Tag: travel

Best Vacation Destinations: 5 Family-Friendly Lake Towns

Posted on Lacey Spear
family getting in boat on lake
Photo Courtesy of Visit Table Rock Lake

From lakefront water parks to quaint shopping squares, family-friendly lake towns offer the ultimate vacation experience. Plus, these destinations are situated in various regions of the country, meaning you can find your next favorite vacation spot without driving for days. So if you’re ready to begin this year’s family adventure, check out these top lake towns!

Table Rock Lake, Missouri

three young women on a tube in a lake
Photo Courtesy of Branson Table Rock Oasis

Attracting 9 million visitors annually, the lake town Branson infuses excitement into tranquil waterfront living. If you want the perfect balance of recreation and relaxation, this is the lake vacation for you. Table Rock Lake boasts many marinas and campgrounds and features all your favorite lake activities—fishing, swimming, boating, water-skiing, tubing, camping, and more. Plus, nearby Branson offers plenty of kid-friendly activities. Popular attractions include the Silver Dollar City Amusement Park, Big Foot Fun Park, Runaway Mountain Coaster, Fritz’s Adventure, Titanic Museum, and underground caverns.

Lake Lanier, Georgia

water park beside Lake Lanier
Photo Courtesy of Livin’ Upstate SC

Imagine soaking in picturesque mountain views only an hour from one of the South’s largest cities. This is vacationing at Lake Lanier—a family-friendly lake town surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and situated near Atlanta. In addition to fishing, boating, and swimming adventures, Lake Lanier boasts the Terminus Wake Park. This thrilling aqua and wake park features an inflatable water playground and cable water sports—perfect for families with kids of all ages. Additionally, Lake Lanier visitors can go whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Lake Champlain, Vermont

town and trees beside Lake Champlain
Photo Courtesy of Lake Champlain Chamber

Boasting 80 islands, stunning waterfront parks, and intriguing historical sites, Lake Champlain makes for an unforgettable family vacation. On the Vermont side, the lake’s largest waterfront city, Burlington, attracts more than 13 million visitors annually. In addition to enjoying the lake’s parks and beaches, families can browse the town’s quaint shops at Church Street Market Place and bike the eight-mile waterfront trail. Other popular activities include the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet, Petra Cliffs Climbing Center, and Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.

Lake Lure, North Carolina

water park beside Lake Lure
Photo Courtesy of Rutherford County Tourism

Nothing compares to spending a day at Lake Lure Beach. Showcasing a water park, aquatic games, and a sandy beach, Lake Lure‘s beach will keep the kids entertained for hours. After this, you can round the family up and experience the lake’s pristine waters on the Lake Lure Boat Tours. And the fun doesn’t stop there. Nearby Chimney Rock State Park offers breathtaking mountainous views and contains several hiking trails and the 2nd largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Plus, after conquering these outdoor excursions, you can grab a bite to eat and explore the shops of Chimney Rock Village.

Lake George, New York

Steamboat in Lake George
Photo Courtesy of Lake George

Cruising with the Lake George Steamboat Company is the best way to begin a family vacation on Lake George. Offering brunch, lunch, and dinner voyages, the Lake George Steamboat cruises provide opportunities to relax while taking in the local scenery. Then, after the cruise, you can spend time on the Lake George beaches. Usher’s Park Beach is a great spot to bring the kids. Additionally, off the lake, you can go whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, hiking, go-karting, and mini-golfing. And if all this fun isn’t enough, you can visit the Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor Theme and Water Park.

Offering both recreation and relaxation, these lake destinations provide well-rounded family fun. So no matter which region of the country you want to visit, you can find an excellent location for your next family vacation!

FAQs

This is vacationing at Lake Lanier—a family-friendly lake town surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and situated near Atlanta.

Boasting 80 islands, stunning waterfront parks, and intriguing historical sites, Lake Champlain makes for an unforgettable family vacation.

In addition to enjoying the lake’s parks and beaches, families can browse the town’s quaint shops at Church Street Market Place and bike the eight-mile waterfront trail. Other popular activities include the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet, Petra Cliffs Climbing Center, and Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.

Nearby Chimney Rock State Park offers breathtaking mountainous views and contains several hiking trails and the 2nd largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Plus, after conquering these outdoor excursions, you can grab a bite to eat and explore the shops of Chimney Rock Village.

Additionally, off the lake, you can go whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, hiking, go-karting, and mini-golfing. And if all this fun isn’t enough, you can visit the Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor Theme and Water Park.

More than Just Music: Spotlight on the Muscle Shoals Lakes

Posted on Camille Smith
Photos courtesy of The Bluegrass Situation and Instagram.

Just along the Tennessee River in Colbert County rests a historic, charming area called Muscle Shoals. Even if you’ve never been there, you’ve certainly heard of it. There’s that lyric in the song “Sweet Home Alabama” – “Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers, and they’ve been known to pick a song or two” – referring to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, a legendary recording studio house band in the 1960s and 70s. You may have also heard of FAME Recording Studios or the birthplace of Helen Keller in nearby Tuscumbia.

Regardless of what you know about it, there’s a wealth of historical sites and activities to love about Muscle Shoals. Beyond those famous notes, this legendary area is bordered by three major lakes: Wilson Lake, Wheeler Lake, and Pickwick Lake. The Tennessee River feeds each lake, giving you both the excitement of the famous town and the serenity of local lake life. If you’re already interested, you can browse listings on each of these lakes on our website. Whether you choose to vacation or live full time on one of these lakes, you’re sure to find plenty of exciting compliments to lake life that Muscle Shoals has to offer. 

What Makes it Interesting

Rick Hall, right, with R&B singer Etta James and musicians Marvell Thomas and David Hood during a 1967 rehearsal at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Photo courtesy of DailyYonder.

Because of its crucial waterside location along the Tennessee River, the Shoals area was originally a significant location for Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee tribe, for thousands of years. This proximity to a body of water later made Muscle Shoals a site for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s construction of several dams under Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1966, the U.S. government declared Wilson Dam, located in the Shoals area, a National Historic Landmark. However, this area’s intrigue doesn’t end with the nearby river. Muscle Shoals also happens to have a legendary place in music history. Home to the iconic “Muscle Shoals sound,” Rick Hall’s FAME Studios went from being a studio in an old warehouse to a destination for musicians and songwriters to record their hits. Songs like those by Percy Sledge “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “Tell Mama” by Etta James are just some among so many that were recorded here.

What to Do There

Crowd watching W.C. Handy Music Festival at Florence, Alabama
Photo courtesy of WNIN.

If you’re interested in all the fascinating music history of Muscle Shoals, try booking a tour at FAME Recording Studios and see the sound booths where famous artists like Aretha Franklin recorded. After your tour, you may want to stop by Stanfield’s Steakhouse for some delicious steak, hush puppies, and popcorn shrimp. If you enjoy golfing as a pastime, we recommend checking out the Robert Trent Jones golf trail, which attracts golfers from across the country each year. Want to explore some of the neighboring towns while you’re out and about? Drive about 20 minutes to find the sister city of Florence, Alabama— an up-and-coming city with a bustling downtown scene. Each year, they host the W.C. Handy music festival, and you can go visit the lion mascots at the University of North Alabama’s campus. On the way over, you can also drive by the Rosenbaum House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  

Life on the Lake

Group of people kayaking on Wheeler Lake
Photo courtesy of The News Courier.

One of the most exciting parts about life in Muscle Shoals is the bodies of water that surround it. The Shoals area is bordered by three major lakes—Wilson Lake, Wheeler Lake, and Pickwick Lake. If you’re looking to buy a lake house in the area, you can look forward to mild winters where temperatures rarely get below 50 degrees as well as warm 90 degree summers, perfect for taking the boat and water skis out for a spin. This time of year, you’ll get that crisp, fall air that’s perfect for hosting guests around your outdoor fire pits. Further, if you enjoy fishing on the lake and you’re looking to reel in a largemouth bass or catfish, you’re in luck. Wilson and Pickwick lakes are well-known popular fishing destinations thanks to the combination of a natural river and man-made dams. Whether it’s fishing, jet skiing, swimming, kayaking, or just sitting on your dock admiring the sun’s reflection on the water, there’s a place for your chosen activity on a lake in Muscle Shoals.

A fusion of interesting history and a relaxing lake life, you truly can have it all in Muscle Shoals. Take a browse to find your dream lake house today in this Northern Alabama gem of a town.

6 Reasons We Prefer a Lake Home to a Beach House

Posted on Staff
Lake House VS Beach house what is the best for me | Lake Homes Realty

There are cat people and there are dog people. Chocolate or vanilla? Lake home or beach house? When it comes down to it, there is no right or wrong answer, but here are six reasons why we prefer a lake home to a beach house!

Reason #1: Sand

Little girl playing in sand at beach

Sand. Sand everywhere.

If you spend time out on the beach, prepare to bring pounds of it back home with you.

You can rest assured that the hard-to-clean-up substance will end up in your shoes, your car, all around the house, and even in the bed.

Oh, and that’s without even mentioning sand spurs or sand gnats/flies!

Reason #2: Salt Water

Happy children playing in water at beach
Photo courtesy of Safer Tourism Organization.

Some may prefer the saltwater to the freshwater, but it’s nice to be able to look around underwater unaided by goggles and without burning your eyes.

Reason #3: Sharks

No swimming sharks sign

While not a completely rational fear, there is a percentage of the population who is afraid of sharks.

If that’s the case, come on over to the lake.

There are no freshwater sharks, with the exception of the bull shark, which can travel up rivers but generally stays near the coast.

Not to mention, there is no way for a bull shark to get over a man-made dam which almost all lakes of size are created by.

Reason #4: Rope Swings/Cliff Faces

Man swinging on rope swing at lake with dog

Beaches do not offer trees, nor does it offer a “deep area” where someone can just jump in the water from some height.

You are forced to wade into the shallow water until it gradually gets deeper.

On the other hand, lakes can be hundreds of feet deep right at the edge of the shoreline. This provides ample opportunity for cliff jumping, launching from a rope swing, or perfecting your dive!

Reason #5: Docks

Older retired man relaxing on dock at lake

A large portion of lakeside properties includes a private dock or the ability to construct one, whereas many beach homes do not.

Similar to reason 4, this can provide a platform to dive into the water, even from as high as 25 feet if you have a double-decker dock.

In addition to diving, the dock provides an excellent platform to fish from, and many species of fish will naturally take cover in the water under the dock.

It’s also the perfect place to relax or hang out.

You can grill out, sunbathe, read a book, or whatever you’d like, all the while enjoying the sounds and scenery of being right on the lake.

Reason #6: Cost/Availability

Historic Charleston lake community on Colonial Lake

While both freshwater and coastal shorelines can only provide a finite amount of real estate, there are actually many more miles of lake shoreline than coastal.

In fact, there are more lake shoreline miles in the state of Alabama than there are coastline miles on the entire Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico (in the U.S.) combined.

What does this boil down to? Supply and demand.

Both properties are more costly than your average primary home, but there is a much larger supply of lake property, making it a lower price point in many instances.

At the end of the day, both lake and beach properties make for fantastic getaways. And though we may be a little bit biased, there are pros and cons to each location.

We just choose to head to the lake.

Do you prefer the lake? If so let us know why in the comments below!

9 Amazing Restaurants Near Southern Lakes

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

In our journeys across the South visiting lakes and lake real estate agents in various states, one of the highlights of our travel is the opportunity to try local restaurants.

These can be upscale establishments or tiny, “hole-in-the-wall” joints. We find these through online reviews and by asking the local real estate agents where they love to eat.

Just to clarify, we do not limit ourselves to restaurants located at the lake. These are actually in nearby towns, places you can easily visit while staying at a lake home.

While there are many we enjoyed in our travel, in no particular order (because, how can we possible pick!), here are nine of our new favorite restaurants we found near lakes this year!

Our 9 New Favorite Restaurants Near Southern Lakes

Goin coastal via ig: @seafoodgoincoastal
Photo via @seafoodgoincoastal on Instagram

Aubri Lane’s, Milledgeville, GA (near Lake Sinclair) – In a very old downtown bank, the old safe is now a wine cellar. The bartenders have a great selection of interesting bourbons and wines. The seafood was our favorite, but we’ve never had a dish we didn’t love!

Goin’ Coastal, Canton, GA (near Lake Arrowhead) – Despite being inland, this could very well be the best seafood restaurant we’ve visited. Ever. The staff is engaging and their bar has great wines and an eclectic bourbon selection. What else can we say except, “When can we go back?!”

Yellow Fin, Gainesvlle, GA (near Lake Sidney Lanier) – Just off the old town square, this restaurant is both cool and delicious. Fun staff, great selection of hard-to-find gin and tequila, and regular specials that are always a home-run hit!

Kickers Takeout,

Kickers tackeout
Photo via Kickers Takeout on Facebook

Greenwood, SC (near Lake Greenwood) – A tiny place that you’d hardly notice driving by, they have an incredible and abundance of dishes with a very cool international flavor. I understand they have even catered for the Food Network. This is our have-to-go-back place in Greenwood!

J. Peters, Lavonia, GA and Seneca, SC (near Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee, respectively) – Doris believes the J. Peters salad is the top salad in the universe. If we are near Hartwell or Keowee, we’ll be at J. Peters.

Off the Square, Albemarle, NC (near Lake Tillery) – We were in between meals when we stopped for a meeting and had pie while we waited. If dinner is even half as good as that pie, it gets an A+. Just amazing. And while we were there mid-afternoon, the service was friendly and helpful!

Epic Chophouse, Mooresville, NC (near Lake Norman) – This old building has three centuries of elevators (no, we didn’t get to ride any of them), fantastic steak, engaging staff, and an upscale but relaxed experience.

Photo via 211mainstreet.com

211 Main Street Restaurant and Bakery, Lavonia, GA (near Lake Hartwell) – The sandwiches we had for lunch were fantastic and the tables all had fresh flowers. As we ate, Doris said, “EVERYONE here is getting dessert.” And they were. I mean everyone. And although we rarely get desert, we got a slice of heaven they call pie. Run by a friendly Mennonite family, their pie alone is worthy of a road trip!

Harry’s Grill and Tavern, Charlotte, NC (near Lake Wylie) – This cool place has a huge, very social bar in addition to a lower dinning room. It is in a recently developed community but had a neighborhood feel. Very helpful and fun staff, great dishes, including several from diners near us that we plan to try next time.

I know this has not covered all the great places we dined, but you cannot go wrong with any of these great restaurants. Our travels will continue next year as Lake Homes Realty continues to grow. We can’t wait to find new places to experience local culinary hospitality!

P.S. If you have restaurants suggestions in towns near, or on, any lakes, please share them with us!

G

Glenn S. Phillips

Glenn S. Phillips is the CEO of Lake Homes Realty