Marion, NC

Marion's Main Street is lined with historic buildings, churches and the courthouse. This small town sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains near popular attractions like Mt. Mitchell (30 miles) and Linville Falls (25 miles).

Downtown Marion has really blossomed during the last couple of years! Some highlights include:

• McDowell Arts Council Gallery & Theatre (50 South Main Street)
• Refinery 13 Taproom brewery (13 N. Main)
• Spillway Bridge (93 S Main St): a music venue and taproom with 20 beers on rotation, and their first craft brewery.
• Flavors On Main General Store (49 S. Main Street)
• Mica Town Brewing (25 Brown Drive)  
• Downtown Marion Tailgate Market: Stop by every Saturday 10am-2pm in May thru October for the freshest produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, baked goods, and locally-made crafts. The market is located at the intersection of West Henderson Street and Logan Street, admission and parking are free.
• See a full list of dining options on Destination McDowell's website here. 

Keeper's Cut Meadery

Keeper's Cut Meadery: Offering wine-style and draft mead by tasting, flight, glass, and bottle in their large tasting room. Also enjoy mead cocktails, charcuterie & cheese boards, desserts, snacks, and soft drinks. (175 West Henderson St)

Carson House: Built in 1793, this house museum is one of the oldest standing structures in western North Carolina, having served as a stagecoach inn and stopping point for important historical figures. Read much more.

Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway: Walk or bike this new, one-mile recreational trail, picnic area, fishing pier, wildlife observation deck, and access to the historic Round Hill cemetery. The greenway's entrance road (Sam Phillips Drive) is located off of US 70 West, just past Lowe's and next to Table Rock Quarries.

Catawba River Outdoors (2334 Hwy 221 Business North) offers tube and kayak trips with shuttles to drop-off points upriver, ending at their location in town.

Mt. Ida Wilderness Area: This 36-acre park features a picnic shelter and a one-mile roundtrip hiking trail with views of downtown Marion from the top. The trail is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

Woods Mountain: One of the most challenging hiking/mountain biking trails in western North Carolina, this 24.9-mile single-track loop crosses the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Go to Destination McDowell's website. 

Directions to Marion: It's located 36 miles east of Asheville along I-40. Some of our other favorite small towns nearby include Old Fort (12 miles), Little Switzerland (17 miles), Morganton (22 miles), Black Mountain (20 miles) and Rutherfordton (24 miles).