The Diamondback (NC-226) is also a popular road for tourists and motorcyclists alike, famed for its incredible views. Mica Gallery is one of a few spaces that showcase local artists from here and surrounding counties. Beaufort County COUNTY POPULATION: 46,994 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 24.6% Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. Asheville, NC Bend, OR Boise, ID Denver, CO Flagstaff, AZ Salt Lake City, UT South Lake Tahoe, CA Tacoma, WA Asheville, NC Photo via @jared_kay Population: 87,531 Home Price: $212,000 median purchase price; $910 median monthly rent Crime Rate: Safer than 3% of U.S. cities Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. Linville Falls and High Shoal Falls are both close by and worth a visit. The 3,800-acre development has nearly half the land set aside in conservation areas including lakes, waterfalls, woodlands and hiking trails. 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. ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). A little over an hour west of Asheville, Bryson City calls itself the gateway to the Smokey Mountains, and is, in fact, a great option for travelers looking to visit the park. Facebook. Jump Off Rock is a great scenic overlook that sits in Laurel Park, 15 minutes outside of downtown Hendersonville. 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. 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. Wilmington is one of the best places to live in North Carolina near the beach as it is more affordable than the Outer Banks, which is the state's most popular coastal vacation spot. 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) Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. ), but theres just something extra special about those found in and around our North Carolina mountains. Saluda is a popular spot for rafting and tubing along the Green River. North Conway might be best known as a ski townand that's a legitimate distinction with Cranmore Mountain Resort 's steeps and glades just a mile from . Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. You'll find everything from t-shirt shops to ski outfitters and restaurants here. $( document.body ).append( '' ); Loved Black Mountain! Accommodation: Where to Stay in Maggie Valley. Mitchell. In winter, Blowing Rock can be a nice place to base yourself if you are skiing at nearby Appalachian Ski Mountain just a few minutes away. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina mountain towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. Median age: 44.7. Appalachian Ski Resort is just minutes away and is a top destination for snowboarders and young skiers. If youre a literary lover, Sylva is a great getaway. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. #1 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA For a mountain getaway the whole family will enjoy, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is an ideal destination. 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. Cashiers is in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest and provides a front row view to the spectacular annual fall foliage. Its original town limits are now a historic district where tourists can visit historical homes. The top of Lookout Mountain is just a 15-minute drive from downtown. We love the Carolinas and think they are one of the most special areas in the world. Its main attractions, including the darling historic downtown, the . There are many magnificent properties to select as a summer vacation home or a cozy winter getaway for the holidays to relax and recharge. Beautiful Boone, North Carolina, is easily one of the most popular NC mountain towns to visit. Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. Each of our North Carolina mountain towns has its own personality and charm, offering an authentic Appalachian experience unlike any other. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Grandfather Vineyard is one of many nice spots along the water. // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our Relocation Director, Karen Danner, who can assist you with every detail of your move to North Carolina. Just a few miles from Sylva (see below) is Dillsboro, an artist community that is one of the coolest North Carolina mountain towns. My favorite is Spruce Pine that is my home town but I also love Maggie Valley Boone and Cherokee. 9. Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. There are a few hiking trails there, too, which are among the best in the area. Beyond the downtown, you will find lovely homes and streets with manicured yards and views in all directions. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular. That scenic route is another reason we rank Highlands among the best mountain towns in NC! Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. ), downtown Brevard is charming and boasts the best toy store in North Carolina, O.P. The Ashe County Cheese factory and store are two great places to visit in West Jefferson, one of the cutest mountain towns in NC! Listing information last updated on March 4th, 2023 at 4:24am EST. Residents enjoy natural settings with a wellness center with a pool and tennis court, parks, playgrounds, trails, outdoor/indoor gathering spaces for community . Due to Henderson Countys high concentration of orchards, the area offers some of the best apples for picking in North Carolina. Lake Glenville is a very popular summer vacation spot with several vacation homes available in Glenville and in the nearby Cashiers and Highlands communities. The busy Main Street is lined with covered sidewalks, and is an ideal place for a bit of retail therapy. Home - North Carolina - NC Mountains - 32 BEST North Carolina Mountain Towns. Don't miss a chance to see spectacular Dry Falls, about 10 minutes from town, where you can walk behind a curtain of water pouring off an overhanging ledge. Valdese was settled by 19th-century Waldensians from Italy, giving it a unique identity apart from its neighbors. This classic mountain town is only 45 minutes from Asheville and is located right along Pisgah National Forest. Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. It has just enough diversity within its quaint downtown to attract plenty of visitors, from eclectic eateries to art studios to specialty shops. This stunning area is home to nearly 520,000 acres of forested mountains. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. Brevard has a pleasant feel about it. Youll also enjoy walking around and stepping into local shops, art studios, and more here. Check out the shops filled with local crafts and popular tourist attractions like Harrahs Casino. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bryson City. The heart of the area is the quaint town square. Take a horseback ride at Shady Grove Dude Ranch, see DeSoto Falls, and book a cabin rental to take in the mountain air. My favorite is Flat Rock because I am a resident. padding-left: 10px; The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. 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. If you want to spend a night up in this area, have a look at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, an incredible European-style, luxury hotel in the heart of downtown. Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. 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. The sparkling North Carolina lake of the same name is the main draw for this mountain town. padding-right: 10px; Read More: 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways). The Wilkes Art Gallery is one of many reasons to visit NW, along with a variety of events happening throughout each year there. Have you ever seen Bigfoot? Even though it's primarily known for movie-like beaches, California is also a great mountain destination. Views over the rolling mountains are spectacular, and some of the best in the area. Come explore the best mountain towns in NC! If you are looking for easy access to the Smoky Mountains, it doesn't . Its also home to one of the coolest distilleries in the state, Oak & Grist. Sylva is a special little destination of the North Carolina mountain towns that makes for a romantic trip in the state. Some are more touristy than others, but none of the NC beaches are as touristy as Myrtle Beach, SC.I like Beaufort, but it's not right on the beach. Just outside of the Great Smoky National Park sits the home of the eastern band of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. ), Maggie Valley draws tons of tourists each year. They have a tiny population of residents but a vast number of visitors each year. You'll also find a fine assortment of restaurants, many with outdoor patios. Blowing Rock's downtown has the look and feel of a true mountain town, with a mix of restored historic buildings and modern structures designed to fit in with the town's village atmosphere. Ranging in size and shape, North Carolina mountain towns come packed with unique attractions and wait with warm, welcoming smiles. New River Brewing is one of a few great places to grab some food and a beer. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina small towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. This is the highest town in elevation in all of the east. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll find main streets lined with historic buildings, restaurants, family-owned stores and trendy shops. We welcome you to the North Carolina mountains; we know youll just love it here! Youll enjoy walking on its brick sidewalks while admiring the towns historic buildings. Sylva is a picturesque small town with a population of around 2500, and it's one of the best places to live in North Carolina. 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. The annual Rhododendron Festival is what brings many visitors to this town today. A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by. We also love that town and cant wait to go back:). Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. 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. Boone is a no-brainer when it comes to top mountain towns in North Carolina, as this lively university town is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Just outside of Hendersonville is the North Carolina mountain town of Flat Rock. Beyond ski season, we love hanging out in this town. Get the latest Severe Weather Alerts. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. They hold the renowned Steeplechase each Spring. Brevard is frequently ranked as one of the best small towns in WNC, and it's for good reason. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your travel around the Carolinas. My favorite is Waynesville because I live there. Feel free to browse the available properties on our website and contact us if you see something you love. The 40-foot falls await after a short walk from the parking lot. 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. .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} /***Underline Links***/ Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville. .archive .content-area a { 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. This famous performance, running each summer since 1952, tells the story of Daniel Boone's adventures in the local area. Read More: 20 Excellent Things to Do in Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary (and Nearby!). } With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. If you brought kids, theyll want to check out the fire engine outside! } Brevard is ideally situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, close to some of North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Cities are fun but sometimes it's nice to swap the busy roads for the peaceful streets of a small mountain town. Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. height: 100%; Many people come to this waterfall every year as the trail is an almost entirely flat gravel road. .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } As such, it offers an amazing assortment of natural feats to discover. There are also some amazing hikes and waterfalls near Cashiers, including Silver Run Falls and the Panthertown Valley Trail that leads to Schoolhouse Falls. Show Transcript. Can some one tell me where the goats are in the Flat Rock picture?