Of course, you’ll want to head over to Brevard College for a “chance” at seeing one of those famed white squirrels. Asheville, NC: A Small City With Many Accolades. There’s also the waterfront and tons of local restaurants like Persimmons, Baker’s Kitchen, and more worth exploring for at least a weekend! And many folks do come to Shelby for a look at Bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs, who grew up in the area. Any Dirty Dancing fans will know exactly what I’m talking about. We love its downtown and recommend you stop by Old World Baking Company on Main St for coffee and pastries or a yummy sandwich with some soup for lunch. Small Towns in Central North Carolina. Mooresville is a great gateway to Lake Norman. Find picturesque historic Main Streets, friendly shops, general stores, farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, art galleries and quirky finds. Black Mountain is about the last town you can stop in before Asheville on I-40 (westbound) and you’ll want to stop at its Town Square before deciding you need more time there. Don't shoot the messenger, this is all using data. at BearWaters Brewing‘s Maggie Valley location first coming to mind. Boone, North Carolina . If you’re searching for fine NC wine, head to Burnt Shirt Vineyards. Few small cities anywhere are as connected—and subsequently endowed—as New Jersey’s state capital. We also included a visit to Kannapolis in our guide to a weekend in Concord and Cabarrus County. Saluda. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot, too. We started by making a list of every city in North Carolina over 5,000 people based on the 2013-2017 American Community Survey (The most recent data). These towns are full of history and ecological wonders. Oh, and you can hunt for all the bear statues in town. North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the distinct mountain communities of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire that reside in Jackson County, NC are among the country’s premier outdoor destinations. Alliance, NC. North Carolina has a total population of 10.2 million residents, making it the 9th most populous state in the country. Oh, and there’s also the NC Potters Conference in March. There’s so much more to explore in this area, which is why we’ve dedicated a whole guide to a weekend in Morganton. The historic town, which was named in a previous list of the best towns in North Carolina, remains peppered with 18th and 19th century architecture, housing a close-knit community, filled with many artists and writers. Thank me later, but don’t forget to stop by Grady’s Barbecue in Dudley. Arkansas. The epic Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is about 25 miles from Cherokee, too, and totally worth a visit. Here’s how they’re broken down: Many of these awesome small towns are also where you’ll find the coolest Airbnbs in North Carolina. Brevard is first and foremost, known as the Land of Waterfalls. You can paddle, bike, boat, and just about anything else an outdoor enthusiast can do here. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, the distinct mountain communities of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire that reside in … Bath, North Carolina. Many folks who attended Appalachian State University (or App) will quickly share fond memories of their time living in Boone. We included The Big Rock among 50-plus more Summer Things to Do in North Carolina! Not only is there a rich heritage in this area, but there are also some of the quaintest and friendliest coastal towns right by the beach. This small town offers a quieter feel than its Outer Banks surroundings. Both the Carolina Thread Trail and Crowders Mountain feature among our favorite outdoor things to do in Charlotte since it’s also close by. We also love Black Mountain for its proximity to Catawba Falls, which is just under 10 miles away! It’s the largest and most populated Hatteras Island town but not too big for our list. Of course, you’ll want to get outside while in Yancey County. It’s a really wonderful place for a walk any time you stop by Cashiers. Source: flickr. Read 438 Reviews. Asheville is the biggest city in the area and is a very popular destination; however, there are several small towns in Western North Carolina that are unique and very special places to visit! Its beach and boardwalk are perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. You’ll find a small town with big charm in Bath, North Carolina. A visit to this fun town is included in our guide covering a weekend in Chapel Hill and Orange County. Come to Wayne County and you’ll discover the four Ps that run the show in Goldsboro and in its surroundings. Current Resident: Red springs, North Carolina is my home town! Franklin is also fun for shopping and for catching shows at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. You can also explore the beautiful natural surroundings at Deep Creek Trail inside Great Smoky Mountain National Park, just outside Bryson City. Salisbury is growing, thanks to that massive city of Charlotte that we hear has a lot of things to do. You’ll see a lot of cool small towns in North Carolina as you pass through on US 1, and Aberdeen might be the first to stand out. Typically, these wonderful small towns will grab our attention with amazing hospitality, great people, and beautiful outdoor surroundings. To get a nice panoramic view of the area, visit Oak Island Lighthouse and show off even more to friends and family. You can also come here for the North Carolina Maritime Museum or to just stare at the boats and water after parking on Front Street. It’s also home to folks who discovered that this is one of the most chill small towns in North Carolina. And the water views aren't bad either—you can smell the salty sea air from just about any location. 1. View Nearby Homes. Lexington’s Barbecue Center was my first experience with red slaw and after the first spoonful, I was hooked. There, you’ll also find a natural rock quarry swimming hole, especially welcome on hot days. Smithfield is also known as the home of Carolina Packers, which makes the red Bright Leaf Hot Dog, a very famous North Carolina food. 12 Most Charming Small Towns in North Carolina 1. It’s also popular for scuba diving and many folks, including us, enjoy hanging out on Atlantic Beach just across the Bogue Sound. The towns in South Carolina truly defy the idea that the United States of America is a ‘new country’ – some of the settlements here date back well into the 18th century. 713} You could easily spend a weekend, week, or the rest of your life on Bald Head Island. Head over to Graham next door and grab a bite at the Soda Shop. If you haven’t gotten to visit the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson, then we know what you’re next thing to do in North Carolina should be. A visitor can expect Bed and Breakfasts, quaint shops, and a beautiful waterfront boardwalk. And for a place to walk it all off, check out Elkin Municipal Park or Carter Falls (0.4 miles round trip). For starters, the food here is really good, with breakfasts at Joey’s Pancake House, lunch or dinner at Brickhouse Burgers and Pizza, and beers (plus food!) The Fields of the Wood is a Bible-themed park, with a massive prayer mountain to explore. You can also check out Crowders Mountain State Park nearby. Or you can explore one of the many nature trails, including Kent Mitchell, on the island. You should also head to nearby Siler City and visit Celebrity Dairy, especially when the baby goats come out in spring. From the beach to the mountains…we have it all. You’ll enjoy yourself any time of year in Lincolnton and its surroundings in Lincoln County. These towns are challenged by aging and declining populations, low incomes, and sewer rates that are already some of the highest in the state. On the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll find some fantastic small towns that are perfect basecamps for your vacation and adventures in the Smokies.While there are no hotels or restaurants inside the national park, find many lodging options nearby. Valdese is the last Burke County town that we’ll mention and definitely one of the most interesting. This page will help you find a list of the nearest surrounding towns, villages, cities nearby or within a 25 mile distance (40.23 km) of Raleigh (North Carolina) to the north, south, east, or west of Raleigh; generally within a 30 minute to one hour commute or drive. Hillsborough was one of the first small towns of North Carolina that we visited and we immediately fell in love with it. The wild horses of the Rachel Carson Reserve were the main reason we first stopped by Beaufort, and we were hooked on the town. Eastern North Carolina is where you’ll find the highest concentration of historic small towns, mainly because Europeans first permanently settled down in this part of the state. Franklin sits near the center of Nantahala National Forest and is a popular Appalachian Trail rest stop. The Tuckasegee River runs right through town and is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing. But for the rest of you--keep reading and we'll get to just why these small towns made our list. Mebane easily lives up to its “Positively Charming” motto and remains one of our favorite places to visit in Alamance County. The oldest town in North Carolina and founded in 1705, Bath was strategically positioned at the... 3. When on Topsail Island and exploring the beaches there, you’ll want some time to explore Surf City. City Life; Rankings; Dangers; Events; Visit; Education; The Journal; March 14 | Rankings. 1. You can start your Blue Ridge Parkway adventure in Bryson City or hop on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, or do both. And if you live in Pinehurst , your friends will think that you are super rich with 20 golf courses to show off within ten minutes of your house. But even if you’re not a Mountaineer, there’s plenty to see and do here, inside and outside. Read More About Our Journey! Many folks come to Statesville for Carolina Balloon Fest in October, but you can come any time of year to see Fort Dobbs and Bigleaf Slopes Park. You’ll be impressed by their Memorial Day and 4th of July festivities, but also the Gallberry Corn Maze (September to November) and various Christmas celebrations in December. New River State Park is also nearby in Ashe County. Then there’s the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, a truly fun and educational place which is open on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. And then there’s the Haw River Ballroom, which hosts bands and musicians from all over. But beyond Lake Lure serving backdrop for much of that iconic movie, a visit will get you close to the water via a boat tour. You’ll run into Elkin either on I-77 or after exploring Stone Mountain State Park nearby. Add to List. Murphy sits on the absolute western edge of North Carolina and is where you’ll come into the state if you’re driving US-64. For beer lovers, White Street Brewing is a must and if you want to check out some nature, E. Carroll Joyner Park and nearby Falls Lake State Recreation Area should get a visit from you. The area is rural, but I just absolutely love the country. We even interviewed a local about New Bern, in case you’re still not convinced about this amazing small town. Atlantic Beach is the first Bogue Banks town you’ll encounter after crossing over the bridge from Morehead City. Folks love it for all the canoeing, paddling, hiking, and fishing opportunities. After analyzing more than 278 of North Carolina's smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in North Carolina where you'd never want to live: You’ll understand why very quickly. Some things to sightsee are the Battleship North Carolina, Airlie Gardens, Bellamy Mansion Museum The Aquarium at Fort Fisher, and Jungle Rapids Family park. Washington (also known as “Little Washington”) sits on the Pamlico River’s northern bank, with a cozy historic waterfront for walks or picnics. If you have a little one, take them to the Children’s Museum of Alamance County. Many of these small towns in Central North Carolina are within quick reach of a day trip, especially from Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The latest FBI crime data shows that Whiteville ranks as the most dangerous city in North Carolina for 2021. The favourable ranking was as a result of high scores in categories such as public schools, jobs, diversity, commute time, outdoor activities and nightlife, all ranked A and above. Head here in the summer to enjoy local oysters, numerous wineries and a laid-back vibe. They only re-incorporated in 1989 but the buildings and people have been here for much longer. Our weekly newsletter shares weekly updates and tips on upcoming events. 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