11 Best Lakeside Towns in North Carolina
Between the Appalachian Mountains, vast forests, and numerous lakes, North Carolina boasts a diverse and beautiful landscape that captivates visitors and residents alike. Its lakes, in particular, make it easy to enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and quiet time by the water. The state is home to more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs, including Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. Others, like Lake Lure, famous as a filming location for Dirty Dancing, and Lake Junaluska, set near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, add to the state’s iconic lake scene. And on these lakes, no two towns are the same: from the famous barbecue of Lexington, to the local art scene in Salisbury and Davidson, and the heart-stopping motorway experiences in Robbinsville, these are the best lakeside towns in North Carolina.
Lexington
With its downtown core located just a short distance from High Rock Lake, Lexington has plenty of sites to see. On the shores of the lake is the High Rock Boat Dock Marina and a swimming area for those looking to spend a day on the water. With an awe-inspiring view of the water, the Board & Batten Events venue is the perfect spot to host your events. Venturing away from the lake, Lexington has over 20 parks and facilities for you to enjoy.
The Uncorked Touring Company offers customizable tours of the vineyards scattered throughout Davidson County, perfect for a day trip. Visit Davidson County Historical Museum, one of the many museums in the region, to learn about its history. Hailed as one of the Nation’s top 5 cities for barbecue, the Lexington Barbecue Festival attracts thousands of patrons per year, alongside their popular Multicultural Festival, giving tourists and residents alike a wide range of activities and culinary experiences throughout the year.
Salisbury
With 508 acres of parkland, Salisbury, North Carolina, is a nature lover’s dream. Salisbury City Park boasts a walkable waterfront along City Park Lake, making it ideal for hiking and taking in the rich scenery.
Throughout the town you can see evidence of the dedication to promoting its local art scene: the Salisbury Sculpture Show is a large form public art display featuring sculptures placed throughout the town for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round, while Graffiti Park was designed to give local spray paint artists room to create without fear of repercussions, the project has since decreased the issue of illegal tagging in the town. Located in the heart of Salisbury’s downtown, The Bell Tower Green is a green space for sports and recreation, and also holds an outdoor amphitheater so you can enjoy live concerts in the park.
Robbinsville
Located at the foot of North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains, Robbinsville offers tranquil natural scenery and exhilarating recreational opportunities. Surrounded by forest land, Santeetlah Lake is the perfect place to connect with nature, with the Santeetlah Lake Trail available for hiking, and the Cheoah Point Beach, so you can enjoy a day on the water.
For the more adventurous, the Cheoah River is a short journey away from the lake, where you can go whitewater rafting. Car and motorcycle enthusiasts will love the Tail of the Dragon, an 11-mile-long winding road with breathtaking views of the surrounding forests, offering a thrilling, scenic drive. The town has many unique cabins available to rent for your stay, including the treehouse cabin overlooking the water at the River’s Edge Treehouse Resort. In the autumn, drivers can enjoy the electrifying view of the foliage along the Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that runs through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, which border Lake Santeetlah.
Lake Lure
Developed around its eponymous lake, Lake Lure is rich with recreational opportunities. Lake Lure Beach and water park are popular summer destinations for residents and tourists alike, while the Lake Lure Washburn Marina is available for those looking to spend a day fishing or playing water sports.
A short distance from the lake lies Chimney Rock State Park, a popular space for rock climbing and bouldering enthusiasts to try their hand at scaling the side of Rumbling Bald Mountain. The Flowering Bridge Education Center, named for the historic landmark, offers a variety of gardening-themed workshops for residents, helping promote and maintain the town’s natural beauty, just one of the many programs and events available year-round.
Waynesville
Waynesville, North Carolina, is located near the Great Smoky Mountains, which provide a stunning backdrop for Lake Junaluska. Along the lake, you can enjoy a walk through the floral gardens of the Rose Walk, or play a round of golf on the nearby greens at Lake Junaluska Golf Course. Parts of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans from Tennessee all the way across North Carolina, cross into Waynesville, where you can spend a day watching elk in the woods.
Heading into town, Waynesville has plenty of family-friendly activities, including horseback riding and tours of local farms across the region, and Haywood Arts Regional Theater puts on a variety of live performances for audiences to enjoy.
Denver
A small, historical town in the heart of Lincoln County, Denver, North Carolina, has a plethora of outdoor activities. Beatty’s Ford Park has a walking trail, playground, and splash area alongside an impressive amphitheater so you can enjoy live entertainment in the park, plus the boat ramp provides easy access to the lake to enjoy a day of fishing and water sports. Residents can enjoy artisan goods from local sellers at the Denver Farmer’s Market, while The DuGaren Venue and Vineyard is a popular wedding and events venue located on the historic DuGaren vineyard; with its picture-perfect property and breathtaking view of the vineyard, it is the perfect location for a fairytale wedding.
Cornelius
On the other side of Lake Norman lies Cornelius, North Carolina, a beautifully walkable town with a 13-mile greenway network, The Emerald Necklace, that connects the downtown district to the residential and park areas for easy access to all of the town’s recreation areas. The waterfront features The Sandbar boating club, along with several local marinas, including Safe Harbor Kings Point, making accessing the water easy and convenient for boaters. The annual Cornelius Festival of Cultures takes place every September, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate diverse cultural practices throughout the entire county.
Davidson
Davidson, North Carolina, is a small town bordering Lake Davidson (an arm of Lake Norman). Residents can take a walk along the lake on the Sterling Martin trail before heading to the nearby Davidson Commons shopping area for some retail therapy. The town has a unique Social District concept: a designated area that allows open alcohol consumption for patrons who are of legal drinking age, encouraging its top-notch social scene and patronage to the local pubs in Davidson’s historic downtown center.
With its finger on the pulse of the local art and music scene, the town promotes a variety of projects to support local artists, such as the “Cats About Town,” which places nine cat statues throughout the town for citizens to find, and the Davidson Fall Art Festival, held every September, featuring the works of local artists. Music lovers can enjoy the exciting summer concert series, including the outdoor “Concerts on the Green,” which gives performance opportunities to local bands and musicians.
Badin
At the foot of the Uwharrie Mountains lies the town of Badin, North Carolina, a small historic town on the shores of Lake Badin. Located in the heart of the town’s downtown centre, the Badin Museum will give a comprehensive look at the town’s historic significance, while Pine Street Park provides an enriching recreational area. On the lake is the Badin Lake Day Use Recreation Area, a popular tourism attraction with campsites, lakeside trails, and boating access. The 1913 Badin Inn is a jaw-dropping manor with a vivid green space and a gorgeous outdoor patio perfect for weddings, special events, or a lakeside getaway.
Roanoke Rapids
With a system of well-connected streets, Roanoke Rapids is a conveniently walkable town located just steps away from the shores of Roanoke Rapids Lake. The Roanoke Rapids community strives to create plenty of recreational and educational opportunities for tourists and locals to appreciate. The Roanoke Canal Museum is an interactive museum that allows patrons to get a hands-on lesson on the history and significance of the town’s canal. At the head of the local arts scene is the Roanoke Canal trail, which includes a series of murals painted by Napoleon Hill along the path for hikers to enjoy. The town also hosts multiple live performance venues, such as Carolina Crossroads Amphitheater and Weldon Mills Theatre, formerly known as the Roanoke Rapids Theater, giving lovers of live music and theater plenty of options for entertainment.
Reidsville
The North Carolina Birding Trail links birding sites across the state, and Reidsville is a perfect town for nature and wildlife lovers. Jaycee Park is home to the Reidsville Greenway, a walking and biking path through the park where you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. Lake Reidsville has plenty of fun things to do, including spaces for camping, trails for hiking, and access to the water for kayaking, swimming, and fishing. The town is devoted to creating fun events and activities for visitors and residents, with the FAB Festival running every October to celebrate with food, music, and activities, and the Farmer’s Market and outdoor concerts and movies taking place in Market Square. With the perfect balance of activities and easy living, Reidsville is the perfect location for a lakeside retirement.
Lakeside Living in North Carolina
Living in a lakeside town gives you ample access to waterfront recreational activities that promote a healthy, more active lifestyle and encourage you to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature. Between their natural beauty, historic significance, and the focus on promoting arts and culture, North Carolina’s lakeside towns are a must-see destination with plenty of attractions for visitors and residents alike.
