8 reasons to love Lake Norman right now
(1) The view
Lake Norman is beautiful in a thousand ways. There are mornings when mist curls off the lake and the water is a sheet of glass. There are days when the water is a brilliant blue. Looking for a good spot to catch the view? Try Davidson Island, off of Davidson College’s Lake Campus.
(2) The relaxing vibe
“My favorite part about living on Lake Norman is being able to take a nap on my paddle board in the middle of the afternoon while my wife thinks I’m paddle boarding for exercise. You can’t do that in Ballantyne.” —TJ from the 96.1 Ace and TJ Show
(3) Lakeside restaurants
A burger by itself is pretty delicious, sure. But a burger with a side of Lake Norman is a truly singular experience. Fortunately, there are several places on the lake where you can get just that. North Harbor Club is the perfect venue for an elegant brunch while lounging on an outdoor patio. In the mood for something greasier? The Landing Restaurant at Lake Norman Motel is a fun hole in the wall with arcade games and French fries to spare, not to mention a festive Tiki Bar. And of course there’s The Rusty Rudder, with plenty of fish tacos and live music to go around.
(4) Life’s a stage
Davidson Community Players is a talented group of actors who put on wonderful shows ranging from whimsical to comedic. They have something for everyone, with not only a variety of shows but also venues at both the Duke Family Performance Hall and the intimate Armour Street Theatre. Their summer shows—Singin’ in the Rain and Fox on the Fairway—are sure to delight. The Connie Company, the theater’s youth division, lets aspiring Broadway stars have a taste of the limelight.
(5) Cruises
Whether you spend the day sightseeing on the Catawba Queen or the night dining on the Lady of the Lake, a nice way to relax and take in Lake Norman is on top of one of Queens Landing’s cruise ships. You can also go on party cruises like “Old School Hip Hop” and “Dress in Summer Whites” and dance the night away with dock lights twinkling in the distance.
Queens Landing: 704-663-2628. 1459 River Hwy., Mooresville.
(6) Perfect pies
Lemon Chess. Strawberry Rhubarb. Chocolate Cream. Bumbleberry. This is just a sampling of the heavenly pies at Carolina Pie Company. Baked from scratch using fresh ingredients, the crust on these delectables is pure melt-in-your-mouth perfection. If you don’t want to indulge in a full pie, mini-pies are available to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Carolina Pie Company: 136 Stutt’s Road, Mooresville. 704-662-0154.
(7) Stand-up paddle boarding
Gliding over water on a sleek paddle board is an exhilarating and freeing way to spend a Saturday morning. My Aloha and Lake Norman Paddle Board Co. are local companies that sell and rent paddle boards in addition to offering unique experiences like “yoga on the water,” sunset paddle tours, and night excursions with LED lights. Paddle boarding is healthy for the mind and body—and doing Savasana on a board while the moon rises over the lake? Even better.
My Aloha: 17505 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 704-412-2999.
LKN Paddle: 704-966-9688.
(8) Ike’s Dog Pub
Enjoy a beer with your dog at Ike’s Dog Pub. Your canines can sit with you or play off-the-leash with other pals in the indoor and outdoor enclosures. The pub offers craft and domestic beer, wine, specialty drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Although there isn’t food at the bar, feel free to bring in all manner of takeout to enjoy while you watch the game. The pub also doubles as a doggy daycare, boarding center, and dog spa.
Ike’s: 142 Consumer Square Drive, Mooresville. 980-444-0020.
Photo: Michael Giordano, North Harbor Club, Queens Landing
You can find the extended version of this story at LakeNormanMagazine.com.
This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "8 reasons to love Lake Norman right now."