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Kelli Robinson

Kelli Robinson is a freelance writer who lives in Mooresville and has been contributing to Lake Norman Magazine since 2009. She juggles family and writing with humor and lots of chocolate, and enjoys experiencing all the Lake Norman area has to offer.

This week I was reminded that you can definitely enjoy the lake even after summer ends.

Friends invited us to spend the afternoon with them on the lake, and wow were my kids confused. No tubes, no bathing suits. But they soon realized what I think others also forget: Lake Norman is beautiful year-round.

It was nice not having to dodge multiple boats and Jet Skis. The bright blue sky, crystal calm waters and multi-colored landscape (thank you, changing leaves) was beautiful. It’s still warm enough to enjoy lunch outside, which we did at The Landing, a popular lakeside restaurant housed in the Lake Norman Hotel. This place gets packed in the summer. The docks fill up so quickly that boaters have to drop the anchor in the cove and call for a pontoon pickup to take them ashore (yes, they do this).

But it wasn’t necessary this week. We had the deck to ourselves and enjoyed burgers, beers and great conversation. The Landing offers great bar food, including wings, subs, and pizzas. Their seafood and steak entrees looked yummy, too.

Don’t let not owning a boat keep you from enjoying the lake. Many places in the area rent boats for half-days, full-days, even weekends. Saltshaker Marine in Mooresville and Duffy Electric Boats in Davidson are just two examples. Saltshaker lets you choose from pontoons, power boats and fishing charters. Duffy’s boats are heated, so no worries if there’s a chill in the air.

Duffy has partnered with it North Harbor Place neighbor, Lake Norman Wine Cottage, to offer nightly wine tasting cruises. Lake Norman Wine Cottage is one of the area’s unique wine and gift shops, and owner Trudy Zangardi is constantly thinking outside of the box when it comes to customer satisfaction. Sure you can stop by and grab a bottle of wine. But why not get some friends together and enjoy wine on the water? For $40 per person you can sample seasonal wines paired with fine foods prepared by Trudy herself.

So yes, it’s colder, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can only drive over and around the lake until May. The lake is here 365 days a year. Just because you’ve tucked your swimsuit away doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy it.

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