“Dirty Dancing,” that classic dance film released in 1987 and starring the late (and great) Patrick Swayze and a young Jennifer Grey, has remained a timeless masterpiece since its release. The film’s photography, soundtrack, exquisite dance choreography, and the purposeful chemistry between lead actors are all a visual delight. “Dirty Dancing” is already over three decades old, yet the romance film has retained its luster since its debut. Every year, devoted fans are curious to know where was “Dirty Dancing” filmed; go to North Carolina and Virginia to visit the locations where they filmed some of the film’s most memorable moments.
The film, directed by Emile Ardolino, is partially based on the upbringing of scriptwriter Eleanor Bergstein. The movie brings the audience to a world where summer vacation with family members at a gorgeous lodge includes dance lessons, bingo nights, and the prospect of finding your one true love. The film is also a source of inspiration for many wedding dances and Tik Tok videos (many have seen that dance lift).
Where Was ‘Dirty Dancing’ Filmed?
Something about the film’s innocence, which depicts love blossoming between a teenager and a dance instructor during the summer of 1963, has made it a timeless classic. They shot all of the scenes in two locations, North Carolina and Virginia, and many of the locations are still standing today.
Every year, thousands of fans are curious to find out where “Dirty Dancing” was filmed. They flock to the Mountain Lake Lodge Hotel, which served as the real-life location for Kellerman’s Resort. This is where Baby (Jennifer Grey) and her family stayed. Lake Lure also served as the site for that famous lift and the location for many of the staff camp scenes.
So, if you want to recreate some of those unforgettable moments, these are the places to go for the ultimate holiday album.
The Mountain Lake Lodge In Pembroke, Virginia
The Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke is where Frances “Baby” Houseman and Johnny Grey (Swayze) first met. It was called “Kellerman Resort” in the film, and they set it in New York’s Catskill Mountains. The majority of the outdoor scenes, as well as many of the interior scenes, were shot at the hotel for two weeks in 1986.
Staff of the hotel has helpfully marked out where “Dirty Dancing” was filmed throughout the area for any enthusiasts who want to replicate a scene. The hotel’s exterior appears almost precisely like in the film, albeit the lake on the grounds has since dried up. Recreating that scene is no longer possible since this is also the lake where the famous lift took place. However, the gazebo where they held the dance lessons with guests is still intact.
The green cabin in which Baby and her family stayed is still in operation; the three-bedroom home can accommodate up to ten visitors at a time. They only shot the kitchen and restaurant scenes within the hotel, and guests could even sit at the same table that Baby’s family did in the film.
The Mountain Lake Lodge has a variety of activities and events for “Dirty Dancing” fans. The Dirty Dancing Festival, which takes place every August, is one of the most popular events. Visitors to the festival can take dancing lessons, listen to live music, watch performances inspired by the film, and participate in watermelon flinging. In addition, the hotel hosts regular dancing sessions so guests can learn the movie’s renowned dances. Fans can also play volleyball on the same courts as Baby and Johnny did in the film.
Lake Lure in Rutherford County, North Carolina
A few outside and most indoor scenes were shot at Lake Lure, North Carolina. They filmed the lake lift scene at Mountain Lodge, while the majority of the video surrounding that scene, including the dance on the log, they shot in Lake Lure.
The stone stairs where you see Baby practicing her steps and carrying the watermelons still stand. However, they are now on private property and removed the white bridge. “Dirty Dancing” enthusiasts can take special guided boat trips with the Lake Lure Trips boat company, highlighting many of the film’s major scenes.
Sadly, in the 1980s, the structures where they shot the staff quarters scenes and Baby and Johnny’s dancing practices were destroyed. They belonged to The Camp Chimney Rock For Boys And Girls, a summer camp whose gymnasium was also the location of the film’s closing dance sequence. A fire destroyed the gym in the late 1980s, but they saved the building’s floor, which is still in the Esmerelda Inn’s lobby.
Bald Mountain Golf Course At The Rumbling Bald Resort, Lake Lure
Golf courses are not normally associated with romantic comedies, but the 16th hole at Bald Mountain is. The golf course is featured in one notable moment in the film. They created the green to resemble a practice green in the movie, and Baby interrupted her parents’ swing practice to ask her father for money to pay for Johnny’s dance partner’s abortion.
1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa
Although they did not include it in the film, the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa is nonetheless interesting to Dirty Dancing lovers. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey stayed at the inn while filming. The hotel has capitalized on this fact, and guests can spend the night in Baby’s Bungalow or Johnny’s Cabin.
Experiencing The Magic Of ‘Dirty Dancing’
If you like the film and are wondering, “Where was “Dirty Dancing” filmed?”, visiting the filming locations will be an epic experience for you. The good news is that you may fulfill your goal by visiting Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia for an epic vacation that will be “the time of your life.”
