The Wilkes Art Gallery is one of many reasons to visit NW, along with a variety of events happening throughout each year there. Experience a mountain resort atmosphere in Sapphire Valley. .site-header .header-image { (NC), Hanging Rock State Park Ultimate Travel Guide, 10 BEST Things to do in Waynesville (North Carolina), 15 Amazing Things to Do in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. With a population of about 14,000 people, you can find everything you need here, minus crowds, traffic, and parking hassles. My husband & I love West Jefferson. They have a tiny population of residents but a vast number of visitors each year. Youll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town. Read More: 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes!). text-decoration: underline Each village brings its own delightful draws and unique allure. You can easily immerse yourself in local art, browse unique shops, and dig into each places amazing food scene. 21 Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA | U.S. News Travel Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. North Carolina Mountain Towns To Escape the Summer Heat Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina. "version": "7.4.0", Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Its original town limits are now a historic district where tourists can visit historical homes. The simple and slowed-down atmosphere of these magical enclaves makes for an ideal relaxing respite from the real world. Larry Lamb/Wikimedia. So many great mountain towns to choose from! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. One of the town's major annual events is the Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival, held over a 10-day stretch in July. 13 Top-Rated Mountain Towns in North Carolina | PlanetWare Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. This classic mountain town is only 45 minutes from Asheville and is located right along Pisgah National Forest. Asheville is a popular retirement spot, and over a quarter of the population is age 60 or older . The Best of North Carolina: Still in the planning stage of your next vacation? There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Affordable Mountain Towns for Retirement - WTOP News The Best Mountain Towns In NC - Plan Your Trip To The Mountains Take a peek at our exclusive Asheville Region community at The Cliffs. Its a picture-perfect pick with plenty of kitsch to go around. Anglers come from far and wide to try and catch one of the river's colorful rainbow trout. Its located at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River, making it a great jumping off point for some excursions into nature. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just a few miles from Sylva (see below) is Dillsboro, an artist community that is one of the coolest North Carolina mountain towns. @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { The Macon County Gemboree is one of the most widely known gem shows in the entire country. Burnsville offers an authentic small-town experience, with a cute downtown area, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries lining the town square. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to the Carolinas, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. Enjoy beautiful vistas at The Switzerland Inn and hike to Grassy Creek Falls while youre there. Regardless of your religious views, Fields of the Wood (a massive representation of the 10 Commandments) is an interesting place to visit. Join me to explore 5 NC Mountain Towns that you MUST visit! You can also walk to Blannahassett Island and fish or enjoy views of the French Broad River. .sidebar a { Boone is a no-brainer when it comes to top mountain towns in North Carolina, as this lively university town is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as the home of the White Squirrel (and annual festival! 6. Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. One of the big attractions, just outside of town, is Grandfather Mountain and its mile-high swing bridge, one of the top sites in North Carolina. Of course, the nearby Moore Cove Falls and French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) are two of many more to explore. Come in the summer to experience the cool refreshing mist of any of the breathtaking waterfalls in the area or grab some skis to hit the snow-covered slopes in the winter. These studios open twice a year for Weaverville Art Safari, for which art lovers and makers alike travel from all over to be a part of. The median home price in Ayden is 127,400 and the median income is $53,317, giving Ayden a solid ratio of home price to income. While high in the mountains in North Carolinas western region, Lake Glenville has evolved into a paradise for anglers, especially those looking to reel in bass. Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the best small North Carolina towns and located just 10 minutes from Boone, it has a small village vibe. The 25 Best Western NC Small Towns To Visit (and Live In!) Hi Marguerite, the goats are at the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock. Due to Henderson Countys high concentration of orchards, the area offers some of the best apples for picking in North Carolina. If you are looking for easy access to the Smoky Mountains, it doesn't . NC Mountain Towns You Can Actually Afford to Live In - YouTube ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). The 20 Best Places to Live in the Mountains in the U.S. - Money Inc The most recent of a long list of awards was Community of the Year by the Asheville Builders Association (ABA). Blowing Rock's downtown has the look and feel of a true mountain town, with a mix of restored historic buildings and modern structures designed to fit in with the town's village atmosphere. Tryon Fine Arts Center is a cultural institution of North Carolina, hosting eclectic exhibits, community events, TEDtalks, performing arts, classic films, and live music. The Best Places to Live in The Blue Ridge Mountains | The Cliffs This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } If you want to immerse yourself further in the scenery, take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or head over to Linville Falls, about 30 minutes away. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hendersonville. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { 2. Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. There are several ski resorts here if youre looking to hit the slopes and fantastic beer at Beech Mountain Resort. The mountains of North Carolina are dotted with quaint towns but it seems that Highlands gets much of the acclaim. Ranking high on the best cities to live in in North Carolina, Wake Forest is an ideal place for those who love the great outdoors. Lake Glenville Lake Glenville is hidden away in the mountains of western North Carolina, surrounded by hiking trails that wind through natural mountain beauty to waterfalls. Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive). Its proximity to many NC ski resorts makes it especially alluring for the winter seasons as well. Home - North Carolina - NC Mountains - 32 BEST North Carolina Mountain Towns. Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival. Median household income: $40,875. Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} Yes, Colorado boasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous: Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge , Telluride and the like. Banner Elk is also a popular gateway to Grandfather Mountain State Park and the Mile High Swinging Bridge on the privately-owned Grandfather Mountain attraction. Imagine waking up each morning to stunning 360-degree mountain views, the rushing sound of nearby waterfalls and in close proximity to some of the nations top hiking trails, prize fly fishing and a list of other pursuits. People visiting the quaint town of Sylva are advised to walk up the 107 stairs to the Jackson County Courthouse, where they will witness the panoramic views over the countryside, downtown, and the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. Read More: Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views!). Sylva is a special little destination of the North Carolina mountain towns that makes for a romantic trip in the state. Do you have a favorite place you like to go or is there one that stands out among the rest? Lake Glenville has the distinction of being the lake with the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River. Take in the views overlooking the charming downtown from Sunset Rock. Greenville, South Carolina From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. Venture out and explore the rest of Burke County, hike to Hawksbill Mountains peak, Linville Falls, the nearby Wisemans View in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, and High Shoals Falls inside South Mountains State Park. Morganton is one of the easternmost North Carolina mountain towns well mention. Sapphire Valley is tucked away in a scenic niche of the North Carolina mountains but offers visitors an experience like none other. There are several opportunities for guests to learn about the history and culture of the tribe. Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. We are captivated by the Plateaus beauty and special charm and are passionate to share it with others looking to make the area home. The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. South Lake Tahoe Might Be a Good Option. In 2020, we decided to share more about our home in the Carolinas. Access to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing or just spending a day out on the boat is what most love about Lake Glenville. A massive aquarium, a mountain coaster and. Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. Homes: $549K - $3.5M Lots: $69K - $450K. This article may contain affiliate links. Explore the charming downtown area on foot to discover its collection of shops, restaurants, breweries, and a famous Mast General Store that features an eclectic selection of souvenirs and candy. Land of Oz (held in September) is one of many great reasons to come here with its warmer outside. I hope Waynesville stays relatively small in comparison to Asheville which is getting very crowded. This tiny North Carolina mountain town is a hidden gem of the high country. Come explore the best mountain towns in NC! Hampstead NC. Read More: National Parks Sites in North Carolina. Bryson City is a great gateway if youre looking to explore the expansive Great Smoky Mountains. Home to East Carolina University, it's no surprise that apartments in Greenville are more affordable than in many larger, more professionally-focused cities. For such a small town, the selection and quality of restaurants is impressive. We welcome you to the North Carolina mountains; we know youll just love it here! For rare historical mountain artifacts, check out Swain County Heritage Museum. You'll find the Great Smoky Mountains on the Eastern side of Tennessee. Brevard has a pleasant feel about it. Dillsboro is one of the coolest mountain towns to discover. This town nestled amongst the foothills is rich in history and architecture. $( document.body ).append( '' ); People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. text-decoration: none Mountain Communities | Best Places to Retire in the Mountains Disclaimer: This site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. We mentioned Lake Junaluska earlier and thought you should know that it is only 3 miles away from Waynesville.