Discover Authentic Foothills Culture

Known as "Nature's Playground," Morganton, North Carolina is famous for its stunning outdoor access. Visitors flock here to explore the breathtaking depths of the Linville Gorge, take in the views from Table Rock, or boat across the waters of Lake James.

But once you’ve hiked the trails and explored the vibrant downtown brewery scene, what’s next on your itinerary?

If you are looking for the absolute best things to do near Morganton, NC, look no further than South Mountain Distilling Company. Located just 10 minutes east of Morganton in Connelly Springs, our family-owned distillery offers a raw, authentic dive into true Appalachian culture and award-winning spirits that you won't find anywhere else in Burke County.

Elevate Your Morganton Trip with Legend-Tier Craft Spirits

While downtown Morganton is a fantastic hub for craft beer, South Mountain Distilling Co. offers an entirely different kind of local flavor.

Our family’s distilling roots run all the way back to the 1828 North Carolina Gold Rush. Surviving generations of "revenuers," we still use those exact historic family recipes today. Combined with the exceptionally pure, mineral-rich local Connelly Springs water, every bottle we pour serves up a genuine piece of North Carolina history.

Here is why a visit to our tasting room is one of the top things to do in the Morganton area:

1. Award-Winning Moonshine & Bourbon Tastings

Step off the trails and into our welcoming tasting room to enjoy a guided flight of 5 signature, award-winning spirits. Sample our 101-proof flagship Jasper’s Shine, smooth wheated bourbons, aged whiskeys, and our celebrated Cherry Bounce (a revived 130-year-old family recipe). You can even taste the famous JB Rader's Honeycrisp Apple Moonshine, crafted in direct partnership with the legendary moonshiner himself.

2. Friday Night Community Events

Looking for unique weekend nightlife near Morganton? South Mountain is the community go-to. Depending on the week, you can catch our monthly BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl) nights, or our popular Cocktails & Cards gaming lounge, where locals and travelers pull up a chair to play everything from board games and poker to Magic: The Gathering over premium, handcrafted artisan cocktails.

3. The Hands-On Masterclass Distilling Experience

For true enthusiasts, we offer an immersive, behind-the-scenes Distilling Masterclass. Skip the standard observational tours; here, you actually step behind our copper stills to grind the grain, mash, ferment, distill, and bottle your own batch of authentic spirit—complete with your name on the label.

Crafting the Ultimate Morganton Day-Trip Itinerary

South Mountain Distilling Co. is located directly off I-40 at Exit 113, making it an incredibly easy addition to any day spent exploring Burke County.

• Distance from Downtown Morganton: A quick, straightforward ~10-minute drive east via I-40.

• Address: 1027 Malcolm Blvd, Connelly Springs, NC 28612

• Tasting Room Hours: * Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• •  

    Friday: 10 AM - 9 PM

    Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The Ultimate Burke County Day Out: Spend your morning hiking to the peak of Shortoff Mountain or kayaking on Lake James. Head back down into town for lunch, and spend your afternoon relaxing with a premium flight or a custom cocktail at South Mountain Distilling Company before heading out to dinner in downtown Morganton.