Marion is the stomping grounds of Smyth County
Home to a historic downtown area, Marion is the seat of Smyth County, making it the stomping ground for those living within more rural reaches. A quick glance at the town might make Marion seem like a quiet place, but a deeper look reveals a destination spot for tourists and a lively event scene. "The main draw for Marion is Hungry Mother State Park," says the co-owner of the local restaurant, Wooden Pickle, Chris Saufley. "It's one of the top parks in the state." Marion is also primed for outdoor fun, with fishing spots, sports courts and a golf course in town. From their country homes, some on acres, residents find a balance between slower living and meeting their everyday needs locally.
Traditional homes within the mountains
Cape cods, Craftsman and ranch-style homes paint a traditional picture in Marion. Yards are carefully tended, spacious and more suburban closer to downtown, but vast on the outer reaches, with homes on acres. Investment properties and starter homes less than 1,000 square feet in Marion have sold for $30,000 to $190,000. Larger move-in-ready homes head into the $200,000 to $425,000 range. Rolling views and the hilliness of Marion’s residential streets filled with a patchwork of trees are reminders of its place in the mountains.
A small, vintage downtown with variety
Downtown Marion's shops and eateries are housed in buildings from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. Wooden Pickle has been around since 2014. "Everything here is made to order. It's a throwback to an old American fare bar and grill, and we've got everything from burgers to steaks," Saufley says. He says the restaurant's tacos really put them on the map. Downtown Pioneer whips up comfort food for breakfast and lunch. Moon Dog Brick Oven is the spot to grab a slice. Locals can fill their growlers at 36° Fifty Brewing or stop by for drinks and ping pong. Downtown Resale Boutique and Helping Hands Community Thrift are in town for unique, bargain finds. Marion Outdoors equips local hikers with clothes and gear. Food Lion, Walmart and Food City are in town for groceries.
Studying locally through Smyth County Schools
Students attend the Smyth County Schools district. Marion Elementary School, Marion Middle School and Marion Senior High School are all local and earn C-pluses on Niche. The high school's range of student clubs covers interests from fishing to politics and science. The school encourages students heading into the healthcare field to apply to the Healthcare Excellence Academy Lab program, where they get career training.
Recreation from the center of town to the mountain ranges
The Middle Fork of the Holston River flows along Marion's northern side. Trails pass along the river, giving locals spots to meander, cast a line for trout and catch crawdad. Parks dot the waterway, including Riverbend shelter, which has play areas for the kids and basketball courts. Residents also enjoy a community pool, dog park and baseball field in Marion. Tee time happens at the local membership-based golf course. Marion has been deemed an official trail town by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The town is also a gateway to Hungry Mother State Park in less than 5 miles and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in less than 7 miles. Surrounded by mountainous woodlands, Hungry Mother State Park is known for its 108-acre lake and sandy beach area where people swim. The park also has a fishing pier, boat rentals, campgrounds, and hiking and biking trails. Wild Ponies roam through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The highest peak in Virginia is also here, and an extensive network of trails includes portions of the Appalachian Trail.
Longstanding events in Marion and a vintage theater
Spring brings an influx of tourists as hikers begin trekking the Appalachian Trail. "The percentage of business that picks up during the tourist season is probably 25 to 50%," Suafley says. Another draw for tourists is the Hungry Mother Festival, an over 50-year tradition held on the state park's grounds. The event is sponsored by the Art League of Marion and lasts a whole weekend in July. A courtesy shuttle takes festivalgoers from downtown Marion to the park's grounds. That same weekend, Marion hosts a block party filled with food trucks and live music. Saufley says the tourist season ends with Marion's chili cookoff, a nearly 40-year tradition held in the fall. The Lincoln Theatre is another source of fun in Marion. The theater opened its doors in the late 1920s and showcases a range of films, live shows and music.
Ways to get around Marion and paths to Tennessee and North Carolina
U.S. Route 11, Virginia State Route 16 and Interstate 81 flow through Marion. Bristol, Tennessee, is roughly 45 miles away. Charlotte, North Carolina, is within a two-and-a-half-hour drive, while the Outer Banks are reachable in about 7 hours. Mountain Lynx offers fixed-route loops and demand-response routes in Marion.
Flooding is possible in Marion
Hurricane Helene hit Smyth County in 2024, flooding areas of local towns, including Marion.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
