The sheer immensity of Western North Carolina‘s allure becomes apparent after only one visit. The Smokies and other Appalachian Mountain subranges give this part of North Carolina an abundance of breathtaking scenery throughout the year. Best Mountain Towns to Visit in North Carolina, People have been drawn to the alpine scenery for thousands of years due to its almost spiritual character, which is created by a combination of magnificent peaks, flowing creeks, vibrantly colorful wildflowers, and acres of towering pine, oak, poplar, and maple trees. Due to this intense attraction, other mountain towns, from the Southern Highlands to Brevard, Waynesville, and Banner Elk, were established. This expert-curated list should be helpful if you are ready to arrange a vacation but are having trouble settling on a destination. Keep reading to learn about the best mountain towns in north carolina.
Brevard
“Brevard is the East Coast hub of mountain biking and is situated in the ‘land of waterfalls,'” adds Reinhold.The community is linked with trailheads that give guests quick access to Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, and Gorges State Park. But your holiday should be filled with plenty of outdoor activities., so schedule a time to check out Brevard’s art scene. When in town in the summer, try to coincide your visit with an outdoor performance at Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium; if not, a walk around the downtown art galleries and artisan shops is a must at any time of year. the mountain towns in north carolina.
Highlands
Best Small Mountain Town in 2023, Highlands, offers every amenity and feature for a picture-perfect vacation. Tilling says it provides “some of the best trails in the world” and “the food and culture are the best you can find in the South.” It also has “the charm of a small mountain town with all the luxury needed for a great vacation.” Check into any top-rated hotels in town to begin your journey: Half-Mile Farm, Highlander Mountain House, Skyline Lodge, Old Edwards Inn & Spa, or the just-opened Outpost Inn. After that, stroll down Main Street for a few hours, stopping at Mountain Fresh Grocery for a speedy breakfast or lunch. Among the other must-see attractions are the numerous waterfalls in the region and The Bascom, which presents lectures, workshops, and art exhibitions.
Cashiers
Ten minutes from Highlands lies Cashiers, a mountain town renowned for its breathtaking beauty, hiking, fly fishing, antique shopping, and High Hampton. This beloved luxury resort had a contemporary makeover in 2021. While it would be tempting for resort guests to spend their whole stay on the property—the grass beds and Adirondack chairs are rather cozy—they would be unwise to miss out on the other features of the little town. An excellent place for a BBQ lunch is the family-run Cashiers Farmers Market, where you can always find something unique at Zoller Hardware Gift & Gadget Mercantile, The Village Hound, or Vivianne Metzger Antiques.
Waynesville
Reinhold calls Waynesville the “crown jewel of mountain towns,” partly because of its ideal location next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He suggests “an unforgettable adventure” with The Appalachian Adventure Company, which may include overnight backpacking or forest bathing. If you would instead linger in town, peruse the antique shops and art galleries along Main Street before indulging in a drink from Boojum Brewing Company or a cup of coffee from Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters. the Best Mountain Towns to Visit in North Carolina, There’s nowhere more opulent to retire to bed at night than The Swag, one of the top all-inclusive resorts in the South.
Boone
Though supporting the Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium is undoubtedly a must-do activity in this college town, there’s much more to Boone than Appalachian State University. Families taking younger passengers may find hours of fun at Daniel Boone Park, where the Hickory Ridge History Museum depicts mountain life in the late 1700s and early 1800s, and the renowned Tweetsie Railroad, which offers themed train rides and live performances. Find a swimming spot at Crab Orchard Falls Trail or cool off in the summer by floating down the New River with Wahoo’s Adventures. While there are a few options for lodging in Boone, from hotels to vacation rentals, Rhode’s Motor Lodge, a boutique resort that debuted in the fall of 2023, is a surefire winner.
Sylva
Popular with hikers, Sylva (population: 2,623) is well-known for its breweries, art galleries, and foodie places. Reinhold adds that the only approved forest treatment path in North Carolina is located at Pinnacle Park, my favorite trek in the best mountain cities in north carolina, region. You will pick up a leaflet at the trailhead and then have a leisurely, self-guided outdoor stroll. Turn to Main Street, which he claims “has a seemingly infinite selection of dining options, notably Ilda, Meatballs Pizzeria, and recent James Beard [nominee] Dalaya Thai,” with a fresh understanding of your surroundings.
Hot Springs
In Appalachia, Hot Springs may well be the hippest town, says Reinhold. The town is bisected by the Appalachian Trail, which has an impact on the community due to the multitudes of thru-hikers that have passed through it along Main Street.” Come into Bluff Mountain Outfitters to prepare for local hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and llama trekking, or pick up any equipment you might have overlooked. Refuel with pizza at Vinyl Pies, baked goods from Artisun, or a taco and beer from Grey Eagle Taqueria and Big Pillow Brewery after a hard day outside. As the name implies, Hot Springs is well-known for its geothermal waters; travelers can take a refreshing bath at either Broadwing Farm or Hot Springs Resort & Spa.
Bryson City
Bryson City, North Carolina, is dubbed the “Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains.” Though little—roughly 1,500 people live there—this village is incredibly charming in the mountains. To begin organizing your visit to Bryson City, make reservations at The Everett Hotel or the Fryemont Inn, and then start drafting your perfect schedule. Summertime visitors will want to climb in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and then spend a day on the water, paddleboarding out on Fontana Lake or white-water rafting on the Nantahala River.
Banner Elk
In addition to a “growing food scene, great golf courses,” and several locations to “reconnect with nature,” Tillung adds Banner Elk offers “small mountain town life [paired] with big luxury dreams and ideas.” Walking along the town’s Greenway Trail System, staying at The Lodge at River Run, or riding the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster are all year-round options for visitors. There are dining alternatives at Artisanal, Stonewalls Restaurant, and Banner Elk Cafe & Lodge; however, be careful to check the websites of each establishment for seasonal closures.
Little Switzerland
Few mountain communities in North Carolina are as unusual as Little Switzerland, a Blue Ridge Parkway destination with a Swiss influence accessible seasonally. The entire Little Switzerland experience—which includes lodging at the historic Switzerland Inn, touring the North Carolina Mining Museum, stopping into Little Switzerland Books and Beans, and attending a night of live music. Just make time to enjoy the best mountain towns to visit in nc, breathtaking vistas that the town’s elevation of about 3,500 feet affords, whether closer to sunrise or dusk.
