13 Most Beautiful Small Towns In North Carolina You Should Visit
Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and by the US states of South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia on the south, southwest, west, and north, respectively, North Carolina is a geographically diverse state in the American Southeast. Home to a total population of 10,698,973 inhabitants, the Tarheel State is celebrated for its pristine scenery, rich history, and thriving cultures. Although the state capital, Raleigh, the biggest city, Charlotte, and other populated cities like Greensboro, Durham, etc., top the list of favorite tourist destinations, the beautiful small towns are no less than them and attract lots of vacationers with their ample natural beauty, historic landmarks, colorful festivals, and Southern hospitality. From waterfront locales to mountain getaways, these small towns in North Carolina have something for everyone.
Bryson City
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Bryson City, the county seat of Swain County, is situated immediately west of the meeting point of the Tuckasegee River and Deep Creek, about one hour west of Asheville. Owing to its location at the west of the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this tranquil mountain town is a favored tourist destination offering visitors ample exciting outdoor activities. Tourists can enjoy a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, a heritage railroad that offers breathtaking views of the Nantahala Valley. Moreover, with the fantastic guide services provided by the Nantahala Outdoor Center, visitors can participate in various recreational activities in the Nantahala National Forest, Deep Creek Recreation Area, and along the Nantahala River and Fontana Lake. History buffs would not want to miss the Swain County Visitor Center & Heritage Museum and the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, while wine aficionados can taste award-winning craft beers and unwind after a hectic day at the Nantahala Brewing.
Manteo
This charming coastal town, named after a Croatan Native American, occupies the north-central portion of Roanoke Island in North Carolina’s Dare County. Known for its proximity to the Outer Banks, Manteo has amazed vacationers for generations. Stretching adjacent to the scenic waterfront, Manteo’s downtown is lined by locally owned boutiques, gift shops, galleries, antique stores, bookshops, renowned restaurants, and quaint bed & breakfasts. In addition to these, the tourists must visit some of the town’s other notable attractions like the Pioneer Theater, Roanoke Marshes Light, Roanoke Island Festival Park, North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Elizabethan Gardens, and the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama. Visitors are also drawn to Manteo’s annual festivals and events like Dare Day, Independence Day, the New World Festival of the Arts, and Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament.
Hillsborough
The administrative center of Orange County, Hillsborough, is a small town along the Eno River in the state’s north-central portion, approximately 10 miles northwest of Durham. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the downtown Hillsborough Historic District features over 100 homes that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of these fascinating historical sites include Alexander Dickson House (home to the Hillsborough Visitor Center), Old Orange County Courthouse, Ayr Mount – an 1818 Federal-era plantation house, Green Hill, Poplar Hill, the Inn at Teardrops, Margaret Lane Cemetery, and the historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. Outdoor lovers can enjoy walking and hiking opportunities at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, the Riverwalk (part of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail), and the nearby Eno River State Park. Hillsborough also serves as a venue for several yearly events, including the Hog Day BBQ Festival, the Arts & Crafts Show, and the Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk.
Highlands
This offbeat town encompassing the southeastern portion of Macon County and the southwestern part of Jackson County is placed atop the Western North Carolina plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains within the Nantahala National Forest. Named such due to its high elevation, the mountain town serves as a summer retreat for numerous Southerners who wish to escape the summertime heat and humidity experienced throughout a significant part of the region. Tourists can browse the historic buildings, antique shops, inns, restaurants, and performing arts theaters like the Highlands Playhouse, Instant Theatre Company, Highlands Community Players, and the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center. Backpackers can enjoy the popular mountainous hiking trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, Quarry Falls, etc. Anglers are drawn to the surrounding Harris Lake and Cliffside Lake Recreation Area for fly fishing activities.
Banner Elk
This quaint North Carolina High Country town, located less than 20 miles from Boone, perfectly amalgamates the small-town atmosphere with the amenities of a big city. Tourists visiting Banner Elk can enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures besides the town’s cultural richness. During summer, the crystal-clear Watauga Lake offers fishing, boating, and wakeboarding activities, while during winter, skiing and snowboarding are offered at the two largest ski resorts: Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. The town provides easy access to other famed attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Linville Caverns, Tweetsie Railroad, and the Blowing Rock. In addition, the tourists can explore a range of working farms, cozy cafes, bed & breakfasts, and taste exceptional wines at the local wineries and breweries. Every year, over the third weekend of October, the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk celebrates the beginning of the snow season.
Edenton
A reputed retirement location and a heritage tourism destination in North Carolina’s Inner Banks region, Edenton is placed just north of Albemarle Sound at the northern end of Edenton Bay. Named in honor of Charles Eden, the first Royal Governor, Edenton rose to fame when 51 local women led by Penelope Baker organized an anti-British protest called “The Edenton Tea Party” on October 25, 1774. This incredible waterfront locale houses a wealth of historic structures that date back to the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. Tourists are welcome to explore some notable colonial structures, including the Lane House, Cupola House, Chowan County Courthouse, Baker House, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke River Lighthouse, etc. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy abundant water-based recreations at the Albemarle Sound or in the small canals that flow along the outskirts of the Great Dismal Swamp. Besides historic structures, the downtown captivates visitors with an array of antique shops, art galleries, cafes, waterfront bistros, acclaimed bed & breakfasts, and restaurants serving local seafood specialties.
Sylva
Occupying the heart of Jackson County in Western North Carolina’s Plott Balsam Mountains, Sylva is an adorable mountain town located close to two renowned vacation destinations: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee Indian Reservation of the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Anchored by the photo-op-worthy Jackson County Courthouse (now Jackson County Public Library), the Main Street boasts an assortment of eclectic shops, boutiques, bookstores, cafes, art galleries, farm-to-table restaurants, and craft breweries. Sylva allures outdoor enthusiasts who wish to hike to the top of The Pinnacle to get magnificent panoramic views of the Scotts Creek Valley and the town of Sylva. History buffs would not want to miss the American Museum of the House Cat, the Appalachian Women’s Museum, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indians. The various annual celebrations like “Greening Up The Mountains Festival,” “Hook, Line & Drinker Festival,” and “Concerts on The Creek” also attract thousands of vacationers to Sylva every year.
Mount Airy
A part of the Piedmont Triad Metropolitan Region, Mount Airy is set along the Ararat River at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 14 miles away from the Blue Ridge Parkway and 3 miles south of the Virginia state boundary. Being the birthplace of American actor Andy Griffith, this vibrant community served as the real-life inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry from the 1960s Andy Griffith Show. The town, in turn, capitalizes on its Mayberry connection to draw thousands of tourists every year. The Mount Airy Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, encompasses several buildings that date back between 1880 and 1930.
Some of these notable historical structures include the W. F. Carter House, Edgar Harvey Hennis House, Trinity Episcopal Church, North Carolina Granite Corporation Quarry Complex, etc. The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, Andy Griffith Museum, Mayberry Courthouse, Floyd’s City Barber Shop, Squad Car Tours, Earle Theatre, the Blackmon Amphitheatre, the Andy Griffith Playhouse, Riverside Park, Veterans Memorial Park, and the adjacent Pilot Mountain State Park also draw a lot of tourists. Mount Airy celebrates the Mayberry Days, Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention, and the Autumn Leaves Festival every year.
Saluda
Saluda, a beautiful mountain town, extends across the Polk and Henderson Counties, about 35 miles south of Asheville. The town is noted for its location at the top of the Norfolk Southern Railway’s Saluda Grade, the country’s steepest mainline standard gauge railroad line. Tourists visiting Saluda must take a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined Main Street to admire the lovely Victorian homes, art galleries, specialty shops, century-old general stores, and restaurants serving delicious cuisines. The numerous parks and trails managed by the Saluda Community Land Trust and the town’s closeness to natural areas like the Green River Gorge, Pisgah National Forest, and DuPont State Recreational Forest offer visitors opportunities to spend quality time amidst nature. The town’s annual festivals, like the Saluda Arts Festival, Coon Dog Day Festival, and the Saluda Hometown Christmas Festival, also draw thousands of merrymakers to Saluda.
Hendersonville
Named for Leonard Henderson, a reputed American jurist and Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, this charming small town occupies the heart of Henderson County, approximately 22 miles south of Asheville. A stroll through the tree-lined Main Street filled with historic buildings, high-quality stores, galleries, museums, theaters, breweries, and excellent restaurants will give visitors a taste of Southern charm. The landmark Henderson County Courthouse, Henderson County Heritage Museum, Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County, Appalachian Pinball Museum, Hands-On Children’s Museum, 1902-16 Hendersonville Rail Road Station, Oakdale Cemetery, Historic Johnson Farm, Hendersonville Little Theatre, and the Western North Carolina Air Museum are some of the town’s noteworthy attractions.
Outdoor lovers must head out to the adjacent town of Laurel Park to visit the scenic Jump off Rock overlook that provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge, and the Pisgah Mountain Ranges. The merrymakers can participate in Hendersonville’s biggest street festival – the North Carolina Apple Festival, held annually over Labor Day Weekend.
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is one of the state’s spectacular mountain towns spread across the Watauga and Caldwell counties at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town’s most famed attraction is its namesake rock formation that rises more than 1,500 ft above the Johns River Gorge and offers fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Tourists can visit the beautiful Glen Burney Falls, Glen Marie Falls, Tweetsie Railroad theme park, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine, Julian Price Memorial Park, and the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. Blowing Rock serves as a venue for many festivals and events, including the “Art in the Park,” Fourth of July festival and parade, Blowing Rock Winterfest, Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival, Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town festivities, Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort, and the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show.
Southport
Home to 3,971 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, Southport is an enchanting waterfront town along the northwestern shores of the Cape Fear River in the southeastern portion of Brunswick County. Located approximately 2 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, Southport is renowned for its maritime heritage, breathtaking scenery, and the salubrious breezes that provide a welcoming ambiance. Stroll through the town’s friendly streets and browse the local art galleries, and boutique shops, grab a quick bite at one of the eateries, and wander around the docks. History enthusiasts must visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum, Fort Johnston – Southport Museum & Visitors Center, Old Brunswick County Jail Museum, and Price’s Creek Lighthouse. Movie buffs would not want to miss a tour of the locales where popular films and television shows like “A Walk To Remember,” “Safe Haven,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and “Dawson’s Creek” were shot. Southport also hosts the annual North Carolina Fourth of July Festival, which draws over 40,000 to 50,000 visitors.
Boone
Boone, the administrative center of Watauga County, is a pretty small town surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwestern portion of the state. Named after Daniel Boone, the legendary American pioneer and explorer, Boone is the High Country region's biggest community and economic hub. Besides being home to the main campus of Appalachian State University, Boone’s scenic location has made it a well-known destination, offering ample outdoor recreational activities like hiking, skiing, mountain biking, snowboarding, etc. Visitors can tour some of Boone’s famous places of interest, such as the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, Jones House Community Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, Appalachian Theatre, Kidd-Brewer Stadium, and the adjacent Elk Knob State Park. One can also witness a performance of “Horn in the West” – the nation’s oldest revolutionary war drama performed at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater annually every summer.
From the amazing waterfront towns of Southport and Manteo to the picturesque mountain towns like Blowing Rock and Saluda, the beautiful small towns in the nation’s 28th-largest and 9th-most populous states are lovely places to explore. With spectacular surroundings, significant historical landmarks, a multitude of recreational options, welcoming locals, and vibrant cultures, these treasures of North Carolina offer an all-inclusive experience to anyone who visits them. Whether you want to enjoy a long vacation or a quick weekend getaway with your loved ones, the small towns of Old North State will not disappoint you.
