These Small Towns in North Carolina Have the Best Historic Districts
While its larger cities like Charlotte and Raleigh are already well-established tourist destinations, North Carolina is home to many small and often overlooked towns worth including on your USA travel itinerary.
From Wake Forest to Tarboro and Bath, the best of these smaller North Carolinian communities also feature charming historic districts just waiting to be explored. And when you do, you’ll find you form a deeper connection and greater respect for the important role these attractive towns have played not just in the history of the “Tar Heel” state, but also, in the bigger picture, that of the United States of America.
Mount Airy
Referred to by locals as "Mayberry," Mount Airy is perhaps best known as the inspiration for the idyllic hometown portrayed in the beloved hit TV sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show. Find out more about this legacy at the Andy Griffith Museum, which offers a detailed look into the life and career of the town's most famous son. The iconic Wally's Service Station, a replica from the TV series, is another must-see Mount Airy attraction, as is Floyd's City Barber Shop, where you can even sit in the original barber chair that Griffith himself once used.
Forward-thinking townsfolk have not only retained the town’s charming early 20th-century architecture, they’ve also preserved its granite sidewalks, a nod to the town's designation as the "Granite Capital of the World."
Pittsboro
Pittsboro is the seat of Chatham County and captures the essence of North Carolina’s unique charm. Anchoring the town's historic district, the Chatham County Courthouse is a stately structure built in 1881. The Pittsboro Historic District is a must-visit and boasts an array of well-preserved older structures dating from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. Into music? Check out the popular Pittsboro Roadhouse for its diverse roster of live music.
The town is also where you’ll find the Carolina Tiger Rescue, a sanctuary for wild cats. Pittsboro is also a great base from which to explore Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
Tarboro
Situated along the Tar River, a standout feature of Tarboro is its Town Common. This lovely 15-acre park was established in the 1760s and is one of only two original town commons left in the United States (the other is in Boston, Massachusetts). Here you’ll find the Tarboro Historic District with its many fine examples of antebellum and other period architecture dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Standouts include the Blount-Bridgers House, a Federal-style building that's now a museum with displays relating to the region's rich culture. St. James Church, built in 1850, is another photogenic highlight for its striking Gothic Revival architecture.
Bath
Named in honor of the beautiful city in Somerset, England, North Carolina’s Bath holds the distinction of being the state's oldest incorporated town. Founded in 1705, its charming riverside setting makes for a fun day trip or weekend getaway, especially if you include a walking tour of its historic downtown district in your itinerary. Highlights include St. Thomas Episcopal Church, built in 1734 and one of the oldest churches in the state. Another point of interest is the Palmer-Marsh House, built in 1751.
But perhaps Bath's most intriguing tale revolves around the notorious pirate Blackbeard, who once called this town home. The Bath Historic Site offers insights into the day-to-day life of the town's early settlers… as well as its pirates.
New Bern
New Bern was established in 1710 at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers, a strategic outpost for the fledgling state. When you visit North Carolina’s second-oldest town, you’ll want to check out the impressive Tryon Palace. Built in the 1770s as the residence of Royal Governor William Tryon, this stunning Georgian-style mansion is home to a number of historic gardens as well as the North Carolina History Center.
Be sure to spend time exploring downtown New Bern. Highlights include the centuries-old Christ Church and the Masonic Temple, both of which make for memorable selfie backdrops. New Bern also just so happens to be the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, invented here by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in 1898.
Salisbury
Salisbury is another North Carolina town named after a city in England (its namesake is home to that country’s famous Stonehenge attraction). Established in 1753, Salisbury, NC, is located in the heart of the Piedmont region and is where you’ll find a number of well-preserved sites relating to both the American Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Topping our list of must-see attractions in Salisbury is Dr. Josephus Hall House. Originally constructed as classrooms for the Salisbury Academy in 1820, the building transformed into the grand residence of Dr. Hall, chief surgeon at Salisbury Confederate Prison during the Civil War. Adorned with period furnishings, Hall House offers an authentic glimpse into 19th-century life in historic Salisbury.
Beaufort
Settled in 1709, picture-perfect Beaufort proudly holds the title of the third oldest town in North Carolina and is home to one of the best waterfront historic districts in the country. The Beaufort Historic Site, situated in the heart of the town, is a two-acre complex that encapsulates its past and features several fully restored and authentically furnished buildings.
Topping the list of must-visits are the 1778 Cushing House and the 1829 Old Jail. Another intriguing landmark is the Old Burying Ground, an historic colonial-era cemetery that serves as the final resting place for settlers, sailors, and soldiers. Beaufort's maritime history is also interesting and includes tales of the notorious pirate Blackbeard, whose ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, foundered nearby in 1718.
Hillsborough
Once a political and cultural hub, Hillsborough's former influence is evident in its well-preserved buildings and historic sites. Check out the Orange County Courthouse. Built in 1845, it continues to serve as a focal point for the community and governmental affairs. NASCAR fan? You’ll want to visit the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, one of the first NASCAR tracks ever constructed and now a pleasant walking trail.
Other Hillsborough sightseeing opportunities include Burwell School Historic Site, a 19th-century girls' academy, as well as a number of sites associated with both Revolutionary and Civil War events.
The Final Word
From pirate tales in Beaufort to the birth of Pepsi in New Bern, North Carolina's small towns serve as fascinating windows into the past. These towns, together with their well-preserved historic districts, each offer a unique opportunity to journey through time and discover more about North Carolina’s fascinating history.
