Lake Lure NC and Chimmney Rock NC

Dirty Dancing and Last of the Mohicans were both filmed in Hickory Nut Gorge which is the area that Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are in.

"Lake Lure has all the niceties that a small southern town has," says Mayor Jim Proctor. "We have nice folks, beautiful scenery and great weather."

Don't miss the fact that you will find some of the best food in the area at the local Restaurants and Cafes. Larkin's is famous for being in Dirty Dancing and if you go there you will enjoy it.

Nestled between the Piedmont region and Appalachian Mountains, Lake Lure is located in the western part of North Carolina.

Aside from its scenic view and friendly residents, Lake Lure is perhaps best known for being the real-life location of the hit 1980s movie, "Dirty Dancing."

"We have the best of both worlds: We are at low elevation, but we have spectacular mountain views," Proctor says.

The man-made lake offers 21 miles of shoreline, and is as deep as 115 feet at some points.

In addition to scenic views, Lake Lure offers plenty of outdoor recreation, everything from water skiing and lake touring to fishing and even a scenic area to hike -- Chimney Rock.

"Chimney Rock Park is made up of about 1,000 acres over the mountain," says Todd Morse, the president of Chimney Rock Park. "Whether you come to western North Carolina for scenic views, interesting rock formations, or hiking, we've got it all in one place and it's very easy to access."

Chimney Rock Park overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge, which is the natural gorge that was formed by the Rocky Broad River as it meandered its way down to what is now Lake Lure.

The river was named the Rocky Broad River for the boulders that seem to line its winding path down the mountain.

"It's so great for the spirit," Morse adds. "It's so peaceful, so quiet in this area and we get so much incredible scenic beauty. It's just a great spot and a great area to be able to relax and unwind."

The Film " The Last of The Mohicans was also filmed in the area. You can see a lot of the beautiful scenery of the area in the movie " The Last Of The Mohicans "

One thing you for sure do not want to miss is the Boat Tour of Lake Lure which is a delightful little Journey. Be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket even on warm days in the early spring and fall.We went for the Dinner and Cruise combination with the Dinner at the local Lake Lure Inn in the Veranda Restaurant. The food was very good and the service was excellent. We had the Roasted Fillet of Trout on a bed of vegetables and it was one of the better meals I have ever had. The dessert was good and the after dinner cruise on the lake was excellent.

The next day we ate at Larkin's known for its fame from the movie Dirty Dancing and I will say the Herb Baked Prime Rib is one of my all time favorite while my friend had the pecan crusted trout which I tasted and oh my it was so good.

One interesting note is that Larkin's recently won its third Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Larkin's has one of the best wine selections in the area. Call ahead for Reservations ( Ask for Lewis at 828-289-5616 and ask for a window side table. The view is spectacular. If your after lunch step down the stairs and try out the burgers in their Bayfront Bar and Grill. The BBQ Ribs there are also excellent and there is a full Bar. The Bayfront Bar and Grill opens daily at 11.30 AM.

The menu at the Bayfront Bar and Grill is varied and delightful and the prices are quite reasonable. They have a Famous Colossal Bayfront Burger that you have to try. I would say its one of the best ever.

If your thinking of spending a few days or a weekend in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure you will find very affordable lodging and lots of Cabins for rent both by the night and the week. Check out the list of local places offering rentals below.

Here is a very good list of Cabins and Houses for Rent in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area. This is a very detailed list and a lot offer photos , contact phone numbers and etc to rent a cabin or house for a weekend or a week.

Click Here For The Rental List

All of the little shops at Chimney Rock are filled with all kinds of things to buy. Take your time and check them out. You won't believe all the strange and unusual things your going to find.

One Thing We Discovered

If you take 74 West out of Chimney Rock you will take a long climb up several mountains and eventually end up in Asheville. But along the way you will find all kinds of interesting shops , country stores , and some of the most bueatiful scenery in Western N.C. It is one of the most enjoyable rides ever. Take your time as you climb the mountains up to Asheville. Along the way you can stop and buy a Picnic Lunch several places and their are a lot of places to pull over and park for your picnic. The shops along this road are better than the ones you will find in Chimney Rock with lots of Antique Shops where you can find some real treasures. Be sure you stop in the llittle town of Gerton along the road there and check out the stores and shops there. We found some nice collectible antique items and even ran up on a few people having yard sales where we found some real bargains. Saturday morning in the summer months are the best time to run into yard sales here.