Boating

Catawba Queen. On Lake Norman, the Catawba Queen paddle wheeler gives dinner cruises and tours. The Lady of the Lake, a 90-foot yacht, offers dinner cruises. 1459 River Hwy., Mooresville, North Carolina, 28117. 704/663–2628; www.queenslanding.com.

Lake Norman State Park. The largest man-made lake in North Carolina, Lake Norman is a recreational hot spot for the region. You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats here, and there's also a boat ramp, a beach for swimming, and a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. 759 State Park Rd., Troutman, North Carolina. 704/528–6350; www.ncparks.gov.