Fairfield Mountains - A favorite place

My little boy has always loved feeding the ducks on the lake. Favorite memories include getting my elderly mother in a jacuzzi for the first time and putting my infant in a pool ring in the jacuzzi in our condo.

Quick Tips:

The area has great food on site as well as wonderful restaurants in the area. You can cook in, order delivery right on the resort, grill out, picnic on the beach, go out for casual or fine dining a short drive away.

Best Way To Get Around:

Eat anything Italian - but don't miss the pizza! It is great! They are open late, so a late night, hot pizza delivery is wonderful when you don't feel like going out after a busy, fun-filled day or on a cold winter night.

If you can hike to the waterfall (and back), it is beautiful! This huge waterfall is over 400 feet, and you can go all the way to the bottom of the falls and splash in the water if you are really brave.

Of course, a short hike up to the top of the chimney is a must-see spot overlooking the valley below. There are trails that are more dramatic and exhilarating, and some for families with children or the less adventurous.

If don't want to hike, you can drive up. There are picnic tables all along the way, and it's a scenic drive. When you get to the parking lot just below the chimney, you can take a 26-story elevator built inside the magnificent granite tower. This will take you on up to the top in about 30 seconds, where you will find a restaurant and shopping.

At different times throughout the year, special events are held there - the annual Chimney Rock Hill climb for sports cars, perhaps a bird show from the Raptor Center, or other wildlife displays. Scenes from this park were featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans.

My favorite is the pontoon boat where the whole family and friends can go out and spend an hour or more just crusing comfortably around the lake. It's a great way to get some sun, or you can sit under the canopy and just look at the scenery. Some of the homes are spectacular, and this is the only way to view them. The landscape of some of the homes is amazing. You can cruise down to the Dam Marina and go in for snacks and supplies, or you can cruise up to the beach at Lake Lure and take a look around.

This marina is located just across from the Lake Lure Recreation Center, and there is a children's playground, picnic areas, and fishing spots all the way around. The children enjoy feeding the ducks on or off the boat. Duck food is available to purchase.

Many nice gift items are available featuring Bubba himself, Lake Lure, and Chimney Rock. The store is full of camping and outdoor supplies and there is an outdoor shop store adjacent to it with a wide variety of clothing and other items as well. This is a great place to find something unique. There are lots of gift ideas for the gardener, for the hiking enthusiast, or for collectors.

America's largest home was created in 1895 as a grand country retreat for George W. Vanderbilt, his family, and guests. The house and grounds are spectacular; the 250-room French chateau is filled with beautiful and interesting sites (a library of over 20,000 books, sculptures, engravings, Renoir portraits, and grand furniture).

Take a self-guided tour, an audio tour, or a guided tour with a knowledgeable host who'll describe the architecture and history of the 4-acre estate, including its indoor swimming pool, recreation center, bowling alley, over 30 bathrooms, 40-plus unique bedrooms, over 60 fireplaces, and three kitchens! Furnishings include exquisite tapestries and art, and the rooms appear much as they did a century ago.

The estate is also a perfect place for holiday shopping--beautiful Christmas ornaments and decorative accessories. The Gardener's Place has everything needed for gardening and perfect gifts for a gardener. There are wide varieties of estate reproductions and unique items available. The Stable Cafe is a unique restaurant in the renovated Vanderbilt stable. The estate restaurants range from simple courtyard dining to elegant, and offer many specialties ranging from unique blends of fresh foods farmed on the estate and innovative menus featuring fanciful desserts, to drinks for casual or fine dining, a confectionery for decadent treats, a bakery, and ice cream parlor.

The winery is a neat experience, with wine-tasting and cooking demonstrations. There are gorgeous gardens and a conservatory with hummingbirds in flight in spring, beautiful roses in summer, and amazing orchids.

The house is truly beautiful at Christmas, my favorite time of year. There’s a majestic 35-foot tree in the banquet hall, dozens of trees decorated according to fairytale themes, delicate ornaments, hundreds of wreaths, poinsettias, lights, nativity scenes, choir ensembles, and music from the magnificent pipe organ. We are annual pass-holders so we don't miss any occasion!

A luxury inn on the property provides a little pampering or a place for a special wedding. A visit to the huge bass pond down a woodland path and guided hikes give you an opportunity to learn about the estate farms and surrounding forest. Several behind-the-scenes tours include a vineyard tour, motor-coach tour, and carriage rides. Don't miss the rooftop tour for unsurpassed views! You can view several additional rooms, the attic, and architectural details of the house and rooftop.

Special festivals throughout the year include a springtime flower festival, an Easter egg hunt, summer concerts, and Michaelmas--an autumn English harvest festival.

Ride great biking trails with rental mountain bikes or bring your own. There are equestrian trails, as well, if you like horseback riding (riding lessons are also available). Try canoeing, kayaking, or river rafting down the French Broad River or a romantic interlude with a guided sunset float and picnic basket from the Ice Cream Parlor.