Welcome to Morganton
The city of Morganton is quaintly situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and alongside the Catawba River. Scenic rural landscapes sprawl for miles throughout this eye-catching community. Affectionately referred to as “Nature’s Playground,” Morganton is truly a sight to behold.
Want to see more of the masterpiece that is Morganton? Look no further.
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At a Glance
Getting Around
Major roads: I-40, Blue Ridge Parkway, US-64
Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 1 hour, 12 minutes
Asheville: 1 hour
Charlotte: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Demographics
Population: 16,481
Zip Codes: 28655, 28680
County: Burke
Median Home Value: $176,243
Spotlights of Morganton
Lake James State Park
Essentially as an outdoor lover’s paradise, Lake James State Park sits along a 6,812-acre reservoir. This state park offers all the activities one could wish for, including 15 miles of mountain bike trails and remote paddle-in campsites. The park’s expansive beach is open for swimming and boating during the warmer months.
History Museum of Burke County
Burke County’s down-home history museum can walk you through centuries of the area’s rich history. Deemed a must-see in downtown Morganton, this museum offers free one-hour guided tours of its two-story building. Each room throughout the tour has a special theme—the vintage beauty parlor room is a fan favorite.
Morganton Farmers Market
Morganton’s open-air farmers market offers not only the best locally grown products, but the best opportunity to get to know the tight knit community members, too! Local residents can enjoy a wide variety of vendors—right in their own backyards.
Morganton Attractions
What You'll LOVE in Morganton
The world is at your fingertips when you’re in Morganton. The Blue Ridge Parkway—perhaps the most iconic highway in the United States—winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains nearby, and Charlotte and Asheville are just over an hour’s drive away. This is one of those places people just can’t get enough of and here’s why:
Experience nature everywhere
Morganton is nature’s playground with everything from hiking to biking to camping. In addition to its selection of widely known state parks, Morganton is just a trip down the Parkway to Pisgah National Forest. And if you want to sit back and admire all the beauty, South Mountains State Park features an 80-foot waterfall and several mountain streams.
Unmatched universities
Morganton is within a short drive to three stellar North Carolina universities—Appalachian State University, UNC Asheville, and UNC Charlotte. ASU and UNCA are both home to research-dedicated observatories. The Lookout Observatory at UNCA hosts free events open to the public to help community members understand and appreciate astronomy.
Downtown delights
Morganton’s charming downtown area is centered around its impressive historic courthouse. The TGIF Summer Concert Series takes place on the Historic Courthouse Square every Friday from May to July. Locals love catching a movie at the seven-screen theater downtown and enjoying a locally sourced craft brew at Fonta Flora Brewery.
Ready to Move to Morganton?
Although Morganton may be one of the most picturesque cities in the country, we all know pictures can’t do this place justice. Get in touch with Carolina Timber and Land to learn more about the area—we can show you the lay of the land.
Selling land in Morganton? We can certainly help you out with that, too!