Editing Marion, North Carolina (section)

==Attractions==

[[Image:Carsonhouse.jpg|thumb|right|The Carson House, built in 1793]]

The city operates three parks in Marion, the main one being downtown beside the Community Building. In 2010, the City opened the [[Joseph McDowell House|Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway]].  Named in honor of the county's namesake, [[Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell|Colonel Joseph McDowell]], the greenway follows the flow of the [[Catawba River]].  Benches, picnic tables, fitness stations, fishing piers, and a canoe launch are scattered throughout the three-mile trail. Access points are located at Highway 70 between Highway 221/226 By-Pass and Roby Conley Road, as well as a parking lot at the opposite end behind the [[Joseph McDowell House]].

Historic homes such as the [[Carson House (Marion, North Carolina)|Carson House]] and the [[Joseph McDowell House]] have been preserved to keep the history of Marion alive for decades. They have been open weekdays to the public, but the McDowell House is closed during restoration.

In downtown Marion, the restored Marion Depot, the oldest surviving depot on the Western Rail Line, hosts a number of community events each month, and is available for rental to individuals and groups for meetings, receptions, parties, and other functions. Several golf courses are located outside town, in addition to two waterparks and numerous campgrounds.

Downtown Marion’s most recent change has been the renovation of the Former West Rock plant into a community business complex which plays host to a municipal events center, several business and restaurants. In 2023 the Miller Complex hosted famous musician [[Oliver Anthony]] who became widely known for his song “Rich Men North of Richmond”

Nearby [[Lake James]] provides fishing, camping, and recreation for residents of [[McDowell County, North Carolina|McDowell]] and [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke]] counties. [[Lake Tahoma]], [[Linville Caverns]], [[Linville Falls]], Catawba Falls, and the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] are also close to town, and exhibit the diverse scenery of Western North Carolina.