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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. We mentioned Valdese earlier and thought you should know about this truly interesting place. 2 Marion at No. A perfect getaway in an idyllic private setting welcomes all to the tranquil Lake Toxaway. 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. A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by. Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum! At 90-feet high, Pearsons Falls is an exciting natural attraction. Its known for its iconic courthouse; an ascent to the entrance often offers an excellent photo op of the picturesque surroundings. Dont forget to visit our favorite waterfalls in Cherokee: Mingo Falls and nearby Soco Falls. Banner Elk is a very interesting town with quaint little stores, wineries, and restaurants! } The Diamondback (NC-226) is also a popular road for tourists and motorcyclists alike, famed for its incredible views. 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. For example, here are some facts about Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains: Population: 10,770. 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. Read More: National Parks Sites in North Carolina. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. Several Western NC towns made the list, including Fletcher (#3), Woodfin (#12), and Black Mountain (#20). We definitely recommend stopping at Whiteside Brewing for a pint and a burger (or wings!). 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 can view Fontana Lake in Graham County, too, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular. fbq('init', '754829038551418', {}, { After a day of taking in the sights, stroll downtown Highlands along Main Street to discover a number of boutiques, specialty shops and make reservations at any of the fine dining options in this mountain town. It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. 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. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Surrounded by rolling hills, it has many hikes for sweeping sights, such as the Nantahala Gorge. A massive aquarium, a mountain coaster and. 4 Roxboro 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. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. Set on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, its a tiny treasure trove for local art, as this community lives and breathes creativity. Trails are abundant for hiking and mountain biking to take in the scenic landscape. Davidson. Brevard has a pleasant feel about it. Thank you, Lori! You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. Live like a local and experience a leisurely day of exploration. } 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 most recent of a long list of awards was Community of the Year by the Asheville Builders Association (ABA). Is there anything more magical than a lakeside mountain town in NC?! 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. You can easily immerse yourself in local art, browse unique shops, and dig into each places amazing food scene. 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. The town hosts a number of signature events, including the Mt. Banner Elk. ), 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! Next on our list of the best cities to live in North Carolina is the Inner Banks community of Greenville. Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. .generate-back-to-top:visited { The last one is an amazing introduction to the latter state park. 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 Ramping up the adventure and excitement levels near Banner Elk is the new Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, one of only 20 coasters of this design in the United States. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. 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 As such, it offers an amazing assortment of natural feats to discover. 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. .archive .content-area a { The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. There's only one "big" city within an hour of the coast and that's Wilmington, with a pop of about 200,000 in New Hanover County, or 260,000+ in the Wilmington MSA.All the beach towns rely on a tourist-driven economy. 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. The main street is designed with tourists in mind, and is lined with cute shops, galleries, and covered walkways. #1 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA For a mountain getaway the whole family will enjoy, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is an ideal destination. Known as the moonshine capital of the world, this foothills haven is spirited in more ways than one. Take a horseback ride at Shady Grove Dude Ranch, see DeSoto Falls, and book a cabin rental to take in the mountain air. The Museum of NC Handicrafts offers distinctive displays of work by a range of North Carolina artists. Join me to explore 5 NC Mountain Towns that you MUST visit! Read More: The North Carolina Bucket List. 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. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Morganton. 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). The attraction to Highlands is the ability to get outdoors on area trails, browse the Highlands Historic Village, or just explore downtown. $( document.body ).append( '' ); } There are three breweries making some of the finest mountain drafts around. 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. Its also home to one of the coolest distilleries in the state, Oak & Grist. 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. min-width: 310px; Valdese was settled by 19th-century Waldensians from Italy, giving it a unique identity apart from its neighbors. 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. 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. Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. Youll enjoy walking on its brick sidewalks while admiring the towns historic buildings. The downtown is chock full of charming shops, restaurants, and Brevard breweries. Originally settled in the 1850's as a health resort, Asheville has an interesting history- in the late 1800 . Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. WRITER: WNC Staff PHOTOGRAPHER: WNC Staff ILLUSTRATOR: WNC Staff Written by Jonathan Ammons, Jon Elliston, Tim W. Jackson, Randy Johnson & Melissa Reardon Sometimes, smaller is better. Waynesville is the largest town in its county and is a hopping spot to host any mountain traveler. 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. Appalachian Ski Resort is just minutes away and is a top destination for snowboarders and young skiers. All of these mountain towns in NC possess something unique, which is why we cant choose our favorite. Retail shops and restaurants can be found on Sylva's Main Street. Its largely known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, with those spirits practically married to our mountains (along with stock car racing). The first town on this list isn't a town at all; rather, it's an unincorporated area in the Wilmington Metropolitan area. 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. "agent": "woocommerce-7.4.0-3.0.12" 7. 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. Flat Rock. Just outside of the Great Smoky National Park sits the home of the eastern band of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Median household income: $40,875. Just above Murphy and Cherokee County along the western edge of NC is Graham County, home to Robbinsville. Its located at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River, making it a great jumping off point for some excursions into nature. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! These two streets are also home to numerous shops and restaurants. Beautiful Boone, North Carolina, is easily one of the most popular NC mountain towns to visit. Check out Toe River Arts, the Design Gallery, and the Quilt Block Trails. Below are the best North Carolina mountain towns for your next gorgeous getaway. The compact downtown is replete with restored old brick buildings housing interesting restaurants, art shops, and stores. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. All this wonderful scenery might be a reason why many movies, including The Fugitive and Nell, were filmed in the area. Loved Black Mountain! They have a tiny population of residents but a vast number of visitors each year. There are so many outdoor options in West Jeffersons surroundings, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, the New River (ironically one of the oldest rivers), and Mount Jefferson. 5 Pinehurst at No. Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other. text-decoration: none One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. 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. This small and gorgeous mountain town in North Carolina is a haven for food, culture, and outdoor adventure, and of course, for those seeking a laid-back mountain life that's not far from awesome attractions. Mitchell Craft Fair, adding to their creative haven atmosphere. It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! If youre a literary lover, Sylva is a great getaway. The Dry Falls are the claim to fame of the Highlands, a stunning waterfall you can walk behind and stay completely dry. 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.