North Carolina is a great place to go skiing, hiking, surfing, or relaxing on a front porch with a cup of sweet tea. Sweet tiny communities (population 11,000 and under) can be found throughout the state, from historical coastline treasures to mountain retreats nestled within rippling, blue-hazed peaks. Here are a dozen of the best small towns in North Carolina, selected for their easygoing atmosphere, an abundance of natural beauty, and a generous dose of Southern charm.
best north carolina small towns
1. Bryson City
Bryson City, a stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is most known for its mountainous landscape and the fun outdoor activities that go along with it, like hiking, horseback riding, zip-lining through the treetops, whitewater rafting, tubing, and mountain biking. It is also close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Near the town centre, there are many hiking options, such as the well-liked Deep Creek region with its waterfall paths, rapids, and breathtaking vistas of the Smoky Mountains. Many different lodging alternatives are available, including the wellness-focused Lakeview at Fontana, remote cabin rentals, and motor lodges.
2. Edenton
Edenton is a charming small beach towns in north carolina to live, known for its numerous structures from the 18th and 19th centuries and its gorgeous location on Albemarle Sound. Take a trolley tour to explore the many public historic residences in the second-oldest town in the state and the first colonial capital. One of the few screw-pile lighthouses still standing in the United States is the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse, a must-see. Choose a stately Edenton bed and breakfast, such as Inner Banks Inn, to stay on theme.
3. Blowing Rock
Travelling to the highlands? This village on the Blue Ridge Parkway is named for an old gneiss outcrop whose rocky mass allows wind to blow vertically, giving the impression that items are floating upward. Be sure to see this formation. Visit the Gilded Age mansion of textile mogul Moses H. Cone to take in more Blue Ridge splendour. You may explore the 3,600 acres of highland meadows and forests on foot or by horseback. Families should plan to ride the Wilderness Run roller coaster, ski down Sugar Mountain, and visit the vintage Tweetsie Railroad. The village is a quaint mountain getaway with fine restaurants, boutique shopping, and cosy bed & breakfast accommodations.
4. Seagrove
The tiny village of Seagrove is the pulsing core of North Carolina’s pottery culture, a rural haven for ceramics fans. Nestled amidst the picturesque countryside and the foothills of Uwharrie are several pottery stores and workshops, numbering in the hundreds according to some counts, many featuring potters in action. Uwharrie Crystalline is one location where the pieces are baked with distinctive glazes infused with crystals.
5. Manteo
The obvious draw of Waterside Manteo may be its closeness to the magnificent Outer Banks. (Hatteras, Nags Head, and other popular locations along the barrier island chain are accessible from the Roanoke Island hamlet.) While most beach towns are little more than a never-ending row of large, stilted vacation rentals, this legendary spot is brimming with waterfront restaurants, antique shops, and classy bed-and-breakfasts, some of which, like White Doe Inn, have earned recognition as National Register of Historic Places. And speaking of history, this place has enough of it. The enigmatic Lost Colony, an English hamlet that disappeared in the 1580s, was located on Roanoke Island.
6. Sylva
This 19th-century alpine village has fewer than 3,000 residents and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere. Sylva is popular among outdoor enthusiasts who want to trek in the Smokies, raft or tube down the Tuckasegee River, and Dillsboro, its even smaller neighbour to the west. In between trips, there are mom-and-pop establishments, breweries, and antique shops; the quirky Lulu’s on Main has been a mainstay for decades.
7. Hillsborough
Though it’s only around a 20-minute drive from Durham and Chapel Hill, this small town feels a world apart from its neighbours, who are primarily college students. Situated next to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and Eno River State Park, Hillsborough boasts its own Riverwalk. This serene paved promenade forms a portion of best small cities in north carolina 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail. A bustling food and drink scene is housed in the ancient buildings along Hillsborough’s main street, which include the quaint trattoria Panciuto and a branch of the enduringly popular Weaver Street Market. For retro milkshakes and views of the picturesque countryside from rocking chairs, take a drive out to Maple View Farm Ice Cream.
8. Little Washington
This modest small beach towns in north carolina charm and leisurely outdoor activity with its gorgeous coastline surroundings. Paddleboard or kayak the Pamlico River, set up shop on a pier to catch fresh and saltwater fish, and meander along Goose Creek State Park’s nature paths and Palmetto Boardwalk (where the marshes and bogs were once Blackbeard’s favorite hiding places). After exploring the historic coastline, indulge in coastal Carolina favorites like crab cakes and Southern fried shrimp as you wind down.
9. Highlands
Since the 1800s, people from Georgia and Carolina have used Highlands, which is 4,000 feet above sea level, as a summer getaway from the oppressive heat and humidity. The lower temperatures and breathtaking mountain views still draw in travelers who want to walk, unwind, and repeat. Waterfalls are particularly abundant in the area’s natural beauty, such as the breathtaking Cullasaja River Gorge and the walk-behind Dry Falls (which, despite its name, roar). Both are found in the Nantahala National Forest.
10. Pittsboro
Situated within a short distance from the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), Pittsboro presents visitors with a serene, utilitarian environment full of unique regional flair. Jordan Lake offers sandy beaches and meandering pathways. After exploring these attractions, treat yourself to dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant, considered among the best fine-dining restaurants in the state. Or enjoy a Gambler (skirt steak on a hot grill) and a float at S&T’s Soda Shoppe, a former pharmacy and soda shop lovingly restored to resemble what it did in the early 1900s. Taste the honey wine at Starrlight Mead or the North Carolina whites, reds, and ciders at Fair Game Beverage Company.
