Home - Burke County Tourism

Thermal Valley Hang Gliding

Enjoy a unique aerial adventure that will change the way you think of flying and the sky. Free flight will enrich your life.

Find your wings

Say "I DO" to Burke County

Find the perfect wedding venue for your Big day!

Wedding Venues

Catawba Valley Wine Trail

Enjoy the sweet taste of Burke County at our 5 unique wineries.

Connoisseurs

Renew, Relax, Refresh

James State Park

#BurkeOut

Upcoming Events

Nov
27
5 PM

Holiday Carriage Rides

Nov 27, 2020 - Dec 26, 2020
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Mini Market lot

Small Business FAB Crawl

Nov 28, 2020
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Downtown Morganton

Nov
28
10 AM

November Holiday Market

Nov 28, 2020
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mini Market

Dec
1
6 PM

Drive Thru Christmas Parade

Dec 1, 2020
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Downtown Morganton - Bouchelle Street

Dec
5
10 AM

Valdese Annual Christmas Parade

Dec 5, 2020
10 a.m. - noon

Downtown Valdese

Enjoy our small town at its finest!

Dec
12
10 AM

December Holiday Market

Dec 12, 2020
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mini Market

Jan
16
7 PM

Concerts at the Rock: Merle Monroe

Jan 16, 2021
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Old Rock School

Husband and wife duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge draw on the traditions of their native North Carolina, the savvy of a young, gifted band and their own dedication to ingenuity to create the most adventurous album of their career with their latest critically acclaimed release, Faster & Farther.

Valdese Christmas Parade

Kickoff the holiday season in Valdese with the annual Valdese Christmas Parade on December 5th. Enjoy our small town at its finest! Parade runs from Church Street to Morgan Street along Main Street and will run from 10am till noon. Arrive early to get a spot!

Learn More Here

Carriage Rides Downtown Morganton

Cozy up with loved ones on a holiday carriage ride around downtown Morganton. Whether it is a romantic evening for two or an evening out with your family, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the holiday season. Rides will be held on Fridays and Saturdays beginning November 21-December 26, 2020 (Rides not available on Christmas Day, December 25). Tickets are $5 for Adults and $3 for Children 12 and under.

Click here for more information!

Downtown Morganton Drive Thru Christmas Parade

Please join the Morganton Downtown Development Association as they present the Downtown Morganton Drive Thru Christmas Parade from 6:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, December 1st!! In order to provide a safe environment for parade attendees and participants, this year’s parade will be a drive thru event. The Drive Thru Parade means that decorated floats will remain stationary as spectators drive thru. By producing a drive thru parade as opposed to a traditional mobile parade, mass gatherings/crowds will be eliminated while still providing a fun holiday tradition.

More Information Here

Featured Attractions

Campgrounds Cycling Fishing Hiking Parks & Forests

South Mountains State Park

The largest state park in North Carolina with more than 40 miles of trails and an 18-mile mountain bike loop. Elevations up to 3,000 feet and an 80-foot waterfall provide excellent views. Located just south of Morganton and Valdese. Activities include equestrian camping, primitive camping, trout fishing, mountain biking, picnicking and hiking.

3001 South Mountain State Park Road, Connelly Springs, NC, 28612

Boating Campgrounds Camping Canoeing & Kayaking Cycling Fishing Hiking Parks & Forests

Lake James State Park Paddy's Creek Area

Tucked away in rolling hills at the base of Linville Gorge, Lake James includes 6,510 surface acres with more than 150 miles of shoreline. Swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. Picnic areas, bath house and rest rooms. Trails, camping and guided ranger tours and activities. 83 campsites range from boat-in only to car and walk-in sites.

2693 Park Trail, Nebo, NC, 28761

Hotels

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown Morganton

The Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Historic Downtown Morganton is the newest escape at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. Guests will find simplicity and functionality throughout the hotel, starting with a complimentary hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi throughout their stay.

400 N Green Street, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Sleep Inn

Free Continental Breakfast. Swimming pool. Interstate 40, Exit 105.

2400a S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Quality Inn

The Quality Inn hotel in Morganton is conveniently located off Interstate 40, exit 105 and close to area attractions and businesses, including Lake James and Linville Caverns.

2400 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Comfort Inn

The Comfort Inn & Suites hotel is located off of Interstate 40, exit 103.

1273 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Days Inn & Suites

Experience warm southern hospitality and great value at Days Inn & Suites Morganton hotel.

1100 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC, 28655

Hotels

Hampton Inn

Experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains when staying at Hampton Inn Morganton. Centrally located in the Piedmont Region, this hotel provides easy interstate access. Visit the Pisgah National Forest located in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. Interstate 40, exit 105. One hour from Asheville, Boone and Charlotte.

115 Bush Dr, Morganton, NC, 28655

Campgrounds

Steele Creek Campground

On-site camp store, game room and snack bar plus water slide and swimming area with two diving boards.

7081 Nc-181, Morganton, NC, 28655

Campgrounds Camping Fishing

Rose Creek Campground

Take Highway 181 North from Morganton toward the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, and turn left at the first campground you spot. Take the gravel road past the nursery to Rose Creek Family Campground.

3471 Rose Creek Rd, Morganton, NC, 28655

Bed & Breakfast

Fairway Oaks Bed & Breakfast

In addition, the Silver Creek Plantation Clubhouse features Papa’s Bar & Grill, which serves lunch and dinner.

4640 Plantation Dr,, Morganton, NC, 28655

Bed & Breakfast

Mountain Creek Bed & Breakfast

Mountain Creek Bed & Breakfast is a 3400 sq. ft. custom log home carved into the side of the South Mountains overlooking Laurel Creek. The Great Room features floor to ceiling cypress trees and a stone fireplace. The grand log stairs lead you up to the sitting area and two spacious suites occupying the entire 2nd floor.

5526 Nc-18, Morganton, NC, 28655

#BurkeOut

We always love visiting @south_mountain_distilling_co and seeing what they are up to. This #cherrybounce is out of this world. Go check it out for yourself!

#drinklocal #burketreasures #wnc #distillery #moonshine #ncmoonshine #moonshiners

We love where we live! There is still plenty of color happening in Burke County, come check it out for yourself!

#BurkeTreasures #linvillegorge #linvillegorgewilderness #nofilter #fallfoliage

We have some great views! We love this look at Lake James from Shortoff Mountain. The leaves are just starting to change around the lake and will probably be around for another few weeks. Come check it out!

#BurkeTreasures #BurkeOut

We are off on our first fall color tour of the year! We still have a few dates left if you want to come with us this year!

This 80 degree, sunny weather has us soaking up the last few lake days of the year! Thanks to @landynshatley for sending us this gorgeous photo of Lake James at Sunset! #lovewhereyoulive #naturesplayground #BurkeTreasures #BurkeOut

Morganton is now all decorated for fall! We love this time of year in Burke County! Hope you come see us at the visitors center to best plan your adventure here in #naturesplayground.

#Burkeout
#fall
#fallfoliage
#bestimeoftheyear
#pumkins
#falldecor

The Fonta Flora trail is open in time for the weekend! The weather looks perfect. Go have fun and #BurkeOut

https://www.burkenc.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=434&fbclid=IwAR1KTXkd-VIs2CY1XBlcjkAiZQ1dubNVstVCuHdWLcoq9djfO7RHG_hkajo

It's the first day of fall and our temperatures are showing it! We are so excited for the leaves to start turning. We still have tickets available for or fall color tours starting mid October. To book visit our website at www.discoverburkecounty.com!