Hotels in Marion, North Carolina

A little about Marion...

Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,943 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.

Marion is located at 35.683150, -82.005855.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²), all land.

Location: The City of Marion is located in McDowell County along the Catawba River Basin, at the eastern foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. Marion is located just north of Interstate 40 approximately 35 miles east of Asheville and 20 miles west of Morganton, and serves as a gateway between the Mountains and the Piedmont sections of North Carolina.

Transportation: Interstate 40 runs immediately south of Marion. U.S. 70 links Marion to Asheville to the west and Morganton and Hickory to the east. U.S. 221 and N.C. 226 are the City’s north-south connectors, with U.S. 221 leading to Rutherfordton to the south and Boone to the north, and N.C. 226 running to Shelby in the south and to Tennessee to the north and west.

Marion is served by Greyhound Bus Line, which has a stop just south of the City on Interstate 40.

Located just north of Marion is Shiflett Field, a private airfield. Larger airports are located within 40 miles of Marion in Asheville and Hickory.

Recreation: Five parks are located in Marion, three operated by the City, including one at the Community Building in Downtown Marion, one in West Marion, and one in Cross Mill, and two by McDowell County, one on West Court Street(County Recreation Department/Skate Park)and the Maple Leaf Ballfield's off Finley Road. Marion is located just minutes from Lake James, which includes public boat ramps, a State Park, and camping facilities. Marion is also just a few minutes south of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and many camping facilities, sightseeing attractions, and hiking trails. Nearby attractions include Mount Mitchell State Park, gem mining, Linville Caverns, and Linville Falls, and several golf courses.