Travel: Virginia resort is still 'Dirty Dancing' 35 years later

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High atop Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, time returns to decades ago six times a year and moves at a delightfully slow pace for the remainder.

Welcome to Mountain Lake Lodge, avatar to Kellerman’s Mountain House. Here, for a magical half dozen weekends, life pauses in the Camelot summer of 1963, when Frances “Baby” Houseman first gazed upon supremely sexy Johnny Castle in that quintessential chick flick, “Dirty Dancing.”

This year marks 35 years since Mountain Lake Lodge welcomed cast and crew of the hit. While some “Dirty Dancing” scenes were shot in Lake Lure, North Carolina, the bulk of the movie took place at the Virginia resort set amidst a 2,600-acre nature preserve.

The Lodge has wisely preserved pivotal film locations and props. Judging by the number of guests who continue pilgrimages to Kellerman’s, I mean Mountain Lake, the film and its backdrop location will continue its popularity through eternity.

Guests can dine at the famous table where Johnny told Jake Houseman that “no one puts Baby in a corner” and stay in “Baby’s Cabin,” the one Max Kellerman said was the best of the best. Visitors arrive at the entrance where big sister Lisa bemoaned not bringing enough shoes before weaving a conga line at the neighboring gazebo that witnessed Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach and Kelly Bishop doing likewise, along with the rest of the Kellerman’s guests.

“It’s on every woman’s bucket list if she is 40 to 55,” said Heidi Stone, president and CEO of the resort.

Stone is being conservative, for the six “Dirty Dancing” weekends sell out, often a year in advance, with many guests who weren’t even embryos when the movie premiered. They arrive from around the globe, eager to leave reality behind and embrace Baby’s world, at least for a couple of days. what Keds low-tops, cut-off shorts and backless, flouncy pink dresses are abundantly represented.

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“You have never seen so many Baby’s and Pennys running around in leotards,” said Stone. “We get a lot of Mrs. Housemans, too. There is a lot of hairspray used those weekends.”

The “Dirty Dancing” trivia competitions are fierce, revealing the awe-inspiring breadth of knowledge of the movie fan base.

“These fans know the license plate number on Johnny’s car,” Stone said.

Dance demonstrations, scavenger hunts, screenings of the original film, 1960s-vintage lawn games and more continue the movie magic.

Room 232, where Patrick Swayze once rested his gorgeous head, is a shrine, and the metal room numerals had become so irresistible to fans that management, tired of constantly purchasing more 2s and 3s, had to resort to stick-on numbers for that room just to slow down thefts.

Kellerman’s Gift Shop, the nation’s first brick-and-mortar store for official “Dirty Dancing” merchandise, opened earlier this year. Shop décor pays tribute to the movie’s dance studio and includes a replica of Baby’s dance shoes and a “Don’t Step on the One” sign identical to the one Johnny stood under while watching Baby practice “De Todo Un Poco.”

What do fans crave most at the store?

“The hottest seller is the ringer tee, just like Johnny’s cousin Billy wore in the movie,” said Jeremiah McKendree, vice president of retail and recreation.

Throughout the year, visitors on at least a two-night stay can opt for the “Kellerman’s Film Package,” which provides them with some nifty souvenirs and a $200 credit for dining at Harvest restaurant, where the tables, lighting and the décor are straight from the movie.

Chef Mike Porterfield, who once gave Patrick Swayze a ride into town on his motorcycle, still reigns, and the man knows his way around the kitchen. The menu at the Lodge’s Harvest restaurant features an interesting selection of farm-to-table options, as well as an unexpected number of wild game dishes, including Grilled Elk Medallions and a Wild Game Duo of venison cutlet and wild boar sausage.

With two patties, three cheeses, bacon, fried egg, pork belly and onion ring, the Bald Knob Big Bison Burger is truly epic and large enough to feed a small village. Even better, entrée prices are reasonable, if not at 1963 levels.

Porterfield is also responsible for the menu at the new plein air Salt Pond Pub, including an impressive array of wood-fired artisan pizzas.

“Go hiking, then walk up to the Pub for a snack or beverage, enjoy the mountain breezes, views at sunset or relax under the stars,” said Stone.

While all the “Dirty Dancing” connections provide Mountain Lake Lodge with a singular attraction, you need not care about the film to enjoy an escape in this airy respite. The resort has a new and huge zero-entry pool, plus a robust program of activities centered around the well-appointed Mountain Lake Outfitters. Outfitters staff provide guided Gator Tours that tackle the wildest trails and equipment rentals of everything from badminton to archery.

The Lodge’s Adventure Center highlights Treetop Adventures, an aerial course with zip-lines, high ropes, sky bridge, swings and rope ladders. There is also safe Archery tag, 3D Archery to bag your very own Bigfoot and the goofy but fun Bubble Ball. Clays at the Overlook offers lessons for both novices and experienced shooters under the guidance of manager Mike Goetz, who has been shooting competitively for a quarter of a century.

“He’s a favorite of the guests and pretty remarkable at what he does,” said Stone.

In addition, there are seasonal events with music, barbecues and holiday dinners. For Independence Day, the fireworks transcend Baby’s and Johnny’s sizzling attraction to real sparks dazzling the night skies.

The Lodge enjoys a proud history of catering to guests since it was a stop along a stagecoach line in the early 1800s. Now easily accessible from airports in Richmond, Roanoke, Baltimore and even Washington, DC, Mountain Lake Lodge has finely honed the traditional fun and nostalgia that attracts guests seeking the memorable vacation the Housemans enjoyed in 1963.

“There’s no competition,” said Stone. “We are Kellerman’s.”

Visiting Mountain Lake Lodge

Where: 115 Hotel Circle, Pembroke, Virginia

Info: Mtnlakelodge.com or 540-626-7121

2023 'Dirty Dancing'-themed weekends

Mountain Lake Lodge hosts six weekends a year straight out of "Dirty Dancing." This years will be:

• April 28-30

• June 23-25

• July 28-30

• Aug. 25-27

• Sept. 15-17

• Oct. 27-29

Maria Sonnenberg is a Melbourne-based lifestyles and travel writer.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Time travel to 'Dirty Dancing' version of 1963 at Mountain Lake Lodge