There is so much to see and do in Maggie Valley NC that you just might have trouble deciding what to do in the time you're here! But don't fret! We live just outside of Maggie Valley, and have hand-selected our local picks for the best things to do in Maggie Valley NC.
Each of these is an absolute must-see when visiting Maggie Valley NC!
Updated: 5/8/2024
1 - Explore Wheels Through Time Museum
Visit Maggie Valley's world-famous attraction, Wheels Through Time Museum, located at 62 Vintage Ln, Maggie Valley, NC.
Wheels Through Time Museum contains the "world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles, memorabilia, and a distinct array of unique “one-off” American automobiles". All of these are displayed in lifelike scenes with lots of historical information on each other items. There are over 350 rare machines to see. Take your time browsing this wonderful indoor attraction, as there is so much to see.
Located just 5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Maggie Valley, North Carolina our museum houses a collection of over 350 rare machines.
2 - Visit Soco Falls
Soco Falls is a real hidden gem, that many visitors miss out on seeing. The falls are located just a little way past the Blue Ridge Parkway on Highway 19, heading towards Cherokee. Soco Falls is actually two waterfalls, one about 50' and the other over 100'. Both falls cascade next to each other into a beautiful creek below.
There are very few double waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Soco Falls is one of them. You can easily visit this waterfall while visiting Maggie Valley or exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Soco Falls is gorgeous year-round, but especially in the Fall!
3 - Watch a sunset at Waterrock Knob
One of the most beautiful sunsets on the Blue Ridge Parkway is visible just up the Parkway, from the Maggie Valley entry point, at Waterrock Knob.
The Waterrock Knob parking area is absolutely stunning, providing very wide and long-distance views looking both east and west. This makes it perfect for both sunrises and sunsets, assuming the fog doesn't move in.
The parking area has a nice meadow in the center, perfect for a picnic or to let the kids play in. The Parking area is also surrounded by nice concrete picnic tables, and you can even hike up to the top for excellent views.
4 - Maggie Valley Puzzle Rooms
Can you solve the puzzle with your teammates and escape?
Welcome to the ever-popular world of Escape Rooms with Maggie Valley Puzzle Rooms. You must, as a team, find clues, solve puzzles, keys, combination locks, and whatever else necessary to get out within one hour! Sound easy? It's not, but it sure is fun!
Maggie Valley Puzzle rooms are designed for groups of two to 10 people, ages 7-85. Each room has a different scenario with its own plot, and new scenarios and plots are added frequently.
Call Maggie Valley Puzzle Rooms today to make your reservation. Located at: 20 Kyles Way, Maggie Valley - (828) 558-1511
5 - Take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most popular national parks and scenic drives in the world, is just minutes from Maggie Valley Town Center. Even better? The section of the Parkway, from Maggie Valley, NC to Asheville, NC is one of the most beautiful, because of the high elevation and long-distance scenic views.
The Parkway has a Maggie Valley entry point, just a few miles south on Highway 19, traveling towards Cherokee. Get on the Parkway, and head east to Asheville for miles and miles of scenic views. You can also head to Cherokee and the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center.
Be sure and stop off at Waterrock Knob, the highest point on the Parkway, Devil's Courthouse, Graveyard Fields, and the Pisgah Inn.
6 - Go on a Family Adventure in Big Creek
One of our favorite places to hike and explore is the Big Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Big Creek is about 45 minutes from our home near Maggie Valley and provides beautiful scenery, history, hiking, waterfalls, and one of the most popular swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Midnight hole.
Big Creek was once an old logging operation that became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the early 1930s. You'll hike old railroad grades, find the remains of old buildings, and remnants of the railroad and logging operations that once made this area thrive.
To reach midnight hole, you'll hike 1.5 miles up Big Creek Trail along the old railroad grade into the heart of Big Creek.
If you don't enjoy hiking, have a picnic at the creek side picnic area, fish, and let the kids play in the water. Big Creek has excellent camping facilities as well.
7 - Go Shopping at Maggie Mountaineer Crafts
No trip to the mountains is complete, without a stop at one of the local gift shops, and Maggie Mountaineer Crafts is one of the oldest and the most popular. The shop is full of unique mountain memorabilia, "Maggie Valley wear", Native American items, knives, toys, stuffed animals, coffee mugs, and much more.
Top off your visit by tasting some of their famous fudge, and bring some home. Made fresh daily, it's some of the best fudge you'll eat anywhere. They have 35+ flavors!!
Be sure and get your photo taken by the Moonshine still, the big'ol Black Bear, the Hillbilly pickup truck, or even in the outhouse! Head out back to enjoy the gardens and the crisp and cool Jonathan Creek that runs right behind the store.
8 - Take a drive on Heintooga Round Bottom Road
Interested in taking a remote, peaceful, and scenic drive that most visitors don't even know exists?? Heintooga Round Bottom Road is for you.
This 28-mile gravel road goes from the Parkway, near Maggie Valley, down to Cherokee. For most of the drive, the road is one-way, so you don't have to worry about oncoming traffic. While there aren't any major scenic attractions, the road is full of small waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife, if you're lucky.
Towards the bottom, you'll ride along a gorgeous creek for miles that is full of photo opportunities.
9 - Find Treasure while Gem Mining
Visit Maggie Valley Gem Mining, Rock Shop, and Jewelry with the whole family for a fun time mining for gems!
The kids and adults will love sifting for gems, and be sure the visit the really awesome and cool Rock Shop for unique and beautiful gifts.
Located at 3894 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
10 - See the Elk in Cataloochee Valley
The drive into the remote Cataloochee Valley, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will slowly take you back in time. Your cell service will end, your pace will slow down, and you'll begin to imagine yourself traveling down the old dirt road in a horse or mule-pulled wagon full of trade goods that you're bringing back to the valley for yourself and your neighbors. You'll feel much as the early settlers of this area did as they traveled and lived harder, but much more simple lives.
Cataloochee Valley was a large settlement that become part of the Park when it was formed in the 1930s. Cataloochee Valley features: old homes, barns, an old school, and church. There are hiking trails and creeks to explore. Cataloochee Valley is also full of wildlife, including black bear and Elk!
People come from all over the world to visit Cataloochee Valley and to see the Elk which are out most often in the early mornings and late afternoons. Cataloochee Valley is a place you'll want to visit, not only to see the Elk, but to experience it as well. The Valley is beautiful.
11 - Eat breakfast at Joey's Pancake House
Joey's Pancake House has been in the Valley for a long time and is a tradition for many returning visitors, and a go-to place for locals. Visitors remember having breakfast with their families, as children at Joey's, and the tradition continues today.
The menu has tons of options, including many types of pancakes (of course), eggs, omelets, sides, and more!
One thing about Joey's is you'll always find the food fresh and hot, and the staff about as friendly as it gets!
Joey's Pancake house is located at 4309 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC - (828) 926-0212
12 - Ski at Cataloochee Ski Area
If you're visiting in the winter, Cataloochee Ski Area should be high on your list of things to do and see. Located way up Fie Top Mountain Road, behind Maggie Valley is one of just a few Snow Skiing resorts in North Carolina, Cataloochee Ski Area.
Cataloochee Ski Resort has over 50 acres of trails for every skill level and specific areas for snow boarding. They offer gear rental, along with ski and snowboarding lessons. The elevation is 5,400 feet and the slopes provide a 740' foot vertical drop.
Not up to Skiing? Stop by Tube World at the base of Fie Top Road in Maggie Valley, and tube down the slopes and head back to the top using their carpet lift. Fun for the whole family!
Cataloochee Ski Area is located at: 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley NC - 828-926-0285
13 - Mini-golf at Fantasy Golf & Game Room
Mini-golf is always a fun activity for the whole family, and Maggie Valley Fantasy Golf and Game Room is a ton of fun!
You'll enjoy 18 unique and challenging holes featuring waterfalls, a lighthouse, and a magnificent view from the 18th hole tower.
Located just a short walk from many hotels, this is a fun activity you won't want to miss out on. Locally owned and operated.
You'll find them at: 3659 Soco Rd Maggie Valley, NC 28751 - (828) 926-8180
14 - Watch a dance show at Stomping Grounds
Mountain Music and dancing have been a tradition at Stomping Grounds in Maggie Valley for as far back as most people can remember.
Shows are performed on the huge 60 x 80-foot polished dance floor, each Friday and Saturday night, April through October. The minute Ivy Hill band plays, the dancing starts, and doesn't stop until the show is over.
Dancing styles include square dancing, line dancing, clogging and two steppin'. Dancers are dressed up with beautiful matching dance outfits, and put on a heck of show. This is a show you don't want to miss, and will take you back in time, to a place where these styles of dance were invented.
Stomping Grounds is located at: 3116 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC - (828) 926-1288
15 - Meet Miss Maggie!
Miss Maggie is Maggie Valley's public figure, and represents the town and it's history. Miss Maggie today is a woman who walks around in bright Maggie Valley colors and is a fictional portrayal of the real Maggie Mae Setzer who was born in 1890, and the town is named after.
Miss Maggie is a wonderful, fun and bubbling person who represents the town of Maggie Valley, and its core values. You'll often find Miss Maggie walking along Soco Rd, waving at passing cars and taking photos with visiting families. You can also often find her at local businesses and attending events at the Festival Grounds.
When visiting Maggie Valley, be sure to watch for her and get your photo taken. You can follow Miss Maggie on her Facebook page.