New River Brewing is one of a few great places to grab some food and a beer. Dont miss walking across the Flowering Bridge, a beautiful blooming garden that spans the Rocky Broad River. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular. Each of our 12 Best Small Mountain Towns around Asheville has its own great Visitor's Center where you can plan your day. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. Hampstead NC. 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! Bald Head Island, NC 28461, USA. 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. The city is perfect for a winter getaway, thanks to milder weather, great events like Christmas at Biltmore and more! Residents enjoy natural settings with a wellness center with a pool and tennis court, parks, playgrounds, trails, outdoor/indoor gathering spaces for community . My favorite is Spruce Pine that is my home town but I also love Maggie Valley Boone and Cherokee. }, false ); 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. Summer is the real draw, when the surrounding mountains turn a blissful green and offer up a wealth of natural treasures. You can track severe weather with us by checking out these WXII . Hope you get to see them sometime! The sparkling North Carolina lake of the same name is the main draw for this mountain town. Set on the edge of the Yadkin Valley, there are also an array of award-winning wineries nearby. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! We have been writing about travel for the last decade. 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. 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. Written by Lana Law Updated Jun 23, 2021We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). } The Ashe County Cheese factory and store are two great places to visit in West Jefferson, one of the cutest mountain towns in NC! Youll encounter galleries galore downtown, among specialty shops, fine fares, and craft beverages. Annual celebrations like the Elk Fest and Hillbilly Jamboree are reason enough to visit. It's a hot spot for mountain biking, mountain climbing, hiking, and waterfall chasing. Begin with our list of the best mountain towns in North Carolina. North Conway might be best known as a ski townand that's a legitimate distinction with Cranmore Mountain Resort 's steeps and glades just a mile from . 3 Brevard at No. Waynesville is a small town in Haywood County, North Carolina known for its picturesque setting in the Great Smoky Mountains and its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your travel around the Carolinas. } ), 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! The fresh air calls most outside to enjoy nature. The Trail of Faith explores this heritage through a collection of preserved monuments and buildings. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} Often called the crown of the Blue Ridge, it boasts both the oldest tourist attraction and a current vibrant visitor scene. Read More About Our Journey! 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. Conveniently located on the lake carrying the same name, this popular location is definitely one of the best mountain towns to live in California.Surrounded by Sierra Nevada mountains, it's known for nearby ski resorts, beautiful restaurants, cozy bars, and breathtaking lake views.. 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. You can turn in a circle to see the mountains. Hot Springs is one of the most adorable North Carolina mountain communities, best known for its hot mineral springs. 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. The Dry Falls are the claim to fame of the Highlands, a stunning waterfall you can walk behind and stay completely dry. They hold the renowned Steeplechase each Spring. While in the area, dont miss out on Apple Hill Farm, an ethical and working alpaca farm! ), these are the best mountain towns in America. Median household income: $40,875. Weve created many more NC travel guides that include these mountain towns in more detail. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { 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. "source": "woocommerce", Accommodation: Where to Stay in Blowing Rock. 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. Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. It is no wonder that Brevard is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns. Burnsville is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns for exploring the outdoors. Asheville is one of the coolest mountain towns in NC and by population, its the biggest in this guide. This stunning area is home to nearly 520,000 acres of forested mountains. If you want to immerse yourself further in the scenery, take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or head over to Linville Falls, about 30 minutes away. Its easy to spend a week here at a coxy Asheville cabin and never get bored! Right next door to the happening city of Asheville, Weaverville has become its own desirable destination. The Best of North Carolina: Still in the planning stage of your next vacation? /***Mediavine Sidebar Fix***/ Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. If you are looking for easy access to the Smoky Mountains, it doesn't . If you are heading to the coast, you may want to have a read through our article on Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina. 13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina: Sometimes, smaller is better. Read More: How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails. An all-natural water slide, you can rush down this smooth rapid for a refreshing thrill ride unlike any other. Wilmington was also founded in the first half of the 18th century by colonists, so it has a number of historical buildings. Take a peek at our exclusive Asheville Region community at The Cliffs. Use it as a base for nearby hikes and waterfalls, rides on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, or just relax in luxury at Biltmore Estate or The Omni Grove Park Inn. Get the latest Severe Weather Alerts. Cream is poured on a frozen sheet and rolled up in a Thai tradition, and capped with your favorite toppings. The 3,800-acre development has nearly half the land set aside in conservation areas including lakes, waterfalls, woodlands and hiking trails. #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. Black Mountain. text-decoration: underline With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. The Murphy River Walk is an idyllic stroll around the scenic town. Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our Relocation Director, Karen Danner, who can assist you with every detail of your move to North Carolina. @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 979px) { There are many opportunities for phenomenal hikes, waterfalls, climbing, watersports, and winter sports to engage in here. Lake Louise Park and Main Street Nature Park are beautiful spaces to explore and enjoy the local wilderness here. In summer, you might want to head to the coast to experience the best beaches in North Carolina or have some fun in the Outer Banks. You can also walk to Blannahassett Island and fish or enjoy views of the French Broad River. Livability Asheville, NC Read the Magazine. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. Be sure to spot their most famous residents as well, the thriving population of White Squirrels. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} Among the top contenders is the beloved Sliding Rock. Davidson. If youre a literary lover, Sylva is a great getaway. /***Underline Links***/ It's no wonder Asheville is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); 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. You can enjoy an array of eateries, breweries, boutiques, and galleries on Main Street, and the historic buildings add an additional old-school charm. The Wilkes Art Gallery is one of many reasons to visit NW, along with a variety of events happening throughout each year there. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. 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. If you want to spend a night up in this area, have a look at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, an incredible European-style, luxury hotel in the heart of downtown. Old Fort is set at the foot of the Black Mountains and surrounded by Pisgah National Forest. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. From old standbys such as Aspen and Stowe to a few spots you've probably never even heard of (what's up, Hamburg? 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. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. Similar lists have been published by other websites, including this one that also includes Boone, Brevard, and Morganton. Visit the Old Fort Arrowhead Monument to get a peek into its interesting past. 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. 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. . If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. A little over an hour west of Asheville, Bryson City calls itself the gateway to the Smokey Mountains, and is, in fact, a great option for travelers looking to visit the park. Beyond the downtown, you will find lovely homes and streets with manicured yards and views in all directions. text-decoration: underline Among its many quirky independent storefronts, its downtown is lousy with independent and adorable book stores. Read More: Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed). Lovely homes line the slopes overlooking ravines, making this one of the prettiest towns in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This article may contain affiliate links. Of course, a very popular time of year to visit is in June, when the annual Rhododendron Festival kicks off. If you brought kids, theyll want to check out the fire engine outside! Due to Henderson Countys high concentration of orchards, the area offers some of the best apples for picking in North Carolina. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. Stacker used 2020 data from WalletHub to determine the 46 best U.S. lake towns to live in, evaluating each on six factors: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of . 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. 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. Dont forget that Burnsville is home to a great restaurant scene, which you can explore downtown and beyond! The Museum of NC Handicrafts offers distinctive displays of work by a range of North Carolina artists. Highlands, North Carolina. Table Rock Mountain is one of the best hikes around. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). } Did you know North Carolinas Beech Mountain is the highest town in the Eastern United States? Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. Trust us, we will find it here in one of our great mountain towns. There is a draw for every season, with plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities to partake in. Downtown, youll find vintage motels, lots of motorcyclists, and the best pancakes of your life at Joeys Pancake House! 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. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Sitting on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, right before the Tuckasegee River runs right, Bryson City is definitely one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns! 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. Sylva is one of the most interesting and quaint NC mountain towns youll find. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. At over 5,000 feet above sea level, you can expect some of the most breathtaking views from this mountain town. Read More: The Asheville Art Museum (How to Visit + 7 Great Things to Do). 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). Little Switzerland is a Blue Ridge Parkway NC mountain town that packs quite the punch! The last town before the Nantahala National Forest and Parks, Bryson City pops up out of nowhere in a valley between some of North Carolina's most incredible outdoor spaces and stunning waterfalls.. Come explore the best mountain towns in NC! Experience a mountain resort atmosphere in Sapphire Valley. The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. With Pendleton School of Craft nearby, theres also a thriving community for local art and handicrafts here. Blowing Rock and Boone are often talked about together because they are so closebut so different! In fact, the town is home to the only fly fishing trail in the United States. The Emerald Village complex hosts 12 mines for gem and gold panning seven days a week from spring through fall. 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. Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum! There is a happening scene of Boone breweries and Boone bistros to indulge in and an overarching focus on sustainability. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Maggie Valley. Asheville is a city thats well known across the country for its charismatic charm, fantastic breweries, grand estate, proximity to waterfalls, and delicious restaurants. You might say its a Foothills or Piedmont town, but well argue otherwise. } For more ideas, see our list of the Top Attractions in North Carolina. Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. Charlotte is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for a few reasons. Yes, Colorado boasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous: Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge , Telluride and the like. Be sure to stop by the scenic Lake Sequoyah and of course, the many natural wonders that surround Highlands. Spread over 78 acres but within walking distance of downtown Blowing Rock, this resort offers three lodging choices to suit everyone, from couples to families. The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is a testament to this moniker, set in a 19th-century jailhouse. padding-left: 10px; .generate-back-to-top, 5. A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by.