best nc mountain towns to live

Waynesville is the largest town in Haywood County, home to adorable shops, amazing restaurants, and surrounded by beautiful outdoor scenery. According to Trico Long Distance Movers, the best place to live in the mountains in the United States is Telluride in Colorado. At, For a relatively small town, there are some fantastic restaurants in Waynesville, North Carolina. But beyond the dramatic summit of Mount Mitchell, there are also waterfalls near BurnsvilleCrabtree Falls joins two near the base of Mount Mitchell (Setrock Creek Falls and Roaring Fork Falls). At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. In the summer, these same ski hills feature downhill mountain bike courses for those fearless on two wheels. The downtown is decked out with colorful murals, reflecting the artistic spirit of the town. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Blowing Rock. Enjoy Wake Forest's many restaurants, museums, galleries, concerts, and more. For a mixture of small-town roots and modern comforts, Boone is a great balance of the two. Located in western North Carolina on what is known as the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the Nantahala National Forest, Highlands has been called "the Aspen of the East.". Ramping up the adventure and excitement levels near Banner Elk is the new Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, one of only 20 coasters of this design in the United States. .right-sidebar .content-area { Here are a few of them. It's famous for its' "all American" Main Street, but it offers so much more. You can easily immerse yourself in local art, browse unique shops, and dig into each places amazing food scene. 5 Pinehurst at No. Can some one tell me where the goats are in the Flat Rock picture? As such, it offers an amazing assortment of natural feats to discover. Spruce Pine is a nice spot throughout the year, but two events here are really coolthe NC Mineral and Gem Festival in August and SPACE (Spruce Pine Alien Conference & Expo) in June. The ride down is thrilling, with the two-seater sleds hitting top speeds of 27 miles per hour as they twist and turn down the nearly 2,400-foot run. (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. This classic mountain town is only 45 minutes from Asheville and is located right along Pisgah National Forest. Franklin is known as the gem capital of the world. Summer is the real draw, when the surrounding mountains turn a blissful green and offer up a wealth of natural treasures. Properties are provided courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS. This wonderful (and family-friendly) music festival brings in big names each year. Tryon Fine Arts Center is a cultural institution of North Carolina, hosting eclectic exhibits, community events, TEDtalks, performing arts, classic films, and live music. Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. Maggie Valley is a true tourist town just over 30 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with all kinds of accommodation, including campgrounds, and a number of things to do. This is also a popular area for trout fishing in North Carolina, particularly in the fall, with the Watauga River presenting a great opportunity for anglers. Annual celebrations like the Elk Fest and Hillbilly Jamboree are reason enough to visit. Appalachian Ski Resort is just minutes away and is a top destination for snowboarders and young skiers. Pearsons Falls is also nearby. Cashiers is the gateway to Bear Lake Reserve. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. 2 Marion at No. What about you, though? Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Robbinsville NC. We mentioned Valdese earlier and thought you should know about this truly interesting place. Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. Beautiful Boone, North Carolina, is easily one of the most popular NC mountain towns to visit. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. READ MORE: The Top 20 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA & NC Best Western NC Small Towns Guide Weaverville Black Mountain Brevard Hendersonville Saluda Burnsville Hot Springs Morganton Chimney Rock Village Banner Elk Blowing Rock West Jefferson Elkin Sparta Boone Beech Mountain Bryson City Cherokee Maggie Valley Murphy Sylva Dillsboro Franklin There's a lot to do here, such as hiking the famous Appalachian Trail and rafting down the Cheoah River. Home to the Woolly Worm Festival in October, we can't get enough of this town, the amazing restaurants and shops here, and its gorgeous surroundings. Its not so much a town, and is definitely a city in North Carolina. Downtown Blowing Rock is home to adorable shops and restaurants, as well as the only urban entrance to a waterfall that weve seen in North Carolina (Glen Burney). } With Watauga River running through, its also a haven for anglers seeking out that coveted rainbow trout. Asheville, NC Bend, OR Boise, ID Denver, CO Flagstaff, AZ Salt Lake City, UT South Lake Tahoe, CA Tacoma, WA Asheville, NC Photo via @jared_kay Population: 87,531 Home Price: $212,000 median purchase price; $910 median monthly rent Crime Rate: Safer than 3% of U.S. cities Ashe County might sound familiar if you like yummy cheese. The tallest dam in the Eastern US, Fontana Dam, is one of the more popular spots in Graham County, too. Read More: Chimney Rock State Park (How to Enjoy an NC Icon). One of our absolute favorite North Carolina mountain towns is Maggie Valley, a consistent family vacation spot. Mitchell Craft Fair, adding to their creative haven atmosphere. 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. Cameron grew up in Charlotte and spent his childhood traveling around this great region. This is the best of the North Carolina mountain towns to soak all your worries away. Our NC travel map will help you visually plan, in case youre ready to start exploring! Advertisement. Nights are much warmer if you are camping, and when the trees at the top of the mountains are just getting their buds, this area is lush and in full bloom. In summer, you may see people fishing. Overall SnackAbility. You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Macon County Gemboree is one of the most widely known gem shows in the entire country. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. Hendersonville Main Street, Hendersonville | Photo Copyright: Lana Law Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. Listing information last updated on March 4th, 2023 at 4:24am EST. Bald Head Island, NC 28461, USA. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Blowing Rock and Boone are often talked about together because they are so closebut so different! You forgot to mention that it is home to Lees-McRae College! 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. Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina. Park the car and wander through small shops, discover local cuisine, and enjoy the fresh mountain air, or take a drive through the spectacular scenery to find waterfalls, lookouts, and hiking trails. Its downtown is home to nice shops, a cozy atmosphere, and great restaurants. Festivals are a big deal in Highlands, especially those hosted in the fall which feature arts & crafts, the annual Halloween celebration, and the Culinary Weekend. We also love that town and cant wait to go back:). A little over an hour west of Asheville, Bryson City calls itself the gateway to the Smokey Mountains, and is, in fact, a great option for travelers looking to visit the park. This is an isolated outpost at a high elevation and a hidden gem of the high country. For such a small town, the selection and quality of restaurants is impressive. Use it as a base for nearby hikes and waterfalls, rides on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, or just relax in luxury at Biltmore Estate or The Omni Grove Park Inn. 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. The heart of the area is the quaint town square. Waynesville is a small town in Haywood County, North Carolina known for its picturesque setting in the Great Smoky Mountains and its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearby is Grandfather Mountain with its suspension bridge. padding-left: 10px; .wp-show-posts a { The Tuskegee River runs right through town, offering ample opportunity for tubing, rafting, and paddleboarding. All this wonderful scenery might be a reason why many movies, including The Fugitive and Nell, were filmed in the area. At 90-feet high, Pearsons Falls is an exciting natural attraction. If youre a literary lover, Sylva is a great getaway. 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. Mica Gallery is one of a few spaces that showcase local artists from here and surrounding counties. You might say its a Foothills or Piedmont town, but well argue otherwise. Black Mountain features quaint shops, impressive restaurants (including Phils Bar-B-Que Pit! You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. This vacation destination is located on the eastern edge of the Plateau region near Sapphire Valley. Near Beech Mountain skiing and Grandfather Mountain hiking. In winter, Blowing Rock can be a nice place to base yourself if you are skiing at nearby Appalachian Ski Mountain just a few minutes away. padding-right: 10px; Weve created many more NC travel guides that include these mountain towns in more detail. With a mix of unique shops and galleries, art festivals, and a charming downtown, this Jackson County NC mountain town lives and breathes local art. Read More: The North Carolina Bucket List. Many of the most popular public access points, including Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Access Area, are a short drive from Banner Elk. If you are heading to the coast, you may want to have a read through our article on Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); Black Mountain. .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} To help narrow down that search, one website has chosen three cities in North Carolina as some of the best lake towns in the country to live in. A walk around the Village Green reveals gardens, outdoor sculptures, and a plethora of pleasing storefronts. Each village brings its own delightful draws and unique allure. Make sure to get a taste of Hollywood at the Henry River Mill Village in Hildebran. Rolling hills surround the town, and the Tuckasegee River runs through the middle. ), these are the best mountain towns in America. Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. Bakersville is the Mitchell County seat and one of many arts-heavy communities in the area. Read More: How to See Elk River Falls (Trail and Safety Tips). The outskirts of Highlands are known for spectacular waterfalls, but the downtown of Highlands is equally beautiful! There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Its downtown is packed with shops and restaurants galore (Old World Baking Company for starters), but theres also some outdoor fun to find here. Even though it's primarily known for movie-like beaches, California is also a great mountain destination. In Flat Rock, spend your days hiking the trails, saying hello to the many goats, and touring the house before heading downtown for some beers and barbecue from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. Distance: 74.3 miles from Gatlinburg TN (2-hour drive) Robbinsville is a rural mountain town in the Smoky Mountain foothills that takes you back to a time of solitude and natural beauty.

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