The Best Small Towns in North Carolina for a Weekend Retreat
North Carolina boasts a stunning and surprising mixture of natural beauty, rich history, and eye-catching landscapes. Scattered throughout its lush mountains, picturesque lakes, and gorgeous coastline are quaint, historic, and serene small towns offering a perfect escape for those who may be seeking a break from city life. Let's explore some of the best small towns across North Carolina that offer visitors the ideal weekend getaway.
Topsail Island
Although Topsail Island is less than an hour from the larger city of Wilmington, visitors to Topsail Island enjoy much smaller beach crowds than Wilmington. Topsail Island has a population of a few thousand residents and is made up of three towns: North Topsail, with just over 1,000 people; Surf City, with just under 4,500 people; and Topsail, comprised of just under 500 people.
Book your stay at the family-friendly, affordable Loggerhead Inn and Suites. Take a guided kayak tour through the Intracoastal Waterway and learn all about the North Carolina ecosystem. Paddle NC, which has locations across coastal North Carolina, has a site in North Topsail that leads into the sound, where visitors may explore by kayak as either part of a tour or solo. Paddle NC also holds introductory courses and sunset tours.
After kayaking, consider eating at the Breezeway Restaurant in Topsail Beach, a cornerstone of the town's community. Active since 1949, the Breezeway has long been famous for its delicious seafood. Originally, the Breezeway was housed in the "Project: Bumblebee" barracks and mess hall. It has been connected to the town ever since. If interested in the Operation Bumblebee story, a trip to the Missiles and More Museum may be in order to find out about the secret navy program of the 1940s.
Topsail Island is a great location to visit for fun in the sun and some history. A smaller town known for its great beaches for shark tooth hunting, maritime forests, and Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital, Topsail is perfect for a weekend retreat.
Beaufort
Named by Travel & Leisure magazine as "America's Favorite Town," Beaufort has a population of almost 4,700 and is the county seat of Carteret County. Founded in 1713 in the state's Outer Banks region, Beaufort is the fourth oldest town in North Carolina.
Consider booking accommodations at the Inlet Inn, located in Beaufort's historic downtown section and within walking distance of many popular bars, restaurants, and historic sites. The NC Maritime Museum is one of three Maritime Museums in the state, and a popular destination. It features a comprehensive collection of coastal life, lighthouses, and marine life.
Visitors may explore Taylor's Creek via kayak. Launching areas are available at Taylor's Creek Boat Ramp within Curtis A. Perry Park, at the east end of Front Street. Once you have worked up an appetite, Aqua Restaurant features local seafood, big plates, small plates, and outstanding wines.
With its abundance of wildlife and coastal amenities, Beaufort provides the perfect weekend getaway for families, friends, couples, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Hickory
National Geographic Travel named Hickory one of the Best Small Cities in America in 2018, and with good reason. This small town of 44,000 in the western part of North Carolina at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers visitors history, recreation, and a lively downtown area.
The Hilton Garden Inn of Hickory, just off I-40 and close to both Hickory Motor Speedway and the Hickory Museum of Art, offers visitors comfortable accommodations. Hickory has an abundance of parks, including Bakers Mountain Park, sitting at 1,780 feet on Catawba County's highest elevation point. Bakers Mountain Park covers 189 acres of Chestnut Oak Forest and features nearly six miles of trails.
One of Hickory's best-known attractions is the Hickory Furniture Mart. Located on Highway 70 SE, this four-story marketplace features furniture shops, outlets, home decor stores, and furniture showrooms. It's a great place to shop or just browse for ideas you can take home. After furniture shopping, head to Hugh's Q for some famous North Carolina barbecue.
Hickory is the perfect example of a town that's not too big, yet not too small. It offers a myriad of things to do for visitors looking for a weekend retreat.
Boone
Boone is a small town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The town's population is just under 20,000. It provides the perfect getaway for those looking to be in the great outdoors.
Many lodging options are available in Boone. Some enjoy the authenticity of staying in a mountain retreat cabin, and a variety of these can be booked online. When you are ready to go hiking, Boone is full of trails ranging from easy to challenging. Some of the most popular include the Appalachian Trail, Grandfather Mountain, and Boone Greenway.
Restaruants abound in Boone and include coffee shops, breakfast and lunch restaurants, bars, and full-service dining areas. If you're looking for a restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients, choose The Beacon Butcher Bar on Graduate Lane.
Boone is also close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile road that runs through the Appalachian Mountains. Hikers will enjoy the variety of trails available within the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
Boone's charm lies in its location. The natural beauty of its mountain setting makes it an appealing spot for those who enjoy outdoor activities, as well as those who just want to get away from civilization for a while.
Swansboro
Swansboro follows NC Highway 24 up from Jacksonville and has a population of just over 4,000 people. Located about an hour from Wilmington, Swansboro is a friendly coastal retreat suited for families and couples alike.
Look into booking a room at the Waterway Inn, offering a 90-foot fishing pier, nine boat slips, and breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Take a nice stroll around Riverview Park, situated just off NC 24, where a short boardwalk overlooks Marshes and Jones Island. After your walk, consider ordering a Reuben at Yana's Restaurant. This 1950's 1950s-themed diner in the middle of historic downtown Swansboro with a view of the bay serves lunch and dinner.
When in the Swansboro area, a trip to Hammocks Beach State Park is a must. Hammocks Beach State Park has several trails overlooking the Atlantic. As of summer 2024, the ferry service to Bear Island is closed for renovations, but visitors can rent kayaks from Paddle, NC, and head out to the island for a reclusive beach day. If you are lucky, you may even be able to collect an intact sand dollar on the beach. Swansboro stands out as a quiet beach location for a weekend getaway in North Carolina.
Edenton
Located along the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay in the northeastern part of the state, Edenton was North Carolina's first colonial capital, incorporated in 1722. Comprised of just over 4,500 residents, Edenton balances historical sites with opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Consider staying at the Coach House Inn, an affordable hotel offering comfortable accommodations. Historic sites of note in Edenton include the Roanoke River Lighthouse, the only surviving screw-pile lighthouse in the state, and the Historic 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, called the most preserved colonial courthouse in the US.
After touring Edenton's historic sites, if you're hungry, check out The Herringbone on the Waterfront, which was originally a 19th century herring icehouse. Today, it is known for its small plates, signature fare, and wood-fired pizza.
You might opt to fish the waters of the Albemarle Sound or take a kayak tour. Both are available through Albemarle Fishing Charters. Whatever you choose, you are sure to enjoy a peaceful weekend getaway in Edenton.
Statesville
Part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, Statesville is the county seat of Iredell County, North Carolina. Its population is just over 28,000, and it is known as the Ballooning Capital of the East. Visitors may choose to book a hot air balloon ride through one of the town's hot air balloon pilots and get a stunning aerial view of this breathtaking town.
The Inn on Front Street is a popular accommodation for those looking for a bed and breakfast. Built in 1917, this Edwardian-style home is featured on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is close to nearby vineyards, breweries, and downtown attractions.
History buffs will also enjoy visiting the Statesville Historical Collection, which includes all sorts of photographs, memorabilia, collectibles, and obsolete products made by Statesville businesses. After perusing all there is to see, you can wet your whistle at the 220 Cafe, a contemporary American restaurant in Statesville's downtown area.
Visitors to Statesville also enjoy cycling, hiking, and enjoying nature. Both quiet and lively pastimes are available to visitors to this small town, another ideal weekend retreat.
Asheboro
Asheboro is a small town that lies in the central part of North Carolina, about an hour and a half from Charlotte. Asheboro was established in 1796 and named after Samuel Ashe, the state's ninth governor. Its population is about 27,000 and it is known for its beautiful natural landscapes as well as its cultural attractions.
Consider staying at Getaway Asheboro, offering quaint cabins with modern-day amenities such as air conditioning, hot water, lock boxes, and toiletries. Visit the town's North Carolina Zoo, one of the world's largest natural habitat zoos, containing more than 1,700 animals and five miles of walking trails.
The Uwharrie National Forest, spanning over 51,000 acres of Montgomery, Randolph and Davidson Counties, is another outdoor attraction in Asheboro not to be missed. It features the Uwharrie Mountains, one of North America's oldest mountain ranges, as well as areas for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off roading, and more. When it's time to eat, head to On the Rock Diner on Grant Street. Not just a diner, this restaurant features mouth-watering Italian dishes and pizzas.
Asheboro's unique balance of history and modern development offers those looking for a weekend retreat a place to get away from it all and still have plenty to do.
Franklin
Franklin, incorporated in 1855, is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina's southwestern area. About 70 miles southwest of the much larger city of Asheville, Franklin's population totals just over 4,200. It is known for its history, scenic beauty, and natural attractions.
Franklin Terrace Bed and Breakfast is an Antebellum-style home built in 1887 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the lodging of choice for many who visit Franklin looking for a quiet hideaway.
Take a walk along Franklin's Greenway, a paved path that follows the Little Tennessee River. Visit the town's museums, including the Scottish Tartans Museum and the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum. Gracious Plates on Main, located in Franklin's downtown area, is ready to serve hungry visitors farm-to-table style.
The picturesque Cullasaja River Gorge, with its waterfalls such as Cullasaja Falls and Dry Falls, is not to be missed. Franklin provides weekend travelers with history surrounded by natural beauty and is a great hideaway.
Banner Elk
Situated in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk lies between two ski resorts, Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort. This small town comprised of just over 1,000 residents offers visitors plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities as well as cultural attractions.
Little Main Street Inn & Suites provides visitors with condo-style suites with a home-like feel. Located in the downtown area, the inn is close to Stonewalls Restaurant, an American eatery famous for seafood and steaks.
Visitors flock to the area's picturesque Grandfather Mountain, a 5,946 peak in the Southern Appalachian Biosphere Reserve. It includes hiking trails and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Those preferring aquatic recreation will love Wildcat Lake, a 13-acre lake owned by Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. It features swimming, fishing, and paddling.
If you are looking for a place that includes skiing, hiking, natural beauty, and history, Banner Elk is the perfect choice for a weekend retreat.
Whether you prefer the historic small town of Edenton or the larger, but still small, town of Hickory, these small towns in North Carolina offer weekend visitor retreats featuring outdoor activities, recreation, history, culture, and community. From the pristine Outer Banks of Beaufort to the vast mountains of Banner Elk, each of the small towns on this list provides serenity and peace to travelers seeking a weekend getaway.
