Known for its friendly small-town hospitality and unrivaled location, Maggie Valley, North Carolina is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. With laid-back style and fascinating Appalachian heritage, this charming town is filled with vintage motels, cultural festivals, car and motorcycle rallies, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Get ready for a fully immersive Smoky Mountain experience as you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell the delightful things to do in Maggie Valley!
SEE Spectacular Mountain Views
The scenic mountain views near Maggie Valley are truly something to behold. The iconic smoke that gives the mountain range its name floats over the ancient peaks in a mysterious and otherworldly way. There’s no better way to experience these views than on a leisurely drive or motorcycle ride. Slip behind the wheel (or into the saddle) to discover stunning wide-open vistas around every bend.
If you time things just right, you can catch a spectacular sunset. A favorite spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway is just a short drive up from the Maggie Valley entry point at Waterrock Knob. Don’t forget your camera because you’ll have incredible, long-distance views from both the east and the west. Take in eye-popping shades of oranges, reds, and yellows as the sun sinks low and paints the sky with its brilliant colors. (P.S. There are also picnic tables and a gorgeous meadow right off the parking area!)
HEAR the Rushing Waters of Soco Falls
A hike to Soco Falls is one of the most popular things to do in Maggie. Located just a short walk off of Soco Road, these cascading twin falls reverberate with a rhythm that soothes the soul. Hang out on the viewing deck and listen to the peaceful splash as the water rushes over the smooth rock below. Or if you want to get even closer to nature, there’s a short, steep trail that leads down to the base of the waterfalls. (This section is slippery, so hang onto the ropes that are set up along the way.)
FEEL the Clay as You Mold it on a Potter’s Wheel
From the very beginning of Smoky Mountain civilization, people have been creating handcrafted items like pottery. And those traditions have continued and evolved throughout the years, with local artisans preserving their community’s important heritage to this day.
At Different Drummer Pottery in Maggie Valley, you’ll find Terrance Painter, a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen and potter for more than 30 years. Winning many awards, he combines his first love of drawing and painting with pottery to execute landscape scenes on clay forms. His studio is located in an old log cabin, giving a nod to the history of the Maggie Valley area. As a working studio and gallery in operation since 1980, Different Drummer Pottery is always open for guests to come in and watch. Swing by to see the latest pottery project Terrance is working on and shop his beautiful pieces of art!
TASTE the History of Maggie Valley’s Moonshine
Taste history in a glass when you sip a little bit of that good old mountain dew. Moonshiners in the past cared more about making money over the quality of alcohol they produced, but if you talk to local moonshiners today, it’s all about the product. At Elevated Mountain Distilling Company on Soco Road in Maggie Valley, you’ll find high-quality whisky styles and friendly, knowledgeable distillers.
With a nod to Haywood County’s median elevation of 3,600 feet (the highest of any county in the eastern US), Elevated is run by third generation whiskey makers, Dave and Sue Angel. For decades, moonshiners have taken advantage of the high-altitude pristine mountain springs to produce some of the purest moonshine in the Smoky Mountains. And now you can tour the corn-to-whiskey process at Elevated to learn how it’s made. Their custom pot and towering 23-foot column still take the process to the next level. In addition to tours and tastings of whiskey and moonshine, take the stage for karaoke on Thursday evenings or enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
SMELL the Fresh Mountain Air in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hands down the favorite thing to do in Maggie Valley is to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it’s easy to see why. The most visited national park in the country, GSMNP is filled with ancient natural beauty, a deep storied history, and rich mountain cultures, including Southern Appalachia and the Cherokee Indians. There’s no better way to breathe in the fresh mountain air of the Smokies, than to go exploring amid the park’s diverse habitats and wildlife.
Visit the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, hosted by Joseph McElroy, owner of the Meadowlark Motel, to hear about more of the incredible things to do in Maggie Valley!
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