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Itinerary
Know before you go
Please note: A number of outdoor spaces and locations in Western NC, especially the Chimney Rock and Lake Lure communities, were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Check our travel advisory for local visitor information, closings and Call Center hours.
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Lake Lure Inn & Spa
Start your walk down “Dirty Dancing” memory lane in the town of Lake Lure, where a handful of scenes were filmed. Check in to the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, where Patrick Swayze, portraying bad-boy dance instructor Johnny Castle, and Jennifer Grey, the beloved Frances “Baby” Houseman, stayed during filming. Settle into Johnny’s Cabin or Baby’s Bungalow, both spacious “Dirty Dancing”-themed cabins.
Camp Chimney Rock
Although none of the films were shot at the Inn, the landscape at nearby Camp Chimney Rock — including its original cabins, dining hall and gymnasium — were used in the film. The cabins doubled for the film’s Kellerman’s staff housing, and the gym was converted into the banquet room where Baby and Johnny performed their epic “Time of My Life” dance routine. Today, the property is a private residential development called Firefly Cove at Lake Lure, where a few remaining ruins of the camp have been incorporated into the planned community.
Veranda Restaurant
Grab dinner at the Veranda Restaurant, where upscale dining meets stunning mountain views. Savor the herb-crusted filet mignon or try the pan-seared mountain trout, sourced fresh from local streams and served with a citrus beurre blanc. Pair your meal with a selection from their curated wine list or a signature cocktail like the Blackberry Bourbon Smash.
Chimney Rock State Park
Head a couple of miles west to Chimney Rock State Park and make your way to the top of the 535-million-year-old 315-foot rock outcropping. For the adventurous and bold types, take the nearly 500 steps on the Outcroppings Trail to the top. For those looking for a more leisurely ascent, check to see if the state-of-the-art elevator is running, and then climb the final steps to take in the spectacular views from the top of this peak. If you time it right, enjoy a magical sunset — and channel Johnny and Baby’s Mountain romance — along the Blue Ridge Mountains. (Please note: Chimney Rock State Park is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.)
The Esmeralda Inn, Restuarant & Spa
Just a bit farther west is The Esmeralda Inn, Restaurant & Spa, where you can walk on the actual floor where Baby and Johnny showed off their legendary dance and lift at the end of the film. Although not originally at this location, the floor was salvaged after the gymnasium where the scene was shot was demolished in the late 1980s; it became part of the lobby floor in the Esmeralda Inn during a renovation in the late '90s. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the Esmeralda Restaurant, which takes pride in using local meats and vegetables as often as possible and features an exceptional wine list. (Please note: The Esmeralda is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.)
Irongate Spa
Spend the morning enjoying the charm of the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa. Admire the antiques and artwork of the historic inn, stroll the property and lakeside, or treat yourself to a massage or facial in the Irongate Spa.
Lake Lure Tours
Wander over to the marina and book a guided “Dirty Dancing” tour with Lake Lure Tours, where you'll board an open-air pontoon boat for a narrated tour of the lake. Sail past the stairs where Baby carried the watermelon up to the staff cabins and where she practiced her dance moves coming down. See the area of the original camp that served as the staff housing and banquet room in Firefly Cove at Lake Lure. Learn about the history of the area, along with the natural and cultural background of Hickory Nut Gorge.
Bald Mountain Golf Course
Come afternoon, take the longer but more scenic route along the lake to Bald Mountain Golf Course, an 18-hole course at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure. Designed by WB Lewis in 1968, the course was featured prominently when Baby interrupted her parents while they were practicing their swings to ask her father for money. The film was shot on the 16th hole, but it was made to look like a practice green.
High Hampton
If you still want more “Dirty Dancing” in your life, head southwest to Hendersonville and Cashiers (both towns served as backdrops for the 2017 musical reimagination of the film) and book a stay at the newly remodeled High Hampton; it stood in for this version's Kellerman's Resort.
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Your Trip at a Glance
Stop 1
Lake Lure Inn & Spa
Stop 2
Camp Chimney Rock
Stop 3
Veranda Restaurant
Stop 4
Chimney Rock State Park
Stop 5
The Esmeralda Inn, Restuarant & Spa
Stop 6
Irongate Spa
Stop 7
Lake Lure Tours
Stop 8
Bald Mountain Golf Course
Stop 9