Several Western NC towns made the list, including Fletcher (#3), Woodfin (#12), and Black Mountain (#20). } Named for its likeness to the Swiss Alps, the Switzerland Inn is a century-old resort catering to this concept. 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. height: 100%; My son moved to Asheville in 1991 so we moved up here in 2006 after Katrina in New Orleans.
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. Beyond the downtown, you will find lovely homes and streets with manicured yards and views in all directions. The downtown is chock full of charming shops, restaurants, and Brevard breweries. 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).
5 Gorgeous Mountain Towns You Can Actually Afford - Livability Banner Elk Avery County NC Official Website Morganton is one of the easternmost North Carolina mountain towns well mention. Since way back, Maggie Valley has been a mountain resort and maintains its allure through vintage motels and gift shops. This family-friendly gated community in South Asheville is situated among 1000 acres of preserved forest and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway. 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. People visiting the quaint town of Sylva are advised to walk up the 107 stairs to the Jackson County Courthouse, where they will witness the panoramic views over the countryside, downtown, and the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. bottom: 80px; /* 80px from the bottom of your screen */ Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. Its known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains.
North Carolina: Live Skycams as severe weather moves in There are museums, an arts center, a variety of shops, and over 30 restaurants, all quite impressive for their small stature. .ai-viewport-3 { display: none !important;} max-width: calc(100% - 320px); We enjoyed renting a cabin house with our grandson & children, the young children walking in the New River & my husband & I kayking. 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.
13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina: - WNC Magazine The Museum of NC Handicrafts offers distinctive displays of work by a range of North Carolina artists. 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. 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. } Join me to explore 5 NC Mountain Towns that you MUST visit! Beautiful Boone, North Carolina, is easily one of the most popular NC mountain towns to visit. Every time we visit, we dream of our next home on a hillside in the High Country!
Moving to North Carolina | Living in North Carolina - Livability ), these are the best mountain towns in America. Festivals are a big deal in Highlands, especially those hosted in the fall which feature arts & crafts, the annual Halloween celebration, and the Culinary Weekend. Notably, Flat Rock also has the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, the famed Pulitzer Prize authors home. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. These two streets are also home to numerous shops and restaurants. Each village brings its own delightful draws and unique allure.
Mountain Communities | Best Places to Retire in the Mountains The Diamondback (NC-226) is also a popular road for tourists and motorcyclists alike, famed for its incredible views. Land of Oz (held in September) is one of many great reasons to come here with its warmer outside. Asheville is one of the state's most popular vacation destinations with its funky Bohemian vibe and prime location in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Historic Biltmore Estate is one of the. "source": "woocommerce", 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. Sylva is one of the most interesting and quaint NC mountain towns youll find. 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. Great place to visit! Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain townsBanner Elk. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. Let us know what piques your interest or just tell us what your dream home looks like in your vision. Its downtown is packed with shops and restaurants galore (Old World Baking Company for starters), but theres also some outdoor fun to find here. Taylor. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. But beyond the dramatic summit of Mount Mitchell, there are also waterfalls near BurnsvilleCrabtree Falls joins two near the base of Mount Mitchell (Setrock Creek Falls and Roaring Fork Falls). Among its many quirky independent storefronts, its downtown is lousy with independent and adorable book stores. In summer, you may see people fishing. Stately homes can be found along the residential streets, a few of which have been converted into romantic B&Bs. See our article on the Best Ski Resorts in North Carolina for ideas to help plan your ski vacation. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! Theres a bit of a dispute that we wont get into, but Old Forts Gold Festival typically kicks off each June. The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. ), 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! A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! The simple and slowed-down atmosphere of these magical enclaves makes for an ideal relaxing respite from the real world. The Tuskegee River runs right through town, offering ample opportunity for tubing, rafting, and paddleboarding. Did you know North Carolinas Beech Mountain is the highest town in the Eastern United States? Come in the summer to experience the cool refreshing mist of any of the breathtaking waterfalls in the area or grab some skis to hit the snow-covered slopes in the winter. Frostys in Ashe County is one of our favorite Christmas tree farms in North Carolina. It has just enough diversity within its quaint downtown to attract plenty of visitors, from eclectic eateries to art studios to specialty shops. My name is Ellen Pitts and I am .
Some describe the area like a country-club environment within a short drive of other amenities like shopping and dining. Just 15 minutes from two of the best ski resorts in North Carolina, Banner Elk is a popular winter destination. 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. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). Asheville is a city thats well known across the country for its charismatic charm, fantastic breweries, grand estate, proximity to waterfalls, and delicious restaurants. 9. ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist).
What Are the Best Mountain Towns to Raise a Family in America 10 Best Cities to Retire in North Carolina in 2023 - Retirable text-decoration: none Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. 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. The main street is designed with tourists in mind, and is lined with cute shops, galleries, and covered walkways. Spread over 78 acres but within walking distance of downtown Blowing Rock, this resort offers three lodging choices to suit everyone, from couples to families. Hike around the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA.
North Carolina Mountain Towns To Escape the Summer Heat Youll encounter galleries galore downtown, among specialty shops, fine fares, and craft beverages. Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. Walk Score: 36/100.
20 Best Places to Retire in North Carolina - Home - Sunlight Living } ); The Wilkes Art Gallery is one of many reasons to visit NW, along with a variety of events happening throughout each year there.
19 Beautiful Mountain Towns in North Carolina (For Your Next Vacation!) With Watauga River running through, its also a haven for anglers seeking out that coveted rainbow trout. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll find main streets lined with historic buildings, restaurants, family-owned stores and trendy shops. RELATED The 12 Most Charming Small Towns in South Carolina Mark Vandenberg 1.
A Short List of the Best Mountain Towns to Raise a Family These 10 Towns Are Among The Safest Cities In North Carolina Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. 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.
30+ of the Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit Now! - NC Tripping Take a horseback ride at Shady Grove Dude Ranch, see DeSoto Falls, and book a cabin rental to take in the mountain air. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Check out Toe River Arts, the Design Gallery, and the Quilt Block Trails. A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by. Anglers come from far and wide to try and catch one of the river's colorful rainbow trout. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). North Conway, New Hampshire. Livability Asheville, NC Read the Magazine. Flat Rock. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.
Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. The town itself is nice for a stroll from the county courthouse. The Dry Falls are the claim to fame of the Highlands, a stunning waterfall you can walk behind and stay completely dry. A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. Today, Cashiers is home to only a few hundred full-time residents but is a much sought out vacation destination. 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. Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! What about you, though? Murphy is loaded with natural wonders, with mountains, lakes, and rivers all around it, and is one of the best mountain towns in North Carolina. About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. If youre looking to explore the many waterfalls near Brevard, we recommend starting with Looking Glass Falls. 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. Here are some ideas to point you in the right direction. The ride down is thrilling, with the two-seater sleds hitting top speeds of 27 miles per hour as they twist and turn down the nearly 2,400-foot run. All of these mountain towns in NC possess something unique, which is why we cant choose our favorite. 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. 5. Grand Highlands is one of the dreamiest mountain communities in North Carolina. Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. 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. Brevard is ideally situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, close to some of North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls. Ashe County might sound familiar if you like yummy cheese. 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 At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is home to awesome views but also, some pretty great ski resorts. .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} Old Fort.