Valdese has a strong heritage with the Waldenses from Italy settling the town in 1893. The town has a 300 acre park on Lake Rhodhiss (parking, restrooms, dog park, kayak launch, fishing pier, trails) and is home to the first two miles of the Burke River Trail. The 10-foot wide crushed cinder trail connects Valdese Lakeside Park with McGalliard Falls Park with a 160-foot suspension bridge. Several restaurants are located on Main Street.
Upcoming Events
- April 11 – Blue Grass at the Rock, 7:30pm
- April 25 – Spring Craft Market, 9am
- June 5-July 31, Friday Night Music, 7pm
- July 4 – Independence Day Celebration July 4, 7pm
- Aug 7-8 Waldensian Festival
Looking for something to do in Downtown Valdese?
| Food/Drink | Downtown Shopping | Activities |
| Twin Brothers Pizza Los Compadres Highlands Butchery Mill Town Social House Majors Myra’s Osaki Taqueria El Mana Chubby’s Stella’s Deli Buckle and Brew | All That Glitterz Amorem Thrift Store Dolls & Designs By Sandi Grace Jewelry House of Poe J&R Creations Jim’s Indoor Flea Market My Pea’s Consignment Play It Again Records Rock Drug Store Steele Creek Arms, LLC The Track Thrifting for a Cause Wildwood Bridal Your Floral Bouquet | Centennial Fountain Charters of Freedom Jacumin Plaza McGalliard Falls Park Meytre Grist Mill Outdoor Drama P&W Railroad Museum Rock School Arts Galleries Trail of Faith Valdese Lakeside Park Valdese Greenway Waldensian Heritage Museum Public Library |
Friends of the Valdese Rec – The primary motivation for starting Friends of the Valdese Rec (FVR) in 2015 was to acquire 300 acres of land on Lake Rhodhiss between the Wastewater Plant and McGalliard Falls to construct a park with a greenway, trails, kayak launch, and picnic areas. Today, FVR continues to add amenities to Valdese Lakeside Park to create an incredible park for the community while at the same time fulfilling our mission of Facilitating recreational opportunities, physical fitness, social interaction, and mental well-being for all. Website and Facebook
Outdoor Recreation – McGalliard Falls, Valdese Lakeside Park, Children’s Park
Art – The Arrival, Murals, etc
Burke River Trail – The current Valdese section of Burke River Trail is the 2 mile Valdese Greenway and the 0,6 mile Wildcat Way. In addition, connections are being made to downtown Valdese with Wilderness Gateway State Trail.
Elected Officials – Mayor Keith Huffman leads the Valdese Council. Members: Gary Ogle, Heather Ward, Rexanna Lowman, Melinda Zimmerman, Shannon Radabaugh. The Valdese Town Manager is Todd Herms.
Schools serving Valdese: Valdese Elementary, Heritage Middle, Draughn High
Glen Alpine | Morganton | Drexel | Valdese | Rutherford College | Connelly Springs | Rhodhiss | Long View | Hildebran