IN THIS ARTICLE: If you’re a Dirty Dancing fan, a weekend at Mountain Lake Lodge is one of the best ways to bring the movie to life, experience Kellerman’s for yourself, and know what it feels like to have the time of your life. We’ll take you along on our trip, show you some of the filming locations, share what happens during a Dirty Dancing themed weekend, and give you our firsthand tips for making the most of your own visit.
We finally made it to Kellerman’s! Our Dirty Dancing weekend at Mountain Lake Lodge was officially underway.
After making our way to Pembroke, Virginia, and then up five miles of winding mountain roads, we spotted the famous large stone walls of Mountain Lake Lodge.
That’s when we knew we had finally made it to Kellerman’s.
We had been listening to Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Swayze’s memoir, The Time of My Life, since we left Michigan and were already feeling the Dirty Dancing vibes, but seeing it all in real life made us feel a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and anticipation.
As we pulled up to check in, I had flashbacks of the opening scene where Baby and her family drive into Kellerman’s, and told Rich, “I can’t believe we’re actually here!”
We had been dreaming about this trip for a long time, partly because we love the movie, the music, and the musical, and partly because it inspired my passion for partner dancing way back in the ’80s, long before I even had a partner to dance with.
And now that we had finally made it to the place where so many of the scenes were brought to life, we couldn’t wait to experience it for ourselves.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step into Kellerman’s, we’re going to take you along with us on our Dirty Dancing adventure.
What It Feels Like to Step Into Kellerman’s
We decided to arrive a day early so we had time to unwind, explore at a leisurely pace, and get pictures before the Dirty Dancing weekend festivities began.
The first thing we noticed as we were getting ready to check in was that we were parked under the exact tunnel where Johnny drove in the wrong direction. Cue another flashback. I could picture Baby throwing her head back in laughter and yelling “you’re wild!” as we realized we had already found another familiar spot.
One of our first flashback moments: the tunnel where Johnny drove in the wrong direction.
After checking in, we headed right to a cabin we had booked for the night that sat up a steep hill from the lodge. These cabins weren’t the ones used in the movie, but they made you feel like they were.
As soon as we walked up and heard the sound of the screen door opening, it felt like we were walking into Johnny’s cabin. Our cabin had two queen beds, a living area, and a fireplace that we took full advantage of that night.
The back screen door opened onto a private covered porch with two rocking chairs facing nothing but trees. That night, we could hear the crickets and frogs singing back and forth in perfect harmony.
We spent our first night in one of the Chestnut Lodge cabins, tucked into the trees just up the hill from the main lodge.
When we woke up the next morning, we were surprised by just how quiet it was. Mountain Lake Lodge sits in the middle of a 2,600-acre nature preserve in the Appalachian Mountains in Pembroke, Virginia, so stepping outside to the uninterrupted peaceful sounds of nature was a breath of fresh air.
But as the day went on, the energy started shifting in a new and fun direction.
Music started playing, weekend guests began arriving, and this peaceful place came to life with Dirty Dancing magic.
You could hear songs from the soundtrack playing throughout the property, excitement building as the crowd grew, and enthusiasm from the staff dressed in Kellerman’s T-shirts as they welcomed guests for the weekend.
Our room at the lodge didn’t look any different from the others, but it was unique in a very special way. We were staying in Room 232, the same room where Patrick Swayze stayed while filming Dirty Dancing.
One of our favorite surprises of the weekend: getting to stay in Room 232, the same room Patrick Swayze stayed in while filming Dirty Dancing.
Exploring the Dirty Dancing Filming Locations
With our self-guided tour map in hand, we ventured out to find and learn more about the filming locations spread throughout the property.
We had already stumbled upon a few the night before, but we were excited to discover some of the hidden places we weren't able to find without a map.
As we visited each spot and had fun recreating some of the scenes, we gained an even greater appreciation for the talent, time, and effort that went into making this seemingly effortless classic.
BABY’S CABIN
Baby’s cabin was one of the most recognizable locations on the property. It looks very much like it did in the movie, and we even got a chance to quickly walk through it before it was occupied for the weekend.
The Virginia Cottage (aka Baby’s cabin) was the “best cabin at Kellerman’s” according to the movie...and we agree!
THE GAZEBO
As we came up to the gazebo, we had flashbacks of the dance lesson scene and the late-night dance party where Johnny gracefully waltzes with the guests.
So we thought it was the perfect place to enjoy a little dance of our own.
We couldn’t visit the gazebo without enjoying a little dance of our own.
WHERE JOHNNY & BABY PRACTICED THE LIFT
The lake has changed significantly since the movie was filmed, but thanks to a sign marking the location, we were able to find the spot where Johnny and Baby practiced the lift.
With a little creativity and a lot of laughs, we recreated the lift scene in our own way.
This is as close as we’re ever going to get to conquering the lift! 😂
THE PRE-WATERMELON SPOT
This is where the scene leading up to the famous watermelon scene was filmed. It’s where Baby sees the Staff Quarters sign before she bumps into Johnny’s cousin carrying the watermelons and then embarrasses herself with the now-famous line, “I carried a watermelon?”
The lodge’s watermelon was accidentally dropped by another guest earlier in the day, so we were thankful we had picked one up at a roadside stand in Ohio on our drive to Virginia.
Our Ohio watermelon ended up being pretty popular...and even made a few appearances in other Dirty Dancing fans’ photos throughout the weekend!
THE LAWN AT KELLERMAN’S
It was also neat to see the lawn where the games took place and where Baby and her family pulled up to Kellerman’s in the beginning of the movie.
Instead of the old-fashioned cars we remembered from the movie, this area was filled with parked golf cars for most of the weekend.
The parking situation at Kellerman’s looks a little different these days...golf cars were definitely the preferred way to get around for the weekend!
Inside Kellerman’s
The inside of Kellerman’s was just as interesting and special.
The dining room was used for many of the scenes you would expect, including the family meals and the scene where Baby helps Robbie fill the water glasses.
But there was one scene filmed here that surprised us...the one where Baby is eavesdropping on the serious conversation Max is having with Johnny and the rest of the staff.
The famous pitcher Baby used to dump water on Robbie...luckily, everyone at our table stayed dry!
Our server pointed out another filming detail we weren’t expecting. Part of the “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” scene was also filmed here. She showed us a unique stone formation in the wall that can be spotted in the movie.
This was a corner I was happy to be put in.
A Few Familiar-Looking Spots
It was also fun to visit some of the places around Mountain Lake Lodge that resembled scenes filmed at the movie’s other filming location in Lake Lure, North Carolina.
It may not have been Johnny’s actual cabin, but it was close enough to inspire a little dancing!
When a bridge reminds you of Baby practicing her dance moves, you have to try a few of your own!
Mary’s Barn may not have been the original Kellerman’s dance hall, but once the music started and the dance floor filled up, it felt like it.
We’ll take you inside next!
What Actually Happens During a Dirty Dancing Weekend?
The Dirty Dancing experience officially began when the friendly staff gave us a welcome packet with everything we needed for the weekend, including an itinerary.
Our itinerary gave us the full weekend lineup while still leaving plenty of time to explore Kellerman’s on our own.
Friday included a dance party and costume contest for the best Baby, Johnny, and supporting characters.
All dressed up and ready for a fun night of dancing at Kellerman’s!
Saturday started with Dirty Dancing trivia, which was a lot of fun and a great way to learn even more facts about the movie.
The scavenger hunt gave us another chance to explore, interact with other guests, take more pictures, and sing along to the soundtrack playing throughout the property.
Later in the afternoon, there were dance lessons which gave us a chance to learn line dances inspired by some of our favorite songs from the movie.
It wouldn’t be a Dirty Dancing weekend without learning a few new moves!
The experience also included all of our meals from Friday night through Sunday morning, along with several showings of Dirty Dancing for anyone who wanted a break from some of the other activities.
There were plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend, but for us, the dancing was definitely the highlight.
Walking into Mary’s Barn felt like walking into Kellerman’s dance hall. The high ceilings, wooden beams, framed pictures, and massive dance floor made us feel like we were actually there.
And to top it all off, getting to dance to “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” on a crowded dance floor surrounded by other Dirty Dancing fans, while dressed as Baby and Johnny, brought one of our favorite movie scenes to life and turned it into a moment we’ll never forget.
One of our favorite moments of the weekend…we really did have the time of our lives💜
What We’d Recommend Before Booking a Dirty Dancing Weekend
The Dirty Dancing weekend is a complete experience on its own, but there were a few things we did that made our weekend even better, along with a few things we’d add next time.
Rent a Golf Car
One thing we did that made a big difference was renting a golf car. The property is pretty hilly, and while most of the locations we wanted to visit were within walking distance, having a golf car made it easier to see even more of the property. Not to mention, it was fun too.
Give Yourself Some Extra Time
We would also recommend arriving a day early to relax and ease into the weekend before all the activities begin.
And if time allows, we’d consider adding an extra day at the end too. We loved having that calm day beforehand and wished we’d had another one afterward to rest and unwind from all the fun before heading home.
Make Time to Relax
One thing we’re really glad we did was take advantage of the pool area. Friday morning, we woke up early, took a quick dip in the pool, then relaxed in the hot tub before anyone else was around.
Sitting there looking out at the beautiful mountain view was such a peaceful way to start our day before the weekend festivities began.
Not a bad way to start the day...a quiet morning in the hot tub surrounded by the mountains before the weekend festivities began.
A Few Things We’d Add Next Time
There were a few things we didn’t get a chance to do that we’ll definitely consider adding to our next visit.
A Visit To The Spa
The spa is tucked away in the woods and up the mountain, so we had no idea it was even there until one of the staff members told us about it. A massage before or after all that dancing sounds like a pretty great addition to the weekend.
A Guided Tour
Exploring some of the more rugged areas we couldn’t get to by foot or golf car and learning more about the history of Mountain Lake Lodge during one of their guided tours or off-road experiences sounds really interesting.
Take A Hike
And finally, if we had time, we’d take a walk along one of the many hiking trails surrounding the lodge. We didn’t get a chance to do that, but heard from another guest how beautiful the scenery was.
Let What You Love Inspire Your Next Experience
As we were leaving Mountain Lake Lodge, this weekend continued to show us that no matter what we experience together, big or small, dance helps us feel closer, have more fun together, and turn ordinary moments into unforgettable memories.
When I watched Dirty Dancing as a teen, I could only imagine what it would feel like to experience the joy, connection, and freedom I was seeing through the screen. I never would’ve guessed that all these years later, we’d be having the time of our lives together at the same place where parts of the movie were filmed.
Their connection was felt throughout the entire weekend.
And the connection went beyond just the two of us.
This weekend brought people from all walks of life together to celebrate a movie we all love, while experiencing it in our own unique and personal ways.
Like a lot of couples, we have a busy life and a family, so it took a lot of planning and preparation to make this weekend happen. But we wouldn’t have traded the experience or the memories we made for anything.
It was another reminder of how meaningful dancing together has been throughout our lives, the importance of actually doing the things on our bucket list, and how something you love can inspire some of your most unique and memorable experiences together.
One of the many iconic scenes that inspired my love of partner dancing long before I ever had a partner to dance with.
Maybe it’s Dirty Dancing, another movie, a song, a book, a place, or something completely different that sparks something inside you. We hope our adventure inspires you to bring something you love to life and experience it together in a new, unique, or memorable way.
Whether it’s something small at home or a big trip somewhere new, use your imagination, plan something that lights you up, and go enjoy it together.
And if dancing happens to be something you love, or something you’ve always been curious about trying, you don’t need to travel to Kellerman’s to get started.
All it takes is one song and one simple sway.
Pick a favorite spot in your home, play a song you love (maybe from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack?), move to the music any way that feels good, and enjoy dancing through life together...one simple sway at a time.
Keep Dancing Through Life With Us
Want a little inspiration to help you slow down, turn on a song, and enjoy a meaningful moment together?
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