7 Towns in North Carolina that Were Ranked Among US Favorites
What is your favorite kind of small town? One with a quaint downtown that has changed little in decades? A mountain village with fresh air and spectacular views? Or a cute little beach town? North Carolina has them all! Stretching from the Outer Banks on the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Blue Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains to the west, North Carolina covers a diverse landscape that is home to hundreds of distinctive little communities. Check out our list of seven small towns that consistently rank among the most-loved in the “Tarheel State.”
Mount Airy
Downtown Mount Airy may remind you of Mayberry from the 1960s TV classic “The Andy Griffith Show,” and with good reason—Griffith was born in this Blue Ridge foothills town, near the border with Virginia. Mount Airy wisely plays up its connections to the fictional town in order to draw tourists, but it is a real-life town of 10,000 with genuine history and charm. Mount Airy, for example, is recognized as one of the birthplaces of bluegrass music, and you will discover a great live and local music scene at hotspots like the historic Earl Theatre and modern Blackmon Amphitheatre.
Black Mountain
Black Mountain is overshadowed by its bigger and more famous Buncombe County neighbor, Asheville, yet offers the same beautiful mountain setting and welcoming atmosphere. You will find tourists and locals alike browsing Black Mountain’s eclectic mix of downtown shops, such as Mountain Nest, Bramblewood, and Europa. The town also has multiple historic districts that are well worth exploring, including the former campus of Black Mountain College. And be sure to check out Black Mountain’s lively arts and culture scene, highlighted by the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and the annual Lake Eden Arts Festival.
Manteo
Manteo is only a quick drive (depending on summertime tourist traffic) from the famous beach towns of the Outer Banks, including Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, but has a distinctive look and feel. The town is situated on Roanoke Island between the North Carolina mainland and the Outer Banks, bordering both Roanoke Sound and Croatan Sound. Manteo’s soundfront downtown area includes a picturesque public marina, riverfront park, and small lighthouse, along with a nice collection of shops and eateries. Two of the region’s top (non-beach) attractions are also located nearby: the excellent North Carolina Aquarium and the “Lost Colony,” a long-running live show that dramatizes the attempted English settlement of Roanoke Island in 1587.
Bath
Bath may be a tiny village with only around 250 residents, but it has big historic status as the oldest colonial town in North Carolina. From its founding in 1705, Bath’s ideal location near the Pamlico River’s outlet into Pamlico Sound has made it a colonial capital, a hideout for the notorious pirate Blackbeard, and now a popular tourist destination. Historic Bath, a state historic site in the center of town, operates as a living history museum with restored buildings, guided tours, and more. After your history lesson in Bath, take a short ferry ride to check out the beautiful marshlands in Goose Creek State Park.
Edenton
The town of Edenton was founded in the early 1700s, but the first English settlers arrived in this ideal spot along Albemarle Sound in 1658. Historic structures like the 1767 county courthouse and 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse speak to Edenton’s long and interesting past, including the town’s 1774 “Tea Party” protest against English taxation. While downtown Edenton is ideal for a walking tour, the perfect way to experience it is on one of the town’s trolley tours. You can also take in the town from the water on an Edenton Bay Cruise boat.
New Bern
Pepsi may be one of the most famous brands in the world, but less well known is the fact that Pepsi Cola was founded in a pharmacy in New Bern, North Carolina in 1898. You can still visit that pharmacy during your tour of town, and New Bern has plenty of other historic highlights as well. Once an important port at the confluence of the Meuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern served as North Carolina’s final colonial capital, and the opulent governor’s mansion (Tryon Palace) and gardens have been lovingly restored. Consider finishing your day at Union Point Park, which offers fantastic water views and regularly hosts concerts and other community events.
Ocracoke
Ocracoke Island marks the southernmost point of the Outer Banks, sitting at the opening to Pamlico Sound. No bridges access the island, so visitors must rely on ferries that run from both the north and south. But your effort will be well-rewarded when you reach the town of Ocracoke. The island’s isolation has kept Ocracoke less developed and more natural than other parts of the Outer Banks, and you can even camp out along the beach in a campground operated by the National Park Service. You will not find yourself in absolute isolation, however, with local shops like Ocracoke Island Trading Company providing what you need to enjoy your stay.
North Carolina’s population has grown rapidly in recent decades, and cities like Charlotte continue to expand their sprawling metro areas. Yet the Tarheel State still has plenty of space for its charming small towns, many of which have been around for centuries. Tourism keeps many of these towns going strong, but there is still plenty of local flavor to experience during your visit. And do not be afraid to do some exploring and discover a few more favorite North Carolina towns of your own!
