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. We dont want to leave out North Wilkesboro, the countys largest town, before moving on. In summer, you may see people fishing. The Best of North Carolina: Still in the planning stage of your next vacation? Its a hotspot for entertainment, with music at the Folkmoot, the acclaimed HART Theater, and Mountain Street Dances every Friday night. The Ramble Biltmore Forest, Asheville. Since way back, Maggie Valley has been a mountain resort and maintains its allure through vintage motels and gift shops. We love the latters overlooks almost as much as the Blue Ridge Parkway, if not more. Catch some incredible views from Lovers Leap, a 2-mile loop with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. To ease your search, weve organized these NC mountain towns in alphabetical order. text-decoration: underline This area is considered to be one . At 90-feet high, Pearsons Falls is an exciting natural attraction. Right down the road from Maggie Valley is Lake Junaluska, a lovely community with a trail that takes you around its namesake lake. Show Transcript. Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Come in the summer to experience the cool refreshing mist of any of the breathtaking waterfalls in the area or grab some skis to hit the snow-covered slopes in the winter. The lake, actually a reservoir near Cashiers, is home to a number of sought after fish like Largemouth Bass and Rainbow Trout. padding-left: 10px !important; Here are a few of them. The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. .inside-article{ 14. Each town has its own vibe and many unique outdoorsy things to do. 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. Be sure to check out the historic courthouse and the wonderfully restored mansion that now houses Morganton Savings Bank. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. Fly fishing is a popular thing to do in Sylva. In Flat Rock, spend your days hiking the trails, saying hello to the many goats, and touring the house before heading downtown for some beers and barbecue from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. 1. ), Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties! Spend some time wandering around, stop in at the Mountain Fresh Grocery to pick up a quick bite or fresh coffee, or enjoy a lunch at one of the many restaurants. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youve heard the saying From Murphy to Manteo, then you might already know that the former is the western end of US-64 in North Carolina. ), 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). Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain towns Banner Elk. Its downtown is home to nice shops, a cozy atmosphere, and great restaurants. The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. Home of the Davidson College Wildcats, Lake Norman, and great prices on real estate, the #3 best place to live in North Carolina, Davidson, is one of the Tar Heel State's best kept secrets. Please visit our Disclosure and Privacy Policy pages for further explanation. Youll love Murphy for its fun downtown and the surrounding NC mountains, water, and trails. 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. Its known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains. Facebook. For local beer and live music, hit Nantahala Brewing, one of the best breweries in North Carolina, before enjoying some amazing Bryson City restaurants. } Lake Glenville Lake Glenville is hidden away in the mountains of western North Carolina, surrounded by hiking trails that wind through natural mountain beauty to waterfalls. Alabama's quintessential mountain town is Mentone, which is set atop Lookout Mountain and filled with charming spots, including the Wildflower Caf, Mentone Log Cabin Village, and Mentone Arts and Cultural Center. The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. } Mount Airy, a.k.a. That scenic route is another reason we rank Highlands among the best mountain towns in NC! READ MORE: The Top 20 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA & NC Best Western NC Small Towns Guide Weaverville Black Mountain Brevard Hendersonville Saluda Burnsville Hot Springs Morganton Chimney Rock Village Banner Elk Blowing Rock West Jefferson Elkin Sparta Boone Beech Mountain Bryson City Cherokee Maggie Valley Murphy Sylva Dillsboro Franklin Then there is The Cullasaja Falls, about nine miles outside of Highlands, which is only visible by car. WRITER: WNC Staff PHOTOGRAPHER: WNC Staff ILLUSTRATOR: WNC Staff Written by Jonathan Ammons, Jon Elliston, Tim W. Jackson, Randy Johnson & Melissa Reardon Sometimes, smaller is better. Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. With Watauga River running through, its also a haven for anglers seeking out that coveted rainbow trout. The ride down is thrilling, with the two-seater sleds hitting top speeds of 27 miles per hour as they twist and turn down the nearly 2,400-foot run. Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. } Dont miss walking across the Flowering Bridge, a beautiful blooming garden that spans the Rocky Broad River. Take a peek at our exclusive Asheville Region community at The Cliffs. .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } 7. Head here for one of the most romantic weekends in North Carolina. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! ), 20 Excellent Things to Do in Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary (and Nearby! Beyond the downtown, you will find lovely homes and streets with manicured yards and views in all directions. Experience a mountain resort atmosphere in Sapphire Valley. That last part is why Wilkes County is also home to the first-ever NASCAR track. 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. Its downtown is packed with shops and restaurants galore (Old World Baking Company for starters), but theres also some outdoor fun to find here. A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. Its one of many falls along the famed Waterfall Byway. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. } min-width: 310px; Just recently voted in the top 10 places to retire in North Carolina, Black Mountain is nearby Asheville and has a tiny population of just under 8,000 residents. Banner Elk Avery County NC Official Website Originally settled in the 1850's as a health resort, Asheville has an interesting history- in the late 1800 . Hike the easy Deep Creek Loop, go whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, ride the scenic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, or get lost on the Road to Nowheretheres endless fun in Bryson City! We are captivated by the Plateaus beauty and special charm and are passionate to share it with others looking to make the area home. The Lovers Leap Trail offers sweeping views over the entire town. Its reputation for charm precedes it, known mainly as the hometown of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the idyllic neighborhood his show was set in, Mayberry. Did you know North Carolinas Beech Mountain is the highest town in the Eastern United States? The Trail of Faith explores this heritage through a collection of preserved monuments and buildings. } So many great mountain towns to choose from! Wilmington was also founded in the first half of the 18th century by colonists, so it has a number of historical buildings. Historic Biltmore Estate is one of the. It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Next on our list of the best cities to live in North Carolina is the Inner Banks community of Greenville. Hike around the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. Asheville is one of the coolest mountain towns in NC and by population, its the biggest in this guide. Taylor. Browse the bustling Main Street; brick sidewalks dotted with historic homes and many storefronts ideal for a day of shopping until you drop. One of the big attractions, just outside of town, is Grandfather Mountain and its mile-high swing bridge, one of the top sites in North Carolina. Cashiers is the gateway to one of our favorite NC mountain escapes, Bear Lake Reserve. The tree-lined Main Street in the upscale downtown is filled with charming stores and tourist shops. You can turn in a circle to see the mountains. The Jackson County Courthouse stands proudly on the hill at the end of Main Street in the quaint town of Sylva. In winter, Blowing Rock can be a nice place to base yourself if you are skiing at nearby Appalachian Ski Mountain just a few minutes away. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). Among its many quirky independent storefronts, its downtown is lousy with independent and adorable book stores. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. Mica Gallery is one of a few spaces that showcase local artists from here and surrounding counties. Homes: $549K - $3.5M Lots: $69K - $450K. North Conway, New Hampshire. While its a rare admission-required waterfall, the area around the 90-foot falls remains well-maintained. @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { My favorite is Flat Rock because I am a resident. We're also huge fans of Hillman Beer and the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort. The relatively low elevation, 1,991 feet, means it's warmer here in spring, which can be a real advantage. One of the top 10 arts communities . Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Visit the Old Fort Arrowhead Monument to get a peek into its interesting past. Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! Imagine waking up each morning to stunning 360-degree mountain views, the rushing sound of nearby waterfalls and in close proximity to some of the nations top hiking trails, prize fly fishing and a list of other pursuits. The town itself is nice for a stroll from the county courthouse. It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. The Diamondback (NC-226) is also a popular road for tourists and motorcyclists alike, famed for its incredible views. Cities across North Carolina round out the top 10, including several in the western part of the state: Hickory at No. Its located at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River, making it a great jumping off point for some excursions into nature. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. fbq( 'track', 'PageView', { Asheville, Greensboro and Charlotte are among the best places to live in North Carolina, a state experiencing continual economic growth. While in the area, dont miss out on Apple Hill Farm, an ethical and working alpaca farm! The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. Each village brings its own delightful draws and unique allure. Address: Pinehurst, NC, USA Address: Davidson, NC, USA Address: Winterville, NC, USA Address: Trent Woods, NC 28562, USA Address: Apex, NC, USA Address: Cary, NC, USA Address: Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA Address: Valdese, NC, USA One of the top summer attractions for families is Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo, a large amusement park with rides and animals. 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. @media (max-width: 767px) { ), these are the best mountain towns in America. The compact downtown is replete with restored old brick buildings housing interesting restaurants, art shops, and stores. Summer is the real draw, when the surrounding mountains turn a blissful green and offer up a wealth of natural treasures.