Things to Do: Our Top Picks

Chimney Rock Park: Whether you want a forest stroll to the bottom of The Hickory Nut Falls or you’re a serious hiker, plan your day to hike the trails where movie classic, “The Last of The Mohicans” was filmed. The incredible natural chimney, rock outcroppings, waterfalls, and trails in this now North Carolina State Park are amazingly beautiful and just happen to be a perfect place to spend a day. If you are not a hiker, ride the elevator up to the Chimney for amazing views. 1.5 miles from The Arbor. See our Chimney Rock Guide. Dining: From hot dogs to fine dining, there are many locally-owned restaurants abound in "these here hills" in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. Enjoy romantic candlelit dinners by the lake, fine dining with incredible views, pubs & grilles, BBQ, Italian, Mexican & “down-home” on the river…we have it all! Rocky Broad River River Walk: This is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve unscrewed your head and let it all fly out! You don’t have to get wet. But, if it’s summer, you’ll wanna wade. You’ll understand why it’s named The Rocky Broad when you see it for yourself. Billions of years ago glaciers formed The Hickory Nut Gorge, leaving their prints in this amazing stone garden of nature. From small stepping stones to house size boulders, you can meander up and down the river. It’s the perfect place for strolling couples, holding hands and staring into each other's eyes. One is reborn surrounded by the abundant beauty of the river. 1½ miles from The Arbor Shop! Shopping in this area offers a broad range of wonderful regionally hand-crafted items such as quilts, weavings, woodworks and carvings (fine & chainsaw), leather crafts, pottery, paintings, drawings and oils. Whether you shop the “little shops” of Chimney Rock Village or the weavers of Gerton, the antiques and boutiques of Hendersonville or just shop ‘till you drop, you’ll find unusual items you won’t find anywhere else. Yes, even a “coonskin cap” or pop-gun if you’re lookin’ real hard. Try Bubba O’Leary’s, John Bull Trading Company, The Hickory Nut, Old Cider Mill, Manual Woodworkers and on and on! From a mile to 25 miles, and so much in between! Lake Lure: The lake itself offers many wonderful “pickins" You can lie on the sandy beach of this “voted top ten most beautiful in the world, by National Geographic” lake. Or, take a lake cruise on a “cushy” pontoon boat and hear all the insider stories. Or, you can have dinner and an evening cruise. Or, you can do your own rowing or paddling in a canoe or kayak or paddleboat. There’s lots to do on these pristine waters. Yup, so clear you can even see your own toes when you’re treading water! 2/10 of a mile from The Arbor. Go to the Lake Lure Marina web site. Read more about Lake Lure (including which big movies were filmed here.) Water Adventure: For the adventurous, how about a day skiing, knee boarding or tubing? You can and more at Lake Lure Adventure Company. Expert instructors provide all instruction and equipment. What a way to spend the day on Lake Lure! www.lakelureadventurecompany.com Right here on pristine Lake Lure! Go Fish: Ever want to really learn how to fly-fish? Or, are you a seasoned fisher”person”? Lewis No Clark Expeditions offers the best in hunting and fishing instruction and expeditions. Go for half day or, a full day for the “hardy” sportsmen. All equipment, lures, boat and instruction included. www.lewisnoclark.com. Fish Lake Lure or The Broad or Green Rivers. Play Golf: Golfers delight in our courses that include our Donald Ross designed Municipal Course and our championship Apple Valley and Bald Mountain Courses. We’re sure to test your mettle. We can put a package together for YOU! Fun Photo: Our guests usually commemorate their visit with their “Old Tyme” photograph. Chimney Rock’s Coffee Crumbs Internet Café offers the best in gourmet coffees and wonderful pastries. But best of all is getting one of their sepia or black & white portraits made. The costumes are great and varied! 1.5 miles from The Arbor. Gem & Gold Mining: Take yourself back to the good ol’ days of gem & gold mining. The flume is always working at the Broad River Gem Mining Company. What fun to find the treasures hidden in the materials gathered from mines all over the world. 6 miles from the Arbor. Geddy Up! Horseback riding is a real treat in these mountains. Whether you’re taking a mountain ride or riding the river, Lake Lure has two wonderful stables. One of which will surely provide your riding fix. Go to the web sites for Cedar Creek Stables and RIverside Riding Stables. 15 minutes from The Arbor Biltmore Estate: What a way to spend a day! Explore America’s largest home. Built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, the Biltmore House offers glimpses into a world of opulent elegance and grandeur. The house, furnished with grand masterpieces and antiques boasts intricate architectural details seldom seen anywhere. Visit the Biltmore Winery for a wine tasting and the incredible gardens, commissioned by Frederick Law Olmstead. Discover the estate with a carriage ride, bicycle, walking or horseback riding. Or dine in one of the estate restaurants. It’s a wonderful place to spend the day. Read more on the Biltmore web site.And, it’s only 40 minutes from The Arbor. Blue Ridge Parkway: "America’s favorite drive” is one of the most restful ways to spend a day. Discover a whole new mountain experience on this drive. The Blue Ridge Parkway, designed over 60 years ago as a scenic motor road and conservator of natural and historic treasures of the Blue Ridge, is the most visited site in the National Park System. Pick it up in Asheville 25 miles away and go go go! Downtown Hendersonville: Located just 18 miles from The Arbor, the historic district of Hendersonville offers delights in food, dining and plenty of shopping for everyone. Take the stroll and join the fun of the Monday’s and Friday’s street music and dances with live music and vendors. The annual NC Apple Festival is held on Labor Day Weekend. Visit the Mineral Museum, Thomas Wolfe’s Angel, and more! Read more about Hendersonville. Downtown Asheville: Asheville's lively downtown has great architecture, interesting museums, 200 locally owned stores (including a dozen antique shops and 30+ art galleries) and 50 restaurants. Don't miss the Grove Arcade. A creative way to see downtown is the Urban Trail, a self-guided walking tour of 30 sculptures that depict tidbits of local history. Read more about downtown Asheville. Only 40 minutes from The Arbor. Waterfalls: If you love waterfalls, this is the place for you! Our southern North Carolina Mountains contain hundreds of beautiful waterfalls. At nearby Chimney Rock, see the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls. The best waterfall hike in the area is at Dupont State Forest. Wine Tasting: Visit three “closeby” wineries. There’s Rockhouse Vineyards or Green Creek, or The Teensy Winery nearby.