Check out the shops filled with local crafts and popular tourist attractions like Harrahs Casino. The compact downtown is replete with restored old brick buildings housing interesting restaurants, art shops, and stores. Then there is The Cullasaja Falls, about nine miles outside of Highlands, which is only visible by car. Its also home to New River Brewing for the finest craft beer and pub grub. What about you, though? 2. In Highlands you will also find high-end dining and bustling boutiques downtown. 7. Regardless of the season, the Chetola Resort is a wonderful accommodation option. $( document.body ).append( '
' ); Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. A perfect getaway in an idyllic private setting welcomes all to the tranquil Lake Toxaway. Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (Downtown, Biltmore, and More!). Fly fishing is a popular thing to do in Sylva. Its a picture-perfect pick with plenty of kitsch to go around. While there's a bit of a dispute that we won't get into, Old Fort's Gold Festival typically kicks off each June. The attraction to Highlands is the ability to get outdoors on area trails, browse the Highlands Historic Village, or just explore downtown. Start at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or the Oconaluftee Indian Village. A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a great vibe. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). Several Western NC towns made the list, including Fletcher (#3), Woodfin (#12), and Black Mountain (#20). The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. Here are a few of them. One of the top 10 arts communities . Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. Stop into Myras 1950s style diner for a taste of the good old days. 5. } ); Cashiers is the gateway to one of our favorite NC mountain escapes, Bear Lake Reserve. In the summer, these same ski hills feature downhill mountain bike courses for those fearless on two wheels. .content-area a { Each year, they hold several celebrated events, like the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival and the Mt. Residents enjoy natural settings with a wellness center with a pool and tennis court, parks, playgrounds, trails, outdoor/indoor gathering spaces for community . Each town has its own vibe and many unique outdoorsy things to do. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain towns Banner Elk. The annual Rhododendron Festival is what brings many visitors to this town today. Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!). There are several ski resorts here if youre looking to hit the slopes and fantastic beer at Beech Mountain Resort. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. Set on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, its a tiny treasure trove for local art, as this community lives and breathes creativity. A glistening lakefront community in North Carolina, Connestee Falls is home to an 18-hole golf course and other established lifestyle amenities that are fully owned and operated by the residents. Banner Elk. Well, youll need to answer that question when you visit Marion and their annual Bigfoot Festival! The Trail of Faith explores this heritage through a collection of preserved monuments and buildings. In early September, the Morganton Festival is a huge event with big name bands, celebrations, games, and arts and crafts vendors set up in the streets. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll find main streets lined with historic buildings, restaurants, family-owned stores and trendy shops. 13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina: Sometimes, smaller is better. Similar lists have been published by other websites, including this one that also includes Boone, Brevard, and Morganton. If you want to look like a local, hit up the popular watering hole, the Daily Grind & Wine. See our article on the Best Ski Resorts in North Carolina for ideas to help plan your ski vacation. Dry Falls along Highway 64 where visitors can walk behind a beautiful 75-foot waterfall. Often called the crown of the Blue Ridge, it boasts both the oldest tourist attraction and a current vibrant visitor scene. That last part is why Wilkes County is also home to the first-ever NASCAR track. Just 15 minutes from two of the best ski resorts in North Carolina, Banner Elk is a popular winter destination. Written by Lana Law Updated Jun 23, 2021We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). Among the top contenders is the beloved Sliding Rock. Streets here are rampant with a retro nostalgia, for a unique feel unlike anywhere else. } The unmatched beauty and privacy of the area is the most appealing aspect of what residents love about Lake Toxaway. Its bustling with incredible restaurants, shops, and an iconic courthouse on a hill. Greenville, South Carolina From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world-class facility for horse racing and riding. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Affiliate links linking to products we love may be found in our articles. Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes. The rustic charm of Cashiers honors the regions former prominence in the timber industry. text-decoration: none 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. It's famous for its' "all American" Main Street, but it offers so much more. ), downtown Brevard is charming and boasts the best toy store in North Carolina, O.P. .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. Market Square, is a popular tourist stop that is impossible to miss as you drive through town. Waynesville is the largest town in Haywood County, home to adorable shops, amazing restaurants, and surrounded by beautiful outdoor scenery. 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. With a population of about 14,000 people, you can find everything you need here, minus crowds, traffic, and parking hassles. Festivals are a big deal in Highlands, especially those hosted in the fall which feature arts & crafts, the annual Halloween celebration, and the Culinary Weekend. 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 Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other. 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. The Jackson County Courthouse stands proudly on the hill at the end of Main Street in the quaint town of Sylva. Read More: The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville. Black Mountain. See: Palmer-Marsh House, Bonner House, Pamlico River, Goose Creek State Park, Bath Creek Dine: Blackbeard's Slices & Ices, Old Town Country Kitchen Stay: The Inn on Bath Creek 03 of 19 Beaufort Charlotte Observer/Getty Images Population: 4,382 @media only screen and (min-width: 769px) { If you are looking for things to do, the TGIF Summer Concert Series features a wide variety of musicians playing free Friday night concerts in the main square. Top 9 Mountain Towns to Live in Tennessee While Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis may grab all the attention, Tennessee has some incredible, more rustic places to live. 4 Roxboro at No. Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. Known as the moonshine capital of the world, this foothills haven is spirited in more ways than one. You can see Table Rock Mountain, one of the most incredible hikes in the area, from downtown Morganton. 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. Boones truly a four-season destination: they boast hiking and waterfalls in spring through fall and world-class skiing in the winter. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. .generate-back-to-top:visited { It includes some of the top wild places in western North Carolina, such as Catawba Falls, Andrews Geyser, and Point Lookout. The median home price in Ayden is 127,400 and the median income is $53,317, giving Ayden a solid ratio of home price to income. There are many magnificent properties to select as a summer vacation home or a cozy winter getaway for the holidays to relax and recharge. Land of Oz (held in September) is one of many great reasons to come here with its warmer outside. 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. There are several opportunities for guests to learn about the history and culture of the tribe. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. I hope Waynesville stays relatively small in comparison to Asheville which is getting very crowded. South Lake Tahoe Might Be a Good Option. It's an outstanding alternative for those . The downtown is decked out with colorful murals, reflecting the artistic spirit of the town. Grandfather Vineyard is one of many nice spots along the water. We're always looking for hidden gems here in the Tarheel State, and we'd love to hear from you. ), Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties! You can turn in a circle to see the mountains. These two streets are also home to numerous shops and restaurants. Read More: 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways). Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the best small North Carolina towns and located just 10 minutes from Boone, it has a small village vibe. 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. This is the best of the North Carolina mountain towns to soak all your worries away. 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. For a flatter road, check out the Catawba River Greenway in Morganton. Throughout the year, we think youll love eating and walking around downtown, tasting some of NCs finest beer at local breweries, and exploring the areas arts scene. The Wilkes Art Gallery is one of many reasons to visit NW, along with a variety of events happening throughout each year there. Climb to the top of Mount Jefferson to take in the views overlooking the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. 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. They hold the renowned Steeplechase each Spring. We definitely recommend stopping at Whiteside Brewing for a pint and a burger (or wings!). The 5 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Live In Real Estate Blog The majestic peaks of the Blue Ridge Parkway, charming towns offering luxurious properties with panoramic beauty are just a few of the reasons that many seek out the best place to live in the North Carolina mountains. Its historic and Swiss-style architecture adds to its charm. The town is named after an old train stop, being located at the southern edge of the Black Mountain Range within the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dont forget Catawba Brewing is based here for a cold refreshing craft pint post-adventure. Ranging in size and shape, North Carolina mountain towns come packed with unique attractions and wait with warm, welcoming smiles. Spruce Pine is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of fun to explore. Right next door to the happening city of Asheville, Weaverville has become its own desirable destination. Its not so much a town, and is definitely a city in North Carolina. The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. While high in the mountains in North Carolinas western region, Lake Glenville has evolved into a paradise for anglers, especially those looking to reel in bass. 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. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Saluda is a popular spot for rafting and tubing along the Green River. Bryson City is a great gateway if youre looking to explore the expansive Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you ski or not, this small town of approximately 1,000 people, is an appealing destination with a village atmosphere and plenty of reasons to visit. 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! It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. With only about 500 people living here, its main draw is the eponymous natural thermal mineral baths. Home - North Carolina - NC Mountains - 32 BEST North Carolina Mountain Towns. This famous performance, running each summer since 1952, tells the story of Daniel Boone's adventures in the local area. } Thanks for commenting. Just outside the town, you can find the famous Grandfather Mountain and its Mile High Swinging Bridge. Be sure to spot their most famous residents as well, the thriving population of White Squirrels. ), but theres just something extra special about those found in and around our North Carolina mountains. Some describe the area like a country-club environment within a short drive of other amenities like shopping and dining. 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. There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. For local beer and live music, hit Nantahala Brewing, one of the best breweries in North Carolina, before enjoying some amazing Bryson City restaurants. In the fall, U-pick farms like Grandad's Apples N' Such open up and make a fun stop for families. 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.