Our weekly newsletter shares weekly updates and tips on upcoming events. Our NC travel map will help you visually plan, in case youre ready to start exploring! Beaufort County COUNTY POPULATION: 46,994 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 24.6% /***Mediavine Sidebar Fix***/ Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. Catering to both the summer crowds who come here to visit the park, and the winter crowds, who are often skiers and boarders who come to enjoy the slopes of nearby Cataloochee Ski Resort, this small town offers everything you need and more. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. } Take a walk down Main Street past the Swain County Heritage Museum and then turn up Everett Street to cross the bridge and look out over the river. 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. Whether drawn to the fresh mountain air, top dining, award-winning art galleries and unique shopping boutiques all and more can be found in the mountains of North Carolina. Named for its likeness to the Swiss Alps, the Switzerland Inn is a century-old resort catering to this concept. Youll love Murphy for its fun downtown and the surrounding NC mountains, water, and trails. the inspiration for Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show, is a time capsule of midcentury small-town America. Among its many quirky independent storefronts, its downtown is lousy with independent and adorable book stores. ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). Tryon Fine Arts Center is a cultural institution of North Carolina, hosting eclectic exhibits, community events, TEDtalks, performing arts, classic films, and live music. Brevard has a pleasant feel about it. Hope you get to see them sometime! text-decoration: underline @media only screen and (min-width: 769px) { It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. Mount Airy, a.k.a. Be sure to wander up and down Boone's restored downtown, where you'll find a good selection of dining and shopping options, including a Mast General Store with its eclectic selection of merchandise, souvenirs, and fun selection of candy. The Wilkes Art Gallery is one of many reasons to visit NW, along with a variety of events happening throughout each year there. See our article on the Best Ski Resorts in North Carolina for ideas to help plan your ski vacation. Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known as the apple capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is a great central stop for all the scenery of the area. 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. Blowing Rock's downtown has the look and feel of a true mountain town, with a mix of restored historic buildings and modern structures designed to fit in with the town's village atmosphere. }); Homes: $549K - $3.5M Lots: $69K - $450K. 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. 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. 5 Pinehurst at No. Meanwhile, well continue exploring all that these quaint towns have to offer, from fantastic restaurants to mountain hikes to local artist communities! Read More: Chimney Rock State Park (How to Enjoy an NC Icon). jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { Distance: 74.3 miles from Gatlinburg TN (2-hour drive) Robbinsville is a rural mountain town in the Smoky Mountain foothills that takes you back to a time of solitude and natural beauty. Yes, Colorado boasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous: Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge , Telluride and the like. Burnsville offers an authentic small-town experience, with a cute downtown area, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries lining the town square. But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. padding-right: 10px; Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! 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. Many of the most popular public access points, including Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Access Area, are a short drive from Banner Elk. Regardless of your religious views, Fields of the Wood (a massive representation of the 10 Commandments) is an interesting place to visit. Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. Blowing Rock and Boone are often talked about together because they are so closebut so different! One of the largest North Carolina mountain towns on this list, we absolutely love all the fun things to do in Hendersonville. /***Mediavine Mobile Fix***/ Youll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town. The Jackson County Courthouse stands proudly on the hill at the end of Main Street in the quaint town of Sylva. One of the top things to do in the summer is to catch the long running outdoor drama, Horn in the West. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. 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 $( document.body ).append( '

' ); It's a hot spot for mountain biking, mountain climbing, hiking, and waterfall chasing. A perfect getaway in an idyllic private setting welcomes all to the tranquil Lake Toxaway. We dont want to leave out North Wilkesboro, the countys largest town, before moving on. text-decoration: none Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). Read More: The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville. Banner Elk is also a popular gateway to Grandfather Mountain State Park and the Mile High Swinging Bridge on the privately-owned Grandfather Mountain attraction. Downtown, youll find vintage motels, lots of motorcyclists, and the best pancakes of your life at Joeys Pancake House! Known as the states oldest attraction, there is plenty to see and do within, Nestled in North Carolinas Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone is a quaint and charming borough with surprisingly plenty of things to do! The Ramble Biltmore Forest, Asheville. Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. You'll also find a fine assortment of restaurants, many with outdoor patios. 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. Lake Glenville has the distinction of being the lake with the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River. Morganton is charming town in the foothills surrounded by beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure opportunities. "pluginVersion": "3.0.12" Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hendersonville. Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and one of our favorite small mountain towns in NC. With a population of about 14,000 people, you can find everything you need here, minus crowds, traffic, and parking hassles. 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. It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors. You can enjoy an array of eateries, breweries, boutiques, and galleries on Main Street, and the historic buildings add an additional old-school charm. Let us know in the comments section, as always. 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. Just outside of the Great Smoky National Park sits the home of the eastern band of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. It makes a great base for travelers passing through this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 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. Banner Elk. Bryson City The gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson city is one of the best NC mountain towns! The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. The Museum of NC Handicrafts offers distinctive displays of work by a range of North Carolina artists. From old standbys such as Aspen and Stowe to a few spots you've probably never even heard of (what's up, Hamburg? Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). Loved Black Mountain! You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. It's famous for its' "all American" Main Street, but it offers so much more. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina mountain towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world-class facility for horse racing and riding. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. The rustic charm of Cashiers honors the regions former prominence in the timber industry. Historic Biltmore Estate is one of the. 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 last of the North Carolina mountain towns well mention is Wilkesboro. Often called the crown of the Blue Ridge, it boasts both the oldest tourist attraction and a current vibrant visitor scene. Cities across North Carolina round out the top 10, including several in the western part of the state: Hickory at No. If you are looking for something a bit bigger in a small-town getaway, Boone is a lively university town with a little less than 20,000 people. You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. Fans of fly fishing may have already heard of Sylva. It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. } Affiliate links linking to products we love may be found in our articles. Show Transcript. .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} The tree-lined Main Street in the upscale downtown is filled with charming stores and tourist shops. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. Pearsons Falls is also nearby. The town offers a surprising amount of accommodation and has a number of family-focused attractions. It's no wonder Asheville is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Beyond ski season, we love hanging out in this town. Let us know what piques your interest or just tell us what your dream home looks like in your vision. Its downtown is home to nice shops, a cozy atmosphere, and great restaurants. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. Cities are fun but sometimes it's nice to swap the busy roads for the peaceful streets of a small mountain town. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. Visit the Old Fort Arrowhead Monument to get a peek into its interesting past. Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our. Banner Elk. With only about 500 people living here, its main draw is the eponymous natural thermal mineral baths. We also love that town and cant wait to go back:). Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Catch some incredible views from Lovers Leap, a 2-mile loop with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. 4. Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive). At 90-feet high, Pearsons Falls is an exciting natural attraction. Advertisement. They have a tiny population of residents but a vast number of visitors each year. This family-friendly gated community in South Asheville is situated among 1000 acres of preserved forest and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway. 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. You can also walk to Blannahassett Island and fish or enjoy views of the French Broad River. As many of the stately properties in this mountain area also enjoy stunning waterfront views, its the best of both worlds to be surrounded by the natural beauty. Youll enjoy walking on its brick sidewalks while admiring the towns historic buildings. The Valdese Recreation Department oversees five parks in the area but we think you must visit McGalliard Falls. "version": "7.4.0", . Dillsboro is one of the coolest mountain towns to discover. For rare historical mountain artifacts, check out Swain County Heritage Museum. Bridal Veil Falls, which is between Highlands and Dry Falls, offers North Carolinas only drive behind the waterfall. Similar lists have been published by other websites, including this one that also includes Boone, Brevard, and Morganton. Dont forget that Burnsville is home to a great restaurant scene, which you can explore downtown and beyond! t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, To ease your search, weve organized these NC mountain towns in alphabetical order. Some of North Carolina's mountain towns are highly seasonal, with major attractions open only during the summer months, but a few, particularly those near the ski resorts, lend themselves more towards winter visits. Properties are provided courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS. .right-sidebar .content-area { About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades.

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