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A travel guide for Marion, Old Fort, Lake James, Linville Falls and Little Switzerland, NC.Book Your Stay
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Experience the Blue Ridge
2022 Blue Ridge Fall Color Report: September 29 - October 5
Follow along as we provide you with an up-to-date fall color report for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Information on top drives, hikes, and views are updated weekly.
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Reel In Fun Family Memories at Buck Creek Trout Farm
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of catching your very own fish! Visitors of all ages will love fishing for fresh trout in the pond at Marion’s Buck Creek Trout Farm.
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Catawba Vale Business HUB: A New Space for Coffee and Community
The Catawba Vale Business HUB offers a place for local and visiting small business professionals to meet, learn and work to build their communities.
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The Blue Ridge Parkway
Discover Little Switzerland, Linville Falls, The Orchard at Altapass, Crabtree Falls, and the spectacular views of America's Favorite Scenic Drive.
A Photographer's Dream →
Pisgah First: Exploring the Oldest National Forest in the East
With hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and forest exploration, you're invited to come experience this region first-hand. The possibilities are endless.
Discover Something New →
Waterfall Trails
Hike into Pisgah to find amazing waterfalls in a region with over 200 waterfall trails.
Western NC Waterfalls →Your Travel Guide To Little Switzerland, Lake James, Marion, Old Fort & Linville Falls
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Traveler's Towns and Trails! With cool mountain weather and brilliant fall foliage, autumn is the perfect time to plan your next vacation to the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.
Check out our guide to the top 25 things to do in the Blue Ridge. As you explore, keep your eyes open for colorful fall leaves illuminating mountainsides and hiking trails. Take a drive on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or along the backroads that crisscross Pisgah National Forest, stopping to take pictures of mountain vistas and experiencing regional heritage at museums and historic attractions along the way.
Stroll the small-town streets of Marion, Old Fort, Little Switzerland and the Linville Falls community, where you will encounter the craftsmanship of local artists in shops and galleries. Check out the events calendar for a full line-up of happenings throughout the season.
Step back in time and imagine life in the Blue Ridge during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when you stop by the Historic Carson House, Emerald Village Museum, and Mountain Gateway Museum. Each site interprets different pieces of our region's historic puzzle.
And be sure to get a taste of the local flavors! Take a bite out of fall at a 100-year-old U-pick apple orchard amid the sounds of mountain music. Enjoy a pint of locally brewed beer — or wine, mead or spirits — as you explore the High Spirits Trail. Or pull up a chair at one of our delicious local restaurants. From barbecue to bakeries, burritos to bubble tea, and plenty of scrumptious Southern fare, you’re sure to find the local flavor you’re looking for.
At the end of the day, choose from numerous lodging options ranging from rustic campgrounds and mountain cabins to lakeside vacation rentals and national brand hotels. Not sure where to start? Explore our three-day Blue Ridge Mountains itinerary that includes our favorite things to do in fall.
Note: All images are property of the McDowell Tourism Authority or tourism partners and are not to be copied, duplicated, re-printed, or shared electronically.
