Lake Glenville is a very popular summer vacation spot with several vacation homes available in Glenville and in the nearby Cashiers and Highlands communities. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a great vibe. Thanks for commenting. 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! Show Transcript. Cashiers is the gateway to one of our favorite NC mountain escapes, Bear Lake Reserve. Fly fishing is a popular thing to do in Sylva. Known as a culinary hot spot in the mountains of North Carolina, Banner Elk offers a charming place to simply relax, enjoy the scenery, and indulge in some fine dining. This is the best of the North Carolina mountain towns to soak all your worries away. We mentioned Lake Junaluska earlier and thought you should know that it is only 3 miles away from Waynesville. Read More: 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes!). .generate-back-to-top:visited { Accommodation: Where to Stay in Waynesville. Each of our 12 Best Small Mountain Towns around Asheville has its own great Visitor's Center where you can plan your day. The town hosts a number of signature events, including the Mt. It has just enough diversity within its quaint downtown to attract plenty of visitors, from eclectic eateries to art studios to specialty shops. This classic mountain town is only 45 minutes from Asheville and is located right along Pisgah National Forest. A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by. According to Trico Long Distance Movers, the best place to live in the mountains in the United States is Telluride in Colorado. ), 20 Excellent Things to Do in Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary (and Nearby! The compact downtown is replete with restored old brick buildings housing interesting restaurants, art shops, and stores. Meanwhile, well continue exploring all that these quaint towns have to offer, from fantastic restaurants to mountain hikes to local artist communities! Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. 2. 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. The town is also a junction for the Appalachian Trail, which winds through downtown. Cashiers is the gateway to Bear Lake Reserve. South Lake Tahoe Might Be a Good Option. ), 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! There is a draw for every season, with plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities to partake in. Near Beech Mountain skiing and Grandfather Mountain hiking. It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. Many small towns in North Carolina claim to be the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, but Bryson City has a serious argument. .generate-back-to-top, Let us know in the comments section, as always. New River Brewing is one of a few great places to grab some food and a beer. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! This mountain town in NCs Main St is lined with studios and galleries, great restaurants (including Zuma Coffee), and lovely shops. Its known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains. 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. The North Carolina mountains are renowned for offering up a charming slice of small-town life and local culture, including everything from moonshine and bluegrass music to country cooking and . As such, it offers an amazing assortment of natural feats to discover. Burnsville offers an authentic small-town experience, with a cute downtown area, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries lining the town square. Just outside the town, you can find the famous Grandfather Mountain and its Mile High Swinging Bridge. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} 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. Bryson City The gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson city is one of the best NC mountain towns! Land of Oz (held in September) is one of many great reasons to come here with its warmer outside. Brevard is frequently ranked as one of the best small towns in WNC, and it's for good reason. Nearby Sugar Mountain Ski Resort and Beech Mountain Ski Resort attract skiers from across the state and regions farther south, and many of them make their base Banner Elk. Many people come to this waterfall every year as the trail is an almost entirely flat gravel road. Here are a few of them. Grand Highlands is one of the dreamiest mountain communities in North Carolina. 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! But, with only 12,920 full time residents, there aren't a lot of people to get the word out. The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. 14. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. 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. In Flat Rock, spend your days hiking the trails, saying hello to the many goats, and touring the house before heading downtown for some beers and barbecue from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. 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. 3 Brevard at No. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. .right-sidebar .content-area { Some of North Carolina's mountain towns are highly seasonal, with major attractions open only during the summer months, but a few, particularly those near the ski resorts, lend themselves more towards winter visits. .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} padding-right: 10px !important; 2. Highlands, North Carolina. Tryon Fine Arts Center is a cultural institution of North Carolina, hosting eclectic exhibits, community events, TEDtalks, performing arts, classic films, and live music. 3. There's a lot to do here, such as hiking the famous Appalachian Trail and rafting down the Cheoah River. text-decoration: none We have been writing about travel for the last decade. Read More: Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed). Black Mountain. There are museums, an arts center, a variety of shops, and over 30 restaurants, all quite impressive for their small stature. } 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. Its one of many falls along the famed Waterfall Byway. Mitchell. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Its also home to New River Brewing for the finest craft beer and pub grub. Spruce Pine is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of fun to explore. } ); 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! Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Banner Elk. About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive). 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. 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina - Great Small Towns to Visit and Live In NC 1 Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family 2 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023 3 Early Spring Flowers Will Combat the Winter Blues 4 What Our Editors Bought and Loved in February 5 Dad Jokes To Keep the Whole Family Laughing Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina. The Dry Falls are the claim to fame of the Highlands, a stunning waterfall you can walk behind and stay completely dry. Between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors will find charming downtowns with local shops and restaurants as well as cozy inns and cabins. .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops. padding-left: 10px !important; Just a short distance off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone makes a nice place to stop for a night or an afternoon. Rolling hills surround the town, and the Tuckasegee River runs through the middle. A massive aquarium, a mountain coaster and. This wonderful (and family-friendly) music festival brings in big names each year. Best North Carolina Mountain Towns Guide Banner Elk Blowing Rock Boone Brevard Bryson City Burnsville Cherokee Franklin Hendersonville Hot Springs Morganton Murphy Sylva Weaverville West Jefferson Downtown Banner Elk NC, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett 1. The fresh air calls most outside to enjoy nature. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. Read More: The Asheville Art Museum (How to Visit + 7 Great Things to Do). Dont miss walking across the Flowering Bridge, a beautiful blooming garden that spans the Rocky Broad River. You can view Fontana Lake in Graham County, too, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. ), Chimney Rock State Park (How to Enjoy an NC Icon), 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley, 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive), 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina, How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails, Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events), Craggy Gardens: A Beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway Stop, People of NC: Merlefest Director B Townes, Mingo Falls In Cherokee NC (a Great Waterfall + Easy Hike). Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and one of our favorite small mountain towns in NC. The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is a testament to this moniker, set in a 19th-century jailhouse. This is another popular destination in winter for skiers, particularly families. Boones truly a four-season destination: they boast hiking and waterfalls in spring through fall and world-class skiing in the winter. Livability Asheville, NC Read the Magazine. 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. The most recent of a long list of awards was Community of the Year by the Asheville Builders Association (ABA). Grandfather Vineyard is one of many nice spots along the water. Its a picture-perfect pick with plenty of kitsch to go around. 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 . Loved Black Mountain! This is the best of the North Carolina mountain towns to soak all your worries away. Be sure to stop by the scenic Lake Sequoyah and of course, the many natural wonders that surround Highlands. The main street is designed with tourists in mind, and is lined with cute shops, galleries, and covered walkways. Surrounded by rolling hills, it has many hikes for sweeping sights, such as the Nantahala Gorge. 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. Browse the bustling Main Street; brick sidewalks dotted with historic homes and many storefronts ideal for a day of shopping until you drop. .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} text-decoration: none The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. If you brought kids, theyll want to check out the fire engine outside! For such a small town, the selection and quality of restaurants is impressive. Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. It is a popular tourist destination as well, so developing tourism . Banner Elk is a very interesting town with quaint little stores, wineries, and restaurants! Retail shops and restaurants can be found on Sylva's Main Street. Disclaimer: This site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Its also where you can see the spectacular Soco Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. Hot Springs is one of the most adorable North Carolina mountain communities, best known for its hot mineral springs. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Robbinsville NC. Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. Do you have a favorite place you like to go or is there one that stands out among the rest? Its original town limits are now a historic district where tourists can visit historical homes. 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. Well, youll need to answer that question when you visit Marion and their annual Bigfoot Festival! The top of Lookout Mountain is just a 15-minute drive from downtown. Its all here and Landmark Realty can help find your dream North Carolina mountain home. 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. North Carolina is bracing for severe weather headed our way. Weve created many more NC travel guides that include these mountain towns in more detail. Outdoor lovers can enjoy wonderful hikes and viewpoints in the surrounding Yancey County area, including those on nearby Mt. This area is considered to be one .