|
Annual Festivals
&
Events |
Burke County
Tourism Calendar
Click on
"Annual Events" Link for Calendar. |
|
Biltmore Estate
(45 minute drive to
Asheville)
|
America's largest private
residence. Tours of the
Biltmore House
and its associated winery are a
great way to spend the day. |
|
Quaker Meadows Plantation,
Morganton |
Restored, Federal-Style
Plantation House built in 1812 that was a center of social activity in
antebellum Burke County. Open to public. |
|
Apple Hill Orchard & Cider
Mill,
Morganton |
Family owned and operated
since 1930's,
The Apple Hill Orchard grows peaches, nectarines, and eleven varieties
of apples. Also offers jams, jellies, honey, cider spices, and apple
products. Open from August to Christmas. |
|
Lake James
Cellars Winery,
Glen Alpine |
Lake James
Cellars offers a wide variety of handcrafted wines, as well as
antique shopping. Enjoy tasting from a huge variety of
excellent wines! |
|
Brown Mountain Lights
Overlook,
Morganton |
The mystery of the
Brown
Mountain Lights has attracted thousands over the years. The
appearance of lights of an unknown origin are visible on clear nights from
vantage points along Hwy 181. |
|
Jailhouse Gallery,
Morganton |
The old, renovated
Morganton jail now offers art exhibits and craft shows. |
|
Downtown Morganton |
Explore more than 75 shops,
boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries in the
historic downtown
district. |
|
CoMMA - Theatre
& Arts,
Morganton |
Always a great
performance |
|
Catawba River Greenway Park
& Canoe Trips,
Morganton |
Walking paths, nature
trails, picnic facilities, fishing pier, canoe access, and observation
decks are available in the
park. A four hour
canoe trip is also
available. |
|
Martha's Park |
An INCREDIBLE
Children's Park in Downtown Morganton with an awesome water
feature kids love! |
|
Fishing and Boating |
Burke County has 3 large
lakes: James, Rhodiss, and Hickory. These lakes feature pan fish,
bass, and catfish. Lake James also features walleye and Rhodiss and
Hickory have stripped bass. There are also several
fishing ponds with trout and carp. Stream fishing along
the Catawba River is also available and features trout fishing
in Pisgah National Forest on the north side of the county.
There are various boat rental companies available. |
|
Lake James State Park,
Morganton |
The
Lake James
State Park occupies 565 acres
on the southern shore of the 6,500 acre lake. The park features boat
ramps, horseshoe pits, a small swim area, short hiking trails with lake
overlooks, canoe rentals, and concession stand. Nature programs,
including guided hikes, are also scheduled each month. |
|
Waldensian Historic Sites,
Valdese |
The Waldensians are an
ancient branch of Christianity which predate Martin Luther. In 1893,
a group of Waldensians settled in Valdese. The
Waldensian Museum,
"From This Day
Forward" Drama, and
The Trail of Faith documents the trials of these
people. McGalliard Falls Park features a replica grist mill which
edges a 45 foot waterfall. |
|
Waldensian Heritage Winery,
Valdese
|
The
Waldensian Heritage
Winery produces a
variety of wines and is open year-round, Thursday-Sunday (or by
appointment). |
|
South Mountains State Park
(20 miles south of
Morganton) |
The
South
Mountain State Park has 12,800 acres
that offer waterfalls, stream fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain
biking, picnicking, and nature viewing. |
|
Steel Creek Park
(12 miles north of
Morganton) |
Park offers mountain stream
swimming, waterslide, and picnic area. |
|
Furniture Shopping,
Hickory |
20 miles of furniture
shopping and malls with all of the major brands.
|
|
Mountain Biking |
Bring your bikes or rent
equipment and tour the many available bike paths at South Mountains State
Park and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. |
|
Blue Ridge Parkway,
Jonas Ridge |
The
Blue Ridge Parkway entrance is
about 30 miles north and is designated as one of the most scenic by-ways
in the U.S., with lots to do along the way. |
|
Pisgah National Forest and
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area,
Linville |
This
rugged terrain is a
12,002 acres formed between Linville Mountain to the west and Jonas Ridge
on the east. Various rock formations are a must-see: Sitting Bear,
Hawksbill, the Chimneys, and Table Rock. This a great area for
hiking as the Linville River runs through the area along with two very
scenic points,
Linville Gorge and Wiseman's View. Fishing
opportunities are also available. |
|
Grandfather Mountain,
Linville
|
Grandfather Mountain is the
highest peak in the Blue Ridge and is the only private park in the world
designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve.
Outstanding hiking trails, the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, nature
museum, and great views are featured in the park. |
|
Linville Caverns,
Linville |
North Carolina's only
caverns are open year-round.
Linville Caverns
are located between Linville and Marion. |
|
Chimney Rock
Park |
Film site of
"The Last of the Mohicans,
Chimney Rock provides
incredible 75 mile views, hiking trails, and a 404 foot
waterfall. |
|
Horseback Riding |
Poco Rhythm Ranch offers
horseback riding for the entire family. |
|
Skiing
(1 hour drive to
Blowing Rock) |
Appalachian Ski Mountain
offers skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating from Thanksgiving through
late March. |
|
Antiques
&
Shopping |
A wealth of
area shops will have you shopping until your car can hold no
more. |
| |
|
|
Handy
Morganton
Links:
Burke County Travel & Tourism
Burke County Chamber of Commerce
The Burke Arts Council
The Morgaton Herald Newspaper
Historic Burke County Foundation
Surrounding Towns:
Valdese
Asheville
Hickory
Marion
Boone
Blowing Rock
Old
Fort
Lake Lure
Chimney Rock
Charlotte |
