9 Quirkiest North Carolina Towns You Didn't Know Existed
North Carolina is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and miles of tranquil shoreline. Peppered throughout the diverse landscape are some pretty quirky and offbeat communities that many don’t even know exist. These rare North Carolina cities offer unexpected twists and turns, from exploring the remains of the forgotten Wizard of Oz theme park to hopping aboard a moonshine train in Bryson City. So, get ready to experience the unexpected in these weird and wonderful North Carolina towns!
Hot Springs
No matter where you are coming from, the path to Hot Springs is a long and winding road. Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s a community not known by many, but beloved by those hiking the Appalachian Trail. For long-distance hikers, it’s a welcome respite from the long journey and has become an artsy, spiritual retreat welcoming those who want to recover in this idyllic mountain village.
You can rest your tired bones in one of their private natural hot springs at the Hot Springs Resort And Spa, and then grab a bite to eat at the Smoky Mountain Diner. The chicken fried steak is worth the trek alone! To understand the spiritual impact of Hot Springs, be sure to stop by Gallery339 Hot Springs, a gallery showcasing pottery and selling souveniers.
Little Switzerland
From its founding in 1910, every detail of Little Switzerland was designed to replicate a Swiss village hidden away in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The walkable downtown district is home to charming Swiss-themed shops, including Little Switzerland Books and Beans (a cozy bookstore), the Switzerland General Store, and the beloved Swiss Shoppe. It’s a wonderful place to unwind and stock up on snacks before setting out to explore the rest of the scenic area.
And just like Switzerland, outside of central Little Switzerland are lush mountains to explore. Emerald Village is a fun tourist attraction that is perfect for the family. It is home to 12 historical mines deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains where visitors can mine for gems, and keep everything they find. If you want to learn a little more about the mining in the area, be sure to swing by the Museum Of North Carolina Minerals.
Pittsboro
In Central North Carolina just outside of Chapel Hill is Pittsboro.At first glance, Pittsboro looks like your average small town. It has friendly locals, a walkable downtown district, and cozy shops set against the gentle hills of North Carolina’s Piedmont region.What makes Pittsboro unique is what lies beyond its city limits: The Plant. The Plant is a unique eco-industrial park with family-friendly activities, local shops, and distilleries with a heavy focus on zero-waste initiatives for organic farming. It’s a laid-back and artsy village where visitors can do anything from throw axes at Chatham Axes to enjoy a true farm-to-table meal at Copeland Springs Farm and Kitchen.
The Plant isn’t the only unique attraction in Pittsboro. While the Appalachian Mountains are home to wildlife such as black bears, bobcats, and elk; only in Pittsboro can you see tigers! The Carolina Tiger Rescue allows visitors to tour enclosures with tigers, lions, cougars, and other wild cats rescued from dangerous conditions. You can learn more about these rare animals from their knowledgeable staff, and ways to help.
Beaufort
North Carolina is famous for its pristine, windswept beaches. The area of Beaufort is no exception. You can expect calm shores along the Atlantic, seaside nature trails (like the Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail), and historic lighthouses at Cape Lookout. What sets Beaufort apart from other beach retreats is its history as the former home of the infamous pirate Blackbeard! While you won’t find Blackbeard’s final resting spot in Beaufort (or anywhere else for that matter, since his body was thrown into the Pamlico Sound), you will find artifacts from his ship Queen Anne’s Revenge at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
Aside from Blackbeard lore, Beaufort has other unique attractions that are worth checking out. Outside central Beaufort is Carrot Island in the Rachel Carson Reserve. You can access the island by boat to catch a rare glimpse of wild horses roaming the shores. And if you just want to relax on the beach and soak up the sun, it has many public beaches like Emerald Isle or Indian Beach.
Beech Mountain
Located on the highest peak in the Eastern United States (with an elevation of 5,506 feet), Beech Mountain is a popular ski resort village in North Carolina. The Beech Mountain Resort is a Bavarian-themed destination that’s an excellent place for skiing in the winter, and mountain biking or hiking in the warmer months. If you get the chance, make sure to grab a drink at 5506’ Skybar, which offers some of the most amazing panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The thing that makes Beech Mountain truly unique, aside from its high altitudes and top-notch skiing is the short-lived “Land of Oz”. It was a Wizard of Oz theme park that operated from 1970-1980 but has since been abandoned (but not entirely forgotten). The park was never torn down but still lies in ruins outside of Beech Mountain. The defunct amusement park isn’t open to the public, but Beech Mountain still holds annual events in the park, like the Autumn at Oz Festival where you can meet characters, tour the park, and see live performances.
Bryson City
The great thing about Bryson City isn’t what it has, but what it doesn’t have. This small community located on the Western edge of the state is free of chain restaurants and instead opts for fun and quirky locally owned establishments. You can dine on some of the best Southern cooking in the state at cozy places like River's End Restaurant with a view of the Nantahala River, or Derailed of Bryson City. Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, it's a secluded community with stunning mountain views and crisp, fresh air.
To say that Bryson City is obsessed with trains is a bit of an understatement. While dining at Derailed, visitors can watch trains come in via the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad located in central Bryson City. If you want a better view of the Smokies, you can hop aboard one of the trains for a scenic drive through the mountains. Or, you can “Shine and Dine” on the railway by purchasing a ticket for the local favorite Moonshine Train where you can sip on local moonshine while traveling through the Smokies in style.
Bath
Fun fact: Bath was founded by European settlers in the late 1600s, and it hasn’t expanded much since then. This small walkable village of just shy of 300 residents is a small, charming, and little-known village that’s worth checking out. As a city rich in history, there are quite a few historical landmarks worth checking out. You can visit incredibly old buildings, like the Palmer-Marsh House (1751), the stunning St. Thomas Episcopal Church (1734), and the Bonner House (1830) that weave the tale of Bath’s early days. The preservation of these old establishments makes Bath feel like it’s locked away in time.
One of the reasons Bath is North Carolina’s first settlement is because it’s absolutely beautiful. Nestled on Bath Creek that leads to Pamlico River, there are uncrowded beaches and public parks ideal for slowing down and taking in the sights. Bonner’s Point is a must-see, with a historical house that overlooks the calm shores of Bath Creek. It’s particularly beautiful if you visit around sunset.
West Jefferson
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains is West Jefferson, known for its colorful murals, mountain views, and cheese! West Jefferson is famously the home of Ashe County Cheese, which was founded in 1930 by the Kraft Cheese Company and North Carolina’s oldest cheese factory. When you want to get a little cheesy, you can watch the cheese-making process through viewing windows of the plant, and then stop by the gift shop to buy all types of cheese products, like curds, fudge, and butter.
But there’s more to West Jefferson than just cheese. There are a myriad of cozy shops and storefronts on Jefferson Ave that come alive with colorful murals that tell the tale of the community and showcase the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can stop in quaint, locally owned shops like The Vintage Farmhouse, or Antiques On Main. To gain a better viewpoint of the mountains, be sure to check out the observational deck at Jefferson Overlook.
Sylva
In the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains is the picturesque village of Sylva. Its charming Main Street is quite famous, appearing in major films like Three Billboards, The Fugitive, and Deliverance.
Before there was the silver screen there were books, and Sylva is famous for its books, too! The Jackson County Public Library is the soul of Sylva, towering over Main Street and providing amazing views of the area. It opened as the Jackson County Courthouse in 1914, but a small group of locals created a book club within, and in less than 10 years the famous library was born.
After touring the amazing public library, be sure to stop by City Lights Bookstore. This cozy bookstore is a great place to pick up a new read for the drive home and grab a cup of coffee at the cafe inside. When you’re ready to get your nose out of a book and explore the wilderness surrounding Sylva, Pinnacle Park is an idyllic place to get your heart pumping. It’s located just on the edge of Sylva and offers easy to challenging hiking trails that lead to breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Another fantastic park, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is Yellow Face Overlook where the views can’t be beat!
Step Off the Beaten Path in these North Carolina Hidden Gems
Life is never boring in the Tar Heel State! Many travelers flock to the pristine shores of the Outer Banks or the thrilling towns like Asheville, but the real heart of North Carolina lies in cities that are slightly off the beaten path. If you are willing to make the drive through winding mountain roads, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most charming and quirky little neighborhoods with plenty of unusual things to discover. Pack a bag (and an empty cooler to stock up on cheese in West Jefferson) and get ready for unexpected surprises in North Carolina.
