Some say you can’t go home again, but in some ways, it is possible. When you find hidden gems that are unique to a town like Marion, N.C., you experience a feeling of being home, no matter if you live there now or vacation there later in life.

Marion makes it easy with several special places to visit during your time there. Start your day at Mr. Bobs Donuts, home of the Apple Ugly, hand-made donuts every morning, and a great cup of coffee. With coffee in hand, head up the street to Vintage Market. Filled with home goods, cooking supplies, and a vast supply of intriguing odds and ends, this is the perfect place to get lost for a little while.

Once you’ve done a little shopping and have found a few things you must buy, take a walk down the street to Aria Rose. For anyone interested in women’s fashion, this custom boutique is a must-stop shop.

Up next, it’s time for lunch, so you need to visit Bruce’s Fabulous Foods. This place recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and owners Bruce and Barbara Brown are still going strong, turning out mouth-watering favorites and famous cheesecakes that draw customers from all over the world. The friendly vibes here make everyone feel like part of the family.

If the cheesecakes and banana cake at Bruce’s aren’t enough to satisfy your post-lunch sweet tooth, you can always finish things off at Artesana Ice Cream, which has been scooping happiness for three generations.

There’s so much to experience in Marion, and these few stops have barely scratched the surface. To learn more and plan your visit, check out MarionNC.org. Your weekend is waiting on the Ingles Open Road.

To learn more about Ingles Markets, visit their website at ingles-markets.com.