The South's Best Mountain Towns 2022 - Southern Living Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. One of the top things to do in the summer is to catch the long running outdoor drama, Horn in the West. This vacation destination is located on the eastern edge of the Plateau region near Sapphire Valley. ), Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties! Make sure to stop in the Paces General Store (operating since 1899) and Thompons Grocery Market- North Carolinas oldest grocery store! bottom: 80px; /* 80px from the bottom of your screen */ A glistening lakefront community in North Carolina, Connestee Falls is home to an 18-hole golf course and other established lifestyle amenities that are fully owned and operated by the residents. Spruce Pine is a nice spot throughout the year, but two events here are really coolthe NC Mineral and Gem Festival in August and SPACE (Spruce Pine Alien Conference & Expo) in June. In 2020, we decided to share more about our home in the Carolinas. For example, here are some facts about Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains: Population: 10,770. Boones truly a four-season destination: they boast hiking and waterfalls in spring through fall and world-class skiing in the winter. Read More: National Parks Sites in North Carolina. }, false ); Asheville, NC Bend, OR Boise, ID Denver, CO Flagstaff, AZ Salt Lake City, UT South Lake Tahoe, CA Tacoma, WA Asheville, NC Photo via @jared_kay Population: 87,531 Home Price: $212,000 median purchase price; $910 median monthly rent Crime Rate: Safer than 3% of U.S. cities It includes some of the top wild places in western North Carolina, such as Catawba Falls, Andrews Geyser, and Point Lookout. From stunning scenery to outdoor adventure to quirky shops and quaint eateries, the North Carolina mountain towns have plenty to offer visitors. The track winds its way through the forest and along the contours of the mountain and since you control the braking, the ride can be as thrilling or sedate as you choose. 32 BEST North Carolina Mountain Towns - Lost In The Carolinas The relatively low elevation, 1,991 feet, means it's warmer here in spring, which can be a real advantage. Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! Couples may want to book a room at the romantic B&B-style Bob Timberlake Inn, while families looking for more living space can opt for the Chetola Premium Condominiums. It has just enough diversity within its quaint downtown to attract plenty of visitors, from eclectic eateries to art studios to specialty shops. Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. Asheville, Greensboro and Charlotte are among the best places to live in North Carolina, a state experiencing continual economic growth. In Flat Rock, spend your days hiking the trails, saying hello to the many goats, and touring the house before heading downtown for some beers and barbecue from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. If you want to look like a local, hit up the popular watering hole, the Daily Grind & Wine. Next on our list of the best cities to live in North Carolina is the Inner Banks community of Greenville. We mentioned Lake Junaluska earlier and thought you should know that it is only 3 miles away from Waynesville. A significant number of people living in Cali go to a higher altitude. Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina's charming cities and stunning natural areas lure visitors and residents from around the world. WRITER: WNC Staff PHOTOGRAPHER: WNC Staff ILLUSTRATOR: WNC Staff Written by Jonathan Ammons, Jon Elliston, Tim W. Jackson, Randy Johnson & Melissa Reardon Sometimes, smaller is better. Banner Elk. You forgot to mention that it is home to Lees-McRae College! Its a hotspot for entertainment, with music at the Folkmoot, the acclaimed HART Theater, and Mountain Street Dances every Friday night. You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. The old-fashioned charm of Maggie Valley is a refreshing escape to a slowed-down era of simplicity. This is the highest town in elevation in all of the east. You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. 14. 80+ Great Small Towns in North Carolina (+ Top 10 Best) - NC Tripping The Most Beautiful Towns in North Carolina - Culture Trip text-decoration: underline Thanks for sharing your favorite with us, Jacquelyn! The 25 Best Western NC Small Towns To Visit (and Live In!) .generate-back-to-top:visited { } If you brought kids, theyll want to check out the fire engine outside! Top 40 Coolest NC Mountain Towns - RomanticAsheville.com Hike around the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. Youll also enjoy walking around and stepping into local shops, art studios, and more here. Dillsboro is one of the coolest mountain towns to discover. Regardless of the season, the Chetola Resort is a wonderful accommodation option. Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other. Start at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Its one of many falls along the famed Waterfall Byway. Just outside the town, you can find the famous Grandfather Mountain and its Mile High Swinging Bridge. The shores of Lake Toxaway are known for beautiful properties which date back to the turn of the century when industry giants such as the Fords, Edisons and Rockefellers vacationed here. Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!). Cashiers is in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest and provides a front row view to the spectacular annual fall foliage. Burnsville is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns for exploring the outdoors. In fact, the town is home to the only fly fishing trail in the United States. Each year, they hold several celebrated events, like the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival and the Mt. The main street is designed with tourists in mind, and is lined with cute shops, galleries, and covered walkways. For a traditional lodge experience, stay at the Chetola Lodge looking out over Chetola Lake. Ride the trains through majestic mountains on the local railroad. Old Fort. One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. It's an outstanding alternative for those . If you are looking for easy access to the Smoky Mountains, it doesn't . You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. } Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. Walk Score: 36/100. The town of Cashiers is centrally located in the Plateau region and attracts thousands of visitors between May to October each year. Its a small town that harkens back to simpler times with vintage signs and brick buildings. For local beer and live music, hit Nantahala Brewing, one of the best breweries in North Carolina, before enjoying some amazing Bryson City restaurants. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. These affordable towns could be your next home or vacation home! To ease your search, weve organized these NC mountain towns in alphabetical order. Cities are fun but sometimes it's nice to swap the busy roads for the peaceful streets of a small mountain town. min-width: 310px; It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. Affordable Mountain Towns for Retirement - US News & World Report Alabama's quintessential mountain town is Mentone, which is set atop Lookout Mountain and filled with charming spots, including the Wildflower Caf, Mentone Log Cabin Village, and Mentone Arts and Cultural Center. The Macon County Gemboree is one of the most widely known gem shows in the entire country. Set on the edge of the Yadkin Valley, there are also an array of award-winning wineries nearby. 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Carolina, 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Charlotte, NC, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wilmington, NC, 12 Top-Rated Mountain Resorts in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina, 10 Top-Rated Campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC, 11 Top-Rated Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina, 17 Top Cheap Ski Holidays in North America, 2023, 14 Top-Rated Small Towns in North Carolina, 3 Top Places for Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina, 11 Top-Rated Romantic Getaways in North Carolina, 12 Top-Rated Waterfalls in North Carolina, North Carolina in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 5 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in North Carolina, 2023, 11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Bay City, MI, 16 Top-Rated Things to Do in Brattleboro, VT, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, Photo Source: Burnsville and Yancey County Tourism, North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls, Top Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina. The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. Several streams high in the Nantahala National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest feed the states largest private lake. Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain townsBanner Elk. Stacker used 2020 data from WalletHub to determine the 46 best U.S. lake towns to live in, evaluating each on six factors: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of . The majestic peaks of the Blue Ridge Parkway, charming towns offering luxurious properties with panoramic beauty are just a few of the reasons that many seek out the best place to live in the North Carolina mountains. There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. We enjoyed renting a cabin house with our grandson & children, the young children walking in the New River & my husband & I kayking. Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! At over 5,000 feet above sea level, you can expect some of the most breathtaking views from this mountain town. jQuery && jQuery( function( $ ) { Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. Its easy to spend a week here at a coxy Asheville cabin and never get bored! A massive aquarium, a mountain coaster and. Trust us, we will find it here in one of our great mountain towns. The fresh air calls most outside to enjoy nature. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. The Ashe County Cheese factory and store are two great places to visit in West Jefferson, one of the cutest mountain towns in NC! Please visit our Disclosure and Privacy Policy pages for further explanation. Its main attractions, including the darling historic downtown, the . Flat Rock. Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. Best Places to Live Near the Mountains - Extra Space Storage 17 Terrific Cities & Towns Near Asheville, NC To Visit The 15 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit Don't miss a chance to see spectacular Dry Falls, about 10 minutes from town, where you can walk behind a curtain of water pouring off an overhanging ledge. Except here, you can taste delicious wine and take some home with you. The 3,800-acre development has nearly half the land set aside in conservation areas including lakes, waterfalls, woodlands and hiking trails. The various festivals and several golf courses is what residents have come to love about Sapphire Valley along with the peaceful scenery that attracts many to the area. It is a popular tourist destination as well, so developing tourism . But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whether drawn to the fresh mountain air, top dining, award-winning art galleries and unique shopping boutiques all and more can be found in the mountains of North Carolina. One of the best small towns near Asheville - well, technically a village with a population under 3,400 people as of 2020 - Flat Rock is home to history, apples, and hiking. 5 Gorgeous Mountain Towns You Can Actually Afford - Livability Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do in Asheville (Downtown, Biltmore, and More!). In summer, you may see people fishing. This is a haven for hikers to set off on the trails of either Gorges State Park or in a portion of the Panthertown Valley. The ride down is thrilling, with the two-seater sleds hitting top speeds of 27 miles per hour as they twist and turn down the nearly 2,400-foot run. Begin with our list of the best mountain towns in North Carolina. Our weekly newsletter shares weekly updates and tips on upcoming events. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. Bryson City is a great gateway if youre looking to explore the expansive Great Smoky Mountains. With the smallest population of all, the town consists of just a few quaint shops. If you simply want a relaxing getaway, you can find it here any time of year. One of the largest North Carolina mountain towns on this list, we absolutely love all the fun things to do in Hendersonville. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. But it's far from the only one. Just outside of Hendersonville is the North Carolina mountain town of Flat Rock. Among the top contenders is the beloved Sliding Rock. Youll encounter galleries galore downtown, among specialty shops, fine fares, and craft beverages. Awesome to hear, Rebecca! The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. Spruce Pine is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of fun to explore. Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. Known as the moonshine capital of the world, this foothills haven is spirited in more ways than one. Davidson. Larry Lamb/Wikimedia. - 5/13/2022 I lived in Black Mountain for about ten years and loved it! About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. Retail shops and restaurants can be found on Sylva's Main Street. Its also known for its four-day roots music festival, Merlefest, for which people travel from all over to see legendary performances. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. Morganton is one of the easternmost North Carolina mountain towns well mention. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hendersonville. Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. Flat Rock is also where you can find one of the most popular places for apple picking in North Carolina, Sky Top Orchard. With only about 500 people living here, its main draw is the eponymous natural thermal mineral baths. Madison County seat Marshall sits just north of Asheville and Buncombe County. Real Estate Rankings Best Places to Live Best Places to Retire Rankings Category Population Size X-Large 2.5M+ Large 1M - 2.5M Medium 500K - 1M Small 50K - 500K Average Rent < $500 -. Rolling hills surround the town, and the Tuckasegee River runs through the middle. Its downtown is packed with shops and restaurants galore (Old World Baking Company for starters), but theres also some outdoor fun to find here. You can turn in a circle to see the mountains. And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; Home - North Carolina - NC Mountains - 32 BEST North Carolina Mountain Towns. Highlands attracts those looking for a quaint atmosphere, in this hidden mountain gem. Mitchell Craft Fair, adding to their creative haven atmosphere. Our NC travel map will help you visually plan, in case youre ready to start exploring! Its a town with a rich cultural heritage and an amazing area to learn more about these native peoples. Its a picture-perfect pick with plenty of kitsch to go around. Its located at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River, making it a great jumping off point for some excursions into nature. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. The 10 Best Places To Live In North Carolina For 2022 - HomeSnacks We are captivated by the Plateaus beauty and special charm and are passionate to share it with others looking to make the area home. Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. 12 of the Best Small Mountain Towns around Asheville Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. The last town before the Nantahala National Forest and Parks, Bryson City pops up out of nowhere in a valley between some of North Carolina's most incredible outdoor spaces and stunning waterfalls.. The Ramble Biltmore Forest, Asheville. Hope you get to see them sometime! The rustic charm of Cashiers honors the regions former prominence in the timber industry. Nearby Sugar Mountain Ski Resort and Beech Mountain Ski Resort attract skiers from across the state and regions farther south, and many of them make their base Banner Elk.
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