Retiring or Relocating?

We answer a lot of questions each day, however, the typical first question is, "Tell me about this place." Ok, we will!  McDowell County covers more than 436 miles with approximately 67,000 acres included in the Pisgah National Forest.  Elevation ranges from 900 ft. to over 5,000 ft. above sea level, where the Blue Ridge Parkway frames our northern border, with a population of 44,562.  Find additional area facts including churches, banks, libary locations and more with the McDowell Chamber of Commerce. http://mcdowellchamber.com/   If you have more questions or need details give us a call Monday - Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm!  888-233-6111

Community Overview

Marion is the McDowell County seat, incorporated in 1844, with a population of 8,075 in 2011.  The City of Marion, approximately 5.6 square miles in size, is ideally situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, just 30 miles east of Asheville.   Charlotte International Airport is approximately an hour and a half away, Asheville Regional Airport is approximately thirty minutes away.  Major highways serving Marion include Interstate 40, US Hwy 70, US Hwy 221, NC Hwy 226, and the Blue Ridge Parkway which offer convenient access to the higher mountains along with the communities of Little Switzerland and Linville Falls. Click the link to read about Marion's early years.  http://www.marionnc.org/history.php

The City of Marion offers convenient access to year-round outdoor recreational activities including water sports and fishing on Lake James and the Catawba River, hiking trails to scenic waterfalls and wildlife observation areas, golfing, snow skiing, gem and mineral  mining, historical and cultural destinations plus much more.  Lodging options range from traditional motels to individual cabins and cottages.

Climate - Marion's elevation is 1400 ft. with a comfortable year round climate.  Summer months average between 70 and 80 degrees, while winter months average between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  The mild climate brings the added benefit of low energy costs typically associated with heating and cooling homes or businesses.  Communities in the higher elevations experience temperatures approximately 10 degrees cooler.  

The total annual precipitation in Marion is approximately 56 inches, with roughly half this amount falling between the months of April and September.  Marion’s average seasonal snowfall is about 13 inches, but the number of average snow days varies greatly from year to year.   Also, snow fall amounts are higher in communities along the Parkway.  You may be walking the streets of Marion on a sunny day while enjoying the views of snow covered peaks to the north.  Access to fertile soils and bountiful water make the area ideal for gardening enthusiasts, horticulturalists, and other water-dependant enterprise.

Find out more details including tax rates, fees and services on the official City of Marion website. http://www.marionnc.org  To explore the entire county region, facts and figures for McDowell County are also online.  http://www.mcdowellgov.com

To learn more about local history, our oral history project may interest you.  Take a look! http://www.mcdowellhistory.com

Outdoor Recreation

Check out the "adventure" tab on the home page.  There are 8 waterfall trails and 14 hiking trails to choose from.  Catawba Falls and Linville Falls are the two most spectacular waterfalls in the area, however, the others are magnificent as well.  

Fishermen!  Pick your spot on one of 8 trout streams or take the Bass boat out onto Lake James covering 6,510 acres filled with Large Mouth & Small Mouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Bluegill, Robin, Catfish, Muskellunge, Bream, Sunfish, Perch, Crappie, and Channel Catfish.  Cool deep waters and warm surface waters makes sports fishing fun!

Bicycles - Point Lookout Trail!  Ascend approximately 1,000 feet in just under 4 miles cresting to reveal spectacular views of the Royal Gorge and 19th century railroad tunnels.  Newly paved surface creates a smooth glide downhill!  Of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway is perfect for cyclists.  Off road riders have choices too.  Kitsuma Peak Trail and Young's Ridge are part of the annual Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell.

Golfers - There are 3 spectacular courses in McDowell County including Linville Falls Golf Club, designed by Lee Trevino, located in the North Cove community, minutes from Linville Caverns and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Take in stunning views of Short Off Mountain and Lake James on long drives at Marion Lake Club.  Don't have a lot of time?  Then, your choice is the Old Fort Golf Club with its 9 hole course!  All three are open year round and open to the public.   

McDowell Arts Council - The county arts council is located at 50 S. Main Street in downtown Marion. Gallery exhibits change monthly and the retail shop is open year round.  Special events include monthly artist receptions, fundraisers such as their spring event, "Soup In A Bowl" and the Appalachian Potters' Market taking place the first Saturday in December for more than 25 years.  Stop in to find out about art and music classes and performances hosted by Foothills Community Theater.

Marion's Historic Tailgate Market- Treat yourself to fresh veggies, cheeses, breads, herbs and more June through November each Tuesday and Saturday.  The market is located at the intersection of W. Henderson and Logan Streets.

Attractions

For an unforgettable experience, just 30 minutes from Marion, take a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway, “America’s Favorite Drive.”  Following the crests of the Appalachian mountain range, the Parkway is 469 miles of non-commercial road with generous overlooks and panoramic views along the way.  Over 30 miles of this treasure span the northern border of McDowell County at elevations of 3,000 ft. and above.  www.blueridgeparkway.org  http://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm

Choose from 4 gold and gem mines, Linville Caverns, North Carolina's only underground public caverns, 3 museums including one railroad museum in Old Fort, Historic Carson House and the N.C. Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center in Old Fort.  Of course, the Orchard at Altapass is fun for all ages with storytelling hayrides, heirloom apples and North Carolina treasure, Bill Carson!  Two locations at Lake James State Park and close by is South Creek Vineyard and Winery.  Plan to visit the nearby N.C. Minerals Museum, Mt. Mitchell State Park, Chimney Rock or Grandfather Mountain.

Shopping & Events

Be sure to click on our "News and Events" tab on the home page to find out what's happening during your stay with us.  Weekly events include a Thursday night bluegrass jam at Marion's Historic Depot followed by Friday bluegrass at Old Fort Mountain Music and Woody's Original Mountain Music.  These are FREE events and take place regardless of the time of year or holiday!  Between May and November, the Orchard at Altapass provides free bluegrass each weekend or stop by Mountain Gateway Museum for their Sunday Afternoon On the Porch series with the Friendship Dulcimer group.  During the summer months, Marion hosts a summer concert series, First Fridays.  The First Friday Concert in June includes their annual Livermush Festival!

Downtown Historic Marion features locally owned restaurants, coffee bars, vintage and antique shops plus our local arts council and artisans' shop.  Downtown Little Switzerland includes a book store/coffee bar also selling regional art, the Shops at Little Switzerland located directly across from the Switzerland Inn feature a variety of regional art and craft items.  Further down the Parkway at MP 328.3, you'll find more regional art, craft, pottery, books and more at the Orchard at Altapass.   The Old Fort Railroad Museum and Depot host a monthly arts and crafts mart the first Saturday of the month, with free admission and demonstrations.