101 Unique Things to Do in Asheville NC & Western NC
Maggie Valley has been a popular family resort town in the mountains of North Carolina for many years. It's only 35 miles west of downtown Asheville. It's a laid-back, "old-fashioned" town with vintage motels, fun festivals, car and motorcycle rallies, plenty of craft shops for browsing, and lots of other things to do. Get in touch with your inner hillbilly with bluegrass music, moonshine, and clogging. Most all businesses are located along Soco Road, a five-mile stretch of US Highway 19.
Wintertime in Maggie Valley is a great destination for fun! Home to Cataloochee Ski Area and Tube World, it’s a great place to ski, snowboard, and tube! Find plenty of scenic winter hikes, things to do, or cozy spots to relax and warm up with local craft beer or a glass of wine. See their Winter Itinerary for some fun ideas.
A must-see is Wheels Through Time (62 Vintage Lane - along Soco Road), an impressive motorcycle and car museum with an amazing collection of many rare items. They are open April-November. Read more.
Find many mom-and-pop motels in Maggie Valley with that authentic vintage, down-home style at much lower rates than in Asheville. Go to the Maggie Valley website for a motel directory.
Don't miss the longtime favorite Cabbage Rose (3388 Soco Road), a knick-knack shopper's dream complete with a Christmas Shop. Be careful, you could get lost in this big place packed with things you didn't know you needed!
Watch Appalachian dance at Stompin' Ground (3116 Soco Road), the clogging capital of the world. Dance with your honey to live country and bluegrass music (clogging lessons offered). They are only open on Saturday nights, April through October. See our Stompin' Ground Guide.
The Maggie Valley Festival Grounds (3422 Soco Road) hosts a big variety of events year-round, including the Hillbilly Jam, art festivals and many car shows and rallies. For the latest events calendar for Maggie Valley, go to their website.
Cataloochee Ski Area is usually the first open with their 18 mile-high slopes and trails with 100% snowmaking and 3 lifts. Their ski and snowboard school teaches all ages, including a special center for ages 4-12. They are located about 3 miles up the mountain from town. Tube World (4721 Soco Road) offers 12 lanes of snow tubing in the valley. Read more about Cataloochee Ski Area!
Nearby Towns: Just five miles east is Lake Junaluska and eight miles away is downtown Waynesville. Cherokee is 17 miles west.
Directions from Asheville (35 miles): Take I-40 West to Exit #27 (US 74) for the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. In about 4 miles, take exit 103 for US 19 South/Maggie Valley.
More: For additional info on things to do, restaurants and places to stay in Maggie Valley, go to their website.
Maggie Valley Things to Do
Soco Falls
This rare twin waterfall is located roadside near Maggie Valley and Cherokee. You can easily miss it since there are few signs! The observation deck and viewing platform is a short walk from a… read more
This rare twin waterfall is located roadside near Maggie Valley and Cherokee. You can easily miss it since there are few signs! The observation deck and viewing platform is a short walk from a small parking area. You can also hike down to the base of both falls.
Waynesville, NC
Downtown's quaint old buildings, brick sidewalks, galleries, and general store take you back to a more leisurely time. Each summer, Folkmoot USA. attracts entertainers from all over the world. The… read more
Downtown's quaint old buildings, brick sidewalks, galleries, and general store take you back to a more leisurely time. Each summer, Folkmoot USA. attracts entertainers from all over the world. The Museum of NC Handicrafts is housed in the historic Shelton House. On summer Friday nights, come down for the Mountain Street Dances.
Visit NC Smokies Visitor Guide
Order the free "Visit NC Smokies" guide to Haywood County, home to small towns of Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde - in the Great Smokies, Pisgah National Forest and… read more
Order the free "Visit NC Smokies" guide to Haywood County, home to small towns of Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde - in the Great Smokies, Pisgah National Forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Top 30 in NC
Explore the most visited national park in the country! See our top places and things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side near Asheville. Four entrances to the… read more
Explore the most visited national park in the country! See our top places and things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side near Asheville. Four entrances to the Park are within 60 miles of downtown Asheville.
The Swag, Waynesville
The Swag’s secluded property features 17 newly renovated rooms, including cozy suites and expansive private cabins. Various rooms include a two-person soaking tub, fireplace, and private balcony… read more
The Swag’s secluded property features 17 newly renovated rooms, including cozy suites and expansive private cabins. Various rooms include a two-person soaking tub, fireplace, and private balcony with beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains. 45 minutes from Asheville. 17 rooms, suites, and cabins. Lodging includes three gourmet meals & many amenities, many balconies, and…
Elk in Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains
Watch the elk in beautiful Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The best time is just before sunset. Take a picnic and tailgate. Also, tour historic buildings or hike.… read more
Watch the elk in beautiful Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The best time is just before sunset. Take a picnic and tailgate. Also, tour historic buildings or hike.
Boyd Mountain Log Cabins, Waynesville
Experience history in nine meticulously restored, hand-hewn log cabins & the Boyd Home Place with 2-6 bedrooms on 175 picturesque acres. Each cabin features a tasteful blend of antique… read more
Experience history in nine meticulously restored, hand-hewn log cabins & the Boyd Home Place with 2-6 bedrooms on 175 picturesque acres. Each cabin features a tasteful blend of antique furnishings and modern amenities, providing a serene escape with breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Guests can enjoy hiking, stocked fishing ponds, a trout stream and a Choose N Cut…
Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley
Located at 5,400 ft. in the Great Smoky Mountains, their 18 slopes have 100% snowmaking with 5 lifts on 50 acres. Ski and snowboard rentals, packages, kids & adult school and nearby tubing… read more
Located at 5,400 ft. in the Great Smoky Mountains, their 18 slopes have 100% snowmaking with 5 lifts on 50 acres. Ski and snowboard rentals, packages, kids & adult school and nearby tubing park. Gentle slopes for novices while seasoned experts take on Upper Omigosh. Located 40 miles west of Asheville in scenic Maggie Valley.
Lake Junaluska
This beautiful lake town near the Great Smoky Mountains is home to trails, boat tours, golf, gardens and a big variety of lodging options, including lakefront hotels and cabin rentals for a… read more
This beautiful lake town near the Great Smoky Mountains is home to trails, boat tours, golf, gardens and a big variety of lodging options, including lakefront hotels and cabin rentals for a Methodist church retreat.
Top Maggie Valley Festivals
Maggie Valley Summer Arts and Crafts Show
Meet 100 artisans and crafters from the Southeast with a wide variety of art outdoors at the Festival Grounds (3374 Soco Road) in Maggie Valley from 9 AM-4 PM daily. Free admission and parking.… read more
Meet 100 artisans and crafters from the Southeast with a wide variety of art outdoors at the Festival Grounds (3374 Soco Road) in Maggie Valley from 9 AM-4 PM daily. Free admission and parking.
Hillbilly Jam
Head to Maggie Valley to celebrate mountain country living with music, crafts, big car show, moonshine and TV celebrities.
Head to Maggie Valley to celebrate mountain country living with music, crafts, big car show, moonshine and TV celebrities.
Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show
Meet 100 artisans and crafters from throughout the Southeast with a big variety of art. Outdoors at the Festival Grounds (3374 Soco Road) in the valley. 9 AM-4 PM each day. Free admission and… read more
Meet 100 artisans and crafters from throughout the Southeast with a big variety of art. Outdoors at the Festival Grounds (3374 Soco Road) in the valley. 9 AM-4 PM each day. Free admission and parking.
