Each year, Lake Lure hosts a Dirty Dancing Festival. Around Cashiers, the Nantahala National Forest spreads out, offering up a slew of lovely mountain streams, hiking trails, and high peaks offering spectacular scenic views. The town itself is also home to breweries, boutiques, and vacation homes. Each town has its own vibe and many unique outdoorsy things to do. Just outside the state park there is a row of stores along the street where you could spend an hour or two shopping. 12 Delicious Places For Ice Cream In Asheville, NC, 11 Spooky Abandoned Places In North Carolina. Nevertheless, picturesque Sylva NC has gradually grown into its own. Spy herbs, flowers, and furry critters as butterflies and birds sail past you. Mountain biking is incredibly popular here too. by Jonathon Engels. Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner and lead writer of Uncorked Asheville. And, whether you live in Western North Carolina or are just visiting, it might be overwhelming to choose what to do and see. In summer, the population of Franklin NCdoubles due to retirees who have chosen its comfortable weather as a home base. Honestly, I would choose it over a hotel anyways! Hiking the entire 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine isn't in the cards for most people. Not only are the state parks nearby, but the countryside around Elkin is dotted with dozens of vineyards, golf courses, and fishing holes. In summertime, Emerald Outback has trails for hiking and mountain biking. Baby carried that watermelon here and look back to many dancing scenes. Iron Wok serves giant bowls of steaming pho, and Nantahala Brewing and Mountain Layers feature hoppy local brews. With the proximity to Highlands, youll find many of the same things to do. See our Harrah's Cherokee Casino Guide. One of the main attractions here is Harrahs Cherokee Hotel and Casino so if you are a gambler then head to Cherokee! A real step into small-town North Carolina, Sparta NC is nested in the High Country Mountains, not far from the Virginia border. 370 Newman Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. In my eyes, these small, rural towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are all among the most charming and best small towns in the USA. The Spartans of North Carolina enjoy outdoor festivals, particularly when it involves a bit of dancing and something nice to eat. Want to know more? Burnsville is close to Mount Mitchell the tallest peak east of the Mississippi. Tyler and I thought it was fantastic. Driving through the town, spot funky vintage motels. . Located south of Asheville off of I-26, Hendersonville NC has an exceptionally walkable Main Street thatmakes it unavoidable on a list of quaint towns in North Carolina. According to a National Park Service news release, Gordon . Parker-Binns even has a delicious Burger Barn and Airbnb property for rent. READ MORE:The 20 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking. Youll be close to Crabtree Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and breweries here as well. Arts Attractions. Hungry? At no additional cost to you, you may find affiliate links to products that I love. This little town is only a few minutes north of Asheville on I-26 and the perfect place to grab lunch and explore for an afternoon. Black MountainHendersonvilleHot SpringsMarshallOld FortWeavervilleMore Guides. It has one of the cutest downtown areas of any towns around Asheville. Its also a great place to live. Live like a local and experience a leisurely day of exploration. historic. If you want a guided trip for canyoneering, white water rafting, or rock climbing then check out Pura Vida Adventures. Obviously, all of this makes Boone one of thebest small towns in North Carolina to live in! As locals, well never manage it all. Right outside the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town of Cherokee NC is conveniently located for accessing Americas most visited national park as well as jumping on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Residents have done their best to keep it authentic and, in doing so, kept the storefronts and shops historic and rustic, as well as filled with local artisans. Its about 20 minutes east of Asheville and an easy drive down I-40. Near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, and numerous state and national parks, the town is also big on a year-round outdoor adventure. Downtown Hendersonville is actually pretty lively and they have lots of events going on especially on weekends. Located near the South Carolina border, at the precipice of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Saluda NC was established in 1881. It is bordered by eight states, with Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the west, and Missouri to the northwest. This little town is close to the corner where the borders of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet. While it might be named Bryson City, by most peoples standards this one of the small quaint towns in North Carolina (population around1400) near the Tennessee border. There are plenty of specialty shops and boutiques downtown as well as restaurants, breweries, and bottle shops. BearWaters Brewing has a creekside location in Maggie Valley, serving up local brews and food along a babbling brook. You can stay at a primitive tent site, an RV site, or they have cabins and vacation rentals. Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes. This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. This is absolutely one of my favorite small towns near Asheville. From this town, you can easily access theTryon International Equestrian Center, Dupont State Recreational Area, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Pisgah National Forest. Festivals and street dances are regular events in Hendersonville from spring (the Garden Jubilee) through autumn (the annual Apple Festival). While not the largest tourist destination, Mills River is a popular place to live and is most well-known for its cidery and breweries. Or, enjoy the short hike to Soco Falls. The area also has some of the best road biking routes in the southeast. Mount Mitchell State Park offers tons of great hikes and the Blue Ridge Parkway is also nearby where youll find plenty of other hikes as well. Asheville to Flat Rock is about a 40-minute drive, and Flat Rock and Hendersonville pair well together while you are in the area. After visiting North Carolina for the first time, Senior Writer Jonathon Engels and wife Emma spent 2 years exploring Western NC in search of a homestead property. Tyron is known for its equestrian culture, wineries, Christmas festival, Pearson Falls, and shops. For those planning on visiting (or relocating to) the region, here are some of the best small towns in North Carolina to add to your itinerary, READ MORE:The Top 20 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA & NC. Tennessee Map. Hip hotels and buzzworthy restaurants are staking claim across Asheville, but a communal sense of fun is keeping this mountain town grounded - at least for now. Located on a high plateau in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, Cashiers NC is last town on our small towns in North Carolina list. READ MORE:The 15 Best Things to Do in Burnsville NC. If you have the National Parks Passport book then head here to get your stamp for the Carl Sandburg Home! (function() { Mountain bike at Buffalo Creek Park, zip line at Canopy Ridge Farm, or go horseback riding at Cedar Creek Riding Stables. A tourist town from way back, Dillsboro was a stop on the early railways that ran through Western NC, Land of the Sky. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and covers 520,000 acres (800 square miles). Rent skates or bring your own. While in Flat Rock, stop at Marked Tree Vineyard on a foggy day, which is eerily romantic. Burnsville is also considered a wonderful place to live for its gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain views, friendly residents, and mild climate. Consequently, it has all the hip youthfulness of a collegiate base, including concert halls, breweries, trendy restaurants, and entertainment venues. Black Mountain Old train depot in Black Mountain This is absolutely one of my favorite small towns near Asheville. Hopefully, I can change that soon as its just south of Asheville. See the elk, and go for a swim Lets get started! In the winter, visit Cataloochee Ski Area for a fun day on the slopes or, in summer, explore the Great Smoky Mountains with a hike along one of the many trails. If it is summer, hang out at Lake Lure Beach or rent a boat. Since we love uncorking (and untapping), Boojum Brewery is a must youll find their beer served across Ashevilles taprooms, and Boojum serves stellar food. Another great one is Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. This is a popular spot for artists so youll find a few art galleries and pottery studios. Just note they do close in the winter season. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is nearby, as are the Blue Ridge Parkway and New River State Park. Have you heard of Mount Mitchell? If you love these guides, support Uncorked Asheville here. READ MORE:The 20 Best Pisgah National Forest Hiking Trails in North Carolina. Native Americans have been living in this area for over 14,000 years. Chimney Rock State Park is home to a 535-million-year-old monolith that sits 2,200 feet above sea level. BrickTree Brewing is a must, and if you enjoy driving through more rural areas, head over to Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard & Winery in Lawndale complete with a tasting flight in milk bottles. })(); Sourwood Inn Asheville Bed and Breakfast 810 Elk Mountain Scenic Highway, Asheville NC 28804 Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. It has an amazing collection of sites to devoted to the history and culture of Native Americansthe Cherokeefrom the area. When the holiday season comes around, Boone Christmas Tree Farms are some of the best places to get a real tree in the state of North Carolina. Black Mountain is famous for its Southern Appalachian arts and crafts scene, and Black Mountain to Asheville is only about 20+ minutes away. On Main Street youll find four different breweries. The perfect stop if you want to grab food on your way to or from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Lincolnton is east of Asheville and slightly north of Charlotte. Asheville to Burnsville is about a 40-minute drive. 18,000+) is widely recognized as one of the best small cities in North Carolina. Dangerous, I know. Although the trip is only 45-miles long, it can take up to one and a half hours because of the winding mountain roads. Now she is a full-time travel blogger who loves providing trip inspiration and travel tips for traveling the US. Bryson City NC is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering up a buffet of babbling mountain streams, knockout vistas, roaring waterfalls, and wondrous wildlife. Nearby in Gerton, hike Wildcat Rock Trail and Little Bearwallow Falls. READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Cherokee NC & the Qualla Boundary. Start Here. Just 40 minutes north of Asheville and a quick skip away from the Tennessee border, Hot Springs NC is a classic resort town with over 200 years of service. [ Updated August 8, 2022 ] For a medium-sized North Carolina mountain town with a population of under 100,000, there is a surprising wealth of unique things to do in Asheville NC. Highway 221 intersects I-40 here and you can follow it north into the Linville Gorge Wilderness. Explore the 10 best small mountain towns near Asheville. These small mountain towns in NC obviously have lots to offer, and in my opinionBlowing Rock (population 1300, altitude 3500+ feet) is truly amongst the finest. Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Black Mountain is also a great option if you want to stay at a cute Bed & Breakfast outside of AVL and have a walkable downtown area at your doorstep. Theres also the Tweetsie Railroad theme park and quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway near Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (which is good for horseback riding). Stepps Hillcrest and Jeter Mountain Farm are two fabulous choices. There are lots of trails that pass through town and plenty of parks. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Deciding which of these mountain towns to visit (or, in our case, live in) is really a subjective thing. Do you want to be high up in the mountains, or have waterfront views at lower elevations? In addition to the towns urban amenities, theres easy access to hiking trails, waterfalls, and campgrounds. Sassafras Bookstore is a book lovers dream. Many times when someone is talking about the area theyll lump them together in the Highlands/Cashiers area. One of the best tours in Asheville takes you to a few of the waterfalls near Brevard! For Christmas fun around Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad hosts a Polar Express event. Lots of great shopping, incredible restaurants, and an upscale downtown area. Another town that is heavily influenced by local artists! Hop on Lovers Leap, which connects to the AT, for a steep incline overlooking all of those stunning Western North Carolina mountains. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I cant recommend Justus Orchard enough (try the apple cider doughnuts). Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: blue ridge parrkway, Small Mountain Towns, things to do in Asheville. If you are looking for good restaurants then Twisted Laurel, Glass Onion, and Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe are solid choices. Another cool attraction is the Bare Dark Sky Observatory where you can look through one of the largest telescopes available to the public. Ghost Town in the Sky Photo Tour & History Ghost Town in the Sky was famous for its Wild-West theme, live-action shows and beautiful setting on top of Buck Mountain at 4,600 ft. elevation. But this short, 1.5-mile loop trail can give you a wonderful taste. . You wont find a shortage of things to do in Black Mountain, including strolling historic downtown for endless shops. And, where can you find a bridge filled with vibrant blooms while getting your Dirty Dancing on? A post shared by The Greenbrier Restaurant (@thegreenbriertn) Also featured in . Visit Biltmore Estate. The Wrinkled Egg is a popular shop full of clothing and home goods and people love the Hubba Hubba Smokehouse (closes seasonally). After hiking, head into town for lunch at Iron Horse Station Tavern and Restaurant followed by a beer at Big Pillow Brewing. Movies & TV. Christine has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. The town of Jonesborough is about an hour outside of Asheville, North Carolina, and two hours from Knoxville, Tennessee. Towns Near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Here's our rundown of towns near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee that you may want to visit. I recently returned from visiting Mifflin and Juniata Counties and got to experience so many fun things to do in this area. These cookies do not store any personal information. When is the Best Time to Visit the Smoky Mountains? Plus, every Southern town needs a Mast General Store, and Wall Street Books is a great stop for used books. Or, ride the steam train throughout the year for lunch or as part of their special wine adventure. While you wont find any big-name hotels in the area, you will find a unique bed and breakfast near Davis, WV. Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. Emerald Gem Mine is also near Little Switzerland. Anyone can enjoy the beautiful scenery though. I will be the first to admit that I have not explored Hendersonville nearly enough. Tucked back in the woods of Jenningston, Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast offers the perfect getaway for couples, families, or groups at a reasonable, Read More A Unique Bed and Breakfast Near Davis, WVContinue, If youre looking for the best things to do near Lewistown, PA, then youre in the right place! READ MORE: The Best Things to Do in Weaverville NC. } Like Asheville, Hendersonville has hopping breweries, including D9, Guidon, and Oklawaha (which has gluten-reduced beers too). But what about the small towns near Asheville? Hendersonville Visitor Information Center | 201 South Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.
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