Things to Do in Morganton

Instructors at The Painted Parrot take a lighthearted approach to painting. Each strives to empower budding artists with guidance and feedback but emphasize creative expression over technical form. Their studio space reinforces the cheerful, no-pressure vibe: green and blue walls peek out from beneath previous classes’ paintings, and the studio’s resident parrots, JoJo, Petie, and Ralphie, squawk out commands for crackers or deliver lectures on art history over the popping of BYOB bottle corks.

The clopping of hooves echoes across Winding Creek Stables’ wide-open pastures and jumping arena, where a staff of ex-competitive equestrians takes a comprehensive approach to riding instruction. In private and group lessons, instructors share their wisdom about handling and technique while impressing upon students the importance of respecting their steeds. Adults and children alike can pick between the hunt-seat riding style popular at horse shows and the western style, which includes instructions for chasing down robber barons and lassoing feral cacti. Students learn to groom and care for their horses before and after the lesson—a gesture of respect to the animals and a key takeaway should novices desire to advance to competitive riding. Before riding off into the sunset, check out the stable’s other horse-related services, which include pony parties and pony rides.

The turquoise mountains rising out of Lake Lure's waters may have made it onto films such as Dirty Dancing because of their scenic beauty, but they also serve a practical function. “The mountains block out the wind, so you can always find good water,” Lake Lure Adventure Company president Genevieve Helms told Waterski Magazine. With the help of the water-sports rental company, visitors can take advantage of the lake's amiable conditions that are perfect for activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. Passengers who choose to take guided fishing trips use baited lines to capture mountain trout and bluegill, whose populations are replenished yearly. Instructors certified by USA Water Ski lead waterskiing and wakeboarding expeditions aboard MasterCraft ski boats, and pontoon rentals let visitors take the wheel and pilot one of Lake Lure Adventure Company's roomy boats for a day of leisure.

Travels in Wine Tours' co-founders, Kimberlee Young and Derek Schuler, share their love of wine, food, and travel with curious tourists through tours designed and led by certified sommeliers. Epicurean scenic tours of boutique wineries, personalized luxury Napa vacations, and custom weekend getaways marry viticultural education with flavorful indulgence as guests take in picturesque panoramas of vineyards that stretch to the horizon before curving upward and forming bridges to the moon.

Owner Jessie Smith and the staff at Barefoot Archery maintain a pro shop packed with an all-encompassing array of gear for enthusiasts of all skill levels, from dedicated hunters to hobbyists. Every time a customer purchases a bow from the shop, one of Barefoot Archery's experts takes time to show him or her how to properly wield and maintain the new piece, reducing the chance that customers will accidentally pull the self-destruct string. Jessie also relishes the opportunity to teach youngsters the art of the bull’s-eye through Junior Olympic Archery Development classes held in the shop's indoor range.