1. Comfort Inn & Suites—Lake Norman
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (704) 896-7622
Address: 19521 Liverpool Parkway
Description: This recently built hotel at I-77’s exit 28 features 60 rooms and several suites with whirlpools. Located 2 miles from Lake Norman and from Davidson College, the property also has a 24-hour business center with free Internet access, an outdoor pool with hot tub, and a 30-item deluxe breakfast buffet. Other area Comfort Inn locations are University City, Westpark, Carowinds, Matthews Rock Hill, Monroe, Kings Mountain, Statesville, and Lincolnton. Comfort Suites, part of the same national chain, are at the airport, University City, Pineville, Concord, Gastonia, and West Harris Boulevard. Most locations allow pets.
2. Lake Norman Magazine
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Media
Telephone: (704) 892-7936
Address: 20916 Torrence Chapel Rd.
Description: A full-color, glossy monthly owned by the Charlotte Observer, this publication covers all the action on the lake from regattas to real estate. The free, 40,000-circulation magazine is filled with informative, interesting articles and great photography. Distributed free in the four-county area surrounding Lake Norman. Annual subscriptions also available for $20.
3. Jetton Park
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (704) 896-9808
Address: 19000 Jetton Rd.
Description: Lake Norman is the centerpiece of this 105-acre park, which is located on a peninsula with inviting coves on two sides and a broad stretch of water at its toe. A loop road winds through the oblong-shaped park, and there are 1.5 miles of asphalt bike and in-line skate paths, plus another mile of gravel trails that dip in and out of the shoreline. Tennis courts are scattered among gazebos and picnic tables. Although there is a sunning beach, no swimming is allowed, and the park has no boat-launching ramps. Admission is charged weekends and holidays: $3 per car for county residents, $5 per car for nonresidents, and $2 per car for senior citizens.
4. Ramsey Creek Park
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (704) 336-3586
Address: 18441 Nantz Rd.
Description: Ramsey Creek, overlooking Lake Norman, is a 44-acre park with free boat ramps, a beach area (no swimming), a fishing pier, horseshoes, volleyball, umbrella rentals, picnic tables, nature trails, and a play area for small children. Special programs and live performances feature local musicians and jugglers. There’s also a 3-acre dog park.
5. Lake Norman Realty
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (704) 892-9673, (800) 315-3655
Address: 20117 West Catawba Ave.
Description: Lake Norman Realty was founded in 1978 and with 50 agents has grown to meet the new development needs of the area. Relocation and referral services are also offered.
6. Brooklyn South
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 896-2928
Address: 19400 Jetton Rd.
Description: If you’re missing authentic New York pizzerias, you’ll appreciate this Lake Norman gem operated by a Brooklyn family. Order at the counter, where you can watch the dough for your pie being tossed into the air, caught, and spun before marinara sauce and delicious toppings are piled on. Tempt the taste buds with unusual combinations (try the buffalo wing pizza), cheese-less styles, traditional pies, and square thin-crust topped with basil, olive oil, tomatoes, and mozzarella. Calzones, pasta, and heroes are also available. Lunch and dinner daily.
7. North Mecklenburg Senior Center
City: Cornelius, NC
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (704) 892-4041
Address: 18731 West Catawba Ave.