.right-sidebar .content-area { With a mere 5,000 residents, this community certainly fits the bill when discussing the places best suited to those seeking a small-town style of living. These studios open twice a year for Weaverville Art Safari, for which art lovers and makers alike travel from all over to be a part of. Morganton is charming town in the foothills surrounded by beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure opportunities. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a great vibe. The town is also a junction for the Appalachian Trail, which winds through downtown. Its historic and Swiss-style architecture adds to its charm. . Its also home to one of the coolest distilleries in the state, Oak & Grist. Little Switzerland is a Blue Ridge Parkway NC mountain town that packs quite the punch! Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hendersonville. Jump Off Rock is a great scenic overlook that sits in Laurel Park, 15 minutes outside of downtown Hendersonville. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Banner Elk. If youre a literary lover, Sylva is a great getaway. Here are a few of them. Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. .generate-back-to-top:visited { The national park on the Tennessee and North Carolina border is the most popular in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Best North Carolina Mountain Towns Guide Banner Elk Blowing Rock Boone Brevard Bryson City Burnsville Cherokee Franklin Hendersonville Hot Springs Morganton Murphy Sylva Weaverville West Jefferson Downtown Banner Elk NC, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett 1. The Tuckasegee River flows nearby and is regarded as a hot spot for trout and whitewater fish populations. Our NC travel map will help you visually plan, in case youre ready to start exploring! } Spruce Pine is a nice spot throughout the year, but two events here are really coolthe NC Mineral and Gem Festival in August and SPACE (Spruce Pine Alien Conference & Expo) in June. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bryson City. You forgot to mention that it is home to Lees-McRae College! Twitter
Just a short distance off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone makes a nice place to stop for a night or an afternoon. All of these mountain towns in NC possess something unique, which is why we cant choose our favorite. This family-friendly gated community in South Asheville is situated among 1000 acres of preserved forest and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. Bryson City is a great gateway if youre looking to explore the expansive Great Smoky Mountains. Pearsons Falls is also nearby. In summer, you may see people fishing. We're always looking for hidden gems here in the Tarheel State, and we'd love to hear from you. Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. There are a plethora of charming small towns nestled among the majestic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. Market Square, is a popular tourist stop that is impossible to miss as you drive through town. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. One of the top things to do in the summer is to catch the long running outdoor drama, Horn in the West. Homes: $549K - $3.5M Lots: $69K - $450K. Located between Ashville and Cherokee, this town near the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and the, Blowing Rock is a charming hamlet tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Browse the bustling Main Street; brick sidewalks dotted with historic homes and many storefronts ideal for a day of shopping until you drop. But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, You can visually plan your adventures around these NC mountain towns with our travel map or keep reading our individual spotlights on these places. Waynesville is the largest town in its county and is a hopping spot to host any mountain traveler. Nearby is Grandfather Mountain with its suspension bridge. Designed by the same landscape architect responsible for the grounds at the Biltmore Estate, the North Carolina Arboretum, located just outside downtown Asheville, offers 426 acres of groomed gardens and lush trails. Home to East Carolina University, it's no surprise that apartments in Greenville are more affordable than in many larger, more professionally-focused cities. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Morganton. Asheville is one of the state's most popular vacation destinations with its funky Bohemian vibe and prime location in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Franklin is known as the gem capital of the world. Climb to the top of Mount Jefferson to take in the views overlooking the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { Banner Elk. } Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. Experience a mountain resort atmosphere in Sapphire Valley. text-decoration: none This quaint mountain village at 3,700 feet elevation has great restaurants, breweries, shops, Wildcat Lake beach, and many events including the Woolly Worm Festival in October. .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} Hampstead NC. There are so many outdoor options in West Jeffersons surroundings, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, the New River (ironically one of the oldest rivers), and Mount Jefferson. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. Just outside the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the small town of Cherokee, headquarters of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The history of Cashiers showcases the rich heritage of several buildings circa 1800s that have been restored overtime and are still in use today. In summer, you might want to head to the coast to experience the best beaches in North Carolina or have some fun in the Outer Banks. For the inside scoop on where to go, see our guide to the Top Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina. The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. If youve heard of the Ashe County Cheese Factory, then you already know why West Jefferson is on this list. } Listing information last updated on March 4th, 2023 at 4:24am EST. Its a setting rich with rocks and minerals, ideal for any geology buffs looking for a scenic retreat. The population is larger than most of the area, and as such, the downtown provides plenty of quaint amenities without any of the hustle and bustle of bigger city crowds. To help narrow down that search, one website has chosen three cities in North Carolina as some of the best lake towns in the country to live in. This is another popular destination in winter for skiers, particularly families. Explore the charming downtown area on foot to discover its collection of shops, restaurants, breweries, and a famous Mast General Store that features an eclectic selection of souvenirs and candy. The rustic charm of Cashiers honors the regions former prominence in the timber industry. Hendersonville Main Street, Hendersonville | Photo Copyright: Lana Law Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. Stop into Myras 1950s style diner for a taste of the good old days. We definitely recommend stopping at Whiteside Brewing for a pint and a burger (or wings!). At Lake Lure, get the best of mountain and lake life by going boating, biking the trails at Buffalo Creek Park, or climbing to the top of Chimney Rock. The town itself is nice for a stroll from the county courthouse. My husband & I love West Jefferson. Mitchell. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by. It is easily one of the best mountain towns in North Carolina and is less than an hour away from Winston Salem, making it a fabulous day trip. Old Fort is set at the foot of the Black Mountains and surrounded by Pisgah National Forest. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! Skiing in North Carolina: With elevations that exceed 5,000 feet and extensive snowmaking equipment, the mountains of North Carolina offer excellent opportunities for skiing. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); The sparkling North Carolina lake of the same name is the main draw for this mountain town. It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors. Right down the road from Maggie Valley is Lake Junaluska, a lovely community with a trail that takes you around its namesake lake. One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. .content-area a { On the edge of the town is Soco Falls. } The university, one of the more popular ones in the North Carolina system, has brought more and more young people to the area, so there's always something cultural to do on the weekends. Lake Glenville has the distinction of being the lake with the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River. Downtown Blowing Rock is home to adorable shops and restaurants, as well as the only urban entrance to a waterfall that weve seen in North Carolina (Glen Burney). Among its many quirky independent storefronts, its downtown is lousy with independent and adorable book stores. Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. The simple and slowed-down atmosphere of these magical enclaves makes for an ideal relaxing respite from the real world. .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} Views over the rolling mountains are spectacular, and some of the best in the area. Robbinsville NC. With only about 500 people living here, its main draw is the eponymous natural thermal mineral baths. There are several opportunities for guests to learn about the history and culture of the tribe. Read More: National Parks Sites in North Carolina. It makes an excellent base if the main purpose of your trip is to spend some time sightseeing in the mountains, or a good lunch stop if you are out on a day trip from Asheville or Hendersonville. Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. Facebook. It's famous for its' "all American" Main Street, but it offers so much more. ), Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties! Beyond chasing tall hairy creatures, Marion is situated at the base of Mount Mitchell with many waterfalls nearby, such as Linville Falls and Toms Creek Falls. The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. ), Maggie Valley draws tons of tourists each year. Its a hotspot for entertainment, with music at the Folkmoot, the acclaimed HART Theater, and Mountain Street Dances every Friday night. Frostys in Ashe County is one of our favorite Christmas tree farms in North Carolina. Once a mining hub has now become a top vacation destination as part of the Plateau region of western North Carolina. Set on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, its a tiny treasure trove for local art, as this community lives and breathes creativity. Start at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or the Oconaluftee Indian Village. This stunning area is home to nearly 520,000 acres of forested mountains. Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. A little over 1.5 hours from Asheville, just over two hours from Atlanta, and about three hours from Charlotte, Highlands is a beautiful town in the far southwest corner of North Carolina, not far from the South Carolina border. "pluginVersion": "3.0.12" About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. Head here for one of the most romantic weekends in North Carolina. There are three breweries making some of the finest mountain drafts around. A significant number of people living in Cali go to a higher altitude. ), Chimney Rock State Park (How to Enjoy an NC Icon), 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley, 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive), 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina, How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails, Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events), Craggy Gardens: A Beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway Stop, People of NC: Merlefest Director B Townes, Mingo Falls In Cherokee NC (a Great Waterfall + Easy Hike). Since way back, Maggie Valley has been a mountain resort and maintains its allure through vintage motels and gift shops. You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. 5 Pinehurst at No. Stay at the historic Green Park Inn or luxurious Chetola Resort, but make sure you stop by the oldest attraction in North CarolinaThe Blowing Rock.
Feel free to browse the available properties on our website and contact us if you see something you love. Live like a local and experience a leisurely day of exploration. Among the top contenders is the beloved Sliding Rock. 13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina: Sometimes, smaller is better. There's only one "big" city within an hour of the coast and that's Wilmington, with a pop of about 200,000 in New Hanover County, or 260,000+ in the Wilmington MSA.All the beach towns rely on a tourist-driven economy. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality.