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The North Carolina mountains are renowned for offering up a charming slice of small-town life and local culture, including everything from moonshine and bluegrass music to country cooking and historic log cabins. The largest city on the North Carolina mountains map— bustling Asheville — still has less than , residents in its metropolitan area.
Therein lies the crux of a conundrum. There are so many cool small towns in the mountains of North Carolina many of which are less than 20 miles apart , how can a person possibly choose which ones to visit? Official Website. With a population of under 1, people, Historic Banner Elk certainly qualifies as one of the true small towns in the mountains of North Carolina. The town offers easy access to an array of excellent hiking trails , ski slopes, golf courses, and fishing holes.
There are more than a dozen independent restaurants, as well as some great local wineries and breweries. Blowing Rock, the rock formation, is one of the oldest tourist attractions in North Carolina, and the town of Blowing Rock has made a mark as well. The downtown has a wonderful Main Street-type area packed with quality restaurants, quaint coffee shops, and diverse shopping especially antiques and local crafts.
Recreational opportunities in the area abound, including golf, fishing, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and more. Boone is one of the larger towns in Western NC. It has a full-time resident population of around 20,, and a migrating populace of Appalachian State students that swell the count when school is in session.
Boone has most of the comforts you could want from Blue Ridge Mountains cities— including breweries , a living history museum , good shopping, fantastic restaurants — without getting industrial or oversized. It is widely considered one of the best Western NC Towns to live in.
Brevard is home to the Cradle of Forestry , which is unsurprising considering the Pisgah National Forest is a few miles away in one direction and DuPont State Forest is a few miles in another direction. These are home to some of the most notable waterfalls in North Carolina , including the famous trio of DuPont waterfalls— Hooker Falls , Triple Falls, and High Falls— which can be accessed on one incredible day hike.
Nevertheless, the town of around 1, residents has a lot more to offer than its awesome location. Bryson City boasts a happening downtown area with loads of great restaurants and tourist attractions. One of the coolest small towns near Asheville NC approximately 30 minutes northeast , Burnsville is accentuated by a collection of several small, artsy communities around it. Downtown Burnsville has a lovely town square at its heart, with charming restaurants and shops that spill out down the roads leading to it.
The space serves as a fantastic spot for community events such as festivals , markets, and art walks. Burnsville is located at the foot of Mount Mitchell, one of the best Western North Carolina mountains for hiking because it is the tallest peak east of the Rockies. The town boasts a fantastic museum, craft cooperative, theatre, and historic village, so this is a great place to learn facts about Cherokee culture and history.
The Nantahala National Forest is also very close. Fast-growing Franklin remains small, with a population of around 4,, but it has gained notoriety as one of the best affordable mountain towns in NC.
Hendersonville has a population pushing towards 20, residents, and it is located just 20 miles south of Asheville which is the only actual city in Western North Carolina. With an array of foodie-friendly restaurants , the state-of-the-art Sierra Nevada Brewery , and plenty of apple orchards nearby, Hendersonville is a primo spot for residents and visitors alike.
Keeping the small-town charm of a pedestrian-friendly Main Street in a Historic Downtown, Hendersonville has all the trappings of suburbs, with a city nearby.
This combo makes it one of the best NC mountains towns to live in. The Appalachian Trail goes by it, the French Broad River cradles it, and mineral hot springs heat it up. And yet somehow Hot Springs remains surprisingly small population: , with just a handful of restaurants and local craft and antique shops. Located at the eastern edge of the North Carolina mountains map, moving into the Piedmont, Morganton makes it onto our list of the best NC mountain towns because of its stellar location and historic downtown area.
Morganton sits along the Catawba River, and is technically in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But it has lots of nice cafes and a collection of breweries in town, with Union Street and Green Street forming a very walkable downtown area. Venture outside of town to explore the famed Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC , a mysterious occurrence that attracts lots of visitors every year.
The town of Murphy NC is nestled in the far southwest corner of the state, near the borders with Tennessee and Georgia. The downtown is lined with trees and flowers , with plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from. Hiwassee Lake in the Nantahala National Forest is less than 10 miles outside of town.
Nestled among several other enticing NC mountain towns, Sylva does a great job of vying for visitors to choose it when venturing beyond Asheville and into the far western reaches of the state.
Sylva has been recognized for being clean, green, and distinctive. It has four outstanding breweries within walking distance of each other, and Scott Creek runs right through town. In terms of getting close to Downtown Asheville , Weaverville NC is less than 10 miles away from the city, making it one of the closest on the map of towns in North Carolina.
The tiny town of 3, residents has a personality all its own, but provides easy access to Asheville as well. West Jefferson dives deep into the local scene, with lots of artisan-produced cheeses, public art installations, and a celebration of Old-Time music and dance.
Cone Memorial Park just over 30 miles away. We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the Leave No Trace principles of responsible environmental stewardship. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.
After visiting the Western North Carolina for the first time, Jonathon Engels and his wife Emma spent two years looking for a few acres of property there to establish a permaculture homestead. During that search, he explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, surrounding towns, and parks. He has taught at both Blue Ridge Community College and Surry Community College, is a member of a long-established land conservation community near the town of Dobson, volunteers at the Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, and continues to explore the Blue Ridge, a place he now lovingly calls home.
Pin Jonathon Engels After visiting the Western North Carolina for the first time, Jonathon Engels and his wife Emma spent two years looking for a few acres of property there to establish a permaculture homestead.
Best places to stay in north carolina mountains. WHERE TO STAY IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
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Best places to stay in north carolina mountains. The Best Places to Stay in the North Carolina Mountains
Another wonderful place to stay in the NC mountains is The Inn at Ragged Gardens. It's also situated near Blowing Rock, so it's in the same. Featured North Carolina Mountains Lodges · Smoky Falls Lodge · The Pineola · Brook Trout Inn · Historic Tapoco Lodge · McKinley Edwards Inn · Mount Mitchell Eco. Stay at Biltmore.
Best places to stay in north carolina mountains.11 Top-Rated Mountain Resorts in North Carolina
· Read More: The Best NC Mountain Towns. Hotels in North Carolina (Central) It’s one of the most beautiful places to stay in North Carolina, with 70 guest rooms adorned with . · 2. Banner Elk. Just 15 minutes from two of the best ski resorts in North Carolina, Banner Elk is a popular winter destination. Nearby Sugar Mountain Ski Resort and Beech . · Sky Ridge Yurts. The Sky Ridge Yurts are a perfect place to stay near Bryson City if you want a breathtaking and magical experience! They first opened in and now are one .