Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. 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. At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is home to awesome views but also, some pretty great ski resorts. Right next door to the happening city of Asheville, Weaverville has become its own desirable destination. text-decoration: underline 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 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. Don't miss a chance to see spectacular Dry Falls, about 10 minutes from town, where you can walk behind a curtain of water pouring off an overhanging ledge. But it's far from the only one. 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 That last part is why Wilkes County is also home to the first-ever NASCAR track. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival. Joyce Kilmer Forest, the Cherohala Skyway, Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Lake Santeetlah are nearby. If you want to look like a local, hit up the popular watering hole, the Daily Grind & Wine. $( document.body ).append( '
' ); Annual celebrations like the Elk Fest and Hillbilly Jamboree are reason enough to visit. text-decoration: none Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain towns Banner Elk. Its historic and Swiss-style architecture adds to its charm. the inspiration for Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show, is a time capsule of midcentury small-town America. The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. Read More: How to See Elk River Falls (Trail and Safety Tips). } New River Brewing is one of a few great places to grab some food and a beer. Venture out and explore the rest of Burke County, hike to Hawksbill Mountains peak, Linville Falls, the nearby Wisemans View in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, and High Shoals Falls inside South Mountains State Park. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} Nearby is Grandfather Mountain with its suspension bridge. Just outside of the Great Smoky National Park sits the home of the eastern band of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. Views over the rolling mountains are spectacular, and some of the best in the area. It makes a great base for travelers passing through this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town offers a surprising amount of accommodation and has a number of family-focused attractions. As a university town, the population reaches heights of around 20,000. .ai-viewport-2 { display: none !important;} Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. Jump Off Rock is a great scenic overlook that sits in Laurel Park, 15 minutes outside of downtown Hendersonville. Beaufort County COUNTY POPULATION: 46,994 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 24.6% Home to the Woolly Worm Festival in October, we cant get enough of this town, the amazing restaurants and shops here, and its gorgeous surroundings. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your travel around the Carolinas. Grandfather Vineyard is one of many nice spots along the water. .sidebar a { max-width: calc(100% - 320px); I hope Waynesville stays relatively small in comparison to Asheville which is getting very crowded. As a former railroad outpost, the towns historic charm offers a vintage vibe, enhanced by establishments such as Paces General Store, the oldest grocery store in the state. While there's a bit of a dispute that we won't get into, Old Fort's Gold Festival typically kicks off each June. 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. The tallest dam in the Eastern US, Fontana Dam, is one of the more popular spots in Graham County, too. One of our absolute favorite North Carolina mountain towns is Maggie Valley, a consistent family vacation spot. You can easily immerse yourself in local art, browse unique shops, and dig into each places amazing food scene. Main Street is a mix of restaurants and retail shops, including a disproportionate number of bookstores considering the size of the town. Couples may want to book a room at the romantic B&B-style Bob Timberlake Inn, while families looking for more living space can opt for the Chetola Premium Condominiums. Cashiers is in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest and provides a front row view to the spectacular annual fall foliage. Tryon Fine Arts Center is a cultural institution of North Carolina, hosting eclectic exhibits, community events, TEDtalks, performing arts, classic films, and live music. This is the highest town in elevation in all of the east. 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. 2 Marion at No. At, For a relatively small town, there are some fantastic restaurants in Waynesville, North Carolina. About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Its easy to spend a week here at a coxy Asheville cabin and never get bored! Cashiers is the gateway to Bear Lake Reserve. 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. Named for its likeness to the Swiss Alps, the Switzerland Inn is a century-old resort catering to this concept. The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. The relatively low elevation, 1,991 feet, means it's warmer here in spring, which can be a real advantage. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! The Dry Falls are the claim to fame of the Highlands, a stunning waterfall you can walk behind and stay completely dry. text-decoration: underline Set on the edge of the Yadkin Valley, there are also an array of award-winning wineries nearby. Surrounded by rolling hills, it has many hikes for sweeping sights, such as the Nantahala Gorge. 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. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. One of the top summer attractions for families is Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo, a large amusement park with rides and animals. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll find main streets lined with historic buildings, restaurants, family-owned stores and trendy shops. Beyond ski season, we love hanging out in this town. All of these mountain towns in NC possess something unique, which is why we cant choose our favorite. } While much of the Blue Ridge Parkway closes during inclement winter weather, Otter Falls near Boone is a beautiful hike, especially if theres snow down there! This vacation destination is located on the eastern edge of the Plateau region near Sapphire Valley. ), How to See Elk River Falls (Trail and Safety Tips), 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina, The Asheville Art Museum (How to Visit + 7 Great Things to Do), Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More! .right-sidebar .content-area { Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum! At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. Lake Glenville is a very popular summer vacation spot with several vacation homes available in Glenville and in the nearby Cashiers and Highlands communities. 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Carolina, 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Charlotte, NC, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wilmington, NC, 12 Top-Rated Mountain Resorts in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina, 10 Top-Rated Campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC, 11 Top-Rated Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina, 17 Top Cheap Ski Holidays in North America, 2023, 14 Top-Rated Small Towns in North Carolina, 3 Top Places for Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina, 11 Top-Rated Romantic Getaways in North Carolina, 12 Top-Rated Waterfalls in North Carolina, North Carolina in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 5 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in North Carolina, 2023, 11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Bay City, MI, 16 Top-Rated Things to Do in Brattleboro, VT, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, Photo Source: Burnsville and Yancey County Tourism, North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls, Top Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina. 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. Banner Elk Avery County NC Official Website And while private, the close proximity to explore other North Carolina mountain towns is a plus. 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. Rolling hills surround the town, and the Tuckasegee River runs through the middle. 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. Read More: The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville. Of course, they can serve as the perfect base for some of the best hiking trails and the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. Read More: How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails. 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. 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! You'll find the Great Smoky Mountains on the Eastern side of Tennessee. Davidson. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Mitchell. "version": "7.4.0", Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. } 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. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} .inside-article{ #1 Best Places to Live in North Carolina Morrisville Suburb of Raleigh, NC 79 reviews Niche User: Morrisville is one of my favorite cities in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. 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. Enjoy beautiful vistas at The Switzerland Inn and hike to Grassy Creek Falls while youre there. Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. They have a tiny population of residents but a vast number of visitors each year. The top of Lookout Mountain is just a 15-minute drive from downtown. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina mountain towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. It's no wonder Asheville is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 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. Walk Score: 36/100. Taylor. Sylva is a picturesque small town with a population of around 2500, and it's one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Many people come to this waterfall every year as the trail is an almost entirely flat gravel road. This article may contain affiliate links. It is no wonder that Brevard is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns.Felon In Possession Of A Firearm Federal Sentencing,
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