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My sense of time has admittedly warped since March 2020, but it hit me recently that despite spending the majority of lockdown under the same roof, my family and I hadn’t taken a proper family vacation in ages. With my brothers and parents now dispersed across the country again, the idea of spending time together on a beautiful lake sounded like a balm. Enter: Lake Norman, North Carolina.
The lake itself is about 20 miles north of Charlotte, meaning my family—we are split between four states—was able to fly in with relative ease before loading into a rental car for a ~30-minute drive to the shore.
And it was a blast! Lake Norman is a chill lake spot, outdoorsy if you want it to be but by no means required if you’ve got relatives who would sooner disown you than don hiking boots. There are unique shopping options, A+ restaurants, and of course nothing beats being on the lake itself.
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Let’s get into what you should do to create a ~harmonious family vacation at the lake~ for your own crew. (Bonus tip: Check out Visit Lake Norman’s website for even more travel tips, you won’t regret it.)
P.S. The writer received free stay, a few discounted meals, and activities while researching this trip in order to write this story.
What You’re Doing
If I told you one simple boat ride would unite your family, change your life, and clear your skin, you’d be rightfully skeptical. But it’s true (okay, fine, it’s true except for the clearing your skin part....that’s a job for Cosmo’s Acne Awards). The end-all, be-all highlight of my family’s entire vacation came courtesy of Carolina Tiki, a family-owned charter and rental boat company on Lake Norman.
The company provides 41-foot pontoon boat rentals (captain, mate, pool floats, and beer pong table included), so you’re only on the hook for packing snacks and drinks. My family and I cruised for four hours at sunset on our last evening in North Carolina, stopping occasionally to dip in the water, and we haven’t stopped talking about it 6+ months later. It is *the* must-visit agenda item on this must-visit list.
Important $$ info: Carolina Tiki’s boat can fit up to 20 guests (15 adults max) and costs $800 total for four hours, but tours can go up to 8 hours for $1,300 if you don’t want to leave the lake. Split the cost at max capacity and it can total less than $15/hour per person.
Other Lake Norman activity highlights if boating isn’t your thing:
- Lake Davidson Nature Preserve : Great for hiking on the Sterling Martin Trail or renting a kayak—life jacket and oar included—if you prefer to hit the water. (Fair warning: There aren’t restrooms available, so plan accordingly.)
- LKN Mini Golf : My family enjoyed a round of mini golf, even though I immediately fired a purple ball into the stratosphere. My brothers tied for the gold, but we bought six snow cones off of LKN Mini Golf’s surprisingly robust flavor menu afterward, so who’s the real winner here?
- Downtown Davidson and nearby Cornelius and Huntersville have local shopping options you simply can’t get elsewhere. Some highlights:
- The Village Store : It may sound cozy, but this store is enormous, whimsical, and stuffed with local trinkets. If you visit, be sure to check out the delightful frog statues in the back.
- MINE by Sandy : Looking for a girly dress? This downtown Davidson boutique has a lovely curated collection.
- Oak Street Mill Antiques : This is a gigantic 10,000 square foot warehouse packed to the ceiling with antiques, so you could say it’s a frugal shopper’s (it’s me, hi) paradise. I walked out with an 80-year-old Dutch teapot and my mom found a pearlescent Queen Elizabeth II jubilee plate, both for a bargain.
- Latta Nature Preserve : There are 16 miles of trails at this nature preserve, and it's a public property open to horseback riding (a rarity).
- Bonus: Davidson College : Davidson doubles as a college town as well as a lake destination, and the Davidson College’s beautiful campus grounds are certainly worth a stroll.
What You’re Eating
- Milkbread: I had an actual dream about Milkbread’s cinny rolls the other night, because they are truly that good. Between the gooey cinnamon rolls, a range of soft donuts, and the owner himself kindly walking my mom through how to make their superb Golden Latte (no gatekeeping here), Milkbread is the only restaurant my family repeatedly returned to during our lake trip. Pay extra attention to the savory side of the menu too, because the original crispy chicken sandwich is no joke. Delish food, thy name is Milkbread.
- North Harbor Club : Both the crab cakes and the pork chop are next-level, and the selection of local ciders is especially notable. Fair warning if you’re going during the summer: The outdoor seating offers a sweeping view of the lake, but watch out for bees!
- Kindred : This should be your “big fancy dinner” reservation. Kindred has a cool mesh of cuisines reflective of North Carolina, and the small-but-mighty menu changes with whatever’s in season. Order family style so you can sample as much as possible—the fresh, light french fries, the squid ink conchiglie that melts in your mouth, the juicy oysters—and split desserts while you’re at it. If you’re going to do one thing at Lake Norman, you’d think I’d say swim, but I’d actually say make a reservation here.
- Hello, Sailor : If you’re looking for equal parts good meal and good Insta backgrounds, then Hello, Sailor is for you. The banana leaf photo booth, high ceilings, ’70s details, and stunning lake views make the perfect backdrop for creamy strawberry daiquiris, popcorn shrimp, and rich mussels.
- Ass Clown Brewery : Leave it to a cheekily-named brewery to deliver strong local flights with 200+ options cycled in and out. Try the Go Reap Yourself Pale Ale (my fam’s collective favorite), which is made with the Carolina Reaper—aka the world’s hottest pepper—or go with the Salted Grapefruit Sour if you’re feeling more adventurous.
- Summit Coffee : If you’re looking for a grab-and-go breakfast, beeline to Summit Coffee, which makes the *fluffiest* chocolate chip scones.
Where You’re Staying
Being as close to the lake as possible is a huge plus, as is finding a hotel with actual activities around it within walking distance. The Homewood Suites by Hilton Davidson checks all of these boxes (and also has quite possibly the nicest front desk staff I’ve ever met!)
The Lake Davidson Nature Preserve is less than 5 minutes away, and downtown Davidson is ~20 minutes away. The Homewood Suites by Hilton Davidson rooms are spacious, clean, inviting, and also have cute little balconies! A win-win.
What You’re Packing
The 9 Best Vacation Picks for a Lake Weekend With the Fam
LNA Clothing Fitted Classic Crew Tee
Privé Revaux Maestro Sunglasses
Trina Turk Cosmos Cut Out Swimsuit
Joie Freya Midi Silk Dress
LilySilk Ocimum Asymmetric Cami Dress
For more information on vacationing at Lake Norman, check out Visit Lake Norman’s helpful site, which is full of additional recommendations, guides, and trip resources.
Alexandra Whittaker oversees all of Cosmo's news and entertainment digital coverage—follow her on Instagram here. As the lead of two teams, Alexandra manages stellar writers and editors who deliver your daily dose of celebrity, TV, movie, book, general entertainment and pop culture news. She's known for her strategic coverage calls and celebrity interviewing skills. Awards shows are her favorite thing, and she’s a proud Northwestern and Marquette alumna.
