Take A Journey Through This One-Of-A-Kind Bridge Park In North Carolina

While not a park per se, this tranquil getaway is an easy place to spend a morning or afternoon. Built in 1925, this three-arch bridge connected the towns of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock crossing over the Rocky Broad River. After the opening of a new bridge in 2011, the original was almost closed down until a group of dedicated volunteers made it their mission to repurpose something old into something beautiful.

Today it is referred to as 'The Gateway to Somewhere Beautiful' with the flowering bridge opening in 2013 and today, maintained by the same volunteers that planted the original flower beds seen today.

The bridge is home to different sections possessing their own unique beauty. You can get lost in the scent of mint or fresh cilantro within the herb garden. If that's not enough, the fragrant garden is home to flowers possessing unique, captivating scents. There's a 'raptors garden' and the majestic whimsical garden that is home to flowers and plants more suitable for a fairytale. If you like roses, you're in luck - the rose garden is immaculate and beautiful with different roses dotting the ground in vibrant colors. There's also a wildflower of the year garden, tropical garden, songbird and hummingbird garden, prairie garden and rock and succulent garden.

While the gardens remain consistent, with the changing of the seasons and upcoming holidays you'll also notice a few season-centric decorations. The costumed pumpkins were the highlight this fall adding a dose of fun and creativity to the already beautiful grounds.

If a flower bridge with multiple gardens isn't beautiful enough, pair that with the backdrop of Chimney Rock and the roaring Rocky Broad River. While this secret paradise might seem more suitable for a spring or summer day, the beauty is maintained year-round and perfect for a stroll, sitting and reading a book, or even learning more about plant life.

The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is open year-round with seasonal events featured throughout. From connecting the community, to connecting to towns - the beautiful bridge has found purpose long past 1925 and today serves as a peaceful getaway for anyone in the area.