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- Asheville. 21 Unforgettable Things to Do in Banner Elk NC Arguably not a town, but a city, Asheville is the largest Blue Ridge Mountain city in North Carolina and the most visited.
- Banner Elk. Located close to Boone NC, Banner Elk is a beautiful small town that is not only popular for its quiet small-town atmosphere but also for its quaint downtown and access to many great things to see and do in the area.
- Beech Mountain. While we love these small North Carolina mountain towns, there are a few we're exceptionally partial to, and Beech Mountain NC is one of them.
- Blowing Rock. Another of our favorite small North Carolina mountain towns is Blowing Rock NC which offers a wonderful downtown area full of shops and restaurants to explore.
- 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...
- Hendersonville. Known as the apple capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is a great central stop for all the scenery of the area. You’ll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town.
- Blowing Rock. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Its surrounding landscape makes it one of the prettiest mountain towns and also one of the most popular.
- Banner Elk. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. Its proximity to many NC ski resorts makes it especially alluring for the winter seasons as well.
- Mt Airy. Mount Airy is a tiny town at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and one of my favorite North Carolina mountain towns. Its reputation for charm precedes it, known mainly as the hometown of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the idyllic neighborhood his show was set in, Mayberry.
- Boone. Nearby Outdoor: Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Mountain State Park. Home to Appalachian State University, Boone is a college town at heart and one of the most popular mountain towns in the Blue Ridge.
- West Jefferson. Nearby Outdoor: Elk Knob State Park, New River State Park. I can’t stay away from West Jefferson. This may be my favorite North Carolina mountain town.
- Banner Elk. Nearby Outdoor: Grandfather Mountain State Park, Pisgah National Forest. Banner Elk may be the cutest town on this list. It’s almost as if you’ve driven onto a movie set as you head downtown.
- Blowing Rock. Nearby Outdoor: Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Mountain State Park. Blowing Rock is named for a rock formation where it’s said a Cherokee brave, torn by conflict between his duty to return to his tribe and love for his beloved, leaped from the rock.
- Black Mountain. When it comes to mountain towns near Asheville, Black Mountain is one of the most quaint! The town’s rich history can be explored at the Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center.
- Weaverville. Weaverville is one of the most interesting small towns near Asheville! Only fifteen minutes north of Asheville this town has a lot of great surprises!
- Hendersonville. Hendersonville is one of the most popular mountain towns in western North Carolina! This beautiful town is a great place to chase Fall and one of the best places to get great pictures!
- Highlands. When you are wondering where to visit in the north Carolina mountains, we always recommend Highlands! At over 4,000 feet elevation, this appropriately named town is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest which means lots of hiking!
Nov 7, 2022 · This small mountain town sits right on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, one of the most popular family attractions in North Carolina that offers majestic mountain views year-round.
Apr 29, 2024 · What are the best North Carolina mountain towns? After years of living in North Carolina and traveling around the state, we think these are the best NC mountain towns. Boone, Black Mountain, Burnsville, Morganton, and Waynesville.
