I-85 S Welcome Center

Arriving in North Carolina on I-85 from South Carolina, visitors stopping at this North Carolina Welcome Center will get a glimpse of the many natural and cultural attractions awaiting them in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

The nearby Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby is a good starting place to learn about the man, his life, his music, and the impact he had on the music world. Interactive exhibits let you experience the music for yourself.

Did you know there was a gold rush in North Carolina before the famous one in California? Or that there are some who believe Abraham Lincoln was born in North Carolina, not Kentucky? Visit the Bechtler mine and home in Rutherfordton and the Bostic Lincoln Center for those stories.

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Outdoor lovers will enjoy a visit to South Mountains State Park, known for great trout fishing.

Travelers who follow the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail and visit these sites will experience an enriched journey through the region.

The Blue Ridge Heritage Trail is a program of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership.