Marion Travel Guide

In Marion, Main Street offers bookstores, antiques, auctions and the McDowell County Arts Council for crafts and evening community theater.  Whatever you do, don’t miss the art for sale at Creative Framing adjacent to the Crooked Door Coffee House (upstairs near the pavilion).  Wine Ruels offers an upscale and delicious menu, wines, and a full bar.  A gourmet treat!  Jazz or blues performances are seasonal on the weekends.   Carolina Chocolatiers is another great lunch spot serving lunch sandwiches, specials or salads and wine.  Bruce’s Fabulous Foods on Main Street is the home of 101 cheesecakes—try the key lime variety!

In Pleasant Gardens, half-way between Old Fort and Marion, Eco Cove House is a vacation rental located on a 117 acre wildlife preserve adjacent to the Pisgah National Forest.  Turkey, water fowl, songbirds, fox, deer, and bears visit at various times of the year and koi swim in an acre pond.  Nearby, Little Sienna, is a wonderful Italian restaurant.  It also sports a daily and evening buffet.  Brown bagging is allowed, so don’t forget your favorite bottle of vino to compliment your meal!