Paradise Harbor is strategically located in Burke County, NC, just 20 minutes from Hickory, an hour from Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem, and five hours from the beaches of the North and South Carolina coast.

The region’s mild climate, low tax rates, affordable cost of living, excellent school systems and rich diversity of available activities give the area an enviable quality of life that has earned a number of prestigious awards and national acclaim.

Located among the lakefront homes in Burke County, Paradise Harbor is built on the shores of Lake Rhodhiss, which was created following the construction of a hydroelectric dam by Duke Power beginning in 1925. Lake Rhodhiss has 90 miles of shoreline, spectacular North Carolina mountain views and a surface area of 3,060 acres, complete with four boat access areas and one fishing area.

No matter what your interests are, you and your family will find it easy to discover new places to visit & exciting and relaxing experiences to enjoy in Paradise Harbor and all through Burke County.

Entertainment

Throughout Burke County you’ll find a wide variety of entertainment opportunities, including movie theaters and live theater such as the outdoor drama "From This Day Forward" and live performances at the restored Old Burke County Courthouse and the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (COMMA). Year round, you can also enjoy a variety of annual festivals held throughout Burke County, such as the Historic Morganton Festival that attracts thousands of spectators. In the neighboring county of Catawba, you can also enjoy the Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball, the Hickory Community Theater, the Hickory Motor Speedway, local college sporting events, the Catawba Valley Arts & Science Center and the Western Piedmont Symphony.

Shopping

Burke and Catawba counties offer shopping opportunities ranging from major big-box retailers to quaint and exotic boutiques found in local malls, shopping centers and in the downtown areas of Morganton, Valdese and Hickory. Hickory Furniture Mart also features some of the finest furniture shopping in the nation, all under one roof.

Attractions

Some of the region’s most popular attractions are just a short drive away, including Biltmore Estate, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns, Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Harrah's Cherokee Casino, Tweetsie Railroad, The Grove Park Inn, Mt. Mitchell, the Pisgah National Forest and the Hiddenite Emerald and Gem Mine.

Outdoor Activities

You'll find no shortage of outdoor activities in the area surrounding Paradise Harbor. Enjoy boating, biking, camping, picnicking, nature studies, hiking and backpacking, fishing, swimming, water skiing and spectacular mountain views throughout the area at Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, the Catawba River, South Mountains State Park, Lake James Park and the Catawba River Greenway Park. Snow skiing and other winter sports are available an hour's drive away in the mountains of the Blue Ridge High Country. Hunt and fish for a wide variety of game and game fish in the fields, forests, rivers and streams you’ll find throughout the area’s rolling hills and mountain slopes. You and your family will also enjoy a variety of organized sports, including baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, and football at the dozens of parks, fields, sporting facilities and playgrounds located throughout Burke County.

Medical Facilities

The area’s healthcare needs are served by two major regional hospitals, Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center, both located in Hickory. Closer to home, you’ll find Grace Hospital in Morganton and Valdese Hospital, both of which are part of the Blue Ridge HealthCare System, which is affiliated with the Charlotte-based Carolina HealthCare Systems.

Schools

Paradise Harbor is located within the Burke County Public School System, which serves students with one primary school, 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, two high schools, an alternative school, and a school for children with special needs. The area is also home to the North Carolina School for the Deaf and several different religious and private schools.

Seven institutions of higher learning are within an hour’s drive, including Caldwell Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, Burke Middle College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Catawba Valley Community College, the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center and Appalachian State University.

Golf Courses

You’ll find over 20 private and public golf courses throughout Burke and Catawba counties, including Mimosa Hills Golf & Country Club, Silver Creek Plantation, Lake Hickory Country Club (designed by Donald Ross of Pinehurst #2) and Rock Barn Golf Club (designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.), which hosts the annual Greater Hickory Classic PGA Champions Tour Event.

Dining

Here you’ll enjoy a diverse range of dining choices, including national fast-food and full-service restaurant chains, locally owned fast-food, ethnic cuisine and fine, full-service restaurants. Some of the area’s more notable local dining experiences include Churchill's Fine Dining and Judge's Riverside BBQ, both located in Morganton; and Michael's on 4th, Cafe Gouda, Frankie and Johnny's, 1859 Cafe, Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant and the Vintage House, all located in Hickory.