Read More: How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails. Downtown, youll find vintage motels, lots of motorcyclists, and the best pancakes of your life at Joeys Pancake House! .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} Davidson. There is a happening scene of Boone breweries and Boone bistros to indulge in and an overarching focus on sustainability. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world-class facility for horse racing and riding. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Lovely homes line the slopes overlooking ravines, making this one of the prettiest towns in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many of the most popular public access points, including Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Access Area, are a short drive from Banner Elk. .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} Similar lists have been published by other websites, including this one that also includes Boone, Brevard, and Morganton. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. Read More: 20 Excellent Things to Do in Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary (and Nearby!). A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. One of the town's major annual events is the Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival, held over a 10-day stretch in July. Meanwhile, well continue exploring all that these quaint towns have to offer, from fantastic restaurants to mountain hikes to local artist communities! One of the best small towns near Asheville - well, technically a village with a population under 3,400 people as of 2020 - Flat Rock is home to history, apples, and hiking. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. This town nestled amongst the foothills is rich in history and architecture. Climb to the top of Chimney Rock or stroll over the Rocky Broad River through the blooming flora of Flowering Bridge. Head here for one of the most romantic weekends in North Carolina. 9. Charlotte is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for a few reasons. 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 Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival. Read More: 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways). 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.. Linville Falls and High Shoal Falls are both close by and worth a visit. Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Below are the best North Carolina mountain towns for your next gorgeous getaway. fbq('init', '754829038551418', {}, { Alabama's quintessential mountain town is Mentone, which is set atop Lookout Mountain and filled with charming spots, including the Wildflower Caf, Mentone Log Cabin Village, and Mentone Arts and Cultural Center. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value. This is a haven for hikers to set off on the trails of either Gorges State Park or in a portion of the Panthertown Valley. Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. 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. Show Transcript. People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Table Rock Mountain is one of the best hikes around. From old standbys such as Aspen and Stowe to a few spots you've probably never even heard of (what's up, Hamburg? The busy Main Street is lined with covered sidewalks, and is an ideal place for a bit of retail therapy. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. Great place to visit! There are several opportunities for guests to learn about the history and culture of the tribe. The town of Cashiers is centrally located in the Plateau region and attracts thousands of visitors between May to October each year. Its largely known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, with those spirits practically married to our mountains (along with stock car racing). At 90-feet high, Pearsons Falls is an exciting natural attraction. Taylor. Awesome to hear, Donna, and thanks for sharing your favorite with us! Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events). Flat Rock. @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { 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. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Saluda is a popular spot for rafting and tubing along the Green River. Home of the Davidson College Wildcats, Lake Norman, and great prices on real estate, the #3 best place to live in North Carolina, Davidson, is one of the Tar Heel State's best kept secrets. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, Regardless of your religious views, Fields of the Wood (a massive representation of the 10 Commandments) is an interesting place to visit. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a great vibe. Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes. Greenville, South Carolina From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. .ai-viewport-2 { display: none !important;} But it's far from the only one. Fly fishing is a popular thing to do in Sylva. The main street is designed with tourists in mind, and is lined with cute shops, galleries, and covered walkways. 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.. Right down the road from Maggie Valley is Lake Junaluska, a lovely community with a trail that takes you around its namesake lake. It is no wonder that Brevard is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns. 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. Take a horseback ride at Shady Grove Dude Ranch, see DeSoto Falls, and book a cabin rental to take in the mountain air. Asheville is a city thats well known across the country for its charismatic charm, fantastic breweries, grand estate, proximity to waterfalls, and delicious restaurants. About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. Its downtown is packed with shops and restaurants galore (Old World Baking Company for starters), but theres also some outdoor fun to find here. Youll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town. Maggie Valley is a true tourist town just over 30 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with all kinds of accommodation, including campgrounds, and a number of things to do. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Waynesville. The most recent of a long list of awards was Community of the Year by the Asheville Builders Association (ABA). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. Homes: $549K - $3.5M Lots: $69K - $450K. Hi Marguerite, the goats are at the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock. Home to East Carolina University, it's no surprise that apartments in Greenville are more affordable than in many larger, more professionally-focused cities. 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. Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. } Black Mountain. In fact, the town is home to the only fly fishing trail in the United States. .sidebar a { The Valdese Recreation Department oversees five parks in the area but we think you must visit McGalliard Falls. The annual Rhododendron Festival is what brings many visitors to this town today. 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. Emerald Outback has plenty of trails to trek through dense old-growth forests, lush fields, and babbling mountain brooks in the warmer months. Lake Louise Park and Main Street Nature Park are beautiful spaces to explore and enjoy the local wilderness here. Beyond ski season, we love hanging out in this town. Asheville is a popular retirement spot, and over a quarter of the population is age 60 or older . 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. The attraction to Highlands is the ability to get outdoors on area trails, browse the Highlands Historic Village, or just explore downtown. Thank you, Lori! To ease your search, weve organized these NC mountain towns in alphabetical order. Sylva is a special little destination of the North Carolina mountain towns that makes for a romantic trip in the state. 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. Properties are provided courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS. The Trail of Faith explores this heritage through a collection of preserved monuments and buildings. ), 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways), Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views! There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. 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. 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. Nearby is Grandfather Mountain with its suspension bridge. The thriving healthcare sector will give you access to all the medical resources you might need. Among its many quirky independent storefronts, its downtown is lousy with independent and adorable book stores. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { .inside-footer-widgets a { Check out the shops filled with local crafts and popular tourist attractions like Harrahs Casino. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville.