Marion, NC
Where Main Street Meets the Mountains
Marion, NC is a small city full of rural mountain charm. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we have a small downtown with a variety of restaurants, local businesses, and entertainment options. Plus there's no shortage of beautiful hiking options. And with Asheville only 40 minutes away (with many cool towns to see on the drive there), there's really something for everyone.
Enjoy a Festival
Marion has cool events happening downtown pretty much every month. Plan around the big ones, like the WNC Bigfoot Festival or the Mountain Glory Festival, or enjoy more local events like the Livermush Festival, the Culturas Unidas Festival, or even our little local Oktoberfest. No matter the time of year, we'll be happy to let you know what unique events might make your stay more memorable.
Take a Hike
We love getting outdoors in this area! You can take a leisurely stroll down the gravel Peavine Trail or along the paved riverside Catawba Greenway. Like waterfalls? Get fully into nature along the short trail to Tom's Creek Falls (a local favorite!) or climb the new staircases to Catawba Falls, only 20 minutes away. For a bigger adventure, head up to the Linville Gorge for waterfalls, caverns, and breathtaking views right near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus we're only an hour away from both Grandfather Mountain and Chimney Rock, and the Asheville area has more hikes than we can fit on one website.
Feed Your Appetite
Marion has a lot of great local restaurant options for any occasion! Head downtown for farm-to-table fare at McDowell Local, eat American classics at J. Hartman's, get barbecue at Smokey Ques, or get delicious Mexican food at Nopale's.
Celebrating a special occasion? Try Blanton House (pictured)!
Want quick food that you can takeout and eat here at the Tabletop Inn? Grab some fried rice from Nara Express, a pizza or stromboli from Eddie's Pizza & Pasta, get sushi from Japanese Express, or order in from Marion Wing Factory. There are so many great choices!
Wet Your Whistle
Need a drink? Head to Mica Town for local brews, or do a tasting at Keeper's Cut Meadery where they make all of their mead and wines themselves! Visit The Spillway to hear some live music while you imbibe, or try a selection of craft beers at Refinery 13. The best part? All of these places are within a mile of the Tabletop Inn, so you can walk there if you want!
There's also a local coffee roaster, Ingenious Coffee. Go on a Saturday morning and you might see a local ukulele jam happening!
And if you need a sweet treat, pick up a fancy milkshake from the Bake & Shake, get a cone at Artesana, or a lovely baked good from A Chance of Sprinkles.
Shop Downtown
Marion's main street is small but mighty, with lots of a cool local businesses to support! Get fresh oils and seasonings at Flavors on Main, find local handcrafted art at MACA, discover unique products at the OG shop, and lose yourself in the nerdy wares of All Things Geeky. Plus there's a great variety of vintage and secondhand clothing shops, without the big city markups.
Get Nostalgic
There are some experiences that just feel more intimate and nostalgic in a more rural area. Enjoy a movie at the local two-screen theater, go skating at an old-school roller rink, spend an evening bowling or throwing axes. Embrace that small town energy and support a local business while you're at it!