In fact, the town is home to the only fly fishing trail in the United States. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. Nearby Sugar Mountain Ski Resort and Beech Mountain Ski Resort attract skiers from across the state and regions farther south, and many of them make their base Banner Elk. Its also home to one of the coolest distilleries in the state, Oak & Grist. Join me to explore 5 NC Mountain Towns that you MUST visit! The town is home to the Great Smokey Mountains Railroad, a popular sightseeing excursion that has several different routes, the most popular is the Nantahala Gorge return trip. You might say its a Foothills or Piedmont town, but well argue otherwise. } The busy Main Street is lined with covered sidewalks, and is an ideal place for a bit of retail therapy. Just 15 minutes from two of the best ski resorts in North Carolina, Banner Elk is a popular winter destination. It also offers some of the best birdwatching around. } Do you have a favorite place you like to go or is there one that stands out among the rest? With a population of about 14,000 people, you can find everything you need here, minus crowds, traffic, and parking hassles. Nevertheless a gorgeous one and one of the most romantic places to travel in North Carolina. The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is a testament to this moniker, set in a 19th-century jailhouse. Banner Elk. Highlands, North Carolina. In Highlands you will also find high-end dining and bustling boutiques downtown. "pluginVersion": "3.0.12" Saluda is a popular spot for rafting and tubing along the Green River. 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. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. Its not so much a town, and is definitely a city in North Carolina. Downtown, youll find vintage motels, lots of motorcyclists, and the best pancakes of your life at Joeys Pancake House! 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. 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. Pearsons Falls is also nearby. Once a mining hub has now become a top vacation destination as part of the Plateau region of western North Carolina. Read More: The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. 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. text-decoration: none If youre feeling adventurous, you can even visit the nearby ghost town of Henry River. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} My son moved to Asheville in 1991 so we moved up here in 2006 after Katrina in New Orleans. Mountain Communities | Best Places to Retire in the Mountains /***Mediavine Sidebar Fix***/ The downtown is chock full of charming shops, restaurants, and Brevard breweries. 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. Boone is a haven of natural wonders offering an, Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, click for interactive map of the Best North Carolina Mountain Towns, 15 Best Bryson City Restaurants You Need to Try! 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. text-decoration: underline Mount Airy is a tiny town at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Set on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, its a tiny treasure trove for local art, as this community lives and breathes creativity. 3. Begin with our list of the best mountain towns in North Carolina. Highlands attracts those looking for a quaint atmosphere, in this hidden mountain gem. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. Its known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. That scenic route is another reason we rank Highlands among the best mountain towns in NC! 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. Main Street is a mix of restaurants and retail shops, including a disproportionate number of bookstores considering the size of the town. } A significant number of people living in Cali go to a higher altitude. There. Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events). Youll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town. Charlotte is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for a few reasons. 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. 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. With its very own beach, you can relax on the sandy shores and enjoy a refreshing dip into the cool, shimmering waters. You can view Fontana Lake in Graham County, too, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is a newer attraction nearby, sure to provide you with a year-round thrill! You can track severe weather with us by checking out these WXII . 13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina: - WNC Magazine The annual Rhododendron Festival is what brings many visitors to this town today. Maggie Valley is also a popular stop on motorcycle routes through the mountains, and the Wheels Through Time Museum is one of the town's biggest attractions. Advertisement. Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors. Regardless of the season, the Chetola Resort is a wonderful accommodation option. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. "agent": "woocommerce-7.4.0-3.0.12" Near Beech Mountain skiing and Grandfather Mountain hiking. Best Small Towns To Live In, North Carolina Edition You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. Taylor. Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the best small North Carolina towns and located just 10 minutes from Boone, it has a small village vibe. For a flatter road, check out the Catawba River Greenway in Morganton. I would never live anywhere else again. We mentioned Valdese earlier and thought you should know about this truly interesting place. Rolling hills surround the town, and the Tuckasegee River runs through the middle. Feel free to browse the available properties on our website and contact us if you see something you love. 19 Beautiful Mountain Towns in North Carolina (For Your Next Vacation!) These two streets are also home to numerous shops and restaurants. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. Some small towns are lucky enough to be tucked into the mountains where people can explore on foot, bike and skis all with hardly another person in sight. At over 5,000 feet above sea level, you can expect some of the most breathtaking views from this mountain town. The various festivals and several golf courses is what residents have come to love about Sapphire Valley along with the peaceful scenery that attracts many to the area. For any theology or history buffs, the Field of the Woods is a massive monument representing the 10 commandments. The Tuskegee River runs right through town, offering ample opportunity for tubing, rafting, and paddleboarding. Properties are provided courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS. South Lake Tahoe Might Be a Good Option. And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value. Fishing in North Carolina: The mountains are also a great place for fishing. The city is perfect for a winter getaway, thanks to milder weather, great events like Christmas at Biltmore and more! We dont want to leave out North Wilkesboro, the countys largest town, before moving on. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and one of our favorite small mountain towns in NC. Ranking high on the best cities to live in in North Carolina, Wake Forest is an ideal place for those who love the great outdoors. There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. Linville Falls and High Shoal Falls are both close by and worth a visit. Its a setting rich with rocks and minerals, ideal for any geology buffs looking for a scenic retreat. // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum!