Do you enjoy being on the water, taking in amazing mountain views and hanging out in towns with charming vibes? If you answered yes, Lake Lure, N.C., is the place for you.

About 30 miles from Asheville, Lake Lure got its start in the 1920s by damming the beautiful Rocky Broad River. The vision of the Morse brothers, Lake Lure was to be the centerpiece of a sprawling resort – a vision that came to an end at the start of the Great Depression.

Today, tourists and locals still flock to this wonderful destination. A great place to get started is the Lake Lure Visitors Center to take in some of the history of the area and build a plan for discovering some of its beautiful treasures.

One of those treasures is the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. When the highway was due for a new river crossing, the Town of Lake Lure took over the old bridge and transformed it into a unique community garden. With pathways and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, this is a must for any trip to Lake Lure.

This place is cared for by a group of dedicated volunteers who are always looking for new recruits. If you love gardening – or would love to love gardening – there’s no better place to donate your time and energy.

When you’re ready to head out on the water, you can start at Washburn Marina. You can join a boat tour at the top of the hour starting at 11 a.m. and learn about history and legends, or you can rent a boat and pioneer your own expedition.

You can rent pontoons, fishing boats, paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, and even hydro bikes. Don’t forget to take a picnic from Ingles Markets out on one of the pontoons for a glorious self-guided trip around the lake.

In the summertime, with its dueling waterslides and spectacular view, Lake Lure Beach welcomes families for fun in the sun. From the water, you can explore miles of shoreline and stunning mountain views in every direction.

We’ve really only waded into the shallowest depths of this delightful mountain destination, but you’ve got to come see for yourself. You can get started at TownOfLakeLure.com. Plan your visit today, and let this lake lure you to a fantastic day. Your weekend is waiting on the Ingles Open Road.

To learn more about Ingles Markets, visit their website at ingles-markets.com.