Time Of Your Life: Re-Live Dirty Dancing At These Lakeside Resorts

With 900 acres of space along Traverse Bay, you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Golf fanatics will be pleased when they catch wind of the three championship golf courses, but don’t spend your whole vacation putting away on the greens. You can also jet ski, paddle or kayak on the waters of Lake Michigan, play tennis or romp around in the indoor water playground. The Grand Traverse is all about indulging yourself in the summer activities of your youth while relaxing in splendor.

Re-live the days of yore by fishing right off the docks at the Sagamore on Lake George. Looking for a bigger catch? You can join a chartered fishing boat, or be adventurous and try parasailing, wakeboarding or waterskiing. Blow off some steam on the 18-hole golf course, or head to the spa to get your stress massaged out of you. The historic hotel was built in 1883 and with their huge calendar of events, it could have very well subbed-in as the Kellerman’s resort in Dirty Dancing.

Retreat to another world with a stay at the Umstead Hotel and Spa. A perfect, pet-friendly weekend getaway from Raleigh, this sustainable hotel is located on acres of windy wood trails. Glass balconies allow for clear views of the lush landscaping from the tastefully decorated rooms. Join fellow guests for yoga on Saturday and Sunday mornings or take to the trails on two wheels with complimentary bike tours and rentals. A seasonal outdoor pool and adjoining bar have guests making the most of the sunshine months. The hotel’s onsite restaurant, run by James Beard Semifinalist chef Steven Greene, focuses on locally sourced cuisine including their personal one-acre culinary plot. Don’t miss afternoon tea in the lobby lounge, furnished with Dale Chihuly glass sculptures and harp accompaniment.

The Broadmoor is perfect for those who want to do more on their vacation. Set over 3,000 acres in the Rocky Mountains on the shores of Lake Cheyenne, you can try your hand at a whole slew of activities both in the water (fly-fishing, canoeing and kayaking) and on land (rock climbing and horseback riding). Three hundred days of sunshine a year means you can literally stay outside morning till night, filling your days with painting the stunning mountain backdrops, mountain biking or white water rafting. For fishing enthusiasts, note that the resort is very close to one of the top fishing spots in Colorado, Chico Basin.

Step back in time with the Lake Huron sunrise at Mission Point Resort. This charmingly traditional property offers guests a slew of activities including a golf course, pools, bike rentals, croquet & bocce ball lawns and even a classic video game arcade that will thrill kids and adults alike. Come evening, stroll across the expansive front lawn that leads down to the lake before setting down in a classic Adirondack chair. A turn of the century movie theater screens films to round out your dinner date at one of the four onsite restaurants. Many rooms have hot tubs and some are pet-friendly.

Reminiscent of summer camp, the Whiteface Lodge is built in a charming and rustic log cabin style. The camp atmosphere doesn’t end with the decor- guests can swim in the lake or ride around on boats, canoes and paddleboards. Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, the camp fun at this lakeside resort doesn’t end with summer- there are options to ski, snowshoe and even dogsled during the winter as well as swim indoors. The Lodge is also close to incredible golf courses and the Olympic village. In fact, the whole lodge was built by a former Olympian with several recent Olympians on staff!

Lakehouse Hotel & Resort is perhaps more modern and sleek than the classic homey lakeside resorts, but it lacks no fun. Located on 250 acres along the shore of Lake San Marcos, there are ample opportunities for fun in the water on itBike water bikes, kayaks and fishing (although it’s catch and release). The Resort is also close to the heart of San Diego’s emerging microbrew scene and the hotel provides free shuttles to many local breweries. Nothing like a cold one on the lakeshore in summer!

Located on the banks of Leech Lake, Chase on the Lake has returned to its 1920’s heydays following an extensive renovation. Fisherman can rejoice at the prospect of getting a tour of the Leech Lake hotspots in the company of a fishing guide and tournament tested fishing gear. A private bowling alley might bring out that competitive streak in your family but is sure to bring some laughs. A sandy beach leads down to the beautiful lake whose waters begets the rental of pontoons, wave runners, kayaks, and paddleboards that are available for guest. If the tranquility of the property can’t unwind those knots from your shoulders, the Copper Door Aveda Spa certainly can with treatments like the Chase Signature Chakra Massage, which heals your sore spots and restores energy.

While it may not actually be a lakeside resort, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe is a mere 10 minutes to arguably one of the most stunning lakes in America. This ultra luxurious resort still has all the lakeside amenities you could want- including stand-up paddle boarding, fly fishing and kayaking. Miles of hiking trails surround the property offering ample opportunities to enjoy some time in the wild. Don’t think you’ll be roughing it too much though- this is the Ritz-Carlton after all! An onsite spa, floor to ceiling windows and handcrafted marshmallows around the campfire round out this very stylish experience.

The Geneva On The Lake Inn was built in 1914 and modeled after the Villa Lancellotti in Lazio, Italy, home to Sardinian kings. This romantic resort is right inside the Finger Lakes Wine Country, bringing you, in spirit, across the pond to Italy. Whether you want to horseback ride, swim, take in some culture or sample the local bounty of wines, the resort is the perfect home base from which to explore this luxurious corner of New York state. Impeccably decorated, this may be a step up from the classic lakeside resorts Dirty Dancing brings to mind, but it’s no less charming and without an ounce of stuffiness!

Want to escape somewhere a bit more wild? Visit the Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park. This eco-resort is located right inside the national park, melding luxury with pristine and untouched corners of nature. You can book a private cabin, complete with wood beams and hand-made quilts, but most importantly, the food is heaven sent. Join other lodgers in the beautiful dining room for a seasonally inspired five-course dinner that’s included in the booking price! And, since you’re staying in the heart of a National Park, there is no lack of activities to fill your days.

Splurge on the camera ready view of Elkhart Lake at the Osthoff Resort. The Resort doesn’t only offer stunning views – 500 ft of lake frontage just begs you to take a watercraft out for a spin. If the weather isn’t to your liking, take a French cooking class. Join in the evening bonfires and let the smell of burnt marshmallows bring you back to your childhood. You can also rent bikes to take for a spin or make friends (or enemies, depending on your level of skill) at the tennis courts. The Osthoff guarantees you won’t run out of things to do- but don’t forget to take a deep breath and enjoy the stunning scenery of this lakeside resort.

Purity Spring Resort is traditional Americana at its most charming. With multiple cottage-style lodgings to choose from, visitors will get the full Dirty Dancing experience complete with classic activities all week long, including tie-dye, water-skiing, nature day trips and the weekly breakfast- and lobster-cookouts. Play a game of doubles at the tennis courts or backgammon by the two beaches. Take a paddleboard or kayak out for a spin, cozy up by the outdoor fire pit or cook up your own summer BBQ by the lake. The fun doesn’t stop on rainy days, when you can hit the indoor pool and hot tub or book a relaxing massage at the Mill.

This New England classic is also a great getaway for families. Youngins will love the outdoor play structure and water obstacles, while older kids can hit the town (supervised) on the Teen Night Out events or occupy themselves with the classic arcade games and air hockey in the main Inn.