Winter Fun!

Winters are typically mild in our region of the Blue Ridge...BUT, we're less than an hour from area ski resorts, i.e. Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain and the Boone area.  Cabins, motels/inns located close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linville Falls area remain open throughout the year. Check out our lodging tab for ideas!

Old Fort continues to host a monthly arts mart the first Saturday of each month inside the Old Fort Depot between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Admission is FREE.  You'll also find regional artists' works at the McDowell Arts Council's retail shop in downtown Marion at 50 S. Main and inside the McDowell Chamber of Commerce at the Tate Street exit, off the Hwy. 221/226 BY-Pass in Marion.

Hiking trails remain open including Point Lookout Trail and Catawba Falls.  At Catawba Falls, you'll see construction taking place.  The USFS is building a parking lot including space for two buses!  This should be complete sometime this spring.

Weekly, free musical events continue throughout the winter.  Thursday evenings you'll find local musicians at the Marion Depot between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm enjoying their weekly drop-in jam and dance.  Fridays, Old Fort hosts Mountain Music and on Highway 70 between Old Fort and Marion stop by Woody's Original Mountain Music.  Both begin at 7:00 pm and end when everyone heads home, both offer free admission, both welcome guest performers!  

Watch our event calendar for other events!