10 Nicest Small Towns In North Carolina

With about one-third of North Carolinians living in rural areas, small towns continue to play a key role in the state’s culture and identity. To truly get a sense of what North Carolina is all about, it is necessary to travel beyond the cities and into its quieter corners. The following towns are some of the nicest to visit, home to apple orchards, wild horse herds, and local seafood restaurants. With communities like Black Mountain, Edenton, and Southport, once you learn more, you will likely want to visit each of these welcoming towns for yourself!

Black Mountain

Although Black Mountain is home to fewer than 9,000 residents, it has an impressively lively festival calendar. The town has been hosting the Sourwood Festival each summer since 1977, which celebrates the honey-selling season with local honey vendors, snack vendors, and more in the downtown district. Each September, meanwhile, the town hosts the three-day Black Mountain Blues Festival, offering three stages of blues, rock, and alternative jams. The natural beauty near Black Mountain is just as worthy of a visit. Catawba Falls, for example, is just a 20-minute drive from town and features a series of cascades that total 100 feet.

Hendersonville

Surrounded by apple orchards, breweries, and cideries, Hendersonville is one of the coziest little towns in western North Carolina. For some fresh apples, peaches, apple butters, or jams, stop by the Apple House and Owenby Orchards, a family-owned farm and market. Afterwards, travelers can head over to Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider, where an antique barn-style tasting room and a deck overlooking the orchard provide the ideal setting to enjoy a locally made cider. For a bit of nostalgia, the Appalachian Pinball Museum features an impressive collection of vintage and modern pinball machines, perfect for an afternoon of play.

Edenton

As one of the earliest colonial capitals of North Carolina, Edenton, which lies along the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay, is lined with 18th-century homes and historic landmarks. One of the best ways to explore the town’s history is on a historic trolley tour, where a local guide narrates significant sites in the Edenton Cotton Mill Village and the historic downtown district. Make sure to stop by the Historic Edenton Visitor Center as well, which is situated in a restored historic home and showcases rotating historical exhibits of the town’s history. The 1767 Chowan County Courthouse is another must-visit historical site, the oldest government building in the state, and is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a tight-knit coastal town with lots of community events and seafood restaurants to check out. Each Saturday, from April through November, the town comes together for the Olde Beaufort Farmers' Market, where vendors sell locally grown produce, baked goods, and other artisan products. For fresh seafood, Clawson’s Restaurant & Pub is a popular spot, situated near the waterfront in a historic building and serving favorites like crab cakes, fish and chips, shrimp mac n cheese, and blackened mahi mahi. Heading a few minutes outside of town, visitors will reach the Rachel Carson Reserve, which is accessible via kayak or boat and is home to wild horses, over 200 species of birds, and other native wildlife.

Blowing Rock

Although Hurricane Helene temporarily impacted tourism in Blowing Rock, the town has since rebuilt and reopened many of the affected attractions and is more eager than ever to welcome visitors back! Town Tavern, which sits along Main Street in the heart of town, is a wonderful place to spend an evening, offering live music each Friday accompanied by delicious North Carolina barbecue, wings, burgers, and more. Travelers hoping to explore the mountains may consider doing so on horseback! Blowing Rock Trail Rides offers scenic horseback excursions that wind through the estate’s 3,500 acres. If you are willing to drive a bit, consider making the trip out to Grandfather Mountain, which is located about a half hour’s drive from town and features a biodiverse, 5,946-foot mountain with hiking trails, native wildlife exhibits, and a famous mile-high swinging bridge.

Corolla

Although Corolla has a permanent population of just around 500 residents, it has become a popular and beloved beach vacation destination in recent years, largely for its wide, sandy beaches and remote feel. The town is also famously home to a herd of wild horses! Travelers interested in seeing these horses for themselves can sign up for an excursion with Corolla Wild Horse Tours, which will take them out in a 15-passenger, safari-style truck into the dunes where the horses reside.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is one of the town’s most notable landmarks. It dates back to 1875 and offers visitors the chance to climb to the top for panoramic views. Consider packing an ice chest and stopping by the Bluewater Seafood Market before you leave. It sells some of the freshest seafood from the Outer Banks, including blue crab, shrimp, tuna, and halibut.

Bryson City

Nestled at an intersection between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, Bryson City is one of North Carolina’s most beautiful mountain towns. Travelers can take in the area’s mountain views along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which departs from Bryson City and winds past Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fontana Lake, Nantahala National Forest, and other scenic sections.

There are plenty of hiking trails nearby as well, such as the Cheoah Bald, which intersects with the Appalachian Trail and leads to a summit of 5,062 feet. The Hike Lonesome Pine Overlook Trail is another great trail to hike if you are seeking a bit of solitude, stretching 6.6 miles out and back and offering incredible views of the southern Smokies.

Bethania

Established in 1759 as a Moravian village, Bethania has largely retained its European heritage, which visitors can explore throughout the small historic town. A prime example of this history is the Alpha Chapel, built around 1895, later moved to the town center, and now serving as the community’s town hall. Make sure to stop by the Wolff-Moser House as well, which exhibits an authentic 19th-century hand-cut dwelling with brick nogging. If you want to explore the area’s countryside, check out one of the surrounding hiking trails. Black Bottom Walnut Trail is a good option if you are seeking a laid-back hike, featuring a 1.4-mile loop that takes about 25 minutes to hike.

Banner Elk

As a gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains and to North Carolina’s High Country, it is easy to relax in Banner Elk. There are plenty of cozy inns and lodges throughout town, such as The Lodge at River Run, a luxury bed and breakfast that features five uniquely decorated, rustic-style rooms. Throughout the summer, Banner Elk hosts a Summer Concert Series on Thursday evenings from late June to mid-August, featuring live music ranging from country and soul to funk and southern rock. If you are looking for exhilarating fun, check out the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, a 3,160-foot coaster that winds through the area’s gorgeous mountains and forests.

Southport

Named one of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” by Coastal Living Magazine, Southport is the perfect coastal destination if you are looking for a bit of southern hospitality and cheer. The town has also appeared in numerous films and TV shows, and the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum and Visitors' Center displays plenty of memorabilia from those productions. For a cozy place to stay, the Southport Carriage House Inn is a great option. It was built in the mid-1930s and offers elegant yet modern rooms. To round out your visit, stop by the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, which highlights the maritime history of the lower Cape Fear River.

If North Carolinians know one thing, it is that their state is full of places to explore. The presence of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains results in numerous quaint mountain towns, while its coastline serves as a home to many seaside communities. No matter what kind of vacation you are looking for this year, one of these nicest small towns is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and recharged.