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Sep 7, 2023 · Within the historic North Carolina mountains, you'll find many gorgeous and quaint North Carolina mountain towns and cities that offer unique history, infatuating charm, local culture, art, shopping, dining, hiking, and so much more. Many of these small NC mountain towns are easily accessible from the combination of the Blue Ridge Parkway ...
- Hendersonville. Highlights: A lively main street, nearby apple orchards, great dining. Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative.
- Banner Elk. Highlights: A fun ski town in the winter, trout fishing in the summer, Wilderness Alpine Coaster thrill ride. Just 15 minutes from two of the best ski resorts in North Carolina, Banner Elk is a popular winter destination.
- Blowing Rock. Highlights: Historical 20th-century buildings and homes, cute main street, good accommodation options. 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.
- Highlands. Highlights: A mix of shops along a lovely main street, luxe accommodation options. 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.
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Mar 3, 2024 · From the vibrant culture of Asheville to the outdoor adventure in Boone and the pristine valleys of Maggie Valley, these beautiful towns are brimming with cultural richness and mountain spirit that will leave you breathless. With so many options, it might be tricky to decide where to start. No worries!
- Blowing Rock
- Hendersonville
- Boone
- Bryson City
- Highlands
- Maggie Valley
- Sylva
- Banner Elk
- Brevard
- Dillsboro
Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a quaint mountain town that sits on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and is named after the nearby rock formation. The town supplies visitors with fantastic panoramic views overlooking the Johns River Gorge and miles of forested mountains. The town of Blowing Rock is small, but despite its small size, the town holds a ...
Hendersonville, North Carolina, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just south of the city of Asheville. It’s best known for its abundance of fertile apple orchards and hosts the famous Apple Festival each year. Both the rural areas and downtown areas of Hendersonville offer activities for all types of travelers. Not only is Hendersonville famo...
Beautiful Boone, North Carolina, is easily one of the most popular NC mountain towns to visit. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For a mixture of small-town roots and modern comforts, Boone is a great balance of the two. The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone has popular wellness...
Bryson City, otherwise known as the Gateway to The Smokies, is a small mountain town that sits right on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s home to sections of the famous Appalachia Trail, in addition to other hiking paths leading into the park. For such a small town of only 1700+ residents, there is much to experience in Bryson...
The stunning mountain town of Highlands is just a 2.5-hour drive from the city of Charlotte. With an elevation of 4,118 feet, it’s one of the highest North Carolina mountain towns, so as you can imagine, the views are pretty scenic. Highlands is also surrounded by one of the only temperate rainforests in North America, so there are many excellent h...
With its charming downtown core and proximity to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Maggie Valley makes for a fantastic base for a mountain trip in North Carolina! While you’re there, be sure to enjoy browsing the many shops featuring local artisans, soak in the views at the easily accessible Soco Falls, and stop b...
Sylva, North Carolina, is a significant hub for cultural and recreational opportunities and an all-around delightful mountain town as it sits near the Great Smoky Mountains. The main street is home to 4 local breweries, which are some of the city’s biggest attractions. The Jackson County Courthouse is located on Main Street in Sylva and is one of t...
Banner Elk is one of the most pristine mountain towns in the entire Blue Ridge Mountain region. The town is small, and in its history, it was home to the Cherokee for its many hunting and fishing opportunities. Banner Elk is often overlooked as it’s surrounded by major tourist hotspots, but it keeps enough spark and charm to deserve a visit. The to...
Brevard is most famous for being one of the top mountain biking destinations in the United States, with hundreds of miles of trails to ride along. Also known as The Land of Waterfalls, Brevard is an excellent place in Transylvania County for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The town is situated in a prime location for some of the most awe-ins...
Dillsboro is located on the banks of the Tuckasegee River and is one of the most picture-perfect towns in North Carolina. Although it’s only made up of five square blocks, Dillsboro is home to plenty of quirky stores, restaurants, inns, and art galleries. You’ll find many places to visit here, including the Appalachian Women’s Museum, Dillsboro Cho...
Apr 10, 2024 · Old Fort. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina mountain towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. There’s a bit of a dispute that we won’t get into, but Old Fort’s Gold Festival typically kicks off each June. About Catawba Falls, we think you’ll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with ...
Apr 13, 2023 · In fact, there aren’t any towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina that rank among the Top 10 largest cities in NC. The largest city on the North Carolina mountains map– bustling Asheville – still has less than 100,000 residents in its metropolitan area.
