One amazing thing about living in North Carolina is that you don’t even have to leave the state to have an awesome weekend away. There’s so much opportunity for adventure here and a lot of variety as well so you’re not always stuck doing the same thing. It’s a pretty amazing place to call home, or even an adopted home for a few years. Today I’m sharing some tips to help you plan a weekend away in a cool town with lots of incredible scenery. Here’s my guide on how to spend a weekend in Maggie Valley with what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. I hope it can help you and if you have any questions just let me know.
Your Complete Guide On How To Spend A Weekend In Maggie Valley
Disclaimer
I am an affiliate with Booking.com.
Quick details for planning a weekend in Maggie Valley
Where is it?
Western NC, about 5 hours drive from Fayetteville.
What is it good for?
Outdoor adventures, cozy cabins, incredible scenery, iconic Blue Ridge Parkway.
What to do
Maggie Valley is a great base for a weekend away because there is no shortage of things to do.
One of the big must visit places is Waterrock Knob. If you want to keep it simple, it has beautiful, scenic views from the visitors center area.
For a little extra adventure, you can hike up to the lookout at the summit or also add the hike to the plane crash wreckage nearby. Here’s my full guide on how to hike to the plane crash at Waterrock Knob.
Plane wreck off Waterrock Knob
If you’re a wildlife lover, visit the nearby Cataloochee Valley to spot Elk and other animals. It’s pure magic at sunrise! Here’s my full guide on how to see Elk in the Cataloochee Valley to help you plan your adventure.
While you’re there, you can explore some of the many hikes or old buildings in the valley. You could easily spend a day there. If you are traveling with your dog, be aware that they’re not allowed on the majority of the trails.
Another cool outing is hiking to the impressive Soco Falls. This is a short and simple hike, albeit a muddy one, and the falls are huge. It’s not going to take up a lot of time, but makes for a fun adventure. I did this one the same day I did Waterrock Knob and the plane crash hike – here’s my full hiking guide for Soco Falls.
Soco Falls
More things to do
If you’re more of an indoor lover, there’s plenty for you too.
You could also easily spend some time exploring the main street area to visit things like:
- Gem stores
- Antique stores
- The Elevated Mountain Distilling Company
- The Wheels Through Time Museum
- Climb the Soco Tower
It’s also a great opportunity to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to soak in the iconic mountain views. As you drive the parkway, there are plenty of lookout spots to stop at along the way.
Elk in Cataloochee Valley
Where to eat
This kind of trip is a great opportunity to book a place with kitchen facilities, bring a cooler full of food, and make your own meals.
That’s what I did and it’s an easy way to save a little extra money and make the most of your adventure time.
I did stop by The Tavern one night and it had fantastic service and delicious food. They also have a pet-friendly area which is super convenient if you’re traveling with a dog. That’s the only one I can personally recommend though.
Here are a few others that I’d check out if I didn’t bring my own food.
- Joey’s Pancake House
Pop’s Butts On The Creek
- Maggie Valley Sandwich Shop
Mountaineer Restaurant
BrickHouse Burgers & Pizza
Where to stay
I stayed at this cabin which was fantastic. This gorgeous cabin is cozy, comfortable, and even had a fireplace and jacuzzi. It was close enough to adventures and things to do, but the peaceful vibes of the location made it feel a world away. I couldn’t have picked a better place to stay for a weekend trip.
If you’re planning your trip I recommend searching on Booking.com because it’s what I use to book accommodation when I travel and I can always find a good deal on there.
Maggie Valley has standard hotels in the main street area and quiet cabins a little outside of town. There’s something for everyone.
Other guides you might enjoy
Where To Swim At Jordan Lake, NC – Complete Beach Hopping Guide
Here’s Why You Gotta Visit The World’s Largest Strawberry Building In NC
How To Visit The World’s Largest Chest Of Drawers In North Carolina
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