7 Most Beautiful College Towns In North Carolina

North Carolina is famous for its vibrant college towns, which are not just seats of knowledge but also bursting with energy and attractions. These towns offer plenty, from welcoming college campuses steeped in history to breathtaking natural settings and thriving downtown strips with stimulating atmospheres. Many of these towns are nestled in the heart of the mountains, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Whatever the tastes of students, their families, and the visitors passing through, these seven small towns in North Carolina offer a warm embrace and a memorable stay to all.

Banner Elk

In the Appalachian mountains of western North Carolina, Lees-McRae College, home to around 800 undergraduate students in Banner Elk, provides a quiet and beautiful place for studying and visiting. The school, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, also offers some interesting majors, including Zoology and Entomology (the study of insects). And at more than 4,000 feet above sea level, the campus claims to be the most elevated college east of the Mississippi River — giving new meaning to 'higher education.'

Outside of Banner Elk, options for fun and natural outings abound. The Elk River Club, a golf course, sits west of town, while Beech Mountain Ski Resort, offering an ideal break on a winter weekend, lies just north of here.

Boone

A half-hour's drive northeast of Banner Elk, the town of Boone hosts Appalachian State University. With more than 19,500 undergraduates, this school provides a more conventional state-school experience than many smaller, private colleges. That may be just what a student or visitors are looking for: "App State," as it is called, has a lively sports and party culture. More than 400 on-campus clubs and organizations hold out the chance to pursue passions or develop new ones.

Leisure options are hardly lacking in Boone. South of town, Appalachian Ski Mountain has powder to ride all winter long, while the nearby Chetola Sporting Reserve is a popular skeet-shooting destination.

Cullowhee

Set in the state's western tip, Western Carolina University (WCU) adds a strong college-town feel to the place called Cullowhee. The school, with about 9,000 undergraduates, aims to attract ambitious students and calls on "adventurers and action-seekers" to enroll and attend. Within WCU, the Brinson Honors College gives accelerated support and coursework to students hungry for achievement.

Cullowhee's surrounding mountain culture encourages active lifestyles on and off WCU's campus. The Jackson County Recreation Complex has trails and parks aplenty, while Destination Outdoors, an outfitter and excursion organizer, coordinates a variety of memorable activities outside.

Davidson

Thriving in a town of the same name, Davidson College is as small as it is selective. The college has around 1,900 students, and with a 14-percent application acceptance rate, it welcomes some of the brightest young people from North Carolina and beyond. While visiting downtown Davidson, try the food at Milkbread or Brickhouse Tavern, two beloved restaurants in town.

To balance the rigors of academic life with the need to relax, the school enjoys a special feature: its Lake Campus. Set on nearby Lake Norman, Davidson's property allows for sailing, swimming, and picnics by the water. The site is reserved for students, alumni, and their guests. Other public options are also available, like Lake Norman State Park, north of Davidson proper.

Hickory

Northeast of Charlotte, the petite Lenoir-Rhyne University, affiliated with the Lutheran Church, offers values-driven education to about 1,400 undergraduates. Set in the small town of Hickory, the school offers a suite of majors, including accounting, business administration, and computer science, that are competitive for the post-graduation job market. For fun outside the classroom, Hickory's offerings run long. In summer, the Kool Park Pool lets students and families cool off. Rhodhiss Lake, a long, thin body of water a short distance away to the north, allows for boating, fishing, and beautiful scenes of nature. Downtown, the Hickory Aviation Museum sheds light on local contributions to modern airplanes and those brave enough to fly them.

Montreat

A private Christian school in North Carolina's western hills, Montreat College enrolls around 950 undergraduates. Not far east of Asheville, the college's most common majors are Business Administration, Psychology, and Computer Science. The school also offers a diverse set of quality athletic programs, from classic sports like basketball and baseball to more unusual offerings like clay target shooting and competitive mountain biking.

Outdoor options run long in and beyond town. The Lookout Mountain Trail Head provides access to picturesque hiking, while Lookout Mountain Overlook makes the trek uphill worthwhile. For a stroll without leaving town, Robert Lake Park awaits downtown, as Flat Creek winds its peaceful way through the park and Montreat's center.

Swannanoa

The small western town of Swannanoa is home to Warren Wilson College and over 750 undergraduates. The school maintains sports programs at the Division III level. With a more progressive on-campus culture, student activities include diversity initiatives, drag brunches, and a commitment to what they describe as "inclusive excellence."

Downtown Swannanoa offers various choices for a study break or exploration of this small mountain village. Grab some caffeine at Moments Coffee Bar and Eatery or go for a snack at Blunt Pretzels, which are all made according to traditional German recipes. Latin American flavors await at Taqueria La Perla, also in town.

North Carolina's Small College Towns Are Some Of Its Best

With so many schools in North Carolina, it may be easy to visit only those already well-known, like UNC, with its famous Tar Heel sports dynasty. Yet smaller towns promise big surprises. Lees-McRae College offers one-of-a-kind majors, while App State brings together athletic and social scenes that few other colleges can match. The lakes near Davidson College and Lenoir-Rhyne University bring the beauty of nature practically to each campus' front gates. For a college experience that brings faith and studying together, schools like Montreat College are ideal for religiously active students.