12 Towns in North Carolina With Rich History

One of the original 13 colonies of America, North Carolina sits in the southeast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the East and Virginia to the north. Nicknamed the "Tar Heel State," North Carolina witnessed economic prosperity in the 19th century due to its booming manufacturing industries. As a result, it saw an influx of new residents who played a crucial role in shaping the prosperous communities described on this list as the 12 towns of North Carolina with a rich history worth visiting. 

Beaufort

Beaufort is state-renowned as a historic fishing village that dates back to 1711, and it is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Nicknamed America’s favorite town, Beaufort is also known as the place where the famous pirate Blackbeard crashed his ship. Thanks to local efforts to preserve the town’s developing history, visitors can travel back in time to learn more about Beaufort’s historical significance as a waterfront community at places like The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, offering insights into how wooden ships were built, and the 1861 Fort Macon constructed and its surrounding state park. Unique experiences in town include scuba diving to behold a graveyard of shipwrecks, boarding a Pirate replica ship at the Beaufort Pirate’s Revenge, and embarking on a haunted ghost tour at The Old Burying Ground with graves that date back to the 1600s. 

New Bern

New Bern is the second oldest colonial town in North Carolina after the historic city of Bath. New Bern’s history dates back to 1710 when Swiss and German immigrants settled it. New Bern was also North Carolina’s first state capital, serving from 1746 to 1792, with the historic Tryon Palace as the state’s official Capitol Building. The town saw economic advancement by the late 1700s and was established as one of North Carolina’s largest cities when the Civil War broke out in 1861. Among the historical places to visit in New Bern are the Pepsi Store, globally recognized as the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, The New Bern Battlefield Park, where much of the 1862 Civil War in North Carolina occurred, and Blades Massion, an imaginatively constructed mansion on Middle St.

Tarboro

Once an important trading hub and riverport town, Tarboro was officially declared the county seat of Edgecombe County in 1764 and ranks among the best historic cities in North Carolina for its 45-block historic district. One of the ten oldest towns in North Carolina, Tarboro's establishing history dates back to 1760, and it stands out as one of the best destinations on this list to learn about North Carolina’s developing history as one of the original 13 colonies, offering a history-immersive experience with quirky museums like the Edgecombe County Veterans’ Military Museum showcasing artifacts of vehicles and tools from early military times or the Blount-bridgers House and its historic garden. The town retains its historic charm with a welcoming main street dotted with school-operated businesses like Tar River Antiques & Gifts and Mama’s Pizza Italian Restaurant. 

Rutherfordton

A historic town with a developing history that dates back to 1787, Rutherfordton makes the list of 12 small towns in North Carolina with a rich history for its well-preserved main street beautified with small family businesses and the Renaissance Revival style building Local Rutherford County Courthouse. Historically significant attractions in town also include Christopher Bechtler’s house, where the first American Gold Coin was minted, with a display of the craftsman's collection of coins and belongings. Browse over 200 artistic local pieces at the Rutherford County Visual Arts Center, catch a family-friendly educational experience at the KidSenses Children’s InterACTIVE Museum, and stay at classy historic lodging options like Carrier Houses Bed & Breakfast when visiting the historic town of Rutherford. 

Manteo

Maneo stands out as one of the oldest towns settled long before any other town, believed to date back to 1587. However, early settlers abandoned the town for unknown reasons. Wanchese neighbors this small town and blends a rich natural setting with tales of a lost English settlement. Historic attractions in the area include The Roanoke Island Farm, built in the 19th century, and The Mother Vine, believed to be the oldest vine in America, reared by colonists in 1584. The historical experience in Manteo is enhanced by exceptional seafood dining options offering fresh sea-to-table options like Avenue Waterfront Grille, the family-owned Darrell’s Seafood Restaurant, along with local beverages to try at places like the Lost Colony Brewery and Outer Banks Distilling. 

Edenton

Edenton is another early settled town due to its proximity to waters, and it makes this list for its historic charm beautified by a summer beach escape experience, luxurious lodging options, and 18th-century architecture. Edenton is known to be the first-ever colonial capital of North Carolina and also played a dominant role in nationally abolishing slavery, offering means of escape through the Maritime Underground Railroad, home to the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse National Historic Landmark. Visit here and stay in historic accommodations such as Captin’s Quarters Inn and Granville Queen Inn.

Banner Elk

Banner Elk contributes to the list of historic small towns in North Carolina as a mountainous escape combining luxury cabin stays and outdoor-centric recreation with its rich history as a town developed in 1848. Art and history displays in the city can be found at Beech Mountain History Museum, which narrates tales of the town’s prominent role as a skiing haven, the well-preserved Banner House Museum, and the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, located 17 miles from the city of Boone dedicated to showcasing the living conditions of early settlers. Pair your historical exploration of the town with a visit to its many nearby mountains, whether to hike trails in warmer months or hit the slopes in the winter and sample some of the town’s delicacies at wineries, the naturally scenic family-owned Grandfather Vineyard and Banner Elk Winery. 

Bath

Bath, the oldest town in North Carolina, was established in 1705 and played a significant historic role as the first port city in the area. Thanks to the town’s rich history, Bath is one of the best destinations to find guided tours, from browsing iconic local homes to in-town brewing itineraries, with guided tours that can be found at the local visitors center. Notable historic landmarks include the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, constructed in 1734, well-homes, and wealthy locals, like Glebe House and Van Der Veer House. Bath is also known to be home to Blackbeard, one of the most famous pirates in the world, despite the exact location of his home remaining unknown. With much of the town’s intrigue built around the tales of pirates and the infamous Blackbeard there, the history of Bath is all paired with dramatic stories and legends that friendly locals best narrate. The Pirate’s Wharf on Bath Creek stands out as one of the best-rated lodging options, while The Pirates Treasure Gift Shop and Blackbeard’s Tavern are some of the best places to launch your meet knowledgeable locals and dig deeper into the Bath’s history. 

Mount Airy

The small town of Mount Airy, once a productive community of furniture manufacturers and textiles, is most recognized today for being the hometown of the famous Hollywood star Andy Griffith. Incorporated as a town in 1885, Mount Airy is less historic than most towns on this list but remains a tourist attraction for its well-preserved 19th-century tourable homes and still operating old-school Earle Theatre. The historic allure of Mount Airy is also amplified by its small businesses like the Mayberry Antique Shop, Old North State Winery, and Barney’s Cafe, an old traditional diner. The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History is also one of the best places to learn more about the town’s developing history. 

Cherokee

Cherokee is one of the few towns in North Carolina where visitors can learn about history that extends beyond the settlers’ era. Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc., the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Oconaluftee Indian Village are a few of the many places where visitors can learn about native american history with history in the area that dates back well over 11,000 years. Some of the best lodging options for any visit to Cherokee include Rivers Edge Motel, Stonebrook Lodge, and the Quality Inn at Cherokee. Additionally, the historical experience in Cherokee is also enhanced by rich nature with hike-able wilderness like the Soco Falls, located 11 mi away from town, and Fire Mountain Trails, located near the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee. 

Elizabeth City

Another vital port town, Elizabeth City, is a museum in and of itself with artistic street murals and a scenic blend of history with waterfront vistas of the Pasquotank River. The small historic town in North Carolina dates back to 1793 and is the economic hub of Pasquotank County. Beautiful historic architecture decorates the town's streets, and a lively downtown district adds to the old-school American small-town experience. The Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City travels with visitors back in time for insights into the settlement history of the Albemarle region, while stories of the town’s role in the Civil War can experienced through guided learning trips with the Elizabeth City Civil War Trail Markers Tour. 

Boone

Finally, wrapping up the list of must-visit historic towns in North Carolina is the mountainous town and winter resort town of Boone, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hickory Ridge History Museum in Boone is one of the best destinations in North Carolina to learn about life earlier in the state, with entire wooden cabin village tours and annual plays honoring the town’s history. Founded in 1872, Boone is the perfect example of historic countryside living at a high elevation of 3,333 feet. A visit to the historic resort town of Boone is incomplete, however, without exploring some of the best-untouched nature preserves in North Carolina, like Howards Knob County Park, Payne Branch Park, and the nearby Appalachian Ski Mountains.

North Carolina, one of the earliest American English colonies, boasts a rich history spanning centuries from economic prosperity in the 19th century to its pivotal role during the Civil War. This inclusive list of 12 towns in North Carolina with rich history offers insights into various historical lifestyles of Old North Carolina, each beautified by local efforts to preserve and communicate history. It is a journey through old English America, from the historic mountain town of Banner Elk to Artifact displays from Native American Times in Cherokee; plan a trip to North Carolina and choose from the different engaging atmospheres from days of yore.