Retirement Magazine recently selected Morganton as the #1 town in the Carolinas for retirement. One of the reasons is the charming downtown area that offers plenty of entertainment and activities, a thriving art community and excellent services for retirement age residents. Another reason is its location – close enough to the Hickory area, the airport and I-40 to supply all the necessities of life, yet tucked away just enough to be considered off the beaten path.

In 1997, a Reader’s Digest poll ranked this area 10th on its list of Best Places to Raise a Family, and not much has changed to dispute that opinion.

The Historic Morganton Festival is held each September and draws 80,000 visitors to sample the crafts, artwork and food. This town, on the Catawba River, offers every access to outdoor recreation. Lake James State Park and South Mountains State Park are nearby favorites.

City of Morganton