Hickory, NC Hickory is known for craftsmanship in many forms including furniture, wood working and more but did you know that Hickory is well known for its craft beer and craft cocktail scene. Our booming culinary destinations are pushing boundaries in a fun and artistic way by encouraging local “mixologists”…

Burke County, NC South Mountain Distillery curates the best kind of spirits, based on generations of practice here in Burke County.  Don Smith, a 4th generation moonshiner, opened the distillery in 2016 after years of operating other businesses, as a way to embrace his roots.  He wanted to make traditional…

Burke County, NC Burke County is known as Nature’s Playground due to the endless opportunities to explore, and experience the mountains, lakes, streams and trails.  Whether you enjoy biking, kayaking, hiking or just relaxing and taking in the crisp mountain air, this is the place to be. If you would…

Catawba County, NC Hickory, NC is located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Under two hours from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Hickory is a perfect getaway to cooler temperatures and outdoor adventures. Known for a heritage of furniture manufacturing and furniture shopping, the Hickory area has grown through…

Burke County, NC Festivals are one of the main ways that we celebrate heritage in Burke County. In Valdese, every year in August, the town celebrates the Waldensians, a group of people who escaped religious persecution in Italy and eventually settled Valdese. The local theater company, the Old Colony Players,…

Burke County, NC The foothills of Western North Carolina have long been known for the craft culture and amazing artisans that live in these parts. From the founding of the Piedmont Blues to famous bluegrass musicians and stunning pottery, Burke County especially is no stranger to craftsmanship. This is evident…

Burke County, NC 2020 was a crazy year for everybody, including our pets. Our four-legged friends found their lives turned upside down when their owners suddenly didn’t leave the house to go to work, drastically altering life as they knew it. Now that workers are returning to the office, our…

Burke County, NC Burke County is the perfect destination for all sorts of water lovers, whether you are a thrill junkie, want a relaxing float or are looking to experience the water without getting wet. One of the pinnacles of the Burke County countryside is Lake James. The 6,812-acre lake…

Burke County, NC Spring is here and the adventures are waiting for you in Burke County! Enjoy spending time outdoors after a long winter of being cooped up inside by following streams, ridgelines or lakeshores to get to the perfect destination. Experience hiking in the cool weather, where the leaves…

Burke County, NC The Catawba River is named for the Catawba Native American Tribe which translates to “the people of the river.”  This area was their home for more than 12,000 years prior to European exploration.  Now the Catawba River Valley is home to more than 2 million people who…

Does the cold weather and daylight savings have you catching cabin fever? Well, what better cure for cabin fever then visiting a cabin in the mountains? A change of scenery and being outside in the mountain air is important for your mental and physical health.  Stay in one of Burke…

Winter may be a great time to stay inside and cuddle under some blankets in the warmth, but what happens when that dreaded cabin fever starts to creep up on you? Hiking can be exactly what you need to get your blood pumping and your sense of adventure peaking. Come…

You’ll have to be a little crafty yourself if you would like to explore as much of downtown Morganton as you can in two days. Once you start your walk you will be amazed to discover how many unique culinary and craft boutiques there are to enjoy. Chances are very…

Sept 1, 2020Join us on the Ridgeline Trolley for the Fall Color Tour, hosted by Burke Country Tourism. Board the Trolley in Morganton, NC and enjoy the sights as you travel up scenic Highway 181 to Linville, NC. The Tour includes a box lunch that will be eaten at a…

Planned Getaways or Adventures ala-carte, Burke County North Carolina is your destination to distance yourself from ordinary weekends. Summer is the time to get outside and discover the foothills, the mountains, and the waterways in Burke County. We have put together itineraries of things we suggest doing during your visit….

Planned Getaways or Adventures ala-carte, Burke County North Carolina is your destination to distance yourself from ordinary weekends. Up in the Air Thermal Valley is a family owned and operated business whose mission is to facilitate people to feel the exhilarating effects of free flying through our discovery of tandem…

Come to Burke County to discover what treasures you have been missing. We have so many unique, one of a kind experiences that will bring your mind out of the haze of quarantine and quench your thirst for adventure. One of these treasures is Thermal Valley Hang Gliding. Hang gliding…

There are many treasures to experience in Burke County. Many local attractions have done a lot of adapting to make sure that they are able to still provide fantastic, one of a kind experiences during the uncertainty of COVID-19. One of those attractions is the Henry River Mill Village located…

One of the most user-friendly trail systems in the state is taking shape along the banks of Lake James in Western North Carolina. The Fonta Flora State Trail is under development by Burke County and will eventually encircle the picturesque lake located about 90 miles northwest of downtown Charlotte. About…

The water doesn’t get any cleaner than crystal clear mountain streams whose source is a federally protected wilderness area. No development of any kind is allowed in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area near Morganton in Burke County.  Lake James is primarily fed from the Linville River which comes straight out…

Coming April 1, 2019 to Morganton's Marquee Theatre: the return of the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Burke County. Movie Poster from Original Release             The lights, a natural phenomenon seen for centuries near their namesake mountain, play an integral role in Alien Abduction, a 2014 sci-fi thriller. Five years to the…