7 Towns in North Carolina With Unique Traditions

Given its long and fascinating history, it is no surprise that North Carolina is full of fantastic festivals, quirky traditions, and wonderfully weird folklore. Humans first settled in this area at least 12,000 years ago, but Indigenous peoples began making permanent dwellings around 700 CE. In the mid-1600s, European colonists arrived, and a century later, the Revolutionary War swept through the state, followed by the Civil War. These diverse historical events, cultures, and populations have all left their mark on the state and are reflected in its beautiful small towns. Check out these towns with unique traditions celebrating local myths, maritime history, and unusual art. A visit to these charming destinations isn’t just a vacation; it is an unforgettable experience for the entire family.

Marion

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the pretty town of Marion celebrates a very unusual resident once a year. Every spring, the town hosts the annual Bigfoot Festival, bringing thousands of visitors to the small community for educational presentations, live music, food, and quirky competitions, including the Bigfoot Calling Contest, in which participants practice their best sasquatch call.

When it is not celebrating the mythical creature, Marion is a welcoming alpine community with lots to see and do. Hike or bike the Joseph McDowell Greenway on the outskirts of town to enjoy stunning views along the Catawba River, or drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to explore the mountains. Follow the river north out of town to discover the Linville Caverns, North Carolina’s only public caves, which were discovered in the early 1800s by fishermen. Guided tours of the unusual underground rock formations leave every ten minutes during opening hours.

Ayden

Just south of Greenville, the town of Ayden is famous for two things — barbeque and collard greens. To sample the first, head for the Skylight Inn, which has been serving tasty BBQ since 1947. To enjoy the latter, make sure you are in town for the annual Ayden Collard Festival. Begun in 1975, when the citizens of Ayden cast their votes for a town festival and chose to celebrate the humble vegetable, the event takes place in September and features one of the largest parades in the state, along with collard eating competitions and live music. To learn more about Ayden’s unusual history, including the town’s enduring love of barbeque through the ages, head to the Ayden Museum in the historic Dixon Medical Building downtown.

Seagrove

Seagrove, in Randolph County, is home to the largest concentration of working potters in the United States and has a pottery tradition stretching back 200 years thanks to immigrant potters from Germany and England who made good use of the local clay in the late 1700s.

Seagrove boasts over 50 pottery shops within a 20-mile radius, so it is a great spot to pick up a truly one-of-a-kind handcrafted souvenir. Start at Seagrove Pottery downtown, which houses the work of over 100 regional potters and craftsmen. Next, head over to the North Carolina Pottery Center to see the history of Seagrove’s unique art form through the centuries with stunning displays of the area’s traditions and techniques. You can even test your own skills on the wheel with pottery workshops and adult and kids classes. For more pottery-related fun, mark your calendar for November when Seagrove holds its annual Pottery Festival. Now in its 42nd year, the event features a potters’ market, a live auction of signed and dated pottery, and local food vendors.

Banner Elk

The scenic alpine town of Banner Elk has a very quirky and unique tradition. This is the only place in the world where you will get a chance to attend a Woolly Worm Festival. According to local folklore, the coloring of these fuzzy grubs can be used to predict the winter weather. The more brown markings, the better the forecast. A completely black worm means harsh conditions in store. Begun almost 50 years ago, the Woolly Worm Festival celebrates the weather worm with games, concerts, worm races, and more. The event attracts around 20,000 visitors to the town and is typically held the third weekend of October.

If worms aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other attractions in beautiful Banner Elk. Enjoy the tranquility of Wildcat Lake, the perfect destination for picnics, swimming, kayaking, or fishing. If you are feeling adventurous, hop aboard the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, North Carolina’s first mountain roller coaster, to enjoy stunning views as you zoom down the slopes.

Cherokee

In the western part of the state, Cherokee is a very special North Carolina town. The native tribal residents living in the town today are direct descendants of the original Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and have dedicated themselves to keeping their culture and traditions alive. The biggest event in town, the Cherokee Indian Fair, does just that. Running for over a century, the October festival features cultural demonstrations, dance displays, arts and crafts, and Cherokee cuisine.

For a unique souvenir and a close look at Cherokee artistic tradition, visit the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Co-Op, where you will find the work of over 350 Indigenous artists, ranging from sculptures and carvings to pottery and jewelry. Another must-see stop is the Museum of the Cherokee People, an immersive historical experience detailing the Cherokee’s ancestral connection to the mountains, their creativity, and their culture.

Erwin

Originally known as Duke, Erwin is a small town near the Cape Fear River, tracing its roots back to the Civil War. It is also the self-proclaimed "denim capital of the world." Built in 1904, the Erwin Cotton Mill produced vast quantities of raw denim for over 50 years. The mill closed in 2000, but the town still celebrates its traditional industry with Denim Days, an October Festival that commemorates all things denim with concerts, performances, and a huge parade — all attended while wearing your best blue jeans.

For more on Erwin’s unique history, visit the Erwin History Museum to browse a large collection of historical merchandise and memorabilia. To see the town’s natural beauty, check out nearby Raven Rock State Park, which has stunning hiking trails and scenic views of the surrounding area.

Beaufort

The fourth oldest town in North Carolina, historic Beaufort, was settled in 1907. A charming coastal town, its rich maritime history is reflected in one of the town’s most enduring traditions, the Beaufort Pirate Invasion. Commemorating the Spanish attack on the town in 1747 and its long association with legendary figures such as Blackbeard, the event takes over the waterfront in November for a two-day pirate party.

There is more to Beaufort than pirates, however. Regularly topping the lists of America’s best small towns, this captivating community offers all the outdoor adventure of a seaside destination. Take a cruise of the coastline with Crystal Coast Lady Cruises to catch a glimpse of the local dolphins or wild horse community on nearby Carrot Island. Visit the Bonehenge Whale Center for a look at fascinating fossils of the creatures that roamed the depths, and check out the Carolina Maritime Model Society to explore the area’s maritime history through intricate miniature replicas of seafaring vessels of all shapes and sizes.

Discover the Hidden Side of North Carolina

From worms that predict the weather to catcalling sasquatches, and from partying with pirates to getting creative at the potter’s wheel, North Carolina is packed with experiences you won’t get anywhere else. This is a side of the state most visitors don’t see. While many tourists know about the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains or the sandy coastal beaches on the North Atlantic Coast, the best vacations come from getting off the beaten track and exploring the state’s rich heritage through its fun festivals and entrancing traditions.