There are several restaurants and bars. But comparing Lake Norman to Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Norman is definitely more lively.
SML is VERY rural, so the primary clientele is folks that arrive by boat.


SML:
https://www.facebook.com/drifterssml/
https://www.jakesplacesml.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mexicoviejobridgewater/
https://mangosbarandgrill.com/
Welcome To The Landing Restaurant

Following this close. We are planning a trip up i August and plan on bringing at least my scarab with us. Maybe the hydrostream also.

There are plenty of areas you can run the Hydrostream in "off hours" but there are a LOT of unpredictable boaters out there. You are not going to want to run the whole lake with the HS, but you will still have fun with it there.

This circled area to the west is my favorite section to just get out there for a nice cruise on smoother water.

I agree with sydways. Great area to cruise and not as much traffic. I will add that you should launch at Penhook #9 Boat Ramp. It is close to the circled area. We enjoy the area west of RT 711 (Bernard’s Landing). That whole section of the lake is more laid back and would be better for the Hydrostream.

Thanks for the info we haven't completely decided on where to get the house. Something with a dock and 5 bedrooms is what we are looking for close enough to the restaurants and what not to goto easy by boat but far enough away that its not crazy all week