10 Most Beautiful Small Towns In the Appalachians You Should Visit
The Appalachian Mountains, spanning from Alabama to Canada, form one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth.
The mountains have served as a source of inspiration for countless artists, influencing numerous songs and movies over the years.
Generations of Americans have made their home in the Appalachian Mountains, where weathered peaks rise, their ancient slopes blanketed in dense forests, and the valleys hold a treasure trove of stories.
These 10 towns are some of the most beautiful locations the Appalachian Mountains has to offer.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Some towns have historic buildings. With Harpers Ferry, the entire town is designated a National Historical District.
Located where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet, Harpers Ferry has well-preserved 19th-century architecture and old stone streets, giving a sense of poking your head back in time.
This memorable town offers a unique glimpse into the past amidst its beautiful setting.
The town has deep ties to the Civil War, including the famous John Brown's Raid in 1859, which fired up tensions before the war.
The town is also the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, surrounded by heavily foliaged hillsides the region is so famous for.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, located here, serves as a hub for hikers and showcases the trail's long legacy in the area.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
Blue Ridge is surrounded by the southern extension of the Appalachian Mountains, where the mountains stand out with their rolling peaks and lush, green valleys.
The town boasts a historic train station, an active arts community, several breweries, and a Main Street full of shops and restaurants.
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway rides alongside the Toccoa River on its way to McCaysville, weaving through diverse forests and historical landmarks, showing off the area's rich heritage.
The outdoorsmen out there will be happy to see Blue Ridge has 106,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest, 300 miles of hiking trails, and 100 miles of trout streams at its doorstep.
Chattahoochee National Forest holds several must-see locations, including Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak. Another option is, Anna Ruby Falls, a unique double waterfall, formed by the Curtis and York Creeks merging.
Helen, Georgia
Helen is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, despite the fact only around 500 people call it home.
The thing stand stands out most with Helen is the Bavarian influence that can be seen wherever you look, notably the timbered buildings and flower-lined streets.
Unicoi State Park, located not far from Helen, Georgia, covers 1,050 acres of wilderness.The park is a great day-trip opportunity, with a freshwater lake, hiking trails, and camping facilities.
If you are already in a German-influenced town, it is a must to partake in some German-influenced activities. Every year Helen celebrates ‘Oktoberfest’ drawing inspiration from the famous German festival, known the world-over.
Another option is Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German Christmas market featuring crafts, food, and plenty of holiday spirit.
Boone, North Carolina
Boone's beauty is characterized perfectly by the distinctive profiles of Grandfather Mountain and Beech Mountain, looming large over the area.
The town is home to Appalachian State University, which plays a central role in the community, contributing to the academic culture and intellectual atmosphere.
King Street, the main thoroughfare, is a mix of buildings, including boutique stores offering Appalachian crafts and local artwork, family-owned restaurants serving Southern comfort food, and more.
Blue Ridge Parkway offers breathtaking views, as it winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains. The parkway provides lots of pull-off points where visitors can stop to take in some of the views.
For nature buffs, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens houses the rich biodiversity of the Appalachian region and is home to a wide variety of native plants.
North Conway, New Hampshire
From long summer days sitting by the fire, to skiing on a brisk winter day, North Conway is a four-season town.
North Conway's downtown core distinct look is built around timeless architecture, including the iconic Eastern Slope Inn, built in 1937.
It also has a mix of stores like Zeb's General Store, known for its gourmet goods, and vintage train rides departing from the Conway Scenic Railroad station.
Rock climbers also have a plethora of options, and Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges are two of the more popular locations area.
Cranmore Mountain, overlooking North Conway, has year-round activities, but the big draw is the fantastic skiing in the wintertime.
In fact, for those in love with skiing, the regional history of the pastime comes alive at the New England Ski Museum.
Pineville, West Virginia
Around this town, as the name might suggest, pine forests rise alongside the banks of the surrounding mountains.
The most iconic building in town is the Wyoming County Courthouse with its bold neoclassical columns, standing proudly over the town.
The building was built in 1916 with local quarried stone and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Located in town, Castle Rock is a must-see, as the over 130-foot rock formation is a geological wonder that was carved over time by both the Rock Castle Creek and Guyandotte River.
For a nice trip outside of town, Pinnacle Rock State Park is just an hour's drive south. It is renowned for its prominent 3,100-foot sandstone formation that towers over the surrounding landscape and lends its name to the park.
Lewisburg, West Virginia
Imagine cobblestone streets, 18th-century buildings, and wrought-iron balconies, with the mountains at your back.
Lewisburg is all this and more, tracing its roots back to its founding in 1782. The town was named after General Andrew Lewis, a key figure in the American Revolutionary War.
The town has lots of century-old buildings, and one of the noteworthy buildings in town is the Historic General Lewis Inn, offering suites in restored buildings from 1834 and 1928.
The town also has long ties with the arts community. The town is home to the official state theater, known as Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and also has one of the only four Carnegie Halls worldwide.
Visitors rush into town each autumn, as the streets burst into a riot of colors, and the renowned 'Chocolate Festival' welcomes tourists and residents alike.
Bryson City, North Carolina
Bryson City sits amongst the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains and is well-known for the wide assortment of outdoor activities it has to offer.
There is boating and fishing on Fontana Lake. There is rafting and kayaking on the nearby Nantahala River. As well, there is ample mountain biking to do on the Tsali trails.
In the town's center, you'll find the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, offering a round-trip experience with views you can't get any other way.
Only 30 minutes away by car, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park showcases ancient Appalachian summits, including Clingmans Dome, iconic for its status as the park's highest peak.
The park also has a multitude of animals, including wild turkeys, elk, black bears, raccoons, red foxes, and bobcats.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains on three sides, Gatlinburg is a perfect gateway to the vast wilderness that surrounds the town.
The town itself has many highlights, including Little Pigeon River, a nice place for a quiet stroll. The downtown Parkway is a popular place for shopping, eating, and picking up that one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Anyone who is not scared of heights can ride the chairlift to Gatlinburg Skylift Park, which has some of the best views in the area. It also has the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America.
As well, the 120-passenger Aerial Tramway takes you from Gatlinburg up to Ober Mountain at an elevation of 2700 feet, with great views on all sides.
For something more unusual, Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Gatlinburg houses interactive displays and unusual artifacts, including shrunken heads and rare historical finds.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Blowing Rock, both a town and a renowned cliff in North Carolina, gets its name from Native American legend.
According to the story, a Chickasaw maiden, forbidden to be with a Cherokee brave, jumped from Blowing Rock. Mysterious winds saved her, symbolizing their love, and defying tribal rivalry, giving the area its distinctive name.
At the cliff, winds roar upward, making objects appear to float, creating a somewhat surreal experience when you visit.
Not far away, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park contains plenty of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Flat Top Manor, a historical estate and now a museum, acts as a focal point of the park and is open to the public.
If you feel like a bit of culture, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum houses a collection of Appalachian art and artifacts, highlighting the cultural heritage of the region.
Conclusion
These towns are only part of the long story that lives and grows in the Appalachian Mountains.
From the rolling mountain tops of Blue Ridge to the mystical cliffs of Blowing Rock, each town provides a way to experience the beautiful mountain region.
Whether it is outdoor adventures, a deep local history, or vibrant artistic communities, the Appalachian Mountains can offer each visitor their own unique adventure.
