This tiny North Carolina mountain town is a hidden gem of the high country. The town itself is nice for a stroll from the county courthouse. Dont forget to visit our favorite waterfalls in Cherokee: Mingo Falls and nearby Soco Falls. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). Banner Elk. Get the latest Severe Weather Alerts. And while private, the close proximity to explore other North Carolina mountain towns is a plus. 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. The compact downtown is replete with restored old brick buildings housing interesting restaurants, art shops, and stores. We enjoyed renting a cabin house with our grandson & children, the young children walking in the New River & my husband & I kayking. Access to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing or just spending a day out on the boat is what most love about Lake Glenville. } 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. Its one of many falls along the famed Waterfall Byway. There's a lot to do here, such as hiking the famous Appalachian Trail and rafting down the Cheoah River. 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. Youll enjoy walking on its brick sidewalks while admiring the towns historic buildings. The 40-foot falls await after a short walk from the parking lot. 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! Mitchell Craft Fair, adding to their creative haven atmosphere. Sylva is one of the most interesting and quaint NC mountain towns youll find. 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. Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. There are three breweries making some of the finest mountain drafts around. Ramping up the adventure and excitement levels near Banner Elk is the new Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, one of only 20 coasters of this design in the United States. Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. Today, Cashiers is home to only a few hundred full-time residents but is a much sought out vacation destination. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each of our 12 Best Small Mountain Towns around Asheville has its own great Visitor's Center where you can plan your day. A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. You'll find the Great Smoky Mountains on the Eastern side of Tennessee. Its downtown is packed with shops and restaurants galore (Old World Baking Company for starters), but theres also some outdoor fun to find here. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. @media (max-width: 767px) { Stowe, Vt Getting There: 45 minutes from Burlington International Airport 2023 Compare Cities : Black Mountain, NC vs Elizabethtown, NC This is the best of the North Carolina mountain towns to soak all your worries away. This quaint mountain village at 3,700 feet elevation has great restaurants, breweries, shops, Wildcat Lake beach, and many events including the Woolly Worm Festival in October. Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Home of the Davidson College Wildcats, Lake Norman, and great prices on real estate, the #3 best place to live in North Carolina, Davidson, is one of the Tar Heel State's best kept secrets. Homes: $549K - $3.5M Lots: $69K - $450K. 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. text-decoration: underline 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.". 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 One of our absolute favorite North Carolina mountain towns is Maggie Valley, a consistent family vacation spot. Since way back, Maggie Valley has been a mountain resort and maintains its allure through vintage motels and gift shops. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Nearby is Grandfather Mountain with its suspension bridge. 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. Known as the moonshine capital of the world, this foothills haven is spirited in more ways than one. It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors. It's famous for its' "all American" Main Street, but it offers so much more. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! The 24 Best Mountain Towns in the U.S., Ranked - Outside Online Best Places to Live in Western North Carolina: Where & Why Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our. 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. Take a peek at our exclusive Asheville Region community at The Cliffs. 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. Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. Streets here are rampant with a retro nostalgia, for a unique feel unlike anywhere else. Explore the charming downtown area on foot to discover its collection of shops, restaurants, breweries, and a famous Mast General Store that features an eclectic selection of souvenirs and candy. Its easy to spend a week here at a coxy Asheville cabin and never get bored! Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. Asheville is one of the coolest mountain towns in NC and by population, its the biggest in this guide. 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. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. 11 Top Places to Visit in the North Carolina Mountains height: 100%; Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Nights are much warmer if you are camping, and when the trees at the top of the mountains are just getting their buds, this area is lush and in full bloom. The Lovers Leap Trail offers sweeping views over the entire town. Frostys in Ashe County is one of our favorite Christmas tree farms in North Carolina. Waynesville is a small town in Haywood County, North Carolina known for its picturesque setting in the Great Smoky Mountains and its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Median household income: $40,875. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. Jump Off Rock is a great scenic overlook that sits in Laurel Park, 15 minutes outside of downtown Hendersonville. Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. .search .content-area a { Best Places to Live Near the Mountains - Extra Space Storage There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. Can some one tell me where the goats are in the Flat Rock picture? Summer is the real draw, when the surrounding mountains turn a blissful green and offer up a wealth of natural treasures. The annual Rhododendron Festival is what brings many visitors to this town today. In summer, you may see people fishing. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Home to the Woolly Worm Festival in October, we can't get enough of this town, the amazing restaurants and shops here, and its gorgeous surroundings. This famous performance, running each summer since 1952, tells the story of Daniel Boone's adventures in the local area. In 2020, we decided to share more about our home in the Carolinas. The tree-lined Main Street in the upscale downtown is filled with charming stores and tourist shops. } Its an ideal setting for any wild wanderings in the local landscape. 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 19 Beautiful Mountain Towns in North Carolina (For Your Next Vacation!) 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. Cute shops and a variety of restaurants, some with summertime outdoor patios set beneath huge leafy trees, line Main Street. For more ideas, see our list of the Top Attractions in North Carolina. 5 Gorgeous Mountain Towns You Can Actually Afford - Livability @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { Views over the rolling mountains are spectacular, and some of the best in the area. Cashiers is the gateway to Bear Lake Reserve. Awesome to hear, Donna, and thanks for sharing your favorite with us! Be sure to spot their most famous residents as well, the thriving population of White Squirrels. There are many opportunities for phenomenal hikes, waterfalls, climbing, watersports, and winter sports to engage in here. Conveniently located on the lake carrying the same name, this popular location is definitely one of the best mountain towns to live in California.Surrounded by Sierra Nevada mountains, it's known for nearby ski resorts, beautiful restaurants, cozy bars, and breathtaking lake views.. The downtown area has many restored buildings and interesting shops, and you'll have no trouble finding a place for lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants. From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina's charming cities and stunning natural areas lure visitors and residents from around the world. Just a short distance off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone makes a nice place to stop for a night or an afternoon. Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! You can also walk to Blannahassett Island and fish or enjoy views of the French Broad River. If you prefer to spend your day being pampered, there are some excellent spas in the area. If youre a literary lover, Sylva is a great getaway. Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive). Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. For rare historical mountain artifacts, check out Swain County Heritage Museum. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. Its a picture-perfect pick with plenty of kitsch to go around. 2022 Best Cities to Live in North Carolina - UpNest Head here for one of the most romantic weekends in North Carolina. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hendersonville. In fact, the town is home to the only fly fishing trail in the United States. fbq( 'track', 'PageView', { Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival. Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (Downtown, Biltmore, and More!). Weve created many more NC travel guides that include these mountain towns in more detail. Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. Properties are provided courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS. 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. There. That last part is why Wilkes County is also home to the first-ever NASCAR track. } You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Every time we visit, we dream of our next home on a hillside in the High Country! Originally settled in the 1850's as a health resort, Asheville has an interesting history- in the late 1800 . For example, here are some facts about Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains: Population: 10,770. Dry Falls along Highway 64 where visitors can walk behind a beautiful 75-foot waterfall. If youve heard of the Ashe County Cheese Factory, then you already know why West Jefferson is on this list. You can view Fontana Lake in Graham County, too, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. The 3,800-acre development has nearly half the land set aside in conservation areas including lakes, waterfalls, woodlands and hiking trails. With the smallest population of all, the town consists of just a few quaint shops. Make sure to get a taste of Hollywood at the Henry River Mill Village in Hildebran. You forgot to mention that it is home to Lees-McRae College! Madison County seat Marshall sits just north of Asheville and Buncombe County. 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. Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other. ), but theres just something extra special about those found in and around our North Carolina mountains. Just outside the town, you can find the famous Grandfather Mountain and its Mile High Swinging Bridge. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. .ai-viewport-3 { display: none !important;} Tryons reputation as an equestrian haven and arts enclave is revered. Beaufort County COUNTY POPULATION: 46,994 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 24.6% Throughout the year, we think youll love eating and walking around downtown, tasting some of NCs finest beer at local breweries, and exploring the areas arts scene. padding-left: 10px !important; NC Tripping uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising on this Website. What Are the Best Mountain Towns to Raise a Family in America - 5/13/2022 I lived in Black Mountain for about ten years and loved it!