This is another popular destination in winter for skiers, particularly families. This article may contain affiliate links. There are a few hiking trails there, too, which are among the best in the area. Be sure to stop by the scenic Lake Sequoyah and of course, the many natural wonders that surround Highlands. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Here are a few of them. This vacation destination is located on the eastern edge of the Plateau region near Sapphire Valley. Madison County seat Marshall sits just north of Asheville and Buncombe County. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. There are a plethora of charming small towns nestled among the majestic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. This classic mountain town is only 45 minutes from Asheville and is located right along Pisgah National Forest. Bryson City The gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson city is one of the best NC mountain towns! The downtown is decked out with colorful murals, reflecting the artistic spirit of the town. Walk Score: 36/100. Residents enjoy natural settings with a wellness center with a pool and tennis court, parks, playgrounds, trails, outdoor/indoor gathering spaces for community . jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { North Carolina mountain towns have a lot to offer those looking for extraordinary property surrounded by picturesque views to take in the natural beauty of the region and exquisite activities accompanied by top dining options. In Highlands you will also find high-end dining and bustling boutiques downtown. The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. For rare historical mountain artifacts, check out Swain County Heritage Museum. Notably, Flat Rock also has the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, the famed Pulitzer Prize authors home. Regardless of the season, the Chetola Resort is a wonderful accommodation option. Awesome to hear, Rebecca! Accommodation: Where to Stay in Banner Elk. The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. ), The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville, 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes! Some are more touristy than others, but none of the NC beaches are as touristy as Myrtle Beach, SC.I like Beaufort, but it's not right on the beach. Hi Marguerite, the goats are at the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock. And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value. Robbinsville is surrounded by some wonderful places both natural and manmade. Read More: 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes!). Old Fort. Tryons reputation as an equestrian haven and arts enclave is revered. Mitchell. .ai-viewport-2 { display: none !important;} Its original town limits are now a historic district where tourists can visit historical homes. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Catch some incredible views from Lovers Leap, a 2-mile loop with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. At an elevation of 3,500, the town is surrounded by mountain peaks of 5,000 feet or more and is within close proximity to a number of natural resources to enjoy. height: 100%; Black Mountain features quaint shops, impressive restaurants (including Phils Bar-B-Que Pit! With a mix of unique shops and galleries, art festivals, and a charming downtown, this Jackson County NC mountain town lives and breathes local art. Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain towns Banner Elk. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. 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. Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. It's also the apple capital of North Carolina and one of the largest apple-producing counties in America. Its an ideal setting for any wild wanderings in the local landscape. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bryson City. 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. Named after blowing rock that is located 4000 feet above sea level the town has sweeping vistas, and is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. ), these are the best mountain towns in America. As a university town, the population reaches heights of around 20,000. Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (Downtown, Biltmore, and More!). Hike around the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. Land of Oz (held in September) is one of many great reasons to come here with its warmer outside. text-decoration: underline .ai-viewports {--ai: 1;} Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. } } It is a popular tourist destination as well, so developing tourism . 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina - Great Small Towns to Visit and Live In NC 1 Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family 2 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023 3 Early Spring Flowers Will Combat the Winter Blues 4 What Our Editors Bought and Loved in February 5 Dad Jokes To Keep the Whole Family Laughing The selection and quality of its culinary scene are impressive given its size, so be ready to enjoy some fine foodie fares during your stay here. Often called the crown of the Blue Ridge, it boasts both the oldest tourist attraction and a current vibrant visitor scene. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); While in the area, dont miss out on Apple Hill Farm, an ethical and working alpaca farm! Is there anything more magical than a lakeside mountain town in NC?! The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is a newer attraction nearby, sure to provide you with a year-round thrill! Located in western North Carolina on what is known as the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the Nantahala National Forest, Highlands has been called "the Aspen of the East.". Boone is a haven of natural wonders offering an, Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, click for interactive map of the Best North Carolina Mountain Towns, 15 Best Bryson City Restaurants You Need to Try! 5. Its proximity to many NC ski resorts makes it especially alluring for the winter seasons as well. Due to Henderson Countys high concentration of orchards, the area offers some of the best apples for picking in North Carolina. 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. This is also a popular area for trout fishing in North Carolina, particularly in the fall, with the Watauga River presenting a great opportunity for anglers. This area is also home to the Toe River, a popular place for trout fishing, and artists of all types who have taken up residence in this region. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; Fans of fly fishing may have already heard of Sylva. With a population of about 14,000 people, you can find everything you need here, minus crowds, traffic, and parking hassles. Make sure to stop in the Paces General Store (operating since 1899) and Thompons Grocery Market- North Carolinas oldest grocery store! #1 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA For a mountain getaway the whole family will enjoy, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is an ideal destination. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. Boone is a no-brainer when it comes to top mountain towns in North Carolina, as this lively university town is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina. If you are in town on a Friday, be sure to catch one of the free summer musical events taking place at Concerts on the Creek at the Bridge Park. Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. padding-right: 10px; People visiting the quaint town of Sylva are advised to walk up the 107 stairs to the Jackson County Courthouse, where they will witness the panoramic views over the countryside, downtown, and the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. Visit the Old Fort Arrowhead Monument to get a peek into its interesting past. Access to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing or just spending a day out on the boat is what most love about Lake Glenville. My favorite is Waynesville because I live there. Streets here are rampant with a retro nostalgia, for a unique feel unlike anywhere else. Set on the edge of the Yadkin Valley, there are also an array of award-winning wineries nearby. If youve heard of the Ashe County Cheese Factory, then you already know why West Jefferson is on this list. The various festivals and several golf courses is what residents have come to love about Sapphire Valley along with the peaceful scenery that attracts many to the area. Named for its likeness to the Swiss Alps, the Switzerland Inn is a century-old resort catering to this concept. Properties are provided courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS. 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. But beyond the dramatic summit of Mount Mitchell, there are also waterfalls near BurnsvilleCrabtree Falls joins two near the base of Mount Mitchell (Setrock Creek Falls and Roaring Fork Falls). Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. } ); text-decoration: none For any theology or history buffs, the Field of the Woods is a massive monument representing the 10 commandments. Start at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Asheville, Greensboro and Charlotte are among the best places to live in North Carolina, a state experiencing continual economic growth. padding-right: 10px !important; In the summer, these same ski hills feature downhill mountain bike courses for those fearless on two wheels. Ayden wasn't even in the top 40 cheapest places to live in North Carolina last year, so this jump up to the #2 spot is quite impressive. There is a happening scene of Boone breweries and Boone bistros to indulge in and an overarching focus on sustainability. After, six years of international travel they settled down and launched Lost in the Carolinas to share their experiences about and travel tips on South Carolina and North Carolina. Add to that a good selection of restaurants, many with outdoor patios in summer; hotels; and attractions; and it's not surprising you frequently hear people describing Hendersonville as the best small town in North Carolina. .ai-viewport-3 { display: none !important;} This area is considered to be one . We definitely recommend stopping at Whiteside Brewing for a pint and a burger (or wings!). You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The busy Main Street is lined with covered sidewalks, and is an ideal place for a bit of retail therapy. Bakersville is the Mitchell County seat and one of many arts-heavy communities in the area. Lovely homes line the slopes overlooking ravines, making this one of the prettiest towns in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. - 5/13/2022 I lived in Black Mountain for about ten years and loved it! My name is Ellen Pitts and I am . } Franklin is known as the gem capital of the world. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Its charming downtown is composed of just a general store, bookstore, and restaurant. Explore the hiking trails and waterfalls, and if you are here on a weekend, check the local events calendar to see the complete lineup of festivals. If you decide to walk up the 107 stairs to the courthouse, you'll be rewarded by panoramic views over the downtown and surrounding countryside, including the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its also home to New River Brewing for the finest craft beer and pub grub. Its also where you can see the spectacular Soco Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. There is a draw for every season, with plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities to partake in. We love the latters overlooks almost as much as the Blue Ridge Parkway, if not more. Known as the moonshine capital of the world, this foothills haven is spirited in more ways than one. If you brought kids, theyll want to check out the fire engine outside! Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. Hot Springs is one of the most adorable North Carolina mountain communities, best known for its hot mineral springs. The heart of the area is the quaint town square.