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 reconnect 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.

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 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 is something for everyone's palate. Enjoy local coffee, ice cream and baked goods at Scoop/Lake Lure Coffee, lakeside American cuisine at Larkin's on the Lake, Mexican at El Lago, Italian at La Strada or Luna del Sol, Mediterranean at Medina's, old-fashioned diner fare at the Lakeside Diner or burgers and a cold beer at the Riverwatch Bar and Grill. This is only a sampling of what your palate may 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. The Rocky Broad River Walk is sure to connect you to Mother Nature.

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:

• Lake Lure Golf Club

• Apple Valley Golf Course

• Bald Mountain Golf Course

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 any 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. Henderson County is the 7th-largest apple producer in the U.S.

Asheville, NC

Take a day and visit Asheville, NC. You will find yourself immersed in its unmistakable mountain vibe. Asheville has become well known for its culinary cool, burgeoning beer scene and thriving artistic community.

Add that to the miles of panoramic vistas and you have a recipe for an unforgettable escape from an 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, including several within a 30-minute drive from the Arbor. Indulge in the grape! Overmountain Vineyards, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and Burntshirt Vineyards are three local favorites.