Visitor's Guide
Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park is a must do on your trip to the North Carolina mountains. Take a deep breath of refreshing mountain air, become invigorated by the hiking trails, and let your cares fade away. Chimney Rock State Park is the perfect place to connect with nature and enjoy gorgeous views for seventy-five miles. Chimney Rock State Park is proud to be part of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and is located just one and a half miles from The Arbor Cabins.
Sky Top Orchard
The Mountains of western North Carolina are full of "pick-your-own" orchards, but Sky Top has much more to offer. Visit Sky Top Orchard and you'll enjoy panoramic mountain views, orchard ponds with ducks and geese, a 'barnyard' area with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys and more, a bamboo forest to explore, lots of picnic areas and, of course, a mountaintop of fragrant apple and fruit trees. When visiting Sky Top Orchard don't forget to grab a dozen or so of their homemade apple-cider doughnuts, they are a must have!
Dining
From casual to fine dining, there's something for everyone's pallet. Enjoy a romantic dinner at The Esmeralda Restaurant; enjoy lakeside cuisine at Larkin's on the Lake, Mexican at El Lago, a cold beer at the Riverside Pavilion, or North Carolina style BBQ at the Lake Lure Smokehouse. This is only a sampling of what you can experience while vacationing here in Hickory Nut Gorge.
Rocky Broad River Walk
Located in downtown Chimney Rock Village, this natural walkway has been enhanced with stone bridges and the artistic efforts of the community. Along this river walk, you will find boulders, rushing water, and access to riverfront shops and restaurants along the one eighth of a mile trail. This famous river is like none you'll see again.....don't miss it....you don't even have to get wet if you don't want to. You start out traipsing over small rocks and, before you even know it, you can end up on giant boulders in the middle of the river.
Shopping
Shopping in this area offers a broad range of wonderful regionally handcrafted items such as jewelry, quilts, clothing, and woodworks. Lake Lure is conveniently located so that you can visit the unique shops of Chimney Rock Village, Manual Wood Workers and Weavers, and the boutiques of Asheville, Black Mountain, and Hendersonville.
Zip-Line
The Gorge Zip-Line Canopy Tour
This is North Carolina Adventure at its best! Begin your 2½ hour trip perched on the rim of the famous Green River Gorge and plunge into untouched wilderness featuring 9 zip lines, 2 sky-bridges, and 3 huge rappels. THE GORGE offers unique perspectives and dramatic effects. Comprised solely of tree-based platforms, The Gorge drops an unprecedented 1,100 vertical feet from start to finish. Experience breathtaking views of 10,000 acres of protected forest and hear the roar of the Green River. GET READY FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!
Canopy Ridge Farm
Step into adventure when you soar through the trees while having a truly exciting experience with nature. All zip-lines are designed with unique and exhilarating features including Zip Zilla, which spans over 1,000 feet and is engineered for high speeds.
Water Activities
Green River Adventure
Green River Adventures has several options for adding a whitewater or outdoor adventure to your stay in the mountains – a must do! We offer half-day inflatable kayak trips, full-day kayak instruction, guided hikes to some of the areas coolest waterfalls and swimming holes, stand up paddleboard rentals, and more!
Lake Lure Adventure Company
Enjoy a day water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, or fishing. The Lake Lure Adventure Company combines excellent hospitality with the latest water adventure to ensure guests make memories to last a lifetime.
Lake Lure Marina and Beach
Take a boat tour of pristine Lake Lure, relax on the beach, or rent a kayak. Whatever you are looking to do on Lake Lure the Lake Lure Marina and Beach are sure to surpass your expectations.
Fishing Lake Lure
Lake Lure inhabits various species of fish; from large-mouth bass to bluegill and rainbow trout to catfish. Enjoy a charted fishing trip with Lewis No Clark Expeditions, or learn how to fly-fish at Grand Daddy Fly Fishing. You may even venture out to find your own special fishing hole in Lake Lure.
Play Golf
Lake Lure offers a perfect natural setting for golf. Combine it with exceptional year round weather, and you have something truly special. Golfers delight in all of our courses:
Old Time Photo
Take a step back in time and be a deputy, gunfighter, saloon girl, or even a hillbilly. At Coffee on the Rocks you can grab a cup of local fresh brewed coffee or espresso and have your own ole' time photo to take home with you. What a great way to remember your vacation to Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge.
Gemstone Mining
Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine is nestled deep in the Hickory Nut Gorge, on the banks of the Rocky Broad River in historic Chimney Rock Village. This is a gemstone mine of great opportunity to prospect for your own gems. You are invited to a riverside setting unparalleled by other mines in the area. Come experience the wonder and excitement of prospecting for gemstones in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. The friendly staff will happily assist you in any way possible, from discovery to identifying your treasures.
Horseback Riding
Giddy Up! Whether you're taking a mountain ride or riding along the river, Lake Lure has two wonderful stables. One of which will surely provide your riding desires. Go to the web sites for more information. Cedar Creek Stables and Riverside Riding Stables.
Biltmore Estate
Explore America's largest home, George Vanderbilt created Biltmore as an escape from everyday life. Now, you are invited to explore that escape for yourself. A visit to the 8,000-acre estate in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina provides limitless fun. Your admission includes self-guided tours of the breathtaking Biltmore House & Gardens and the Antler Hill Village - featuring the Winery, The Biltmore Legacy, Village Green, and The Farm.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Experience America's favorite drive. The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a road it's a journey. Spend a day driving along this majestic road discovering another side of Western North Carolina and it's natural beauty.
Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville is located 20 miles from the Arbor Cabins high, on a plateau with an altitude of 2200 feet above sea level. Henderson County is home to the NC Apple Festival and is home to several interesting historical sites you can visit while visiting our area. FYI....North Carolina is the 2nd largest apple producing state...closely following Washington State, and Henderson County is the largest apple producing county in the state
Asheville, NC
Take a day and visit Asheville, NC. You will find yourself immersed in their unmistakable mountain vibe. Asheville has become well known for their culinary cool, burgeoning beer scene and their thriving artistic community.
Add to that to the miles of panoramic vistas and you have a recipe for an unforgettable escape from the ordinary day. Asheville's lively downtown has great architecture, interesting museums, and hundreds of locally owned stores including but not limited to antique shops, custom jewelry, and urban clothing boutiques. Don't forget to take a brewery tour or a haunted trolley ride.
Waterfalls
The Mountains of Western North Carolina contain hundreds of beautiful waterfalls including the nearby Hickory Nut Falls waterfall at Chimney Rock State Park. Hike this trail to experience the second highest waterfall of its kind east of the Mississippi River. We here at the Arbor Cabins also highly recommend hiking the waterfalls around Dupont State Forest.
Wine Tasting
Western NC has many beautiful wineries to tour, come celebrate your love of the grape with a trio of our finest wineries and vineyards. Each vineyard includes a complimentary tasting and glass. Indulge in the grape! Overmountain Vineyards, Parker-Binns Vineyard, and Burntshirt Vineyards.
2494 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746
T 828.625.1171 E info@arborlakelure.com