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Marion
Find Your Home in Marion: Where Main Street Meets the Mountains
Where Main Street Meets the Mountains
Located 40 minutes east of Asheville, Marion is a quiet and quirky (keep reading to see why) place to settle down with plenty to enjoy throughout the year. Its historic Main Street is lined with local businesses that will instantly make you feel like a regular. A standout downtown destination is 310 District, a trendy entertainment hub centered around the Miller Building on Logan Street.
With retail shops, restaurants, and even an indoor skating rink, it’s a go-to for family fun. Local favorites include Chance of Sprinkles Bake Shop, Artesana Ice Cream, and Burrito Bros., along with Crabby Abby’s Bar & Grill, Refinery 13 Taproom, Ingenious Coffee Roasters, Mica Town Brewing, and Keeper's Cut Meadery.
Another downtown staple? The grower-certified Marion Tailgate Market. During the growing season (Tuesdays from 3 to 6 PM + Saturdays from 9 AM to noon), local farmers and makers offer produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, baked goods, and handmade crafts that will keep you coming back week after week.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love Lake James State Park—a 6,000+ acre lake just 15 minutes north of Marion, where you can enjoy boating, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. Also near Lake James is the Marion Lake Golf Club with spectacular views of Lake James, Linville Gorge, and Shortoff Mountain.
And that quirky side we mentioned? Marion is
the destination for Bigfoot enthusiasts! The annual WNC Bigfoot Festival draws over 40,000 attendees with contests, vendors, and celebrations honoring the town’s official mascot. Other beloved annual events include the Livermush Festival (honoring the uniquely Southern culinary delicacy), Mountain Glory Craft Fair, and the Gold Nugget New Year’s Drop (a nod to McDowell County's gold heritage). Talk about small-town charm!
