Tag: lake hot spots

Hidden Gem Lake Areas to Explore in 2021

Posted on Camille Smith

If you’re actively looking to buy a lake home, you’ve likely come across all the big-name lakes in your searches. If you’re in the southeast, you’ve probably heard of Lake Martin. Or, if you’re a northerner, Lake Michigan tends to stand out.

Regardless of your region, refining your search to exclusively large or most popular lakes is a misstep. In doing so, you’re likely missing out on several hidden gem lakes across the country. Check out these five lake areas that are less known but deserve a big spotlight. 

Lake Wedowee, AL

Photo courtesy of Lake Homes Wedowee.

Officially known as the Harris Reservoir, this hidden gem lake in East Alabama is affordable, secluded, and an easy driving distance from major cities like Birmingham and Atlanta.


Because this lake doesn’t incorporate any urban areas, it has retained a pristine quality. Lake Wedowee is ranked as one of the cleanest lakes in the region by the State and Federal Conservation Services. According to Lake Homes Realty’s Lake Real Estate Market Report, Lake Wedowee is number four in Alabama’s Largest Markets category.  

 

If you’re an angler, you’ll love the bass fishing opportunities along Lake Wedowee’s 270 miles of shoreline. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Talladega National Forest and discovering Mount Cheaha, Alabama’s highest point — 2,407 feet above sea level. And for everyone, the small-town charm of Wedowee is lively and close-knit. Concerts at the Marina and hunting with the Tallapoosa River Hunting Club are just a few of the activity options. 

Lake Hickory, NC

Photo courtesy of HickoryNC.gov.

When it comes to lakes in North Carolina, Lake Norman sometimes eclipses the others because of its size. However, nearby Lake Hickory has attractive qualities. First off, it’s fully recreational, meaning that fishing, boating, water skiing, and other fun lake activities are all on the table. At Sandbar Cove, you can often find boats tied together for conversation or water sports. For anglers, the prospects of bass, channel catfish, and crappie are exciting.

Besides the highly active lifestyle, Lake Hickory is a serene environment with plenty of wildlife and mountain views in every direction. Once you’re here, you can enjoy the peaceful scene from a Lake Hickory Adventures Dinner Cruise — or from your boat dock. If you are looking to build on Lake Hickory, you are in luck! Lake Hickory is ranked number three in North Carolina for having the most land available, as stated in the Lake Real Estate Market Report.

Lake Eufaula, OK

Photo courtesy of wildlifedepartment.com.

Surprisingly, few people know of Lake Eufaula, but it is Oklahoma’s largest lake. Along its 800 miles of shoreline, there are 100 million dollars in available properties, but it’s still a very affordable lake. According to Lake Home Realty’s Lake Real Estate Market Report, Lake Eufaula has the most listings and land available of all the lakes in Oklahoma. With over 600 listings and a variety of properties and price points, you’re sure to find your dream home here. 

 

Once you’ve arrived, there’s no shortage of activities at this hidden gem lake. For starters, Lake Eufaula was dubbed the “bass fishing capital of the world” in 1962, and this reputation still holds firm. This lake is a fishing paradise for those looking to catch largemouth bass, Kentucky bass, sand bass, and crappie. Angling is a year-long sport here, with multiple annual tournaments. For other outdoor recreation, check out Lake Eufaula State Park nearby. 

Chain O’Lakes, IL

Photo courtesy of onlyinyourstate.com.

Because Chain O’Lakes is close to the Chicago market, Midwesterners often overlook it. However, these beautiful, surprisingly affordable lakes deserve a pin on the map. Chain O’Lakes is a 7,000-acre waterway system that encompasses fifteen different lakes, including Pistakee Lake, Fox Lake, and Lake Marie.

Pistakee Lake is ranked number three on the Lake Real Estate Market Report for having the most listings in Illinois. This chain was formed when the Wisconsin glacier melted, creating multiple lakes tied together.

Several of the lakes are interconnected, making this region a boater’s dream. Its proximity to Chain O’Lakes State Park, boasting 23 miles of forested trails, makes it a hiker’s paradise. Each of the lakes has a different feel, so visit our Illinois listings for a full description of each lake in the Chain O’Lakes region.

Paw Paw Lake, MI

Photo courtesy of Paw Paw Chamber of Commerce.

Paw Paw Lake has been a popular resort town since the 1890s. Part of the lake’s appeal is its concealed location in the countryside of Northern Michigan, actually making it a hidden gem lake. Located just outside the farming village of Kalamazoo, Paw Paw Lake has a population of only 3,534. This remarkable lake is surrounded by nature.

Besides the calming landscape, Paw Paw Lake is known for its nearby wineries such as St. Julian and Lawton Ridge. The wineries host an annual wine and harvest festival to celebrate their varietals. If your ideal lake experience is drinking a glass of wine while surrounded by nature, Paw Paw Lake is for you. 

Which hidden gem lake do you want to explore first? 

Helpful Guide to House Hunting at Watauga Lake

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of HighCountryNC.com.

When you’re house hunting in a specific lake area, there’s a lot to consider before making a down payment. One of these factors is the area itself. Since many people purchase lake houses in a different state, it’s likely you won’t be completely familiar with the location. As such, it’s a good idea to visit, check out the scenery, and explore local restaurants. Essentially, you’re test-driving life as a resident. 

If you’re house hunting at Watauga Lake specifically, we have some advice for you. Located just east of Elizabethton, Tennessee, this reservoir was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority after the Watauga Dam’s installment in 1948. With abundant water recreation and the beautiful nearby Cherokee National Forest, there’s a lot to discover here. Check out our recommendations for your house hunting trip at Watauga Lake.

Stay at an Airbnb

Photo courtesy of Airbnb.

One of the best ways to house hunt is to spend time in the lake area. An easy way to do this is by renting a cabin near the Watauga Lake listing you’re interested in buying. On Airbnb, hosts offer rental opportunities for guests to stay at their home. More personalized than a hotel, this popular booking platform allows you to see the surrounding area like the locals do. 

At Watauga Lake, this Airbnb listing is hosted by Deborah Short Taylor, a Lake Homes Realty agent. Equipped with a full kitchen, dining space, and multiple bedrooms, there’s no better place to relax while enjoying stunning views of the Appalachian Trail. For your next stay, you can browse other Airbnb listings on Watauga Lake as well.

Explore Local Restaurants

Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor.

Another excellent house-hunting venture is to explore local restaurants. Food is one of the best ways to become familiar with the local culture. When indoor dining comes back after the pandemic, it’ll also be a chance to chat with locals. 

In Elizabethton, just 45 minutes from Watauga Lake, check out Rico’s Pizza and Subs for casual dining, Mayflower for seafood, and Jiggy Ray’s for pizza and nightlife. Another nearby town is Butler, Tennessee, located a short 20-minute drive from the lake. For seafood dining with beautiful views, book a reservation at Captain’s Table. Then, explore Shirley’s for a home-cooked meal or Butler Trading Post for a relaxing dining experience with subs, specialty pizzas, and other delicious items.

Take a Hiking Trip

Photo courtesy of Smoky Mountain National Park.

Most of Watauga Lake’s shoreline lies within the Cherokee National Forest. Because the U.S. department of agriculture protects the forest, it cannot be developed. As such, the hiking opportunities are abundant, as are recreation centers such as Backbone Rock. While house hunting, it’s a great idea to check out the natural scenery. 

Outside the national forest, one of the most popular trails in the area is the Great Hike to Laurel Falls. This 80-foot waterfall earned its name from the plethora of mountain laurel shrubs in the Smoky Mountains. Of course, one of the most famous trail sites is the nearby Appalachian. The best part about this trail is that you can tailor your route to your skill level. For example, the path by Osborne Farm is an easy 1.5 level walk. If you’re a more intense hiker, you can traverse over 1800 miles through the woods. 

If you’d rather bike than hike, the Virginia Creeper Trail is a perfect destination. This gorgeous trail takes you through farmland, forests, streams, and Christmas tree farms. 

Check out the Fishing Scene

Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor.

If you’re an avid angler, you’ll want to check out the fishing scene while house hunting. Lucky for those on Watauga Lake, there’s plenty of fishing. For instance, Blue Hole Falls in Elizabethton is a swimming and fishing hole with nearby picnic areas. Located in Elizabethton as well, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park doubles as a picnic and fishing site. It’s also the site of several important historical events from the 1700s. While you’re on the water, you can check out the other popular water sports. In non-pandemic times, Watauga Kayak offers guided white-water rafting and kayak tours for you and your family. 

We wish you the best with your house-hunting trip to Watauga Lake! 

The Waterfront’s Finest Wines and Vineyards

Posted on Staff

Article co-authored by LakeHomes.com intern Sam Harvey

Simply being near the water can increase your sense of calm and alleviate stress and anxiety – a phenomenon called the “blue mind effect.”

However, owning a lake home also tends to make you the most popular person in your friend group, which can create a few stressors.

Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from entertaining guests, taking the kids tubing, and cleaning up lake toys. You need an activity that’s more, shall we say, adult.

“Wine” down every once in a while at any of these award-winning waterfront wineries located on your favorite lakes. 

Pleasant Valley Wine Company

Nestled along the shores of Keuka Lake in Upstate New York is one of the oldest wineries in the Finger Lakes region.

Built in 1860, the Pleasant Valley Wine Company offers connoisseurs a variety of 31 products ranging from the official champagne of the National Women’s Hall of Fall Induction ceremony to a refreshing strawberry white Zinn and some of the finest cooking sherries in the country.

A trip to Keuka Lake is not complete without a tour of the Pleasant Valley Wine Company facility, comprised of eight stone buildings recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. You will also find the equipment from the original establishment and wine-making displays.

Offered from Memorial Day through mid-November, Pleasant Valley tours are self-guided beginning at 11 a.m., daily. The last tour group of the day departs at 3 p.m. and concludes with a complimentary wine tasting.

Bottles are also available for purchase on-site and online, ranging in price from $3.50 to about $30. Among the winery’s most popular beverages is the Pleasant Valley Chocolate Lab, made of labrusca grapes and flavored with rich chocolate.

The winery recommends mixing this dessert wine with their Autumn Frost Strawberry White Zinfandel or Blackberry Merlot and pairing it with blue cheese.

Lake Michigan Vintners

Lake Michigan Vintners, situated just 10 minutes from the Lake Michigan waterfront, is the Midwest’s only teaching winery.

Part of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, this world-class facility boasts products made with locally sourced ingredients, producing wines comparable to those made in the Bordeaux and the Piedmont regions of Italy.

The Lake Michigan Vintners tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Sundays and from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. For just $10, winery guests can enjoy a sampling of five wines of their choice.

Lake Michigan Vintners produces all wines in small batches, so availability is limited.

Among those wines currently available for tasting and purchase is the Grüner Veltliner, characterized by green apple aromas, a hint of lime and lemon shortbread cookies. This beverage pairs nicely with goat cheese and mozzarella.

Also available this summer is the Wavelength White, which features floral aromatics, jasmine, and hints of honey.

For red wine lovers, the Lake Michigan Vintners Pinot Noir tastes reminiscent of cherry pie and baking spices. Serve with savory dishes like pot roast and grilled lamb.

Rosemont of Virginia Winery

Conveniently situated on the Virginia-North Carolina border, just two minutes from beautiful Lake Gaston, the Rosemont of Virginia Winery invites guests to tour their 25 acres of grapevines and sample their 15, 100% estate-produced wines.

The Rosemont Estate, housed on 450 acres, dates back to the mid-1700s, during which time its grounds served as farmland for vegetables, hay, tobacco, soybeans, corn, and peach trees.

Winery construction began in 2006 and today is complete with an underground state-of-the-art gravity-flow production facility.

Tours and tastings are hosted daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. With a $10 tasting fee, winery visitors can sample each of the venue’s current vintages and receive a commemorative Rosemont wine glass at the tour’s conclusion.

Unique to the Rosemont of Virginia Winery is their Adopt-a-Vine program, through which wine lovers can donate $300 to the facility in exchange for access to exclusive events and their own vine of Chambourcin grapes.

Adopt-a-Vine program members can learn to prune and trim their vines, help harvest their grapes and receive a bottle of wine made from their fruits for three harvest years.

One of the winery’s most popular wines is Traminette 2017, a semi-sweet, dry, white wine characterized by touches of citrus and spice and bright floral notes. The winery recommends pairing this beverage with spicy cuisine or light summer salads.

Also, a Rosemont favorite is their 2016 Cabernet Franc, which features light oak and dark cherry aromas alongside hints of berry and pepper.

This Cabernet Franc is a delicious red, aged for 20 months. It has the perfect complement to earthy flavors such as those found in olives and feta, fontina, and goat cheese.

Rosemont of Virginia Winery sells its products outside Virginia in North Carolina, Maryland, Washington D.C., New York, Florida, Michigan, and California. Bottles range in price from $14 to $33.

For more local flavor, be sure to check out our article “Tastes of the Lake: A Spotlight on Your Favorite Lakeside Restaurants“!

Tastes of the Lake: A Spotlight on Your Favorite Lakeside Restaurants

Posted on Staff

The only thing more fun than playing at the lake is eating at the lake! We’ve done the hard work of choosing the best of the best lakeside restaurants. Hey, somebody’s got to do it! Savor local lakeside flavors at these must-try boat-up restaurants.

The BoatYard Grill

On the sparkling shores of Cayuga Lake in Ithica, New York, The BoatYard Grill specializes in ” serving up a warm welcome and unforgettable experience” for all lake-loving guests.

Featuring American favorites like burgers, sweet potato fries and juicy, wood fire-grilled steaks alongside creative dishes like lobster lollipops and eggplant arrabiata, this restaurant has plenty of mouthwatering options for hungry boaters to choose from.

Patrons are invited to relax on the waterfront in the Grill’s Adirondack chairs, sip on Frozen Boatyard Thrill cocktails and enjoy live music every Friday night during the summer.

And better still, The BoatYard Grill offers watercraft docking at its on-site marina for convenient fishing to feasting.

The restaurant is also part of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, a 5.5 mile paved route connecting the lake’s most iconic lakeside attractions.

Tim’s at Lake Anna

Satisfy your seafood cravings this summer without the sharks and stingrays at the Tim’s at Lake Anna Restaurant and Crabhouse!

One of five Tim’s Rivershore restaurants and venues, Tim’s at Lake Anna has been an Old Dominion favorite since first opening its doors (and shores) in 2012.

Located in Mineral, Virginia, on the lake’s northwestern region, the restaurant offers fresh seafood year-round, its menu featuring scallops, oysters, crab and cod prepared in every way imaginable.

Renowned for its home-cooked cuisine, Tim’s at Lake Anna is also known for its idyllic lake views and family-friendly, community atmosphere.

Each year, in addition live entertainment, Tim’s at Lake Anna hosts a variety of lake-wide events, including a Memorial Day Pig Roast, Halloween Bash, Crawdad Festival and poker runs for charity.

The Gnarly Gar

Never leave the water for lunch or dinner again at Lake Travis’ famous floating eatery The Gnarly Gar.

An all-in-one restaurant, bar, filling station and entertainment venue, The Gnarly Gar provides a one-of-a-kind experience for lake lubbers of all ages.

With plenty of boat parking, lake lovers flock to this Texas novelty’s decks and docks to enjoy watching sports on the restaurant’s big screens, listen to live music, feed the area’s giant catfish, and indulge in the tastes of Lake Travis.

Menu items range from classic fish and chips to burgers to shrimp stuffed with Serrano peppers, wrapped in bacon and deep fried, paired with a kickin’ strawberry lime habanero sauce.

The Gnarly Gar also proudly serves Maine Root handcrafted, organic fountain drinks. 

Fish Tales Lakeside Grill

Dubbed the “Best Dining Experience on Lake Lanier” Fish Tales Lakeside Grill has been serving up good times and fish tales (fried grouper fingers) since 2010.

Located within Hideaway Bay Marina in Flowery Branch, Georgia, this Lake Lanier landmark welcomes lakers by boat, car and even the occasional aircraft, year-round.

The restaurant caters to their loyal lake guests at every turn, offering a courtesy dock for those traveling by water, allergy-friendly menus at every table and unwavering service with a smile.

Fish Tales Lakeside Grill also features a giant kids’ sandbox and live music.

Mouthwatering menu favorites beyond the restaurant’s famous Fish Tales include the fish tacos, grouper sandwiches and signature items like the Aloha Chicken and Gulf Mix Platter.

And did we mention Fish Tales’ bar menu features NINE taste bud-tickling, shareable cocktails?

Enjoying the lake goes beyond boating and swimming. Take our advice and enjoy these great restaurants, remember lakes across the U. S. have great local restaurants with lots of local color. Be on the lookout and let us know what you find!