The Real Dirty Dancing Lodge Is Closer Than You Might Think To North Carolina
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 21: Actress Jennifer Grey arrives at the 25th Anniversary Of Lionsgate's "Dirty Dancing" screening at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 21, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
All of us of a certain age fell in love with the story and characters of the film Dirty Dancing. And, I bet you were just about to say, “nobody puts Baby in a corner.” It was Patrick Swayze aka “Johnny” to the rescue. But, did you know the real Dancing Dirty lodge is closer than you might think to North Carolina? A mountain lodge where you can immerse yourself in everything related to the film is just a few short hours away from Charlotte, North Carolina in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
According to Thrillist, Mountain Lake Lodge is where the movie filmed decades ago. And, leaning into the history, the lodge recently announced a 2023 event schedule giving fans of the film a chance to immerse themselves in a true Dirty Dancing experience.
Of course, the film played off of a resort in the Catskills called “Grossinger’s.” However, in the film the name became “Kellerman’s.” And, fans of the film have long since visited the famed lodge on a 2600 acre nature preserve in Virginia.
And, with the “Dirty Dancing Weekends,” Mountain Lake Lodge offers guests everything from salsa dancing lessons to movie trivia nights and scavenger hunts themed around the beloved film. Plus, with the beautiful natural surroundings, there’s plenty of outdoor activities for guests even if they aren’t die hard film fans.
Many of us know the spots in Lake Lure, North Carolina where famous scenes of the film took place. And, I even went on a girls’ trip and took the “Dirty Dancing Cruise” on the lake. But, I’d love to see the real Dirty Dancing lodge where a large amount of scenes filmed.
Take a look at the rest of the story from Thrillist for more details. And see the beautiful Mountain Lake Lodge and browse the schedule of events on their website. Go and “have the time of your life!”
Experts Say These Are The 9 Best Movies Filmed In North Carolina
North Carolina may not be the first state that comes to your mind when you think of film production. And yes we aren’t New York or California but that doesn’t mean some fantastic movies weren’t filmed in North Carolina. While Hollywood gets the glamour and notoriety, plenty of iconic films have been shot all over the United States. And this certainly includes North Carolina. I’m not a movie buff, though I do enjoy watching them from time to time. Mainly when I have the attention span and time! And honestly, the first film that came to my mind when I saw this list, well actually I don’t think it was made in North Carolina at all. And it wasn’t filmed because it’s animated.
My mind instantly went to the Disney classic “Cars”. Even more surprising? I’ve never seen it. I just remember hearing about it when they did the premiere at Charlotte Motor Speedway. But don’t worry, I did think of one that actually shot in North Carolina (and made this list)- Dirty Dancing. I’m sure you know that the classic 80’s film was shot at Lake Lure, NC. But is it the best one to come out of the state? Our friends at BetCarolina have it ranked high, but not first. BetCarolina.com compiled a list of movies filmed in North Carolina and ranked them based on a point system.
This point system uses IMDb rating, Rotten Tomatoes Audience and Critics’ Scores, and Oscars recognition to rank the top 10 movies shot in North Carolina. Did your favorite make the list? Number one is definitely a beloved film North Carolina can be proud of! Keep reading to see the top films. You can read the full study by BetCarolina here.
Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.
