20+ Amazing Things to Do in Marion (and McDowell County)

Marion, North Carolina, is one of those special mountain towns that always jumps out, no matter which direction you’re traveling. Thanks to a friendly atmosphere and beautiful outdoor surroundings, we’ve found things to do in Marion that everyone should enjoy.

Whether you like local shops, eclectic restaurants, and, as we mentioned, gorgeous scenery, this McDowell County town has it for you.

All of that becomes clear as you stroll Main St., which meets the Blue Ridge Mountains, as the town’s motto promises.

Marion offers fun activities, delicious places to eat, and stunning views. Our guide will help you explore this wonderful mountain spot, its most popular attractions, and more.

Here’s what you’ll find below:

Skip ahead to our favorite things to do in Marion at specific times or throughout the year. Or keep reading to learn how to find Marion and why it became one of our favorite small towns!

Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we leave no detail out. If you live in the Marion area and are wondering, “What are the best things to do near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you out!

Read More: Western North Carolina (and 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit)

Where is Marion?

Before we share what to do in Marion, NC, we thought you should know a little more about this town.

• Marion is the McDowell County seat and has a population of about 7,800.
• The town is about 40 minutes east of Asheville and is a popular day trip from our largest city in Western NC.
• The town sits in central McDowell County, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest.
• Along with Tom’s Creek Falls (which this guide covers in more detail), Marion’s surroundings offer a plethora of waterfalls and hikes.

Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map

The History of Marion (Quick Facts)

• Evidence shows that people mined mica heavily in the Marion area and traded it as a valuable commodity about 2,000 years ago.
• This silicate material is easy to split and is used in everything from furnace windows to plastics.
• You can still see mica when exploring the outdoors around Marion, and its abundance and historical importance are behind the nickname “Mica Town.”
• A few decades before Marion came into existence, McDowell County was a major gold producer and part of North Carolina’s early 1800s Gold Rush.
• In 1844, the first McDowell County commissioners planned the town that would become Marion.
• They met at the Carson House, which later served as the McDowell County Courthouse.
• Tensions arose because some citizens wanted the town to remain near the Carson House. However, Sam Carson didn’t want the town near his plantation, and he even donated land to help settle the score.
• Ultimately, commissioners moved the town to its current location, a more central position in McDowell County.
• The North Carolina State Legislature sanctioned the name “Marion” in 1845. Marion honored the Revolutionary War Hero Francis Marion, also known as “Swamp Fox.”
• Marion grew in the 19th century thanks to favorable terrain and its once-prominent position at the western terminus of a stagecoach road and North Carolina’s railroad line.
• Many of Marion’s structures were built from local timber, and that fact became clear on November 25, 1894. That’s when a fire swept through town, destroying many buildings in its path, including the original county courthouse.
• That disastrous fire couldn’t stop Marion’s engine. By 1908, Marion was the junction for two railroads that traveled north to south and east to west.
• Textiles were Marion’s leading industry, with three major mills providing jobs and infrastructure. They included Marion Mill, Clinchfield Mill, and Cross Mill.
• Over the years, Marion has produced some prominent names in North Carolina. A few include Richard Erwin (the first African-American in North Carolina elected to statewide office, serving on the NC Court of Appeals), Gus Greenlee (businessman and founder of the second Negro National League), and former UNC Tar Heel Men’s Basketball coach Roy Williams.

Read More: Interesting Facts About North Carolina

What is Marion Known for Today?

The mills no longer operate in Marion, but a strong group of locals keeps the town moving. Downtown has very few chain businesses. Instead, you’ll find independent, locally owned cafes, restaurants, shops, and boutiques that help Marion live up to its motto, “Where Main Street meets the mountains.”

Prominent highways (US-70 and US-221) and I-40 run through and around Marion, making it easy to reach from any direction.

Read More: The Best North Carolina Road Trips

Where to Stay in Marion

Marion has multiple chain hotels, but we’ve stayed at the Hampton Inn near I-40 (Exit 85) a few times and would go there for a quick night or two.

There are also great locally owned places to stay. Here are a few that we’ve loved.

Tabletop Inn

Address: 340 Hillcrest Dr, Marion, NC
Official Website

The Tabletop Inn is a board-game-themed boutique bed and breakfast in Marion run by real-life board game designers.

The inn has more than 800 games, colorful themed rooms, custom artwork, hidden games and interactive features, plus homemade breakfast each morning and Blue Ridge Mountain views from the property.

Watch Our Instagram Reel Featuring Tabletop Inn

Spacious Skies Hidden Creek Campground

Address: 1210 Deacon Dr, Marion, NC
Official Website

Spacious Skies Hidden Creek is a family-focused campground near Marion offering RV sites, tent camping, and cabins surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Standout amenities include a Junior Olympic-sized pool, wading pool, stocked lake, fishing, waterslide, gem mining, hiking opportunities, and creek- and lakefront campsites.

Read more: Unique Airbnbs in North Carolina

Gold River Camp and Cabins

Address: 43 Polly Spout Rd, Marion, NC
Official Website

Another place we recommend is Gold River Camp and Cabins, once a gold and gem mine, now converted into riverfront accommodation. They offer cabins of all shapes and sizes, plus tent campsites.

Gold River Camp and Cabins is about ten minutes south of Marion, just around the corner from some other historic gem mines. While visiting, enjoy the fire pits, hang out in the communal game area, and go gold panning!

More Gold and Gem Mining Accommodations

Speaking of those other historic gem mines, here are a few more camping/panning options.

The Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine and Vein Mountain are open year-round, but check their sites (and Vein Mountain’s Facebook Group) for specific dates and info.

Thermal City Gold Mine is another option, just down the road from both. They’re typically open from March 15 to October 31 and have a variety of sites, including camping cabins.

Read More: 80+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (The Asheville Bucket List)

Annual Events in Marion

These annual events are among the most popular things to do in Marion, so add them to your calendar!

The Historic Marion Tailgate Market (May through October)

Address: 67 W Henderson St, Marion, NC
Official Website

Every Saturday from May through October, the Historic Marion Tailgate Market sells locally grown produce, baked goods, crafts, and more! If you’re in town during these months, come out to support local businesses and pick up some delicious produce!

Read More: 40+ North Carolina Gifts from Amazing Local Businesses

WNC Bigfoot Festival (August)

Marion’s annual WNC Bigfoot Festival celebrates the legendary creature said to wander the Western NC mountains. This fun festival spans about five blocks in downtown Marion.

With Bigfoot-themed food, souvenirs, and an indoor expo area, the festival is one of Marion’s coolest attractions. You may come as a skeptic, but the festival guarantees that you’ll leave as a Bigfoot believer!

The WNC Bigfoot Festival typically kicks off in August!

Read More: Summer in North Carolina

Mountain Glory Festival (October)

Celebrate fall’s arrival at the Mountain Glory Festival, with artisans, food vendors, and a quilt show inside the McDowell Arts Council. 

Christmas Parade (November)

Marion’s first holiday event is the annual Christmas Parade, usually held in late November. The parade winds through downtown and features fun, colorful floats.

Read more: Exciting Christmas Lights in North Carolina

The Marion Train Depot (Year-Round)

If you live in the area or want to host a party or event, consider the Historic Marion Train Depot. The space can accommodate up to 131 guests with tables and chairs.

Things to Do in Marion This Weekend

While it may be a small mountain town, it’s full of vibrant shops and stores. Here are seven essential things to do in Marion’s downtown this weekend (and year-round).

• To properly start a morning of exploring and adventure, we recommend Ingenious Coffee Roasters (140 S Main St, Marion, NC). As a locally owned coffee shop in downtown Marion, Ingenious offers an expansive menu of flavors like Snickerdoodle, Winter Solstice, and Holiday Spice. We especially love their Nitro cold brew, which packs that extra punch!
• Bigfoot Books & Brews (124 E Court St, Marion, NC): This family-run boutique bookstore also serves incredible coffee. They host live music and events, too!
• Flavors on Main (49 S Main St, Marion, NC): A cool general store specializing in fresh olive oils, balsamic vinegar, spices, teas, and more! They also have a tasting room for food connoisseurs who want to try (and buy) local products.

• Appalachian Remedies (93 W Court St, Marion, NC): Rug weaving on traditional looms, plus natural products and handmade art.
• Catch a show at the Foothills Community Theatre (50 S Main St, Marion, NC). Founded in 1972 as part of the McDowell Arts Council, it became an independent nonprofit in 1999 and offers live productions year-round.
• Art lovers will also enjoy an afternoon at the McDowell Arts Council (50 S Main St, Marion, NC), a gallery that encourages learning and practice in all art forms. It shares a building with the theatre and runs both in-person and virtual galleries. Visitors and locals can usually join art classes, theater performances, and events.
• Marion’s rich art scene continues with the Founders’ Art Walk (Main and Court Streets, downtown Marion), a self-guided walk past a series of murals across downtown. The project was inspired by McDowell County’s 175th anniversary, and the murals depict life in the town.

Restaurants in Marion

You could spend an entire weekend exploring Marion’s food scene. Here are some tasty places to eat, starting with one that serves all meals.

Bantam Chef

Address: 1116 Rutherford Rd, Marion, NC
Official Website

Bantam Chef is a great diner you can stop by anytime. We especially recommend their biscuits as the perfect way to kick off your day.

Bruce’s Fabulous Foods

Address: 63 S Main St, Marion, NC
Official Website

Bruce’s Fabulous Foods has long been one of the area’s best places to eat.

They serve sandwiches, quesadillas, wraps, salads, and, most importantly, cheesecake! Choose from caramel, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, fruit-flavored, or nut-flavored cheesecakes.

Artesana Ice Cream

Address: 76 S Main St, Marion, NC
Official Website

Artesana Ice Cream makes its ice cream from all-natural ingredients, including local milk, honey, and fresh fruit.

Look for vegan options and flavors like raspberry lemon pie, guava, chocolate chip banana, and chocolate cherry cappuccino. It also won the Ice Cream category in NC Tripping’s 2025 Best of North Carolina Awards.

Dots Dario

Address: 30 Lake Tahoma Rd, Marion, NC
Facebook Page
Note: Open Seasonally; Mid-March through late October

Dots Dario is a seasonal favorite for soft-serve, chocolate-dipped cones, and milkshakes. They serve dozens of flavors, and seasonal flavors like apple pie and pumpkin rotate in throughout the year.

Smoke A ‘Lil Smoke

Address: 861 N Main St, Marion, NC
Facebook Page

If you’re craving tasty barbecue in Marion, head to Smoke A ‘Lil Smoke. We first visited at its original location on East Henderson Street and love the new location in the former Harvest Drive-In.

Order a plate or sandwich with brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, or wings, or go for the loaded nachos.

1844: Steakhouse

Address: 29 Logan St, Marion, NC
Facebook Page

For a sit-down dinner in Marion, 1844: Steakhouse serves cuts from a 6-ounce sirloin to a 16-ounce tomahawk ribeye. Every entree comes with unlimited trips to the hot bar, where you’ll find mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, yeast rolls, and more.

You’ll want to save room for pie, pudding, or both.

Marion’s Craft Breweries

You’ll also find some great craft breweries to visit in Marion.

• Refinery 13 Taproom is a downtown taproom that pours North Carolina craft beer, sangria, and wine. They also have a small food selection to complement your tasting.
• Mica Town Brewing has locations in both downtown Marion and in Nebo, near Lake James. If you can’t visit while they’re open, look for tasty Mica Town beer in restaurants throughout McDowell and surrounding counties.
• For a unique tasting experience, check out the aesthetic Keeper’s Cut Meadery! Keeper’s Cut specializes in all things mead, from production to tasting. Pair your drink with a charcuterie board and small snacks.

Read More: 30+ Great Things to Do in Boone (Hikes, Eats, and More in App Town)

Beyond Downtown (Outdoor Things to Do in Marion)

We’ve shared our favorite things to do in Marion’s downtown. Now, it’s time to get outside and explore those mountains that meet Main Street.

Mount Ida Wilderness Area

The Mount Ida Wilderness Area is a 36-acre tract surrounding Mount Ida, just six minutes from downtown Marion. Hike the moderate-to-strenuous, half-mile trail to the peak for panoramic views of Marion and the surrounding mountains.

We recommend packing lunch for a picnic at the top!

Tom’s Creek Falls

Tom’s Creek Falls is the perfect family activity for a sunny afternoon. The trailhead for this 80-foot, multi-tiered waterfall is just seven miles from Marion, and the trail itself is an easy half-mile hike.

We recommend packing water shoes as the pools are relatively still and quiet.

Read More: 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes!)

Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway

The Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway in Marion is a relatively flat trail that follows the scenic Catawba River. This greenway is typically busy, with people walking, running, biking, and enjoying nature.

Bring your furry friends too for a family outing, but keep them leashed!

The trail is about 3.5 miles round trip. Plan for a couple of hours.

Read More: 4 National Forests in NC (Things to Do + Why We Love Them!)

Historic Carson House

Address: 1805 US-70 W, Marion, NC
Official Website
Note: Open April through December. Closed Mondays.

Nestled on the outskirts of Marion (due to historic planning), the Historic Carson House represents the life and experiences of people in the area.

The house is filled with antique items dating back 200 years. It also sits on acres of land and gardens, perfect for an outdoor stroll.

Visiting the Carson House is like stepping back in time. Colonel John Carson built the home in the late 1700s, and his family owned it for more than 100 years.

It was plundered during the Civil War and passed through many owners afterward. In the 1960s, the house was reclaimed and reopened as a historic site and museum.

Things to Do Near Marion, NC

Marion is a short drive from several fun spots in Western North Carolina.

If you’re wondering what to do near Marion, NC, here are our top recommendations for the surrounding area!

• Morganton (30 Minutes Away)
• Asheville (40 Minutes Away)
• Black Mountain (25 Minutes Away)
• Blowing Rock (1 Hour 20 Minutes Away) and Boone (1 Hour 30 Minutes Away)
• Chimney Rock State Park, the Village of Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure (1 Hour Away)

No matter which direction you go, there are plenty of opportunities. However, we think you shouldn’t leave McDowell County just yet.

Read More: Day Trips from Asheville

Old Fort

West of Marion, Old Fort is a small mountain town best known for its gold history and one of our favorite waterfalls. Including that awesome outdoor space, here are our favorite things to do:

• Catawba Falls is a beautiful 100-foot waterfall, with an upper and a lower section. The hike to the falls is about three miles round trip, but the stunning views at the base and along the falls are definitely worth the longer stop!
• Foothills Watershed (655 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC): Owned by the same people behind Foothills Grange in Black Mountain, this space is over 100 acres with mountain bike trails, a pump track, a tot track, dirt jumps, and river access. The on-site brewery and barbecue make Foothills Watershed even better!
• Modern Alchemist and AMB Outpost & Kitchen (78A Catawba Ave, Old Fort, NC): Modern Alchemist is part of the Appalachian Mountain Brewery family (Boone) and is a distillery/kitchen housed in a former sock factory. They offer bottles to go, cocktails, and more on the drinks side. AMB Outpost & Kitchen serves small bites, entrees, and kids options.
• Another interesting place in Old Fort is the Mountain Gateway Museum (78-C Catawba Ave, Old Fort, NC), which preserves and educates about Appalachian history and culture. They have a large collection of historic artifacts and informative exhibits.

Read More: Colorful Fall Hikes in North Carolina (+ 20 Beautiful Places to Explore!)

Lake James

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Lake James, whether you’re visiting a State Park access point, staying on the water, or riding your bike.

We love all of the above and think you will, too.

• At Lake James State Park, you can ride your bike or hike. The Holly Discovery Trail (0.75 miles) and Lake Channel Overlook Trail (1.5 miles) are two great family paths to explore.
• An accessible fishing pier lets you hook the day’s catch from the Catawba River Area. Mountain biking trails range from 1.4 to 6 miles on the state park side of Lake James.
• For an even bigger challenge, check out the Fonta Flora State Trail. It snakes 19 miles and loops around Lake James. When completed, this trail will connect Morganton and Asheville.

Read More: All North Carolina State Parks Sites (and Things to Do in Each One)

Linville Falls

Linville Falls is both a town and one of the state’s most popular waterfalls.

The Linville Falls hike leads to a remarkable 90-foot waterfall that drops straight into the Linville Gorge, also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” You can see this waterfall from multiple points along the road and in the gorge.

You can reach it via several trails, but the easiest is a 1.6-mile roundtrip hike. The visitor center and campground remain closed after Helene, but Erwins View Trail is open.

After an afternoon of hiking to the waterfall and enjoying the views, grab dinner at Famous Louise’s in Linville Falls.

Top the day off with a glass (or bottle) at Linville Falls Winery. Please drink responsibly.

Read More: The Best North Carolina Wineries

Linville Caverns

Address: 19929 US 221 N, Marion, NC
Official Website

Linville Caverns are currently NC’s only caverns available to tour and remain one of our oldest (and most popular) attractions. The caverns opened for public tours in 1937 and offer tours Thursday through Monday.

Each tour lasts about 35 minutes.

We personally think a visit to Linville Caverns belongs on everyone’s bucket list, including yours!

Note: Open weekends only from December through February

Read More: Day Trips from Boone

Blue Ridge Parkway Stops Nearby

Some of the coolest Blue Ridge Parkway stops are just a short drive away. Along this wonderful road, you’ll find scenic things to do near Marion, including hikes, waterfalls, and more!

• Little Switzerland, on MP 334, is a small village about 25 minutes from Marion. Grab a meal in this cozy town and enjoy the expansive mountain views. For a long time, this was a seasonal community, but it’s now open year-round!
• Crabtree Falls, on MP 339, is a 70-foot waterfall near Little Switzerland, about a half-hour drive from Marion. Follow a 2.5-mile loop to reach the gorgeous falls. Closed Due to Hurricane Helene Damage
• After panning in Marion, learn more about the area’s mining history at the Museum of North Carolina Minerals (MP 331). This museum offers a comprehensive overview of the area’s mineral heritage.

Read More: 10 of the Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville

More Marion and McDowell County Travel Guides

We’ve featured Marion and its neighbors in many of our NC travel guides. Here are a few to keep you exploring.