If you’re planning a trip to the North Carolina mountains, this Lake Junaluska Guide covers everything you need to know — the best things to do, where to eat, and the top places to stay around the lake. Lake Junaluska has this calm, reflective energy that makes it perfect for walkers, families, nature lovers, and anyone who wants a peaceful but activity-filled getaway.
If you’re exploring the region more broadly, check out my guide to Weekend in Bryson City & Dillsboro, NC: Best Things to Do & Where to Eat for nearby trip ideas.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, you can find hotels near Lake Junaluska here — there are several good options around the lake and in nearby Waynesville.
This little enchanted corner is one of my favorite spots around the lake. With more than 500 native plants, shaded pathways, wooden benches, a running creek, and handcrafted touches, it feels like stepping into a secret garden. It’s peaceful, quiet, and perfect for wandering. It’s also just one of more than 20 garden and meditation spaces scattered around the lake.
The paved Lakeside Trail is one of the big highlights of Lake Junaluska. There are two loop options — a 2.3-mile loop and a 3.8-mile loop — both offering lake views, mountain backdrops, and easy terrain. It’s great for walking, running, meditating, or pretending you’re in a Hallmark movie.
On the lawn east of Memorial Chapel, the Prayer Labyrinth is a quiet, meditative walking path designed for slowing your mind down for five minutes. It’s simple, pretty, and intentional.
Renting a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard is an easy way to explore the lake. The water here is calm, which makes it perfect for beginners. Expect mountain views and plenty of wildlife sightings — turtles, ducks, geese, swans, and even bald eagles.
Rocking chairs are basically the official sport of Lake Junaluska. They’re perfect for sunrise, reading, or drinking your morning coffee. Just know that once you sit down, there’s a strong chance you won’t want to get up.
The lake’s iconic illuminated Cross has been glowing since 1922. It’s one of the most photographed spots here and a spiritual landmark for generations.
Lake Junaluska is easiest to explore if you have a car, especially if you want to visit nearby towns like Waynesville, Maggie Valley, or drive sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can compare rental options here to get the best prices.
A small but pretty lakeside space filled with benches, flowers, statues, and actual butterflies. It’s a great resting spot while walking the trail.
This 18-hole, par-68 course has been around since 1919 and offers big mountain views from several holes. Even if your swing isn’t perfect, the scenery makes up for it.
There are ten pickleball courts, plus basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard, bocce, cornhole, and mini-golf. Equipment rentals are available, making it easy to play even if you didn’t bring gear.
This designated overlook gives you sweeping lake and mountain views. It’s a quieter spot and perfect for that “tourism brochure” moment.
Lake Junaluska has a long history as a community gathering place, known for quiet paths, wildlife, lake views, and peaceful moments that feel a little deeper than the average stroll.
A beloved leafy mascot near Turbeville Footbridge. Bushy the Shrub Dog wears seasonal accessories, kids adore him, and yes — he’s exactly as cute as he sounds.
With more than 20 garden and meditation areas around the lake, you can wander endlessly. In spring, there’s a seasonal plant sale, and some gardens even provide floral arrangements for events.
The historic 18-hole course is open year-round to the public. There’s also a pro shop, lessons, and memberships available.
Lake Junaluska is one of Western North Carolina’s best year-round birding areas, with 180+ species including bald eagles. There’s an online checklist available for dedicated birders.
Anglers can catch bass, perch, crappie, bluegill, brim, and trout. There are several fishing access points around the lake and dam, but you’ll need a valid NC fishing license.
This is the summer activity hub with a swimming pool, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, mini-golf, games, and even seasonal drinks and snacks.
These 45-minute scenic cruises leave from the Harrell Center and are especially beautiful at dusk when the mountains start glowing.
Open during the summer and great for families. The pool deck overlooks the lake, giving you some of the best water views in the area.
Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals are available daily in summer and on weekends in spring and fall. Because the water is gentle, it’s ideal for beginners or anyone who wants a relaxing ride.
Served daily in a remodeled dining room, this breakfast buffet is the easiest way to fuel up before exploring.
Sweet and savory crepes, creamy custard, salads, and soups. It’s basically the “treat yourself after exploring” café.
A longstanding Sunday brunch tradition where you can eat inside or lakeside.
A casual spot with indoor/outdoor seating, serving burgers, sandwiches, and simple comfort food — especially great after a morning on the walking trail or golf course.
Located inside the Harrell Center, this shop offers coffee, espresso, smoothies, ice cream, snacks, and grab-and-go items.
This is one of the better gift shops in the region, with locally crafted items, fair-trade goods, books, ornaments, apparel, snacks, and drinks.
Coffee, lattes, smoothies, and snacks — basically your early-morning essentials.
Handmade items from nonprofit organizations around the world.
Tees, sweatshirts, caps, and umbrellas. Classic souvenir items.
Gear, snacks, drinks, golf supplies, and apparel.
Souvenirs, handmade jewelry, soap, and locally made gifts.
Grab-and-go snacks, drinks, and convenience items for hotel guests.
Modern rooms, lots of natural light, a beautiful lobby with huge windows, and access to the daily breakfast buffet. Some rooms have balconies with lake views.
Built in 1921, this “stately lady” offers historic charm, parlor rooms, cozy seating, and mountain views.
Home and condo rentals managed by Vacasa. These are great for families and groups, with some pet-friendly options.
RV sites, tent spots, and cabins with fire rings, picnic tables, playgrounds, and direct lake access.
A budget-friendly option with 25 motel-style rooms near the pool and playground.
Forty-eight units — most with kitchenettes — that sleep 4–10 people. Good for group travel and longer stays. Pet-friendly options available.
Simple, affordable rooms with access to recreation areas and mini-golf. Great for groups or travelers who want something easy and budget-friendly.
Lake Junaluska is a perfect base for exploring Western North Carolina. Waynesville, Canton, Clyde, and Maggie Valley are all close, and you’re minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Pisgah National Forest. If you’re planning to explore more nearby mountain towns, learn more in my post about Where to Stay in Western North Carolina: Top Yurts, Hotels & Lakefront Lodging.
If you're planning a longer mountain getaway, you can browse places to stay around Lake Junaluska and Waynesville here to compare hotels, cabins, and lakefront lodging. This area is also packed with waterfalls, scenic train rides, elk viewing, snow sports in winter, and cultural experiences in Cherokee. If you want even more ideas, check out my full review of Day Trip to Sylva, NC: Best Shops, Restaurants & Things to Do.
I walked through the gates and immediately understood why people fly back to Curaçao just for this place. 🌴
23 rooms. Private beach. A Balinese-inspired resort built stone by stone by the owners themselves. Buddha statues next to conch shells. Candles lit everywhere at night. Beachfront dining that eats like fine dining but feels like you’re just having dinner on the sand.
It’s currently the #1 resort in the Caribbean and after spending time there, I get it completely.
Full review linked in bio
#travelling #curaçao #visitcuraçao #luxuryresort #travelvlog
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Dinner at Baoase in Curaçao isn’t just a restaurant, you’re walking into a full resort setting where everything feels intentional. The table is right by the water, the food is French-inspired with tropical and Asian flavors woven in, and the whole thing moves slowly in the best way. We sat there for hours and didn’t want it to end.
✨ Culinary Beach Restaurant, oceanside tables, candlelit ambiance
✨ French-inspired menu with tropical and Asian influences
✨ Service that’s attentive without being over the top
✨ The kind of dinner you’re still thinking about days later
Fair warning: this isn’t a casual grab-a-table kind of spot. You’re making a reservation, thinking through your outfit, and blocking off the whole evening and it’s worth every bit of that.
If you’re celebrating something or just want one dinner that feels a little extra, this is where to do it. Full Baoase resort review linked in bio. 🔗
Curaçao has the beaches everyone talks about, and then it has these. The spots that made this trip actually feel like mine weren’t on any resort map. I found them by renting a car, asking locals, and just following what looked good.
✨ Playa Lagun: a calm little cove where the water does all the work
✨ Playa Kalki: rocky entry, but the snorkeling right off shore is worth it
✨ Playa Jeremi: no rentals, no crowds, no setup. Just the beach
✨ Fort Nassau: watched the sun go down over Willemstad and stayed for dinner
✨ Hofi Cas Cora: breakfast on an actual farm and the freshest food of the whole trip
✨ Willemstad Street Party: I had no idea Thursday nights turned into that. Just followed the music.
✨ Playa Forti: cliff jumping and amazing food, talk about dinner and a show!
Honest caveat: if you need everything planned and structured, a few of these will feel a little too unpolished. But if you like the kind of trip where the best parts are the ones you stumble into, this is exactly that.
All 7 spots with full details are linked in bio. ☀️
#curaçao #hiddengems #travel #travelguide #whattodoincuracao
Here’s the thing about Curaçao that nobody talks about enough there’s really no bad time to go. 🌤️ Outside the hurricane belt. Mid-80s nearly every day of the year. Colorful buildings no matter what month it is.
But there IS a difference between going in peak season vs. shoulder season, and it shows up in your wallet, your beach chair availability, and how long you’re waiting for a table at dinner.
Full breakdown of every season, what to expect, and when I’d personally go linked in bio.
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