Marion

In 2018, the N.C. Rural Center named Marion the “North Carolina Small Town of the Year,” and while it may be small in size compared to some of its neighbors, it continues to grow and expand adding new music venues, craft breweries, and a cinema to its list of downtown attractions alongside long-time favorites like Mr. Bob’s Do-Nuts, Crabby Abby’s Bar & Grill and the McDowell Arts Gallery and Theatre, which displays the work of local artists throughout Southern Appalachia.

Within a short drive of downtown you’ll find yourself immersed in the natural wonders of the area. The mighty Catawba River runs through Marion and is a favorite for tubers, kayakers, and fishermen alike. Bordering the river is the The Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway that is perfect for a walk or bike ride. If you're into waterfalls don’t worry Tom’s Creek Falls has a short, yet beautiful hike and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Western North Carolina. At one time an active mica mine hikers can still find some of the beloved gems along the trail. Marion Lake Club Golf Course, a favorite among locals, is a semi private golf course known for its spectacular views of Linville Gorge and Short Off Mountain. But the biggest attraction of the area is by far Lake James. Along with boating, swimming, skiing, and fishing in the beautiful, clear waters of the 6,812-acre lake, there are 25 miles of hiking trails, several of which are open to mountain biking.

Throughout the year, Marion hosts a number of parades and festivals. If you are in the area or looking for a great way to spend a weekend make plans to attend one of these family-friendly events as they draw quite the crowd from all over the east coast.  A few of our favorites include: St. Patick’s Day Pub Crawl (March) | Sweet Treats of the Carolina’s Festival (April) | Livermush Festival (June) | 4th Of July Downtown Parade and Fireworks (July) | WNC Bigfoot Festival (September) | Mountain Glory Festival (October) | Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve Golden Nugget Drop (December).