Table Rock Mountain is one of the best hikes around. The shores of Lake Toxaway are known for beautiful properties which date back to the turn of the century when industry giants such as the Fords, Edisons and Rockefellers vacationed here. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina, Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed), 50+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (Downtown, Biltmore, and More! Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. 4 Roxboro at No. Tryon Fine Arts Center is a cultural institution of North Carolina, hosting eclectic exhibits, community events, TEDtalks, performing arts, classic films, and live music. Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain towns Banner Elk. Just outside the town, you can find the famous Grandfather Mountain and its Mile High Swinging Bridge. 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. We're always looking for hidden gems here in the Tarheel State, and we'd love to hear from you. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. The last one is an amazing introduction to the latter state park. There are several ski resorts here if youre looking to hit the slopes and fantastic beer at Beech Mountain Resort. Access to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing or just spending a day out on the boat is what most love about Lake Glenville. Read More: How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! Pearsons Falls is also nearby. Theres a bit of a dispute that we wont get into, but Old Forts Gold Festival typically kicks off each June. Just outside of Hendersonville is the North Carolina mountain town of Flat Rock. Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. 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. The lake, actually a reservoir near Cashiers, is home to a number of sought after fish like Largemouth Bass and Rainbow Trout. My favorite is Spruce Pine that is my home town but I also love Maggie Valley Boone and Cherokee. You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. The Dry Falls are the claim to fame of the Highlands, a stunning waterfall you can walk behind and stay completely dry. shaka wear graphic tees is candy digital publicly traded ellen lawson wife of ted lawson best places to live in south carolina mountains 25 Feb/23 (No Ratings Yet) This is an isolated outpost at a high elevation and a hidden gem of the high country. Next on our list of the best cities to live in North Carolina is the Inner Banks community of Greenville. 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. Hampstead NC. 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. /***Mediavine Sidebar Fix***/ Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. If you decide to walk up the 107 stairs to the courthouse, you'll be rewarded by panoramic views over the downtown and surrounding countryside, including the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our NC travel map will help you visually plan, in case youre ready to start exploring! "version": "7.4.0", 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Carolina, 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Charlotte, NC, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wilmington, NC, 12 Top-Rated Mountain Resorts in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina, 10 Top-Rated Campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC, 11 Top-Rated Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina, 17 Top Cheap Ski Holidays in North America, 2023, 14 Top-Rated Small Towns in North Carolina, 3 Top Places for Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina, 11 Top-Rated Romantic Getaways in North Carolina, 12 Top-Rated Waterfalls in North Carolina, North Carolina in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 5 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in North Carolina, 2023, 11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Bay City, MI, 16 Top-Rated Things to Do in Brattleboro, VT, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, Photo Source: Burnsville and Yancey County Tourism, North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls, Top Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina. 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. These studios open twice a year for Weaverville Art Safari, for which art lovers and makers alike travel from all over to be a part of. Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. Mica Gallery is one of a few spaces that showcase local artists from here and surrounding counties. The busy Main Street is lined with covered sidewalks, and is an ideal place for a bit of retail therapy. This town nestled amongst the foothills is rich in history and architecture. Notably, Flat Rock also has the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, the famed Pulitzer Prize authors home. My favorite mountain town is Banner Elk. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Have you ever seen Bigfoot? Each town has its own vibe and many unique outdoorsy things to do. North Carolina is bracing for severe weather headed our way. You can easily immerse yourself in local art, browse unique shops, and dig into each places amazing food scene. Youll also enjoy walking around and stepping into local shops, art studios, and more here. As a former railroad outpost, the towns historic charm offers a vintage vibe, enhanced by establishments such as Paces General Store, the oldest grocery store in the state. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! The Best of North Carolina: Still in the planning stage of your next vacation? Dillsboro is one of the coolest mountain towns to discover. The Murphy River Walk is an idyllic stroll around the scenic town. 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. For more ideas, see our list of the Top Attractions in North Carolina. 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. Each year, they hold several celebrated events, like the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival and the Mt. Back to Wilkesboro, of course, which is love for so many things but above all, the iconic Merlefest. Its main attractions, including the darling historic downtown, the . Located in western North Carolina on what is known as the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the Nantahala National Forest, Highlands has been called "the Aspen of the East.". People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. } Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville. ), 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). Well, youll need to answer that question when you visit Marion and their annual Bigfoot Festival! $( document.body ).append( '' ); text-decoration: none Highlands, North Carolina. The Diamondback (NC-226) is also a popular road for tourists and motorcyclists alike, famed for its incredible views. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Blowing Rock. Park the car and wander through small shops, discover local cuisine, and enjoy the fresh mountain air, or take a drive through the spectacular scenery to find waterfalls, lookouts, and hiking trails. This area is also home to the Toe River, a popular place for trout fishing, and artists of all types who have taken up residence in this region. } 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. Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. Spruce Pine is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of fun to explore. 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 . As many of the stately properties in this mountain area also enjoy stunning waterfront views, its the best of both worlds to be surrounded by the natural beauty. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. Enjoy Wake Forest's many restaurants, museums, galleries, concerts, and more. The Tuskegee River runs right through town, offering ample opportunity for tubing, rafting, and paddleboarding. 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. The Ramble Biltmore Forest, Asheville. } And while private, the close proximity to explore other North Carolina mountain towns is a plus. One of the top things to do in the summer is to catch the long running outdoor drama, Horn in the West. Cameron grew up in Charlotte and spent his childhood traveling around this great region. 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. } 7. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. Trails are abundant for hiking and mountain biking to take in the scenic landscape. Wilmington was also founded in the first half of the 18th century by colonists, so it has a number of historical buildings. Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. Davidson. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). ), these are the best mountain towns in America. text-decoration: none document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. 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. If you are looking for easy access to the Smoky Mountains, it doesn't . The 40-foot falls await after a short walk from the parking lot. Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other.