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14 Curated Excursions + Unique Activities

Updated: Nov 14, 2023



Have a Group coming to visit and looking for something extra special?

Groups of 2-50 can enjoy most of the activities below!

We've partnered with local business and non-profits to bring you some of the most creative activities in the region...


Contact Us directly to get your reservations started!


1. Downtown Marion Walking Ghost Tour - Peruse downtown Marion with a local guide from the McDowell Historical Society and glean oodles of information about the area, town, and ghosts that roam this basecamp. Investigate a building...if you dare! And leave with legends to tell! Available for 4-8 guests. $20/person.


2. Haunted Pub Crawl - With your guide, you will visit 6 local bars/pubs. Meet the bar owners, enjoy a libation and learn about the history of the buildings, tragedies in the area and the ghosts that dwell amongst them. Guests are responsible for the purchase of their beverages.

Available for 4-8 guests. $28.00/person.

3. In-River Gold Panning Course - Enjoy an afternoon, ankle-deep in the river, hunting for the shiny stuff! Lead by local enthusiast, Kim Moran, Kim will teach you the basics of gold panning and some of the local history behind all the hype. Materials provided! $115 per course (1-15 guests).









4. In-room Facials - Enjoy a spa-like experience brought right to your room! Proudly partnering with Geneva from G3 Spa. Facials start at $45/person. Other services include: lash full-set, waxing, and eyebrow tint/lift. For pricing, contact Geneva: 828-527-9405




5. On-Site Tea Party - Enjoy a curated tea party in the pavilion, overlooking the water! Presented by Nourished by Nature, guests will enjoy sampling a variety of hand-crafted teas, and mini treats. Learn interesting facts about the tea blends and ask the maker herself about the different healing powers of varying ingredients. $20/person. Minimum 5 guests.


6. "Make-and-Take" Parties - Join Nourished by Nature for a make-and-take party! Learn to make a roller ball, bug spray, lip balm, sugar scrub, or coffee scrub. Enjoy learning about local fonta and flora from an NC Native and how you can use natural items for powerful results. $20/person. Minimum 5 guests.


7. Elderberry Syrup Class - Learn to make your own elderberry syrup and take a "make-at-home" kit with you! Presented by Nikki's Nourished by Nature, this class is approximately 2 hours long. $20/person. Minimum 5 guests.


8. Riverside Yoga - Start your day or end your evening with a relaxing Yoga session.

One-hour class from 2-25 guests is $65.


9. Goat Yoga - Yep, you read that right - the goats will come to you! Goat yoga will have you laughing so hard you'll get an extra-good workout! Presented by Kidding Around AVL

1 hour class is $450 (1-10 guests) and $45/person additional.


Group excursion to a local Honey Bee Farm in Marion, NC - Sweet Betsy Farm

10. Honeybee Tour - Get suited up and enjoy an up-close-and-personal tour of the magical honeybees. Hosted at Sweet Betsy Farm, just two miles up the road, you'll enjoy a sweet afternoon! For more info, contact SweetBetsyFarm.com








11. Brackettown Farms - Kids in the group? You can't beat a private visit to Brackettown Farms, a non-profit petting zoo. Admission is free, but we encourage you to donate to this worthy cause! By appointment only, so be sure to reach out to Nichole early: 828-925-1070

12. On-Site Pedicures - Local nail artist will bring the pampering to you! Enjoy a relaxing full-service pedicure either in your suite or overlooking the river! Optional add-ons: mini-manicure, hair braiding, or charcuterie board.


13. Mommy + Me - On-site Pampering - Enjoy an evening being pampered with your little one. Choose from two services: Mini-Mani, Pedicure or Hair Braiding. Treat yourself to an evening you won't forget!

Ask us about adding on a face mask, trendy robes or a Charcuterie board!


14. On-Site Mini Photo Session - Amber Wiseman has a gift for directing (which if you've ever had photos taken before, you know is crucial!) She is excellent with children and a joy to have as a part of your shoot. Amber's sessions range from 15-minute (5 photos) for $75 to 1-hour (25 images) for $225. Have photos on-site or ask her about traveling to your favorite destination. (*additional fees may apply for travel or more than 5 people).




*BONUS* FOR FULL CAMPGROUND BUY-OUTS ONLY:




Outdoor Movie - Enjoy an outdoor flick projected on an inflatable screen outside the pavilion. Includes 1 movie rental. $50

Option Add-on: Fresh popped Popcorn in Vintage Cart = $50



If you're looking for a family friendly camping or glamping vacation, look no further than Gold River camp + cabins. Located in Marion, NC, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and just 45-minutes from Asheville, we are not short of activities. If you need additional suggestions, don't hesitate to reach out, I have activities to recommend in Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Hendersonville, Burnsville, Asheville, Morganton and Hickory - all within an hours drive!



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