9 Most Charming Towns In North Carolina

From the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks on its eastern shore all the way to the Great Smoky Mountains on its western border, the state of North Carolina is full of beautiful landscapes. Hundreds of lovely little towns dot these varied landscapes, making it a tall task to narrow down a list of the state's most charming towns. Think of the charming towns presented here as a jumping-off point for your exploration of North Carolina. As you travel the highways and byways of the "Tarheel State," you are sure to discover lovely little towns to add to your list!

Banner Elk

Situated at an elevation of 3,701 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the High Country region of western North Carolina. While home to only a single stoplight and a little over 1,000 residents, Banner Elk packs the entertainment, dining, and shopping options of a much larger place into its compact downtown. As nice as the town itself is, however, Banner Elk's true calling card is the surrounding landscape. Known as one of the best locales for autumn leaf viewing in the eastern United States, Banner Elk offers easy access to hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, skiing, and more.

Bath

Located on the Pamlico River near its opening into the Pamlico Sound, Bath, established in 1705, is the oldest existing town in North Carolina. The town oozes with history, having been North Carolina's first capital as well as a base of operations for the notorious pirate Blackbeard. Home to about 250 people today, Bath has managed to preserve an impressive amount of its colonial-era architecture and ambiance. Historic Bath, a state historic site that operates within the town, offers guided tours of structures restored to their eighteenth-century appearance. Visitors to Bath can also take a short ferry ride to the marshlands of Goose Creek State Park or charter a boat trip out into the Pamlico Sound.

Bethania

Established in 1759 by German Moravians as a farming village, the little town of Bethania looks and feels much the same as it must have 250 years ago. Located in Forsyth County in the northwest-central part of the state, Bethania is home to about 350 residents. Unique to North Carolina in being built in the Germanic linear village style, with lots largely parceled out along a single straight line, most of the historic homes along Main Street remain private residences, and many residents continue to pursue an agricultural lifestyle. Bethania also welcomes tourists, though, with the Historic Bethania Visitors Center, guided walking tours, and numerous shops.  

Brevard

The southwestern North Carolina town of Brevard sits adjacent to and serves as the gateway into the Pisgah National Forest. This makes the town a popular choice for tourists, as well as for retirees and other residents (about 7,700 in total) who relish its temperate climate and surrounding mountain beauty. Nestled close to the more well-known communities of Asheville and Hendersonville, Brevard remains a bit of a hidden gem in comparison. As the seat of Transylvania County, downtown Brevard houses an impressive county courthouse and other homes and businesses of architectural interest. The intersection of Main and Broad Streets serves as the hub of activity, with a range of businesses catering to visitors and locals alike.

Duck

Duck, home to around 750 year-round residents, is a beach community located about 10 miles north of the busiest part of the Outer Banks (the area of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head). While only established as a town in 2002, Duck has more of a defined downtown area than most Outer Banks communities, with several shops and restaurants that line both sides of North Carolina Route 12. Although the beaches on the Atlantic are a big draw, visitors also flock to the west side facing the Currituck Sound. The 11-acre sound side Town Park and 3/4 mile boardwalk offer stunning sunset views.

Edenton

The site of present-day Edenton on the Albemarle Sound was home to the first European settlement in modern-day North Carolina in 1658, although the town itself was not established until 1712. The town also hosted the Edenton Tea Party of 1774, a companion to the more renowned colonial protest in Boston. Edenton maintains its historic reputation with aplomb, showcasing structures like its 1767 downtown courthouse and 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse in Edenton Bay. Historic walking and trolley tours of the downtown area make Edenton a drawing card for tourists, while the stunning sound views and temperate breezes convince some of those tourists to join the approximately 4,400 permanent residents. 

Emerald Isle

Located southwest of the larger and more famous Outer Banks, the town of Emerald Isle is part of the Bogue Banks, another grouping of coastal barrier islands. While most of North Carolina's ocean shoreline faces eastward, Emerald Isle's 12 miles of beachfront look southward, creating unique sunrise and sunset views. Emerald Isle, a longstanding favorite for family getaways, which has a year-round population of fewer than 4,000, maintains a fun atmosphere with numerous family-friendly shops, restaurants, and activities—including a waterpark. After soaking up the sun on the beach, visitors can head to Emerald Isle Woods Park for a refreshing shade and several walking and biking trails.

New Bern

New Bern is somewhat bigger and busier than the other towns listed here, with a population of about 31,000. Located at the meeting point of the Trent and Neuse Rivers in the eastern part of the state, New Bern is fairly close to both the North Carolina oceanfront as well as the city of Raleigh. The town's claims to fame include being a former state capital as well as the birthplace of Pepsi, and New Bern celebrates its history while also showcasing itself as a modern travel destination. The downtown area houses numerous boutiques and other shops, while the town's waterfront offers a range of dining and watersports options. 

Ocracoke

Situated near the opening of Pamlico Sound, the town of Ocracoke is the southernmost community on the Outer Banks. Ocracoke's roughly 1,000 full-time residents and many visitors cannot access the town by road; instead, drivers must utilize one of three ferries originating from the southwest (Cedar Island), northwest (Swan Quarter), or northeast (Hatteras). Ocracoke's undeveloped and pristine nature is by virtue of its isolation compared to other Outer Banks communities. It gives the town a slower, more casual vibe, which is how most visitors to this outpost want it to remain. Beachfront accommodations are limited to a campground operated by the National Park Service. However, tourists can also avail of rental homes, shops, and restaurants in the town itself.

If you love charming beachfront towns, North Carolina has what you are looking for. If you prefer lovely little mountain communities, North Carolina has an abundance of those as well. And the many cute towns in the central Piedmont region of the state are no slouch, either! No matter where you turn, North Carolina has great small towns just waiting for travelers to come and have fun soaking up the history and natural beauty surrounding them.