The fun picturesque town of Morganton is located in Burke County, about 63 miles east of downtown Asheville. Its location along I-40 makes it very convenient to stop for the visit in the foothills. Little known fact: This area is the oldest known European inland settlement in the United States, with Spanish explorers settling in the village of Joara in 1567!
We love to explore the charming downtown, centered around the stately historic courthouse. For a small town, you'll be impressed with the number of artists, performing arts, shopping and events. The City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (CoMMA) hosts plays, Broadway musicals, graduations, and other cultural and public events. Stop by to see their fresco anytime! Don't miss the interesting down-home History Museum that transports you through the rich history of this area.
Bring a chair or blanket for the TGIF Summer Concert Series, a free outdoor event every Friday, May through July, on the Historic Courthouse Square. Food and beverage vendors open at 6 PM and music begins at 7 PM.
Morganton and Burke County are a nature's playground with hiking, biking, camping, fishing, lakes and waterfalls. Explore two of the best state parks in North Carolina: South Mountains and Lake James. Plus, Pisgah National Forest across the north side of the county includes Linville Gorge and the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the Parkway, take scenic NC 181 South ("The Snake") for 27 miles to Morganton, passing along the way the entrances to Table Rock (pic above), Hawksbill, Upper Creek Falls, Brown Mountain Lights and more! See listings below for much more info about each.
Your first stop should be the Burke County Visitor Center (110 E. Meeting Street) to get plenty of info on area attractions, events and dining.
Downtown Morganton Brewery Tour
Located on the same street, two very different breweries offer a big variety of local craft beer:
- Fonta Flora Brewery (317 N. Green Street) owner Todd Boera receives national attention for his emphasis on seasonal flora. Sample his brews of English tradition and Belgian inspiration using an amazing variety of local ingredients.
- Sidetracked Brewery (609 S. Green St) is located by the historic depot. Find 12-14 railroad-themed small batch beers on tap, all brewed in-house. Relax on the covered patio.
On the Catawba Valley Wine Trail, visit three wineries conveniently located near I-40. Read more.
Go to the Morganton & Burke County website for a full list of attractions and great places to stay.
Joara: The site of the first European inland settlement in the United States opens to the public during the annual Field Day in June. In 2017, they marked the 450th anniversary of Spanish explorers establishing Fort San Juan alongside Joara, a Native American village. The Spanish settlement, which predates Jamestown by 40 years, co-existed with the village of Joara for 18 months before being destroyed by the natives. Go to their website.
Places to Stay & Things to Do
Lake James State Park
This state park has a wide beach with a nice pavilion with changing rooms, open for swimming May-September. Also enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing and more.
This state park has a wide beach with a nice pavilion with changing rooms, open for swimming May-September. Also enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing and more.
Hawksbill Mountain
(1.5 miles round-trip, moderate) Enjoy spectacular mountaintop views overlooking Linville Gorge. We love to hike this and nearby Table Rock on the same day! Take a picnic.
(1.5 miles round-trip, moderate) Enjoy spectacular mountaintop views overlooking Linville Gorge. We love to hike this and nearby Table Rock on the same day! Take a picnic.
Shortoff Mountain
(4.5 miles round-trip, strenuous) Located near Lake James, a beauty of a hike to the top of a plateau summit with spectacular views of Linville Gorge.
(4.5 miles round-trip, strenuous) Located near Lake James, a beauty of a hike to the top of a plateau summit with spectacular views of Linville Gorge.
Morganton Town & Trail Guide
Order a free guide to Morganton and Burke County, located east of Asheville and home to Linville Falls, Lake James & South Mountain State Parks, small towns, scenic drives and hikes to Table… read more
Order a free guide to Morganton and Burke County, located east of Asheville and home to Linville Falls, Lake James & South Mountain State Parks, small towns, scenic drives and hikes to Table Rock and the Linville Gorge.
Table Rock Mountain
(2.2 miles round-trip, moderate) Hike to the top of one of the most recognized peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This trailhead is just five miles from Hawksbill, so you can double your fun.
(2.2 miles round-trip, moderate) Hike to the top of one of the most recognized peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This trailhead is just five miles from Hawksbill, so you can double your fun.
Linville Gorge
Find some of the most spectacular scenery with many hikes along the rim to peaks like Table Rock, Hawksbill and Shortoff. And don't forget Linville Falls!
Find some of the most spectacular scenery with many hikes along the rim to peaks like Table Rock, Hawksbill and Shortoff. And don't forget Linville Falls!
Linville Falls
Perhaps the most photographed waterfall in NC, Linville Falls (a.k.a. the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians”) is along the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 316). A moderate hike of 1.6 miles… read more
Perhaps the most photographed waterfall in NC, Linville Falls (a.k.a. the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians”) is along the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 316). A moderate hike of 1.6 miles round-trip offers four overlooks, add another 1.5-mile hike for two more vistas. Second parking area in National Forest. Also see Dugger Creek Falls here.
Henry River Village
Take a tour of this ghost town near Morganton that is coming back to life with tours, events, paranormal experiences and more. Film location for The Hunger Games, District 12.
Take a tour of this ghost town near Morganton that is coming back to life with tours, events, paranormal experiences and more. Film location for The Hunger Games, District 12.
South Mountains State Park
(2-40 miles, easy, moderate, strenuous) This state park near Morganton has 40 miles of hiking trails. Our favorite is High Shoals Falls 2.7-mile loop trail to a beautiful 60-foot waterfall.… read more
(2-40 miles, easy, moderate, strenuous) This state park near Morganton has 40 miles of hiking trails. Our favorite is High Shoals Falls 2.7-mile loop trail to a beautiful 60-foot waterfall. Combine several trails for a much longer hike.
Places to Stay: Linville Falls & Lake James
Find a big variety of cabin and cottage rentals, B&Bs and hotels near Morganton, including Linville Falls, Table Rock, Lake James and South Mountains - with lake and mountain views.
Find a big variety of cabin and cottage rentals, B&Bs and hotels near Morganton, including Linville Falls, Table Rock, Lake James and South Mountains - with lake and mountain views.
Upper Creek Falls
This beautiful waterfall setting has multiple cascades and a swimming hole with a rope swing for diving! Located in Pisgah National Forest along NC Highway 181, about 13.5 miles north of Morganton… read more
This beautiful waterfall setting has multiple cascades and a swimming hole with a rope swing for diving! Located in Pisgah National Forest along NC Highway 181, about 13.5 miles north of Morganton. It's about a half mile hike from the parking area.
Catawba Valley Wine Tour
Visit wineries in the foothills of the Catawba Valley located east of Asheville, between Marion and Morganton. Three of them (Silver Fork, South Creek and Lake James Cellars) are along a 15-mile… read more
Visit wineries in the foothills of the Catawba Valley located east of Asheville, between Marion and Morganton. Three of them (Silver Fork, South Creek and Lake James Cellars) are along a 15-mile drive near I-40, so very convenient!
History Museum of Burke County
A must-stop in downtown Morganton! Take a free one-hour guided tour through a maze of rooms on two floors, packed with many thousands of fascinating items. Each room has a theme (especially love… read more
A must-stop in downtown Morganton! Take a free one-hour guided tour through a maze of rooms on two floors, packed with many thousands of fascinating items. Each room has a theme (especially love the vintage beauty parlor and music rooms) that makes your journey through time lots of fun. Open Tues-Fri 10 AM-4 PM and Sat 10 AM-2 PM. 201 West Meeting Street.
Valdese
Founded on the traditions of 19th century Waldensian settlers from Italy. Stop by the Visitor Center in the historic Rock School for things to do including Waldensian Museum, Trail of Faith, Old… read more
Founded on the traditions of 19th century Waldensian settlers from Italy. Stop by the Visitor Center in the historic Rock School for things to do including Waldensian Museum, Trail of Faith, Old Rock School Art Galleries, and model train museum.
Top Morganton Festivals
Morganton Festival
A big street festival in downtown Morganton that includes fine arts and crafts, festival cuisine, a beer garden, teen and kid zones, four stages of entertainment, a sunrise run on Saturday and… read more
A big street festival in downtown Morganton that includes fine arts and crafts, festival cuisine, a beer garden, teen and kid zones, four stages of entertainment, a sunrise run on Saturday and much more. Free admission!
