Your Monthly Travel Guide to
Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills

Enter to Win: "Fall Colors" Trip-Sweepstakes Ends Oct. 4th

Enter to win a trip to explore NC’s outdoor wonders in the Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills area that includes:

• Two nights at the Firehouse Inn in Downtown Rutherfordton, NC, that includes complimentary champagne (or sparkling cider) and a delicious cheese or fruit plate. The Firehouse Inn offers European elegance and urban atmosphere in a friendly, relaxed setting.
• Family pass to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park that includes two adult tickets and up to three youth tickets (ages 6-15). While you’re there, you can also enjoy lunch for up to five at Chimney Rock’s Old Rock Café.
• Coffee and dessert at the Water Oak Restaurant.
• Couple’s massage from Thera-ssage.
• Two one-year subscriptions to Western North Carolina (WNC) magazine

Click here to enter!

Last Minute Travel: Experience the Autumn Peaks With the Hilltop Festival

This weekend – October 3rd- 5th – come to downtown Rutherfordton, NC and have the perfect vibrant\small-town fall experience at the 38th Annual Hilltop Fall Festival & Tour de Pumpkin Bike Race.  This year's festival will feature over 125 arts and crafts vendors, specialty food vendors, live entertainment, and an expanded children's area. 

Downtown stores, restaurants, and destinations like KidSenses InterActive Museum and Rutherford Visual Arts Guild Center will also open their doors for the crowds.  Unique and lovely fundraising bazaars will be held within walking distance .

Our trees think fall goes into November. So we play along – starting now.  Experience the Autumn Peaks of Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills.

Music Travel: Snuffy Jenkins, Ellenboro Fiddlers

November 7th -- Headlined by Doc Watson and David Holt, along with NC Banjo legend Raymond Fairchild, the famous Snuffy Jenkins Festival returns with a day-long reunion. Phil and Gaye Johnson and many other regional and local favorites will also perform during the celebration honoring the innovative banjo player, comedian, and Rutherford County native, Snuffy Jenkins. 

The festival will be held on the Isothermal Community College campus, home of The Foundation and of WNCW radio, both sponsors of the event. For details and tickets, go to snuffyjenkinsfestival.com.

Food Travel: Oyster Roast Bonfire on the Beach

November 7th – Enjoy an Oyster Roast Bonfire during peak Leaf Season!  On a Lake Lure beachside at Rumbling Bald Resort and open to all – the oyster roast bonfire will feature an expanded menu with fire roasted oysters, steamed clams, split roasted chickens, special order Maine lobsters and filling side items like baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Food will be served from 5 to 7 pm; but reservations are strongly recommended; oysters will be limited in quantity. Reservations with advanced payment will guarantee your dinner, all other will be first come first served. Please call 828-694-3015 for reservations.

Upcoming Travel: Hometown Holidays

Thanksgiving to New Years – Watch for Hometown Holidays – with extraordinary lights, carriage rides, hayrides, Santa House visits, and much much more!