Where Was “Dirty Dancing” Filmed?

Love the romantic classic “Dirty Dancing”? Its stars, songs, and scenery made it a near-instant classic when it came out in the 80s. Now more than 30 years since the original release of the film, it has become a romantic classic that is often remembered for the signature song featured in the exciting dance scene entitled Time of my Life sung by Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley. If you are interested in the question, where was “Dirty Dancing” filmed, please read on for interesting answers to that question.

A romantic classic dance film is born

“Dirty Dancing” is a 1987 American romantic drama dance film written by Eleanor Bergstein and directed by Emile Ardolino. Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze star in the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey), a young woman who falls in love with her dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze) in the summer of 1963 at a Jewish summer resort in the Catskill mountains, a few hours north of New York City.

The secret to success? Write what you know

Most writers take seriously the adage to “write what you know” to make the story more compelling. According to Wikipedia, “Dirty Dancing” was “based in large part on screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s own childhood: she is the younger daughter of a Jewish doctor from New York and had spent summers with her family at the legendary Grossinger’s Resort in the Catskill mountains of New York state where she participated in “Dirty Dancing” competitions.” A fun detail is that Bergstein also nicknamed her main character “Baby” as she was also nicknamed “Baby” as a girl.

Not everything appears as it seems

As we know, there is a lot of “smoke and mirrors” involved in filmmaking — not everything appears as it actually is. Film producers can’t always film in the locations where the story is set, so they must find filming locations that approximate the original intent of the story. If you are interested in the question of where was “Dirty Dancing” filmed, you should read on for insight into the decisions made by producers about filming locations.

According to this 2017 New York Times article celebrating 30 years since “Dirty Dancing” was filmed, “The fictional resort of the film, Kellerman’s, is inspired by Grossinger’s, the long-gone Catskill destination, but the movie was actually shot at two locations hundreds of miles south, at Mountain Lake Lodge in southwest Virginia and Lake Lure in western North Carolina. Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the movie and was one of its producers, told me that the reasons were partly monetary: “Dirty Dancing” was made on a shoestring and New York State’s work rules would have made it expensive to film there.”

Is it possible to visit the filming locations?

Grossinger’s Catskill Resort and Hotel near Liberty, NY in the Catskill Mountains, was the largest Borscht Belt resort of the era. Open from 1919 to 1986, it was a kosher establishment open only during the summer that catered primarily to Jewish clients from New York City. Since Grossinger’s no longer exists, the producers found Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Va, about 60 miles west of Roanoke, to stand in for Grossinger’s.

The lake scenes where they practice the lift were filmed at Lake Lure Inn & Spa, near Ashville, NC. Nearby Camp Chimney Rock was also used, “including its original cabins, dining hall and gymnasium. The cabins doubled for the film’s Kellerman’s staff housing, and the gym was converted into the banquet room where Baby and Johnny performed their epic ‘Time of My Life’ dance routine.”

Creating your own “Dirty Dancing” experience

Peerspace is a great option for finding photo and film shoot locations in rural Virginia and North Carolina that will help you create a “Dirty Dancing” experience. Venues listed on Peerspace will answer the question, where was “Dirty Dancing” filmed when you want to find similar venues for productions or events.

For example, this 50 Acre Mountain Estate with Panoramic Views in Afton VA is near the filming locations and would be perfect for a party or film shoot. The description is perfect: “There are stunning views from the house, pool, and hot tub. Scenic ceremony and reception sites are easily accessible, and ample parking is available. Located on a 50 acre working farm, only minutes away from vineyards, golf courses, breweries, and hiking. The house accommodates 14 people to sleep overnight. There is a terraced wedding ceremony site with arbor, and a bridge to a reception area that can fit a 60 by 80 foot tent.”

You might also like to recreate the feel of the mountain resort at this Rural Charming Log Cabin encased in Forestry in Madison, NC. The Peerspace description is lovely: “A log cabin encased in North Carolina’s finest forestry! The log cabin is set on 26-acres of land, all ready to be roamed! Lots of natural lighting, body of water, deck overlooking the water, fireplace, outdoor dining area and so much more! Any type of feel you are looking for–we have it!”

And if you want to approximate the feel of the cabins at the resort, consider The Log Cabin Clubhouse in Blanch, NC. It is described as an “80 year old large open log cabin. Formally the county civic center and town hall. It also served as the rotary club clubhouse for 70 years. Now it is primarily a party cabin and music and wedding venue. The space has 4 large natural stone fireplaces, 20 ft ceilings, large covered porch with views of the private lake. On the property we have 2 miles of professionally built hiking trails with 4 large wooden bridges surrounded by natural and diverse landscapes.”

What about the Catskills?

The movie was filmed in North Carolina and Virginia because the filming season is longer in the southern U.S. A few scenes were filmed in a lake, and the lake water is much warmer in Lake Lure, North Carolina than in upstate New York.

However, if you are interested in recreating a “Dirty Dancing” experience in the Catskill Mountains, Peerspace has many options that are available for rental by the hour. Consider this Former Girls Scout Camp in the Catskills in Livingston Manor, NY which is the actual town in which Grossinger’s existed.

The description is interesting: “A former Girl Scout Camp situated on 52 acres in the heart of the Catskill Mountains in Livingston Manor, New York, this property features a fully refurbished main house, 4 cabins, bathhouse, and pavilion. Bentonbrook is a versatile location for events, photoshoots, and filming with clean, modern interiors as well as more rustic and natural settings with the cabins, pavilion, and acres of land of varying terrains.”

Time to start planning the time of your life

Now that we’ve answered the question about where was “Dirty Dancing” filmed you have all the info you need to create your own experience that approximates the film. Thanks to Peerspace, all the venues you might need to plan a film shoot or a party are at your fingertips! Check out what we have available near you and rent your favorite spaces by the hour.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace