Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Views over the rolling mountains are spectacular, and some of the best in the area. Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. Robbinsville NC. Historic Biltmore Estate is one of the. 13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina: Sometimes, smaller is better. ), downtown Brevard is charming and boasts the best toy store in North Carolina, O.P. Ashe County might sound familiar if you like yummy cheese. Table Rock Mountain is one of the best hikes around. 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. Well, youll need to answer that question when you visit Marion and their annual Bigfoot Festival! And while private, the close proximity to explore other North Carolina mountain towns is a plus. 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. Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. Waynesville is the largest town in its county and is a hopping spot to host any mountain traveler. the inspiration for Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show, is a time capsule of midcentury small-town America. fbq( 'track', 'PageView', { The first town on this list isn't a town at all; rather, it's an unincorporated area in the Wilmington Metropolitan area. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. 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. Even though it's primarily known for movie-like beaches, California is also a great mountain destination. The outskirts of Highlands are known for spectacular waterfalls, but the downtown of Highlands is equally beautiful! Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. Stop into Myras 1950s style diner for a taste of the good old days. "pluginVersion": "3.0.12" bottom: 80px; /* 80px from the bottom of your screen */ Grand Highlands is one of the dreamiest mountain communities in North Carolina. .archive .content-area a { 7. Beyond chasing tall hairy creatures, Marion is situated at the base of Mount Mitchell with many waterfalls nearby, such as Linville Falls and Toms Creek Falls. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. Home to Appalachian State University, Boone is a thriving college town with plenty of High Country hikes, delicious restaurants, trailblazing breweries, and more things to do. } .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } } text-decoration: underline Climb to the top of Chimney Rock or stroll over the Rocky Broad River through the blooming flora of Flowering Bridge. Read More: 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways). Often called the crown of the Blue Ridge, it boasts both the oldest tourist attraction and a current vibrant visitor scene. You can also walk to Blannahassett Island and fish or enjoy views of the French Broad River. Outdoor lovers can enjoy wonderful hikes and viewpoints in the surrounding Yancey County area, including those on nearby Mt. Brevard is frequently ranked as one of the best small towns in WNC, and it's for good reason. Set on the edge of the Yadkin Valley, there are also an array of award-winning wineries nearby. You can tour exciting educational museums and villages and browse many locally hand-made arts and crafts. 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. 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. For a tasty and unique treat any time, stop in at the Toasted and Rolled Ice Cream and Bakery, where you can watch your custom ice-cream creation being made right in front of you. Its a hotspot for entertainment, with music at the Folkmoot, the acclaimed HART Theater, and Mountain Street Dances every Friday night. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Maggie Valley. Home - North Carolina - NC Mountains - 32 BEST North Carolina Mountain Towns. Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum! Old Fort is another of our North Carolina mountain towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. Hike around the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. So many great mountain towns to choose from! The water also calls anglers to cast their lines in a variety of streams great for fly fishing. 4. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! For example, here are some facts about Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains: Population: 10,770. This tiny North Carolina mountain town is a hidden gem of the high country. Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. Bakersville is the Mitchell County seat and one of many arts-heavy communities in the area. 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. Back to Wilkesboro, of course, which is love for so many things but above all, the iconic Merlefest. "source": "woocommerce", Trails are abundant for hiking and mountain biking to take in the scenic landscape. Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. For more ideas, see our list of the Top Attractions in North Carolina. We are captivated by the Plateaus beauty and special charm and are passionate to share it with others looking to make the area home. Youll also enjoy walking around and stepping into local shops, art studios, and more here. Its charming downtown is composed of just a general store, bookstore, and restaurant. In early September, the Morganton Festival is a huge event with big name bands, celebrations, games, and arts and crafts vendors set up in the streets. The attraction to Highlands is the ability to get outdoors on area trails, browse the Highlands Historic Village, or just explore downtown. Thanks for sharing your favorite with us, Jacquelyn! Browse the bustling Main Street; brick sidewalks dotted with historic homes and many storefronts ideal for a day of shopping until you drop. ), these are the best mountain towns in America. Can some one tell me where the goats are in the Flat Rock picture? .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} Whether you ski or not, this small town of approximately 1,000 people, is an appealing destination with a village atmosphere and plenty of reasons to visit. Just outside the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the small town of Cherokee, headquarters of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. It is a popular tourist destination as well, so developing tourism . And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value. Beautiful Boone, North Carolina, is easily one of the most popular NC mountain towns to visit. "agent": "woocommerce-7.4.0-3.0.12" A significant number of people living in Cali go to a higher altitude. The sparkling North Carolina lake of the same name is the main draw for this mountain town. 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 A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. 3 Brevard at No. 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.. You can see Table Rock Mountain, one of the most incredible hikes in the area, from downtown Morganton. 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. - 5/13/2022 I lived in Black Mountain for about ten years and loved it! The Macon County Gemboree is one of the most widely known gem shows in the entire country. Start at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. 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 // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. My son moved to Asheville in 1991 so we moved up here in 2006 after Katrina in New Orleans. Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. The Museum of NC Handicrafts offers distinctive displays of work by a range of North Carolina artists. While high in the mountains in North Carolinas western region, Lake Glenville has evolved into a paradise for anglers, especially those looking to reel in bass. 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. As a university town, the population reaches heights of around 20,000. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors. For a traditional lodge experience, stay at the Chetola Lodge looking out over Chetola Lake. Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!). For example, its right on the outskirts of Pisgah National Forest and very close to Mount Mitchell (the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi). Overall SnackAbility. Several streams high in the Nantahala National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest feed the states largest private lake. The 5 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Live In Real Estate Blog 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. Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville. This wonderful (and family-friendly) music festival brings in big names each year. On the edge of the town is Soco Falls. Summer is the real draw, when the surrounding mountains turn a blissful green and offer up a wealth of natural treasures.