Lake Lure Unveils New Welcome Center

Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is unveiling its new Welcome Center at Lake Lure the Center’s grand opening on Thursday, July 25 at 10 a.m. Visitors can expect a total immersion experience. The new center features interactive displays. It now welcomes everyone with an educational trip about Lake Lure and the entire area. 

With grand, metal arches adorning the entrance, the center is clearly visible and inviting from its location at 2932 Memorial Highway. Guests are first welcomed into a courtyard filled with native plants, and pergolas where musicians can host performances or visitors can seek reprieve from the summer sun. Inside the building, an iPad bar features information on local dining in front of a Lake Lure-inspired boathouse façade; lodging info is housed in a “Blue Ridge Cabin Style” area with comfy fireside seating; and a miniature zip line display showcases area adventures and activities. The lodging info area has interactive displays, brochures, and comfortable seating in front of a fire that invites them to sit and stay – much like visitors will find in many area lodging facilities. A film history display showcases info on Dirty Dancing, filmed in Lake Lure, and Last of the Mohicans, filmed in Chimney Rock, as well as other films. Finally, the “Map Room” includes a wall-sized timeline of local heritage visitors can experience, historic maps, area stories and folklore, and local culture, and will be complete with a three-dimensional topography map of the Hickory Nut Gorge.

The grand opening is free and the general public is welcome. Rutherford County tourism stakeholders are encouraged to join in this landmark celebration. Rutherford County TDA is especially thankful to Sims Property Services for the exceptional construction of the facility, to Knight Strategies for the facility’s extraordinary design, and Roundtable Construction’s beautiful development of the exterior courtyard.  For more information on the Welcome Center at Lake Lure, please contact Adrienne Wallace at the center directly at 828-287-1220 or Adrienne.wallace@rutherfordcountync.gov.