Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. Median household income: $40,875. "source": "woocommerce", Set on the edge of the Yadkin Valley, there are also an array of award-winning wineries nearby. 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. One of the top summer attractions for families is Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo, a large amusement park with rides and animals. Browse the bustling Main Street; brick sidewalks dotted with historic homes and many storefronts ideal for a day of shopping until you drop. Hike around the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. Mitchell. 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. Among the top contenders is the beloved Sliding Rock. .right-sidebar .content-area { "pluginVersion": "3.0.12" Awesome to hear, Rebecca! The water also calls anglers to cast their lines in a variety of streams great for fly fishing. As such, it offers an amazing assortment of natural feats to discover. 5 Pinehurst at No. There are many magnificent properties to select as a summer vacation home or a cozy winter getaway for the holidays to relax and recharge. A handful of breweries and Burntshirt Vineyards (one of the states best wineries) is also here and waiting for you to stop by. It also offers some of the best birdwatching around. Table Rock Mountain is one of the best hikes around. 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. Is there anything more magical than a lakeside mountain town in NC?! My favorite is Spruce Pine that is my home town but I also love Maggie Valley Boone and Cherokee. } Known as the apple capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is a great central stop for all the scenery of the area. Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville. Residents enjoy natural settings with a wellness center with a pool and tennis court, parks, playgrounds, trails, outdoor/indoor gathering spaces for community . Cream is poured on a frozen sheet and rolled up in a Thai tradition, and capped with your favorite toppings. Outdoor lovers can enjoy wonderful hikes and viewpoints in the surrounding Yancey County area, including those on nearby Mt. Regardless of your religious views, Fields of the Wood (a massive representation of the 10 Commandments) is an interesting place to visit. 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. padding-right: 10px; Banner Elk Avery County NC Official Website 1. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. The Emerald Village complex hosts 12 mines for gem and gold panning seven days a week from spring through fall. In summer, you may see people fishing. You can view Fontana Lake in Graham County, too, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. 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. The 3,800-acre development has nearly half the land set aside in conservation areas including lakes, waterfalls, woodlands and hiking trails. Home to East Carolina University, it's no surprise that apartments in Greenville are more affordable than in many larger, more professionally-focused cities. Read More: Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed). The Ramble Biltmore Forest, Asheville. } ); This is the best of the North Carolina mountain towns to soak all your worries away. Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. Burnsville offers an authentic small-town experience, with a cute downtown area, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries lining the town square. There are museums, an arts center, a variety of shops, and over 30 restaurants, all quite impressive for their small stature. If you are in town on a Friday, be sure to catch one of the free summer musical events taking place at Concerts on the Creek at the Bridge Park. We welcome you to the North Carolina mountains; we know youll just love it here! jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { Nevertheless a gorgeous one and one of the most romantic places to travel in North Carolina. You'll also find a fine assortment of restaurants, many with outdoor patios. 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. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Our weekly newsletter shares weekly updates and tips on upcoming events. Trust us, we will find it here in one of our great mountain towns. For the inside scoop on where to go, see our guide to the Top Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina. Home to the Woolly Worm Festival in October, we cant get enough of this town, the amazing restaurants and shops here, and its gorgeous surroundings. fbq( 'track', 'PageView', { 6. ), The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville, 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes! That scenic route is another reason we rank Highlands among the best mountain towns in NC! 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. Back to Wilkesboro, of course, which is love for so many things but above all, the iconic Merlefest. My favorite is Waynesville because I live there. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. One of the big attractions, just outside of town, is Grandfather Mountain and its mile-high swing bridge, one of the top sites in North Carolina. 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. For a flatter road, check out the Catawba River Greenway in Morganton. 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 Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. Enjoy beautiful vistas at The Switzerland Inn and hike to Grassy Creek Falls while youre there. Its a town with a rich cultural heritage and an amazing area to learn more about these native peoples. // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. It's also the apple capital of North Carolina and one of the largest apple-producing counties in America. 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. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. Dillsboro is one of the coolest mountain towns to discover. If you want to look like a local, hit up the popular watering hole, the Daily Grind & Wine. 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. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Black Mountain has a little bit of something for everyone. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. "version": "7.4.0", The thriving healthcare sector will give you access to all the medical resources you might need. Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. Home to less than 500 people, Bakersville was founded to mine its wealth of mica deposits. Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina. The Ashe County Cheese factory and store are two great places to visit in West Jefferson, one of the cutest mountain towns in NC! Right next door to the happening city of Asheville, Weaverville has become its own desirable destination. Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. The relatively low elevation, 1,991 feet, means it's warmer here in spring, which can be a real advantage. 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. In fact, the town is home to the only fly fishing trail in the United States. Nearby is Grandfather Mountain with its suspension bridge. 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. 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. .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} The Trail of Faith explores this heritage through a collection of preserved monuments and buildings. Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. The outskirts of Highlands are known for spectacular waterfalls, but the downtown of Highlands is equally beautiful! Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Bryson City is well-known for hiking and river recreation. This is the highest town in elevation in all of the east. Experience a mountain resort atmosphere in Sapphire Valley. Downtown, youll find vintage motels, lots of motorcyclists, and the best pancakes of your life at Joeys Pancake House! The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. Waynesville is considered by many to be the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Read More: Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties!). #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. We mentioned Valdese earlier and thought you should know about this truly interesting place. From old standbys such as Aspen and Stowe to a few spots you've probably never even heard of (what's up, Hamburg? Right down the road from Maggie Valley is Lake Junaluska, a lovely community with a trail that takes you around its namesake lake. Annual celebrations like the Elk Fest and Hillbilly Jamboree are reason enough to visit. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Charlotte is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for a few reasons. If you are looking for easy access to the Smoky Mountains, it doesn't . Access to Roan Mountain goes through Bakersville and you can also enjoy the Toe Rivers waters here. 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. Best North Carolina Mountain Towns Guide Banner Elk Blowing Rock Boone Brevard Bryson City Burnsville Cherokee Franklin Hendersonville Hot Springs Morganton Murphy Sylva Weaverville West Jefferson Downtown Banner Elk NC, photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett 1. text-decoration: none Highlands attracts those looking for a quaint atmosphere, in this hidden mountain gem. Its largely known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, with those spirits practically married to our mountains (along with stock car racing). The Best of North Carolina: Still in the planning stage of your next vacation? Hope you get to see them sometime! You can also walk to Blannahassett Island and fish or enjoy views of the French Broad River. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. It is no wonder that Brevard is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns. Loved Black Mountain! Just recently voted in the top 10 places to retire in North Carolina, Black Mountain is nearby Asheville and has a tiny population of just under 8,000 residents. Awesome to hear, Donna, and thanks for sharing your favorite with us! hooters logo font, is there a paper towel shortage 2022, nonobstructive bowel gas pattern symptoms,
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