Nearby weekend getaways for every travel personality Part III: The Adventurer and The Lake Lover
This is Part III of a three-part series on nearby weekend getaways for every travel personality. Read Part I here for The History Buff, the Romantic and the Beachgoer. Read Part II here for The Tourist, the Culture-Seeker and The Sports Fan.
The adventure away from home continues! These nearby destinations are less than a four-hour drive from the Queen City.
The Adventurer: Boone, NC
Distance from Uptown: 2 hours
Doubling as a ski destination, Boone draws adventurers during all seasons. Summer months inspire water sports like canoeing and tubing, as well as extreme biking and zip-lining on land.
Adventurer Bucket List:
Tube Down a Mountain
A favorite summer-area activity in Boone, tubing poses fun for adults and children alike. Soak up the sun while gliding down a mountain stream in an old-fashioned tube! River and Earth Adventures and Wahoo’s Adventures both offer tubing, among other water activities.
Fly Over the Wilderness
Embark on one of the most unforgettable eco-tours – by zipline! One of the largest collections of zipline cables in the East resides in the town of Seven Devils at Hawksnest Zipline. Sky Valley Zip Tours also offers zip lines as well as forest canopy walks, and High Gravity Adventures houses the area’s newest zipline and aerial park.
Hop on a Mountain Bike
Boone’s Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park lives up to its name as one of the “Ultimate Ride Hotspots.” The park underwent a $2 million upgrade, and now welcomes visitors to eight state-of-the-art trails. Outside of Boone, Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain also prove popular spots for the sport.
Spark Adrenaline on the Rapids
If you’re a fan of the U.S. National Whitewater Center, add Boone to your bucket list. The mountainous area welcomes all whitewater rafting skill levels, from gentle waves to extreme rapids (definitely a good team-building exercise!). Edge of the World and High Mountain Expeditions (among others) both offer whitewater rafting opportunities near Boone.
Fuel Up with a Local Dish
Since I’m a big fan of pasta, I’d recommend dining at Basil’s, which serves fresh pasta, deli sandwiches, and homemade sauces to enjoy on site or at home. Fun fact: the founder grew up dining at Pasta and Provisions and mirrored the concept in his Boone eatery. Or try a local favorite: Café Portofino. Housed in a 100-year-old building, this popular restaurant serves sandwiches, pastas, and steaks – the perfect selections to refuel after a day of exploring.
The Lake Lover: Lake Lure, NC
Distance from Uptown: 2 hours
Lovers of Lake Norman will find solace at Lake Lure, located about 25 miles from Asheville near Chimney Rock. A stark difference from Boone’s adrenaline-fueled adventures, Lake Lure welcomes couples and families alike to relax at one of North Carolina’s man-made lakes.
Attend the Dirty Dancing Festival
Well-known for its iconic scene in Dirty Dancing, Lake Lure draws visitors each summer to its Dirty Dancing Festival. Relive Baby’s first dance, watch a free screening of the movie, enjoy culinary delights throughout the day, and enter the lake lift competition (August 24th – 25th).
Stroll Along the Flowering Bridge
One of the most scenic walks in Western North Carolina, the Flowering Bridge hosts visitors to observe stunning foliage and spectacular views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock. Locals transformed the former highway bridge into a “Gateway to Somewhere Beautiful,” and it sure lives up to its name!
Put Your Toes in the Sand
Much like the newer Lake Norman beach, the Lake Lure beach draws families to build sand castles, picnic, or soak up the sun on the bank. The beach opens Memorial Day weekend and remains open through Labor Day weekend.
Board a Boat
If you’d like to learn about nearby landmarks and famous movie scenes, hop aboard a boat tour and relax while a skipper shares fun facts on a Lake Lure Tour ($16/person). Or, embark on a box lunch or sunset cruise ($25/person) to spend the day on the water.
Hike to the Top of Chimney Rock
If you can’t stay away from adventure, observe stunning views of the North Carolina mountains from the top of Chimney Rock. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is among the most popular because of its wildflowers, birding, and stunning waterfalls.
Where do you escape for a nearby weekend getaway?
This story was originally published May 4, 2018 at 12:00 AM.
