature, and get pampered.
Read on for our guide to the Best Things to Do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, including all the best parks, shops, events, and outdoor activities!
READ MORE: 10 Must-Visit Blue Ridge Mountain Resorts
Places to Stay in Lake Lure & Chimney Rock
- Lake Lure Waterfront Home (3 bd, hot tub, boathouse, kayaks, lake & mountain views
- Lake Lure Family Hideaway (3bd w/ waterfront w/ four lounging decks and screened porch)
- Broad River Inn (Chimney Rock, B&B on Main Street near shops & restaurants)
- Hickory Falls Inn (Chimney Rock, mins to state park, walk to village, mountain views)
Things to Do in Lake Lure & Chimney Rock NC Guide
- Visit Chimney Rock State Park
- Spend a Day on the Water
- Go Shopping in Downtown Chimney Rock
- Visit the “Dirty Dancing Festival”
- Stroll Across the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
- Enjoy a Microbrewery or Winery
- Relax on Lake Lure Beach
- Picnic in Morse Park
- Hit the Mountain Biking Trails at Buffalo Creek Park
- Zipline through the Canopy in Lake Lure
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1. Visit Chimney Rock State Park
The geological marvel for which the town is named can be seen from Downtown Chimney Rock, and it is truly a sight to behold. But there’s nothing quite like the view from the top!
Head to Chimney Rock State Park for some amazing hikes, such as the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. It takes you to a to a 400-foot North Carolina waterfall and jaw-dropping views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
If you aren’t quite up for a hike to the top of the 535-million-year-old Chimney Rock, there’s an elevator that takes you within 44 steps of the top.
From March 10 to December 31, adult tickets (ages 16+) are $17, youth tickets (ages 5-15) are $8, and kids ages 4 and under get in free!
READ MORE: Top 15 NC State Parks in the North Carolina Mountains
2. Spend a Day on the Water
Covering 720 acres, with around 27 miles of shoreline, beautiful Lake Lure attracts visitors from all over.
You can rent a boat for the afternoon, waterski, kayak, paddle board, or engage in just about any other water-based activity you can imagine.
Outfitters such as the Lake Lure Adventure Company can hook you up with everything you need for an amazing day out on the water.
If you prefer a little river tubing action, head 25 miles south to Saluda NC’s Green River Cove Tubing. There you can rent a tube and spend the afternoon floating down the Green River.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Lakes in North Carolina
3. Go Shopping in Downtown Chimney Rock
If you reach a point where you’re all adventured out and just want to spend a few hours shop-hopping, Chimney Rock NC is a great place to be!
There are endless souvenir shops, boutiques, and arts and crafts stores that will keep you busy.
Just head down Main Street and stop in at Bubba O’Leary’s General Store & Outfitters for a taste of classic small town Americana.
Try Featherheads for local and indigenous artists, or Willow Creek Gifts for home and garden décor or souvenirs for the folks back home.
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4. Visit the “Dirty Dancing Festival”
Formerly known as the Dirty Dancing Festival, this annual September event is now officially called the Lake Lure Dance Festival.
This was done in order to incorporate an array of dance styles other than those featured in the famous film.
But never fear, they’ll still have the infamous Lake Lift Competition, where you can try to recreate that iconic scene from the film. Or just pull up your lawn chair for the annual outdoor showing of the beloved movie.
There will be plenty of other Dirty Dancing-inspired fun, as well as food, live music, and shows.
READ MORE: The Top 20 Fall Festivals in the North Carolina Mountains
5. Stroll Across the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is a feat of gardening to behold, with over 2,000 species of plants and a beautiful stone bridge that was built in 1925.
We aren’t just talking about a few hanging baskets here! There are 12 different themed gardens planted in raised beds across the 155-foot span of the historic bridge.
If you can pry your eyes away from the beautiful blooms for a moment, take a look upstream and you’ll see a wonderful view of Chimney Rock. Peer downstream and you’ll watch the water flow towards Lake Lure.
Interestingly, a special isothermic microclimate caused by the Hickory Nut Gorge results in unusual bloom times for the otherwise predictable plants.
READ MORE: 7 Covered Bridges in North Carolina You Can Visit in 1 Day
6. Enjoy a Microbrewery or Winery
After a long day of adventures, we love to relax and enjoy a refreshing adult beverage. In downtown Chimney Rock NC, a stroll along Main Street will offer several great places to stop.
The Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro is set against a stunning scenic backdrop, offering great views of Chimney Rock.
You can also enjoy a relaxed meal there, with some live local music on the porch.
If you prefer riverfront dining, the Chimney Rock Brewing Co. is a great place to be. They have a sweet and simple pub food-style menu, with lots of vegetarian options.
READ MORE: The 20 Best NC Wineries to Visit
7. Relax on Lake Lure Beach
Lake Lure Beach & Water Park is the perfect place to spend a hot summer’s day.
You can grab your beach towels and umbrellas, kick back on the sand with a good book, float on the water, or build a sandcastle.
They have 100 yards of pristine sandy beach, with a swimming area, water park with slides, and games. There’s also a covered picnic shelter for groups, as well as several individual picnic tables.
The beach also has bathrooms and snacks for sale, though there are many restaurants nearby. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 f0r seniors, $8 for kids ages 4-12 , and kids under 4 get in free!
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8. Picnic in Morse Park
You’ll find amazing views of the Hickory Nut Gorge at Lake Lure’s Morse Park.
This 23-acre community park is divided into four areas– the meadow, the gardens, the wetlands, and the riverside.
Visitors are welcome to wander through the gardens, or take a stroll along the walking/jogging trails.
Kids will enjoy the children’s play area, and families may want to bring a lunch and head to one of the covered picnic tables (complete with charcoal grills).
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9. Hit the Mountain Biking Trails at Buffalo Creek Park
Buffalo Creek Park is a beautiful place that offers lovely views of Lake Lure, Bald Mountain Lake, and Youngs Mountain.
There are picnic tables for outdoor dining, and around 3.5 miles of trails to explore.
Though it was designed primarily with mountain bikers in mind, the trails are also used by hikers and joggers.
Bikers with enjoy the banked turns, rollers, and berms, while hardy hikers will appreciate the park’s challenging elevation changes.
READ MORE: The 20 Best North Carolina Hiking Trails
10. Zipline through the Canopy in Lake Lure
Canopy Ridge Farm offers a wonderful way to see the Lake Lure area from a very different perspective.
You’ll feel as though you’re ziplining through the jungle of this 60-acre adventure park in Hickory Nut Gorge.
Knowledgeable guides will take you on a zipline tour perfect for adrenaline junkies and families alike. Along the way, you’ll look down at gorges, hillsides, and water from the canopy of a hardwood forest.
If you prefer to stay closer to the ground, try going for a spin on a UTV. You can drive yourself, or be driven through the forest, weaving through trees and dodging other obstacles. -by Jonathon Engels
