6 cool ways to enjoy the lake without owning a boat or water-front property
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So you have a pool in your shiny new apartment building. Consider yourself lucky. But sometimes, a pool just doesn’t cut it. You want a bigger body of water to soak up rays, pack the cooler and mingle with the masses.
You could drive a few hours to the beach for sure. But Charlotte is also blessed to have Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in North Carolina and less than a half hour from Uptown.
But wait, you say. How can I get on the water when I don’t have a boat or friends who live waterside? Fear not, sun worshippers. The lake can be enjoyed by anyone. All you have to know is what you want to do, and where you want to go.
Here’s a cheat sheet that will help you make the most out of a weekend on the water.
(1) Rent a boat. There are many marinas around Lake Norman that offer rentals by the hour, half day, day or weekend. I suggest you and 10 of your friends all chip in $30 and get a pontoon for the entire day. Cruise around the lake checking out the houses, or anchor for a while in one of the many coves and take a swim. It’s perhaps the best possible way to enjoy the lake.
Pro tip: Use the GPS on your phone to navigate the lake – it can be somewhat confusing with its myriad coves.
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(2) Rent a kayak. If you don’t want to fork over the cash for a boat, try kayaking for a few hours. My father-in-law and I rented kayaks last weekend and leisurely toured the western portion of Lake Norman. It’s great exercise and affordable. There are also places to dock for swimming or grabbing lunch.
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Pro tip: Turn the kayak into a boat’s wake to avoid potential tipping.
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(3) Take a dinner cruise. Want a romantic way to enjoy the lake but don’t want to get wet? Several companies offer cruises where you can wine and dine with your special someone — either during the day or at night — for a reasonable rate. Go for a full meal, or a simple wine tasting. Prices start as low as $40 per person.
Pro tip: Ladies, for evening cruises, bring a light sweater. Even in the summer it can get chilly on the water at night.
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Photo via Duffy Electric Boats of Lake Norman
(4) Eat lunch or dinner dockside. Nothing beats dining by the water. Watch the boats pass by, sip something tropical and enjoy the cool breeze. There are several options on Lake Norman, but perhaps the most popular is the Rusty Rudder in Cornelius. It’s adjacent to a marina, offers live music, and has great food.
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Pro tip: Try the fish tacos.
Photo via The Rusty Rudder
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(5) Hike, swim, and camp at Lake Norman State Park. You probably didn’t know there’s a huge state park on the north side of Lake Norman. Not only can you do all the stuff you’d normally do at a state park — camp, picnic, fish and hike — Lake Norman State Park also has 13 miles of shoreline and one of the only sandy beaches on the lake.
Pro tip: Check out the new visitor’s center that opened in April.
Photo via North Carolina State Parks and Recreation
(6) Rent a house on VRBO.com. VRBO is not just for renting beach houses: You can also use it to find houses on Lake Norman. Gather a few friends to share the cost, and for a couple of nights, you can grill, play games, swim and just lounge around like a king.
Pro tip: You’ll probably find a better value if you stay on the west side of the lake.