Marion, NC, sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in McDowell County. The historic town offers a mix of outdoor adventure, history, restaurants, and small-town charm.
We recently explored this underrated mountain destination and were surprised by how much there is to see and do. Whether you're looking for waterfalls, great local food, local markets, or unique attractions, Marion has plenty to offer.
During our visit, we hiked to Toms' Creek Falls and Catawba Falls, dined at local restaurants like McDowell Local and Blanton house, and enjoyed exploring the various shops in the historic downtown.
There’s something special about Marion, NC, and we’re excited to share all the best things to do with you. Keep reading to discover why Marion, NC, deserves a spot on your Blue Ridge Mountion bucket list!
Eat like a local at one of our favorite restaurants
One of the best ways to experience Marion, NC is through its food scene. Whether you're craving Southern comfort food, top-tier barbecue, or an upscale dining experience, this town has plenty of local favorites worth checking out.
We made it a point to eat like the locals do, and the restaurants featured in our Marion Restaurants Guide stood out as must-visit spots for us during our visit. Smoke A 'Lil Smoke, a local BBQ spot, was a real hidden gem!
See our Marion NC’s Best Restaurants – Eat like a local! guide for all the details!
Visit Tom's Creek Falls
Tom's Creek Falls is not only a pretty waterfall with a nice viewing deck, but an easy hike as well. The waterfall makes for a great short hike and is especially good for families and people with mobility concerns.
The trailhead is just a short drive from downtown Marion, and the hike out and back is easy and only 1-mile round trip.
Learn all about Tom's Creek Falls in our guide!
Take a Sunset Cruise on Lake James - A relaxing way to end the day
One of the absolute highlights of our visit to Marion, was taking a sunset cruise on Lake James with Lake James Sunset Cruises. This was hands down our favorite activity, and it's a great way to wrap up a busy day exploring McDowell County.
Watching the sun dip below the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains while gliding across the calm waters of Lake James and enjoying some drinks and a fantastic charcuterie board was nothing short of breathtaking.
The cruise lasts about 2.5 hours and departs from Lake James State Park, specifically Paddys Creek Beach. We found it to be the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring Marion.
The large and modern house boat was spacious and comfortable, and the captain provided interesting insights about the lake’s history, local wildlife, and the surrounding scenery as we cruised. The views from the upper deck were fantastic, and we enjoyed mingling and talking to the others during the cruise.
What we really enjoyed as well was, as the sun began to set, the captain stopped the boat, asked everyone to be quiet and still. We all sat there in silence, watching the beautiful golden sun drop below the distant mountain peaks, as reflections shimmered on the still waters of the lake. It was stunning, and a few quiet minutes that really made you recognize how special these mountains are.
Sunset cruises are seasonal and available from April through October, with departures scheduled in the evening to ensure the best sunset views. Since availability is limited and cruises often sell out, we highly recommend booking in advance.
Wine Tasting & Live Music at Linville Falls Winery
On the last day of our visit to McDowell County, we drove north to Linville Falls Winery to enjoy the views, some live music, and some fantastic local wines.
Located just a short drive from Marion, this family-owned winery offers an incredible setting with rolling mountain vineyards, mountain views, relaxed atmosphere, and excellent wines.
We opted for a wine tasting, sampling a variety of their locally grown wines, including their popular white and red wines.
While the wine was excellent, the real highlight was simply sitting outside, taking in the mountain views, and enjoying live music while tasting the various wines. The setting and scenery at Linville Falls Winery was absolutely perfect—casual and laid-back, yet lively, with plenty of seating on their various out patios. They offer indoor and covered seating as well.
The winery was very busy when we visited; it was easy to understand why. Between the surrounding scenery, the great wine, and the live entertainment, it’s a place where you’ll want to linger for a while. We sure did!
Whether you’re a wine lover or just looking for a great spot to relax and soak in the beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, Linville Falls Winery is a must-visit when you’re in the Marion area and even worth the drive if you're not!
Enjoy a cold Local Brew at Mica Town Brewing in Nebo
If you’re a fan of craft beer, a visit to Mica Town Brewing in nearby Nebo is a must while exploring the Marion area.
We stopped in to check out their selection on our way to Lake James. It's a great casual spot to unwind with a cold brew and some great food truck food.
This laid-back small-batch brewery, located a short drive from Marion, is known for its rotating selection of handcrafted beers, ranging from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs and rich stouts.
We grabbed a flight to sample a few different styles and were impressed with the freshness, quality and flavor of each sample. The Stumptown Stout is particularly impressive.
To our surprise, they also Rum, Vodka and Whisky, which we also sampled. You can try these in several speciality mixed drinks as well. The spirits were fantastic, especially for such a small and local brewery.
What made our visit even better was the friendly atmosphere. The brewery has a VERY relaxed vibe, with both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot to kick back and enjoy a pint.
They also host live music, food trucks, and various community events, so there’s always something happening. While we were there, Abuelitos Empanadas were there. We had some absolutely delicious empanadas and croquettes.
If you’re looking for a place to sip on a local brew and soak in the laid-back mountain town atmosphere, Mica Town Brewing in Nebo is the perfect spot!
Go Shopping in Downtown Marion
For you shoppers out there, no trip to Marion would be complete without a stroll through its charming downtown, where you’ll find a mix of locally owned shops, artisan goods, and unique gifts.
We spent some time exploring downtown and its shops and discovered several fantastic stores that are definitely worth checking out. But we had a few we really enjoyed and wanted to highlight for you:
Flavors on Main
Photo courtesy of Flavors on Main
One of the coolest shops we explored was Flavors on Main, basically a foodie's paradise. If you enjoy gourmet food, local flavors, unique kitchen items, and food items you just wouldn't expect to find in a small mountain town, Flavors on Main is your spot!
They even have an exceptional and well supplied outdoor store upstairs, with fly-fishing and hiking gear.
This specialty shop offers everything from locally roasted coffee and artisan cheeses to premium olive oils, vinegars, and spices. We had a great time browsing their selection and even picked up a few goodies to take home.
McDowell Arts Council
Another great stop is the McDowell Arts Council, which supports local artists. Here you'll find a gallery and gift shop showcasing the work of regional artists.
The shop and gallery features everything from paintings and pottery to handmade jewelry and textiles. During our visit, we enjoyed browsing the diverse selection of artwork.
Oh, and don't forget to say hi to the store kitty!
Vintage Market - A Treasure Hunter's Dream!
Last, but certainly not least, is Vintage Market. We visited thinking this would be a traditional antique store ... were we ever wrong! While they have antiques, they have much, much more.
If you love antiques and vintage finds, Vintage Market is the place to go. This large shop is packed with antique furniture, collectibles, home décor, and vintage treasures just waiting for you to discover them. The shop floor is full of individual sections with various items for sale. One of our favorites was the record shop, which had old records from the 40s - the 80s.
We spent too much time wandering through the aisles, admiring everything from old-school memorabilia to rustic farmhouse-style décor.
Don't miss this place. It's super fun to explore, and we're positive you'll find something to bring home with you.
Sip a little Moonshine at Cooper Creek Distillery
To be honest, when we visited Copper Creek Distillery on a whim, we expected maybe some bourbons or vodka. Definitely not moonshine. But that is part of what makes our adventures fun. You never know what to expect, and we always run into some nice surprises.
Copper Creek Distillery was just that. If you're looking for authentic mountain moonshine, Copper Creek Distillery is the place. Copper Creek Distillery, located in Marion, isn't large, but it's full of flavor; they make the moonshine on-site, and you can see the still making moonshine live when you visit.
At Copper Creek, they take pride in making small-batch moonshine, using time-honored distilling methods that have been passed down through generations.
We enjoyed sampling a few different flavors, and each one had a smooth yet bold character that perfectly captured the essence of real mountain-made shine. What really surprised us was the number of different flavors, sixteen currently. Just to list a few: gold, apple, grape, coffee, oatmeal cookie, peanut butter, watermelon and more.
Whether you prefer the classic unaged white shine or a flavored variety, you'll find something you like. You can even mix the flavors.
We really enjoyed the coffee, apple and peach. Although we tried a mix of chocolate and peanut butter, that tasted just like a Reese's Cup!
If you're in Marion, NC, and want a true taste of Blue Ridge Mountain tradition, don’t miss a visit to Copper Creek Distillery!
Spend time on the lake at Lake James State Park
If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure with stunning mountain lake views, Lake James State Park is the perfect place to spend a day while visiting Marion, NC. This beautiful park is on the shores of Lake James, a 6,800-acre lake with crystal-clear waters surrounded by beautiful mountain views.
We've visited the park a few times over the years, a few times kayaking and then more recently for a Sunset Cruise (see above). Our most recent visit was for the cruise, but we arrived early to explore Paddy's Creek Beach a little. There is a nice sand beach, restrooms, giftshop, snack bar and ample parking.
For those that prefer kayaking or exploring the lake on a canoe or paddleboard, rentals are also available at Paddy's beach with partner REI. While kayaking on the lake is nice, you'll want to stick close to the shore, as power boats occupy the main area of water.
The park also offers over 25 miles of scenic hiking trails, ranging from easy to more challenging options with gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Lakes James State Park offers tons of fun for everyone, regardless of your interest.
Hike and view Catawba Falls
Catawba Falls is one of the most popular and beautiful falls in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is only about 20 minutes from downtown Marion.
From the trailhead to the base of the falls is about 3-miles round-trip. The hike is through a beautiful forest, and has a number of scenic points of interest along the way, including the remains of an old power plant and dam.
With the recent changes to Catawba Falls, including new stairs and an observation deck, you can better see the falls, and safely reach upper Catawba Falls, which is also stunning.
If you enjoy being outdoors and exploring waterfalls, a hike out to Catawba Falls should definitely be on your short list!
See our guide to Catawba Falls for more information
Enjoy a fresh roasted coffee at Ingenious Coffee Roasters
With all of these things to see and do in and around Marion, you're going to need some great coffee to fuel up and get some more energy!
Ingenious Coffee Roasters is the spot to be. We stopped by a few times during our visit to Marion and quickly understood why it's a local favorite. They offer drip coffee, handcrafted and flavored lattes.
What impressed us most about Ingenious Coffee Roasters is they roast their own beans right there in the shop. Not only did the coffee taste great, the whole shop smelled wonderful as well.
The atmosphere inside is warm and inviting, making it a great place to sit and relax for a while, whether you’re catching up on work, meeting a friend, or just enjoying a quiet moment with your coffee. They also offer a selection of fresh pastries and light bites, perfect for pairing with your drink.
We enjoyed some hot flavored lattes a few mornings with their cinnamon buns, and even stopped by one after to recharge a bit between adventures.
If you're a coffee lover, like us, you'll definitely want to visit Ingenious Coffee Roasters.
Buy Local at the Marion Tailgate Market
While exploring downtown Marion, we visited the vibrant and busy Marion Tailgate Market, where we got to experience the best of local produce, handmade crafts, and delicious homemade goods. There’s just something special about browsing an open-air market, chatting with the local vendors, and discovering unique, locally made products—and the Marion Tailgate Market did not disappoint!
Visiting and chatting with the vendors was a pleasure; the fresh fruits, vegetables, jams, honey, and baked goods were amazing.
Beyond the food, we enjoyed browsing the selection of handcrafted items, including pottery, woodworking, and unique gifts made by local artisans. All the vendors were incredibly friendly, happy to share their stories and talk about their craft, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Whether you're looking for farm-fresh goods, a handmade souvenir, or just a fun way to spend a morning, the Marion Tailgate Market is a great place to find some local goods and support local farmers and artists while soaking in the small-town charm that makes Marion so special.
Located one block from South Main and West Henderson, the market operates Tuesdays 3-6pm (May-Dec) and Saturdays 9am-12pm (May-Oct).
Step Back in Time at the Marion Train Depot and Railroad District
We're railfans here at Blue Ridge Mountain Life, and seldom miss an opportunity to visit a historic depot, railroad car, caboose or railroad district.
Marion not only has an active local railroad, but a historic railroad district complete with a historic depot, caboose and other historic railroad buildings. Near downtown, this historic depot is a reminder of the town’s deep ties to the railroad, which played a crucial role in Marion’s development.
The beautifully restored train depot serves as a landmark that highlights Marion’s past as a key stop along the Southern Railway line. Marion, NC, was a crucial junction for the Southern Railway, connecting the Greensboro-Knoxville line westward to Asheville, and later the Clinchfield Railroad, which linked north to south and east to west.
Although the depot is not an active train station anymore, it serves as a monument to the golden age of rail travel and frequently hosts community functions, gatherings, and historical displays.
One of the most eye-catching features of the area is the bright red caboose that sits next to the depot. This vintage train car is a favorite for visitors, offering a great photo opportunity and a tangible connection to Marion’s railroad history.
The railroad district nearby adds to the area's charm, with its active trains rolling through town. Nearby streets, lined with historic brick buildings from Marion’s railroad heyday, offer a scenic stroll and unique photo ops.
If you’re a fan of history, railroads, or simply enjoy exploring unique parts of small towns, the Marion Train Depot and railroad area is a great stop.
