Discover Burke County

07/18/2025

This weekend in Burke is here! Get out, explore and have fun in Burke County this weekend.

07/17/2025

We are so excited to see more parts of the Morganton Greenway reopen post . This is the first time parts of Catawba Meadows Park will reopen as well. We can't wait to see people out on the playground again.

News Release Date 07-16-2025 Back to News The City of Morganton is excited to announce that starting Monday, July 21st at noon, Catawba Meadows Park and an additional portion of the Catawba River Greenway will be reopened to the public.  This comes after several months of assessments, cleanup, repa...

07/16/2025

🌊 Lake James: Stronger Than the Storm 🌄
After Hurricane Helene, Lake James is back—and more vital than ever to Burke County’s spirit and small businesses.

Hear from Ed Phillips of Discover Burke County, Brandon Jones with Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Tyler Jones of Bones Jones Burgers & Butchery, and Todd Boera of Fonta Flora Brewery on why this lake means everything to our community.

🎥 Watch the full story of resilience, recovery, and why you should plan your next adventure here: https://youtu.be/7vC6_5bPAK0

Visit North Carolina

07/15/2025

This is brought to you by one of our part time employees ! He is a wealth of knowledge for outdoor activity in Burke County. Let him tell you about one of his favorite trails-- Hawksbill! Perfect for hiking  - with stunning views and unique character.

📍Trail:HawksBill

🥾 Length:2 miles with 550 feet of gain

⛰️ Difficulty: medium 

🚙 Getting There: Go up 181 and take a left at ginger cake and stay left on the road and the road should run out to a dirt road stay on the dirt road for about 10 min. Keep a look out for signs on the left of the road that says no parking, that means you are getting close. Also keep a lookout for a dirt parking lot- to the right there will be a sign saying Hawksbill. That is the trailhead. When you are on
the trail you will stay straight for a good bit then you will see this junction one way going straight (up) then one way going to the left take the one going up and follow that trail on to the top once you get to the top there will be 3 paths take the one to your right and it will only take got 2 mins to get to the rocky top of hawksbill.
Please stay hydrated and bring a snack! Stay on the path and plan to pack out anything you bring with you.

Open everyday from sunrise to sunset- this is an amazing way to see the golden hour over the Linville Gorge

07/10/2025

🤠🎶 This Weekend in Burke is kicking up dust and dancing into summer! From rodeos to local music and outdoor drama under the stars, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Saddle up—it’s going to be a great ride! 🌾🎸🌟

🎉 FRIDAY:
• Hold on tight—JR’s Rodeo is back Friday & Saturday! Bulls, barrels, and big cheers under the lights. 🐂🌟
• Celebrate the season with Farm Fridays at Fonta Flora Brewery at Whippoorwill Farm—local vendors, great beer, and good vibes.
• TGIF Music Series returns to Downtown Morganton, North Carolina with Jacoozy—a Burke County summer staple!
• FFN in Valdese brings another night of family-friendly music and fun with Shelby Rae Moore Band.
• Catch live music at The Olive of Morganton or Bones Jones Burgers & Butchery—Friday night flavor meets live tunes!

🎭 Starting this Weekend:
• The curtain rises on the From This Day Forward Outdoor Drama by the Old Colony Players—experience the moving story of the Waldensians every Friday and Saturday at 8pm leading up to the Waldensian Festival in August. 🌄✨

🎶 SATURDAY:
• Start your day fresh at the Morganton Farmers Market, 8AM–12PM—produce, pastries, and community charm.
• JR's Rodeo continues—bring the family and your best yeehaw!
• More live music at Bones Jones and great performances at Town Tavern Morganton—the summer soundtrack continues.

With music, markets, and rodeo thrills, this weekend is pure Burke magic. Tag your crew and make some memories! 🎤🍔🐎

07/07/2025

🌊 Lake James is Back – Rediscover the Unforgettable 🌿

After the impact of Hurricane Helene, Lake James is open, safe, and thriving again — and we’re celebrating with a new video series featuring voices from around the lake. 🚣‍♀️🚴‍♂️🥾

Hear from Todd Boera, cofounder and creative director at Fonta Flora Brewery, as he shares how boating, mountain biking, and hiking are not just fun — they’re vital to the small businesses that make this area so special.

💙 Your adventure helps our community rebuild and grow. Come visit, get outside, and support the local spots you love.

Visit North Carolina Outdoor NC

07/03/2025

4th of July weekend is here and Burke County is ready to celebrate! From bike parades and fireworks to live music and more — there’s something for everyone. 🎆
Check out the full weekend lineup below in our This Weekend in Burke post!

- Our offices and the visitor center will be closed tomorrow (the 4th) to celebrate with our families but we will be back open Saturday from 10-3 to help you with all of your Burke County needs!

07/02/2025

Celebrate the 4th of July in Burke County!
From festive bike parades and fireworks to live music, car shows, and lake days — there’s no better place to spend Independence Day weekend. 🎇🎶☀️

👉 Check out the full list of events here: https://www.discoverburkecounty.com/blog/burke-countys-4th-of-july-weekend-parades-fireworks-live-music/

Celebrate Independence Day in Burke County with a weekend full of fun for the whole family! From patriotic parades and fireworks to live music and local brews, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a quick guide to some of the highlights:

07/01/2025

📬 The July Burke Buzz is here!
This month we’re celebrating the 4th Burke County style, saddling up for JR.s Pro Rodeo 🐂, dancing through the downtowns with Friday night concerts in Morganton, 🎶 and Valdese 🎤, celebrating new local spots like Mill Town Social House and Buckle & Brew 🤠☕, and honoring local history with the return of From This Day Forward by Old Colony Players in Valdese 🎭.

We’re also proud to be featured in Visit North Carolina's new Eric Church-narrated video reminding folks to head back to the mountains this summer and fall! ⛰️

✨ Click the link to explore all the happenings, and come experience the best of Burke County this July!

Email from Burke County Tourism Development Authority You don't want to miss this. Your Source for News, Events and Happenings in Morganton and Burke County, NC July is here and summer is in full swin

06/30/2025

We are so happy to be part of Visit North Carolina's video welcoming people back to Western North Carolina post Hurricane Helene. How many Burke County spots do you see?

From quiet moments on high peaks to small towns with big personalities, the mountains of Western North Carolina are special in ways you may not expect. Red...