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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.
On the eastern edge of NC's Blue Ridge Mountains, less than an hour from the glow of city lights, Ursa Major and other constellations are easy to see in the nighttime sky. But these aren’t the only stars. World-class Grand Prix riders compete during Tryon International Equestrian Center's Saturday Night Lights series, where the evening begins with a festival and ends with incredible horse shows.
Tryon International Equestrian Center is a year-round destination, even offering Winterfest celebrations from mid-November through early January. Whether you're here for adventure or relaxation, this trip promises an unforgettable escape. Make it the centerpiece of a weekend full of bright spots, including hiking at an NC landmark, savoring locally sourced cuisine and playing a round of golf at one of the state’s top-ranked public courses.
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Chimney Rock State Park
Prepare to be in awe of Chimney Rock State Park. Just past the main gate you’ll find the entrance for the half-mile Great Woodland Adventure Trail and its 12 discovery stations, where guests of all ages learn about the park’s creatures. The next trailhead starts a leisurely 1.4-mile round-trip hike through a hardwood forest to Hickory Nut Falls. It’s one of the East's tallest waterfalls and a prominent filming location in 1992’s The "Last of the Mohicans.” A steady supply of sweeping views will supply motivation for your 494-stair climb to the top of Chimney Rock, the 315-foot monolith that has drawn visitors for more than a century. (Please note: Chimney Rock is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.)
Lake Lure
Follow the river past Morse Park to Lake Lure, where “Dirty Dancing” famously filmed. The Lodge on Lake Lure's 17 rooms boasting Southern elegance, which can accommodate quiet getaways and family reunions, are the town’s only lakefront lodging. Before settling into yours, learn about the lake’s history and ecology on a sunset boat cruise.
Appalachia Restaurant
Dinner will be waiting for you at farm-to-table Appalachia Restaurant, located on the lodge’s entrance level. Daily specials feature in-season local ingredients, and the grilled ribeye and Chilean sea bass are favorites. Panoramic mountain views are included with indoor or veranda seating.
Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club
George Cobb, who’s responsible for Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte and Augusta National’s Par-3, designed the course at Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club. It was even ranked one of our state’s 10 best public courses on PGA.com. The breathtaking mountain scenery is the real winner on this course, where low scores are a result of controlled drives.
Tryon International Equestrian Center
A short drive brings you to Tryon International Equestrian Center, where you can stay in a cabin, tiny house, Stable House Inn room or RV site. With an event-filled calendar, free parking, and an array of shops and restaurants, there’s plenty to explore before the evening’s main event. Many of the dishes at Legends Grille include locally sourced ingredients.
Saturday Night Lights
There’s no admission fee to Saturday Night Lights, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Live music, face painting, performers and Venetian carousel rides bring the fun, while its centerpiece — Grand Prix — provides the excitement. International riders lead their horses into soaring jumps over obstacles, including some nearly 5 feet tall, inside the 6,000-seat arena. They receive faults for mistakes such as refusing to jump or surpassing the time limit. The rider with the fewest mistakes wins.
Roger's Diner
Located at the equestrian center, the metallic exterior and interior vibe of Roger’s Diner is all 1950s. Sunday breakfast is the perfect time to dive into a stack of pancakes or a made-to-order omelet, although The Triple Crown (three eggs any style; choice of meat, hashbrowns or home fries; choice of toast, biscuit or English muffin) might be most appropriate before hitting the virtual trail on Tryon’s equine simulator.
Equine Simulator
Schedule a time to ride the center’s equine simulator, a mechanical horse that moves with the scenery shown on monitors. Instructor Barbro Ask-Upmark, who rode with the mounted police in her native Sweden and has won Grand Prix gold medals, is one of the world’s best simulator instructors. She’ll be with you on every step of this memorable experience. Novices and Olympic-level riders have benefited from her wisdom.
Cleghorn Gun Club
It’s just a 10-minute car ride to the resort’s Cleghorn Gun Club. The sporting clays course rolls with the landscape, and each of its 15 stations has four traps that cater to beginners and experienced shooters. National Sporting Clay Association accredited instruction is available by appointment. Golf carts and Caesar Guerini 12- and 20-gauge shotguns can be rented at the pro shop, which sells ammunition too.
This trip idea was produced in partnership with Tryon International Equestrian Center.
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Your Trip at a Glance
Stop 1
Chimney Rock State Park
Stop 2
Lake Lure
Stop 3
Appalachia Restaurant
Stop 4
Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club
Stop 5
Tryon International Equestrian Center
Stop 6
Saturday Night Lights
Stop 7
Roger's Diner
Stop 8
Equine Simulator
Stop 9