OLD FORT, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Something brand-new has opened in Old Fort. At a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, Nov. 20, Destination McDowell, the Tourism Development Authority for McDowell County, debuted a reimagined Old Fort visitor center.

The Destination McDowell Visitor Center is located at 91 Catawba Ave. in downtown Old Fort.

“The updated center ushers in a new chapter for McDowell County’s tourism economy, reflecting the region’s growing reputation as a hub for outdoor recreation and adventure,” wrote publicist LeeAnn Donnelly in a press release. “The redesigned space serves as a modern, welcoming hub where travelers can discover information about the county’s abundant natural resources and plan their next outdoor experience – from waterfall hikes and mountain biking to fishing, camping and exploring the area’s rich Appalachian heritage, food and arts.”

Old Fort renewal

For McDowell County, the new tourism center is not just a redesigned building.

“This project was about more than updating a building,” said Shannon Odom, Executive Director for Destination McDowell, in the release. “We wanted the inside of our visitor center to introduce newcomers and returning visitors to the endless expanse of natural resources we have at our doorstep. It’s also about reimagining how we tell McDowell County’s story – one rooted in natural beauty, creativity and community.”

In the press release, Donnelly dubbed a massive McDowell County map, which covers an entire wall, the visitor center’s centerpiece.

The map “allows visitors to plot and visualize an adventure across the county,” Donnelly said. “Created in collaboration with local design and content creators at Uproar Concepts and Pisgah Map Company, the map’s imagery features Catawba Falls, mountain biking trails and other key locations across the county that offer exceptional recreational opportunities. It pinpoints each town and attraction in the county, and incorporates the retro look of National Park Service signage.”

Odom hopes the visitor center will make Old Fort a major part of tourists’ maps, too.

“The reimagined visitor center stands as both a symbol and a tool for our community’s future,” said Odom in the release. “It connects visitors to our natural wonders and reminds residents that outdoor recreation is not only part of who we are – it’s our path forward.”

For more information, visit www.destinationmcdowell.com.

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