best nc mountain towns to live best nc mountain towns to live

But, with only 12,920 full time residents, there aren't a lot of people to get the word out. Designed by the same landscape architect responsible for the grounds at the Biltmore Estate, the North Carolina Arboretum, located just outside downtown Asheville, offers 426 acres of groomed gardens and lush trails. Begin with our list of the best mountain towns in North Carolina. Cashiers is in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest and provides a front row view to the spectacular annual fall foliage. 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Carolina, 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Charlotte, NC, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Wilmington, NC, 12 Top-Rated Mountain Resorts in North Carolina, 13 Top-Rated Beach Resorts in North Carolina, 10 Top-Rated Campgrounds in the Outer Banks, NC, 11 Top-Rated Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina, 17 Top Cheap Ski Holidays in North America, 2023, 14 Top-Rated Small Towns in North Carolina, 3 Top Places for Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina, 11 Top-Rated Romantic Getaways in North Carolina, 12 Top-Rated Waterfalls in North Carolina, North Carolina in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 5 Top-Rated Ski Resorts in North Carolina, 2023, 11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Bay City, MI, 16 Top-Rated Things to Do in Brattleboro, VT, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, Photo Source: Burnsville and Yancey County Tourism, North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls, Top Rivers for Trout Fishing in North Carolina. Youll also encounter a thriving art community through the Toe River Arts and awesome barn quilt trails! Mitchell Craft Fair, adding to their creative haven atmosphere. Read More: The North Carolina Bucket List. There. Theres a bit of a dispute that we wont get into, but Old Forts Gold Festival typically kicks off each June. Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. Fans of fly fishing may have already heard of Sylva. Twitter ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). One of the town's major annual events is the Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival, held over a 10-day stretch in July. Boones truly a four-season destination: they boast hiking and waterfalls in spring through fall and world-class skiing in the winter. Right down the road from Maggie Valley is Lake Junaluska, a lovely community with a trail that takes you around its namesake lake. The town itself is nice for a stroll from the county courthouse. Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. Advertisement. Known as the apple capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is a great central stop for all the scenery of the area. 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. Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. Hot Springs is one of the most adorable North Carolina mountain communities, best known for its hot mineral springs. Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our Relocation Director, Karen Danner, who can assist you with every detail of your move to North Carolina. 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. You'll also find a fine assortment of restaurants, many with outdoor patios. This vacation destination is located on the eastern edge of the Plateau region near Sapphire Valley. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. Known as the moonshine capital of the world, this foothills haven is spirited in more ways than one. 2. In the fall, U-pick farms like Grandad's Apples N' Such open up and make a fun stop for families. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Back to Wilkesboro, of course, which is love for so many things but above all, the iconic Merlefest. Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. Take a horseback ride at Shady Grove Dude Ranch, see DeSoto Falls, and book a cabin rental to take in the mountain air. It has just enough diversity within its quaint downtown to attract plenty of visitors, from eclectic eateries to art studios to specialty shops. ), downtown Brevard is charming and boasts the best toy store in North Carolina, O.P. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. Known as the home of the White Squirrel (and annual festival! The town's lovely architecture and historic buildings set it apart from others in the area. The majestic peaks of the Blue Ridge Parkway, charming towns offering luxurious properties with panoramic beauty are just a few of the reasons that many seek out the best place to live in the North Carolina mountains. Read More: Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed). Rolling hills surround the town, and the Tuckasegee River runs through the middle. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; Lake Glenville is a very popular summer vacation spot with several vacation homes available in Glenville and in the nearby Cashiers and Highlands communities. This is an isolated outpost at a high elevation and a hidden gem of the high country. Ensconced at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, youll discover the beauty of Brevard in its bounty of waterfalls. 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. text-decoration: none Some are more touristy than others, but none of the NC beaches are as touristy as Myrtle Beach, SC.I like Beaufort, but it's not right on the beach. Catch some incredible views from Lovers Leap, a 2-mile loop with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. You can turn in a circle to see the mountains. .ai-viewports {--ai: 1;} Awesome to hear, Rebecca! There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. Burnsville offers an authentic small-town experience, with a cute downtown area, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries lining the town square. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. Not to be outshone by the National Park, Bryson City manages to be an experience all its own! What about you, though? It is a popular tourist destination as well, so developing tourism . Take a peek at our exclusive Asheville Region community at The Cliffs. One of the top 10 arts communities . Accommodation: Where to Stay in Waynesville. Beyond the downtown, you will find lovely homes and streets with manicured yards and views in all directions. The history of Cashiers showcases the rich heritage of several buildings circa 1800s that have been restored overtime and are still in use today. At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is home to awesome views but also, some pretty great ski resorts. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina small towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. There's only one "big" city within an hour of the coast and that's Wilmington, with a pop of about 200,000 in New Hanover County, or 260,000+ in the Wilmington MSA.All the beach towns rely on a tourist-driven economy. Read More: 20+ Kid-Friendly Waterfalls In NC (Easy Hikes And Swimming Holes!). Spend some time wandering around, stop in at the Mountain Fresh Grocery to pick up a quick bite or fresh coffee, or enjoy a lunch at one of the many restaurants. Annual celebrations like the Elk Fest and Hillbilly Jamboree are reason enough to visit. Yes, Colorado boasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous: Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge , Telluride and the like. The city is perfect for a winter getaway, thanks to milder weather, great events like Christmas at Biltmore and more! Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, you'll find main streets lined with historic buildings, restaurants, family-owned stores and trendy shops. 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. With only about 500 people living here, its main draw is the eponymous natural thermal mineral baths. Regardless of the season, the Chetola Resort is a wonderful accommodation option. 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. Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world-class facility for horse racing and riding. 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). "agent": "woocommerce-7.4.0-3.0.12" This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. fbq('init', '754829038551418', {}, { Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. Add to that a good selection of restaurants, many with outdoor patios in summer; hotels; and attractions; and it's not surprising you frequently hear people describing Hendersonville as the best small town in North Carolina. Youll love Murphy for its fun downtown and the surrounding NC mountains, water, and trails. North Carolina is bracing for severe weather headed our way. Night or day, this city never ceases to amaze. Burnsville is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns for exploring the outdoors. There are several opportunities for guests to learn about the history and culture of the tribe. With Watauga River running through, its also a haven for anglers seeking out that coveted rainbow trout. Throughout the year, we think youll love eating and walking around downtown, tasting some of NCs finest beer at local breweries, and exploring the areas arts scene. One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. Cream is poured on a frozen sheet and rolled up in a Thai tradition, and capped with your favorite toppings. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. Black Mountain. Youll encounter galleries galore downtown, among specialty shops, fine fares, and craft beverages. There's a lot to do here, such as hiking the famous Appalachian Trail and rafting down the Cheoah River. Below are the best North Carolina mountain towns for your next gorgeous getaway. Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival. One of the largest North Carolina mountain towns on this list, we absolutely love all the fun things to do in Hendersonville. Some of North Carolina's mountain towns are highly seasonal, with major attractions open only during the summer months, but a few, particularly those near the ski resorts, lend themselves more towards winter visits. Its easy to spend a week here at a coxy Asheville cabin and never get bored! This is a haven for hikers to set off on the trails of either Gorges State Park or in a portion of the Panthertown Valley. // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. Read More About Our Journey! North Conway might be best known as a ski townand that's a legitimate distinction with Cranmore Mountain Resort 's steeps and glades just a mile from . Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. For a tasty and unique treat any time, stop in at the Toasted and Rolled Ice Cream and Bakery, where you can watch your custom ice-cream creation being made right in front of you. Its main attractions, including the darling historic downtown, the . Emerald Outback has plenty of trails to trek through dense old-growth forests, lush fields, and babbling mountain brooks in the warmer months. Home of the Davidson College Wildcats, Lake Norman, and great prices on real estate, the #3 best place to live in North Carolina, Davidson, is one of the Tar Heel State's best kept secrets. 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. The water also calls anglers to cast their lines in a variety of streams great for fly fishing. A perfect getaway in an idyllic private setting welcomes all to the tranquil Lake Toxaway. And while private, the close proximity to explore other North Carolina mountain towns is a plus. } .inside-article{ Davidson. Its downtown is home to nice shops, a cozy atmosphere, and great restaurants. Views over the rolling mountains are spectacular, and some of the best in the area. Wilmington is one of the best places to live in North Carolina near the beach as it is more affordable than the Outer Banks, which is the state's most popular coastal vacation spot. .generate-back-to-top, The population is larger than most of the area, and as such, the downtown provides plenty of quaint amenities without any of the hustle and bustle of bigger city crowds. Our love story begins in Wilmington, where we met while attending UNCW. Trust us, we will find it here in one of our great mountain towns. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} Valdese was settled by 19th-century Waldensians from Italy, giving it a unique identity apart from its neighbors. Weve created many more NC travel guides that include these mountain towns in more detail. Hi Marguerite, the goats are at the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock. 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. For more ideas, see our list of the Top Attractions in North Carolina. Charlotte is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for a few reasons. Just a few miles from Sylva (see below) is Dillsboro, an artist community that is one of the coolest North Carolina mountain towns. Listing information last updated on March 4th, 2023 at 4:24am EST. The selection and quality of its culinary scene are impressive given its size, so be ready to enjoy some fine foodie fares during your stay here. Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. 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. The various festivals and several golf courses is what residents have come to love about Sapphire Valley along with the peaceful scenery that attracts many to the area.