7 Coolest Towns in North Carolina for a Summer Vacation in 2024
North Carolina is home to some of the most amazing adventures in the country. To the west is the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway and to the east are gorgeous beaches and the Point near Hatteras Island, one of the best recreational angling locations in the country. Beyond the natural wonders of North Carolina also lies the amazing history within it, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was written in 1775, with North Carolina voting to cede from Great Britain a year before the other colonies, and being one of the first locations where Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) were used during World War II.
North Carolina has played a very important role in the history of the United States, and even today, people flock to some of the natural landscapes for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Beyond the cities of Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington lie smaller towns, just as beautiful and impactful without the big city nuisances.
Beaufort
A visitor cannot go wrong by choosing to travel to Beaufort. Beaufort is located about two hours from Raleigh and Wilmington, respectively, and is typically a quieter location. Beaufort is a great location for those interested in North Carolina's coastal history, filled with pirates, spies, and love stories, or seeing pristine natural environments.
Beaufort is the location where Captain Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge was found shipwrecked and many of its remnants can be found at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, having been removed and then preserved after its discovery in 1996. The Maritime Museum in Beaufort has several other exhibits and activities, with a lucky visitor being able to occasionally touch a preserved whale heart on Valentine's Day or access the museum's maritime library.
History comes alive in Beaufort with very unique history tours. Beaufort has a 1967 double-decker British bus, bright red of course, used for historic tours of the town with tales of pirates and spies in abundance. After finishing the historic tour, a visit to the Old Burying Ground, the final resting place for individuals that have spanned almost 300 years of Beaufort history, might be in order. The Old Burying Ground also has available tours year-round, as long as the weather permits.
For those with the time, a paddle or ferry out to Shackleford Banks may be in order to see the wild horses on the shores. Shackleford Banks is part of the larger Cape Lookout National Seashore, an internationally ranked dark sky. Occasionally, the National Park Service also hosts astronomy nights so amateur astronomists can learn about constellations.
Brevard
Brevard is a mountain town that is close to the heart of many North Carolinians. Brevard is about two and a half hours from Charlotte, North Carolina and Knoxville, Tennessee, and seated between Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. Brevard is surrounded by forests and mountains, drawing many visitors to locations like Looking Glass Rock for its hiking and climbing activities. There are also many waterfalls in Brevard, including Rainbow Falls, which requires only a short mile-and-a-half hike to see.
While you are hiking or walking around Brevard, you might see some peculiarly white squirrels in the area. Brevard has white variants of the Eastern Gray Squirrel and even holds a festival in their honor. Legend has it that a pair of squirrels were left behind when a carnival went through the town, but every resident has their own version. Importantly, the white squirrels make up a third of Brevard's squirrel population with people coming from all over to see them.
If you are not quite ready to put on your hiking boots for this trip, the Brevard Music Center might be just the place for you. A premier music institute focusing on classical music, the Brevard Music Center hosts a summer music festival from June to August with previous musicians being the likes of Yo-Yo Ma and Renee Fleming among the almost 100 performances each year.
When you get hungry during your adventures, head over to the Pisgah Bakehouse, a predominantly pizza location with other options like Braised Beef Cheek and Strawberry Breton Tart. Many of the incredible ingredients at the Pisgah Bakehouse are sourced locally so your dollars are even further contributing to the community.
Mount Airy
Whether you grew up on the Andy Griffith Show as it came out on the screen or watched reruns, Mount Airy is the perfect Mayberry for you. In fact, Mount Airy was the inspiration for Mayberry. Less than two hours from Charlotte, just over two hours from Raleigh, and less than an hour from Winston-Salem, Mount Airy is a great location in western North Carolina to visit in 2024.
The biggest draw to Mount Airy is its focus on the Andy Griffith Show, the town has a replica courthouse and the Andy Griffith Museum for visitors to enjoy. After visiting the replica courthouse and touring the museum, you might be keen on heading down to Opies Candy Store to grab something sweet while strolling through Mount Airy. If you get tired of strolling, you can take a tour of the town on one of Mayberry's Squad Car Tours, with visits to some of the show's favorite places. On the Mayberry Squad Car Tours' website, it mentions that they take up to five passengers at a time for 50 dollars, making it a great, affordable attraction.
If you are not interested in the Mayberry vibes, Mount Airy has a lot to offer outside of that, surrounded by mountains and forests, Mount Airy has old bones. Home to the Rockford General Store from the National Register of Historic Places, it has been in operation since 1890. Rockford General Store is where visitors can buy a glass bottle, drink, and some candies before taking a self-guided walking tour of the historic village. For those hoping to be in the fresh air, Pilot Mountain State Park is a twenty-minute drive with options for camping, rock climbing, hiking, and paddling while overlooking the beautiful scenery. Overall, Mount Airy is the perfect little vacation spot for anyone hoping to get away.
Topsail Island
Topsail Island is in the southern part of the Outer Banks, just about an hour north of Wilmington. It has the beautiful and accessible beaches of Wilmington but a quieter atmosphere. The island is home to three small towns, all of which have just a few thousand people combined, making it a great location for someone looking for a nice beach getaway.
In North Carolina, Topsail Island is known as a great location to comb the beach for tiny shark teeth. Public access is not typically an issue, as parking is found in small lots across the southern portion of the island. Topsail Island is also a great place to sit down and have a picnic while getting your summer tan.
Topsail Island is a great location for access to the beach, but the sound side of the island is a great access for kayaking or paddle boarding. For paddlers bringing their own equipment, there are free launches around the island, but for those needing a rental, Paddle NC has a location in North Topsail where visitors can rent out equipment as well as sign up for ecotours of the sound.
After paddling across the sound, consider renewing your energy with a lunch at Splash by the Sea. Splash by the Sea is primarily seafood with other menu items, including gluten-free options like tuna nachos described as "seared ahi tuna over gluten-free crispy tortillas" with other ingredients.
For the lover of indoor environments, the Missiles and More Museum might be the best option for you. Missiles and More Museum is a great place to learn about Women Airforce Service Pilots who flew over North Carolina's eastern coast during World War II or about Operation Bumblebee, the U.S. Navy's secret missile test program from the mid to late 1940s. After visiting the museum, you can even be able to drive past several of the watch towers that were used for Operation Bumblebee.
Boone
With mild summers, Boone is the place to be to beat the heat in a North Carolina summer. Boone is a relatively close hour and a half from Winston-Salem and just under two hours from Asheville. Boone is also surrounded by other small, beautiful mountain towns like Banner Elk and Blowing Rock while sitting very close to the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
Sitting on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone is also very close to the well-known Grandfather Mountain. Great for those looking to hike to the top and see the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains. After a visit to Grandfather Mountain, a tour of the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, with native plants from the region, might be in order to feel the spirit of Boone.
Tweetsie Railroad is a must-see for anyone spending more than a few hours in Boone. It is a Wild West-themed amusement park where visitors hop onto a historic locomotive, feed local animals, or enjoy events like Tweetsie Christmas and Ghost Trains during appropriate seasons. For individuals more interested in the history of Boone, a visit to the Hickory Ridge History Museum may be in order. Tours of the cabins and living history interpreters make this museum a unique opportunity to explore the town in a new light.
New Bern
New Bern is about an hour west of Beaufort and two hours north of Wilmington. It was founded in the 1700s by Swiss immigrants and was the original capital of North Carolina. New Bern has been a key location throughout history, but even today, much of it is very proud of its original Swiss heritage, with symbols of a bear found throughout the town.
New Bern's long history means that it has some beautiful, old locations to admire and take pictures at, the first being Tryon Palace. With multiple structures and 16 acres of gardens, Tryon Palace is a fantastic place for visitors hoping to take beautiful pictures at a historic location, as well as art galleries for viewing. Guided tours of the various gardens, offices, and buildings are also available with varying ticket purchases.
Another claim to fame that New Bern possesses is being the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. A store full of Pepsi-related memorabilia is currently found at the original location, creatively named The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. A simple stroll around downtown New Bern could find you at this location.
After a great day, seeing the sites in New Bern, sit down for a meal at Baxter's 1892, a jazz club-inspired bar and restaurant in the heart of the historic district. With desserts like a triple chocolate layer cake or Baxter's apple cobbler, while being supplied with live music events regularly held, you may never want to leave!
Little Switzerland
When heading away from the beach, Little Switzerland is the place to go. An hour from Asheville and two hours from Charlotte, this little town sits right on the Blue Ridge Parkway making it a great location to hike during the summer and the possibility of the colors starting to change at the very end of summer.
A dream stay might include waking up at La Petite Chalet, a colorful and eclectic Swiss-styled bed and breakfast before heading over to visit Emerald Village, a location to learn about North Carolina's mining industry while panning for gold, looking for gemstones, or visiting the mining museum. Outdoorsy visitors might prefer to take the three mile hike to Crabtree Falls, although it is mentioned as being a strenuous endeavor, before visiting the Little Switzerland Orchard and Winery for a taste of local ciders. If you are lucky, you might be visiting for a weekend in July or August, which means an evening of square dancing at Geneva Hall before going back to your bed and breakfast to sit around a small fire.
If you are hoping to summer at the beach, hike up a mountain, or go to an amusement park with the family, North Carolina has something available for everyone. From pirates to pioneers, spies to ghosts, there are opportunities to enjoy, and reimagine, yourself for a stay in North Carolina. Take a minute to decide where in North Carolina you want to experience the living history and gorgeous outdoors this summer and then pack your bags. If you are interested in more articles from North Carolina or did not find a perfect fit for your vacation, take a look at other World Atlas articles.
