Flat Rock is also where you can find one of the most popular places for apple picking in North Carolina, Sky Top Orchard. 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. It is no wonder that Brevard is one of the best 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. 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. Meanwhile, well continue exploring all that these quaint towns have to offer, from fantastic restaurants to mountain hikes to local artist communities! Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! 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. Whether Cashiers is the ideal location or an elegant private estate on the shores of Lake Toxaway beacons, contact any of our Landmark real estate brokers to help you explore the area and find your next North Carolina dream home. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; The national park on the Tennessee and North Carolina border is the most popular in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing. .generate-back-to-top, Old Fort. There are many magnificent properties to select as a summer vacation home or a cozy winter getaway for the holidays to relax and recharge. } Its main attractions, including the darling historic downtown, the . But, with only 12,920 full time residents, there aren't a lot of people to get the word out. The Lovers Leap Trail offers sweeping views over the entire town. Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum! .generate-back-to-top:visited { ), The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville, 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes! The lake, actually a reservoir near Cashiers, is home to a number of sought after fish like Largemouth Bass and Rainbow Trout. Stay at the historic Green Park Inn or luxurious Chetola Resort, but make sure you stop by the oldest attraction in North CarolinaThe Blowing Rock. Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. 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. We enjoyed renting a cabin house with our grandson & children, the young children walking in the New River & my husband & I kayking. Dillsboro is one of the coolest mountain towns to discover. Some small towns are lucky enough to be tucked into the mountains where people can explore on foot, bike and skis all with hardly another person in sight. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. Home to less than 500 people, Bakersville was founded to mine its wealth of mica deposits. Once a mining hub has now become a top vacation destination as part of the Plateau region of western North Carolina. Its known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains. The thriving healthcare sector will give you access to all the medical resources you might need. This tiny North Carolina mountain town is a hidden gem of the high country. Named for its likeness to the Swiss Alps, the Switzerland Inn is a century-old resort catering to this concept. Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). Read More: The Asheville Art Museum (How to Visit + 7 Great Things to Do). If you want to look like a local, hit up the popular watering hole, the Daily Grind & Wine. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. 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. Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!). Stop into Myras 1950s style diner for a taste of the good old days. Just outside of the Great Smoky National Park sits the home of the eastern band of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. The downtown is chock full of charming shops, restaurants, and Brevard breweries. Jump Off Rock is a great scenic overlook that sits in Laurel Park, 15 minutes outside of downtown Hendersonville. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Morganton. Filled with shops, boutiques, and the beautiful Village Green, there is always something to explore in this lovely town. Home to the Woolly Worm Festival in October, we can't get enough of this town, the amazing restaurants and shops here, and its gorgeous surroundings. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular. Its known for its iconic courthouse; an ascent to the entrance often offers an excellent photo op of the picturesque surroundings. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. 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. 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. Facebook. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); One of the top things to do in the summer is to catch the long running outdoor drama, Horn in the West. 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 You'll also find a fine assortment of restaurants, many with outdoor patios. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. This famous performance, running each summer since 1952, tells the story of Daniel Boone's adventures in the local area. My name is Ellen Pitts and I am . 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. Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. Banner Elk. Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. One of the largest North Carolina mountain towns on this list, we absolutely love all the fun things to do in Hendersonville. 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. Fly fishing is a popular thing to do in Sylva. Awesome to hear, Donna, and thanks for sharing your favorite with us! Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. It's no wonder Asheville is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to the Carolinas, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. My son moved to Asheville in 1991 so we moved up here in 2006 after Katrina in New Orleans. The population is larger than most of the area, and as such, the downtown provides plenty of quaint amenities without any of the hustle and bustle of bigger city crowds. Sylva is a special little destination of the North Carolina mountain towns that makes for a romantic trip in the state. Read More: The North Carolina Bucket List. Its charming downtown is composed of just a general store, bookstore, and restaurant. 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. Outdoor lovers can enjoy wonderful hikes and viewpoints in the surrounding Yancey County area, including those on nearby Mt. 4. We love the Carolinas and think they are one of the most special areas in the world. Bryson City is a great gateway if youre looking to explore the expansive Great Smoky Mountains. Stowe, Vt Getting There: 45 minutes from Burlington International Airport A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. We also love that town and cant wait to go back:). Its a hotspot for entertainment, with music at the Folkmoot, the acclaimed HART Theater, and Mountain Street Dances every Friday night. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). .ai-viewports {--ai: 1;} Come explore the best mountain towns in NC! ), but theres just something extra special about those found in and around our North Carolina mountains. Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. Each village brings its own delightful draws and unique allure. Catch some incredible views from Lovers Leap, a 2-mile loop with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. Banner Elk is a very interesting town with quaint little stores, wineries, and restaurants! You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Maggie Valley is also a popular stop on motorcycle routes through the mountains, and the Wheels Through Time Museum is one of the town's biggest attractions. It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. Each of our 12 Best Small Mountain Towns around Asheville has its own great Visitor's Center where you can plan your day. In 2020, we decided to share more about our home in the Carolinas. Even though it's primarily known for movie-like beaches, California is also a great mountain destination. 5. - 5/13/2022 I lived in Black Mountain for about ten years and loved it! 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. Its a setting rich with rocks and minerals, ideal for any geology buffs looking for a scenic retreat. Downtown Blowing Rock is home to adorable shops and restaurants, as well as the only urban entrance to a waterfall that weve seen in North Carolina (Glen Burney). Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. } Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. Read More: The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville. Read More About Our Journey! /***Move Back to Top Button***/ Fans of fly fishing may have already heard of Sylva. Its an ideal setting for any wild wanderings in the local landscape. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Bryson City is well-known for hiking and river recreation. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. If you prefer to spend your day being pampered, there are some excellent spas in the area. Take a horseback ride at Shady Grove Dude Ranch, see DeSoto Falls, and book a cabin rental to take in the mountain air. Burnsville is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns for exploring the outdoors. You can view Fontana Lake in Graham County, too, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. Of course, they can serve as the perfect base for some of the best hiking trails and the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. Its downtown is home to nice shops, a cozy atmosphere, and great restaurants. You can turn in a circle to see the mountains. Written by Lana Law Updated Jun 23, 2021We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). 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! But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. There are many opportunities for phenomenal hikes, waterfalls, climbing, watersports, and winter sports to engage in here. You might say its a Foothills or Piedmont town, but well argue otherwise. A massive aquarium, a mountain coaster and. This is an isolated outpost at a high elevation and a hidden gem of the high country. We definitely recommend stopping at Whiteside Brewing for a pint and a burger (or wings!). If youre looking to explore the many waterfalls near Brevard, we recommend starting with Looking Glass Falls. Thanks for commenting. As such, it offers an amazing assortment of natural feats to discover. Access to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing or just spending a day out on the boat is what most love about Lake Glenville. 14. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. The sparkling North Carolina lake of the same name is the main draw for this mountain town. I hope Waynesville stays relatively small in comparison to Asheville which is getting very crowded. text-decoration: none Accommodation: Where to Stay in Banner Elk. A perfect getaway in an idyllic private setting welcomes all to the tranquil Lake Toxaway. Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. . Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. The Tuskegee River runs right through town, offering ample opportunity for tubing, rafting, and paddleboarding. The attraction to Highlands is the ability to get outdoors on area trails, browse the Highlands Historic Village, or just explore downtown. Bryson City The gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson city is one of the best NC mountain towns! North Carolina is bracing for severe weather headed our way. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, 4 Roxboro at No. Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! } Our love story begins in Wilmington, where we met while attending UNCW. 5. I would never live anywhere else again. Just above Murphy and Cherokee County along the western edge of NC is Graham County, home to Robbinsville. Due to Henderson Countys high concentration of orchards, the area offers some of the best apples for picking in North Carolina. Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville. Bridal Veil Falls, which is between Highlands and Dry Falls, offers North Carolinas only drive behind the waterfall. Frostys in Ashe County is one of our favorite Christmas tree farms in North Carolina. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} At over 5,000 feet above sea level, you can expect some of the most breathtaking views from this mountain town. Do you have a favorite place you like to go or is there one that stands out among the rest?