Inside this guide to places to visit in Western North Carolina, we’re counting towns, cities, standalone waterfalls and hikes, Blue Ridge Parkway stops, and state or national parks. Burnsville Town Square. Appalachian Outfitters is an anchor for outdoorsmen of every ilk, especially fishermen. “The town motto is ‘Just BE,’ and that sums up our small-town life.” It’s also one of the state’s northernmost climates. The Florence Thomas Art School is here, offering workshops in a variety of artistic mediums to all ages. The largest downtown in western North Carolina outside of Asheville is filled with historic buildings and updated streetscapes with flowers and art. There are so many wonderful small towns to explore. The county library, situated in the iconic former courthouse on a hill overlooking Main Street, is one of the finest in the region. Among the many studios and galleries is the recently expanded Tryon Fine Arts Center, which hosts art exhibitions as well as concerts, community theater presentations, TEDx talks, classic films, and the Tryon Little Theater for children. Hot Springs is also well stocked with cabins, vacation rentals, and bed-and-breakfast accommodations. Mitchell Challenge, a 40-mile trail race that attracts runners from all over the United States. Few towns can claim that their primary access is via an official scenic route, yet for Highlands, the winding drive through the Cullasaja River Gorge along Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is only part of the allure. As mentioned earlier, Asheville is the largest city in Western NC, and its population is only 92,000 (based on 2017 data). Sales Tax: 6.00%. 713} Map of North and South Carolina. Lake James is not far away, and there are great amenities in a town like Catawba Meadows Park. Boone is a college town (home to Appalachian State University) just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Mountains that cover Western NC provide a lifetime of outdoor adventure! And per capita, it’s probably the most bookish place in WNC. Today, this postcard-perfect village is full of quaint lanes, flower bedecked specialty shops, inns, and eateries, all centered around a town park that’s an idyllic spot to lick ice cream cones or browse the offerings at the monthly summer Art in the Park events. Many of their works can be found at The Design Gallery or at the Toe River Arts Council in downtown. Learn more at www.highlandschamber.org. And why wouldn’t it? While maintaining a year-round population of a lucky few, this isolated, high-elevation outpost draws an elite crowd of vacationers and second-homeowners from places like Charleston, Atlanta, and Knoxville. There's no better place to experience this geographic icon than along South Carolina's western lake coast. Pace General Store, an old-time grocery that’s been offering jars of locally pickled and preserved goodies and much more since 1899. About an hour from Asheville is the well-known town of Lake Lure. When asked about cities in western North Carolina, Asheville is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Below please see all North Carolina cities and towns which are listed in alphabetical order. Those that are within two hours were included in our guide to day trips from Asheville. Prettiest Small Town in America by TripAdvisor, list of the safest towns in North Carolina. 1. A former railroad outpost that straddles Polk and Henderson counties, Saluda features a quaint and historic downtown strip. Brevard is often called “Land of Waterfalls,” as it is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest, and is home to approximately 250 waterfalls! Towns like Abbeville, McCormick and Calhoun Falls offer visitors a slice of small-town culture with plenty of shopping, dining and recreational options for a fun family vacation. With a population of around 90,000, it’s definitely the most prominent hub for shopping and entertainment. Winter is an atmospheric time to indulge an après-ski piqued appetite at restaurants and pubs, with specialties like steak, sushi, Italian, Cajun, and tapas. Centered on Boone, the High Country has the area's most popular ski resorts, including Ski Beech, Appalachian Ski Mountain, and Sugar Mountain. Lenoir is a city in Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States. Banner Elk . These spots are prime destinations for making memories. A luxury hotel and spa is slated to open in 2017. Voted the Prettiest Small Town in America by TripAdvisor, Black Mountain is a must-see small town just east of Asheville. Check In! In between the sea and the summits are some of the … One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. It borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, Virginia to the north… The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina For 2021. being built, but throughout my experience here in Apex, I have not had one bit of trouble. Road map of North Carolina with cities. Source: flickr. Western North Carolina is no longer a well-kept secret. And of course, Blowing Rock and its environs are a veritable wonderland of outdoor activities. Asheville, WNC's largest city (Pop.1990 61,607) is located in the French Broad River valley, which basically lies in the center of North Carolina's Mountain region. There are also literally thousands of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and many are also suitable for equestrian use. Visit Bridge Park Pavilion, the town’s newest public venue, for the free down-home Concerts on the Creek staged every Friday night in the summer. Residents here enjoy 300 miles of pristine beaches and some of the country’s most beautiful old-growth hardwood forests and mountain tops. Art enthusiasts should visit Miya Gallery and Mangum Pottery and catch the annual Art in Autumn festival as well as the biannual Weaverville Art Safari. Learn more at www.hotspringsnc.org. For finer dining, Cork & Bean Bistro is among the ready options, and the owners recently opened The Everett Hotel in the same former bank building that houses the restaurant, featuring boutique-style lodging and a primo rooftop deck on which to wind down. Asheville also has an airport that allows for easy access for residents to travel and visit family in other parts of the country and for visitors to come in. Mitchell Craft Fair, which takes over Burnsville’s quaint town square and celebrates its 60th anniversary in June, offers even more opportunity to shop for local art and crafts. We used data and science to identify the most dangerous cities in the Tar Heel State for 2021. The countless rivers and streams offer world-class whitewater for paddlers, as well as tranquil trout streams for both fly fishing and conventional fishing tackle. A map of North Carolina cities will show that on one side of the state, you have miles of beaches, including the famed Outer Banks, where many hotels are events take place. If ever there was a town with a stature that’s much larger than its size, it’s Tryon, which has a prestigious reputation as both a vibrant arts enclave and North Carolina’s horse country. By Jill Gleeson. It’s no secret that real estate in Asheville, NC has taken off! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek in Madison County, Hot Springs is an official Appalachian Trail community. As West Jefferson tips over the 100-year mark in 2016, this High Country town has much to show for its accomplishments. College students flock to UNC Chapel Hill, the oldest N.C. University in the United States. 2326x955 / 759 Kb Go to Map. Asheville is consistently ranked as a top destination for beer drinkers, and its booming brewing industry is now a major provider of area jobs. 13 Best Small Towns in Western North Carolina. Located in Transylvania County about 30 minutes west of Asheville Regional Airport is the outdoor paradise of Brevard, NC. But Banner Elk, it’s just about perfect.” Learn more at www.bannerelk.org. Its restaurants offer just enough variety to keep the locals happy and attract culinary visitors. A resident of the Asheville area since 2003, Scott has been an active real estate broker since 2006. Dog-friendly businesses are now more of the rule rather than the exception. Blowing Rock’s cool breezes and guest rooms started drawing visitors in the 1880s, and it’s still among the East’s premier places to savor summer. The town is a vibrant mix of tourists and locals, with many of the latter having roots multi-generations deep. North Carolina is a welcome in the southeastern region of the allied States. History buffs will enjoy browsing the well-appointed Macon County Historical Society, which displays relics of the county’s past dating back to the early Native Americans. Weaverville’s Main Street is the epitome of small-town charm. North Carolina highway map. It is the county seat of Caldwell County. For the less literary-minded, Sylva offers fun eats at Mad Batter Food and Film, which shows free movies while you dine, and finer fare at the lauded Lulu’s on Main, to name just two of the town’s popular restaurants. These two towns are located very close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making them a popular vacation area in the summer. Brevard is also home to many summer camps, and that’s one reason so many families from the southeast know the area and vacation there. M.A. But we’ve done it; we’ve picked 19 of our favorite small towns across the state. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, Sharing House typically passed out about 80 food boxes during its weekly drive-thru distributions. Top 10 biggest cities by population are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, and Concord. The town also offers outdoor amenities. The map below, a North Carolina Mountains Map, is interactive and you may click on any city to go to the Visitor Guide for that NC city. Map Of Western north Carolina Cities Map Of north Carolina Cities north Carolina Road Map. The town is replete with annual festivals—Hot Springs Community Trailfest in April, French Broad River Festival in May, Bluff Mountain Music Festival in June, Wild Goose Festival (a kind of social justice celebration) in July, and the French Broad Brew Fest in September—but it’s fair to say that Hot Springs is festive any day of the year. More Information. Nature lovers find Wilmington seashores and sections of the Appalachian Mountains most welcoming to adventures. Other pluses include a walkable assortment of shops (including the South’s first snowboard store) and enticing inns and B&Bs. Hendersonville is another summer camp hotspot, and its proximity to Dupont State Forest makes it a good option for outdoorsy people. Contact us to find the best place to live in the greatest part of North Carolina! Summer offers ideal weather for outdoor recreation, with highs rarely exceeding 90 degrees. Many restaurants allow well-behaved dogs to accompany their owners while they dine outdoors. The seasons here are incredibly distinct, and each one is very enjoyable. In 2018, home security company Safewise released a list of the safest towns in North Carolina. Photograph by Caitlin Ragan. The Daily Grind & Wine might as well be the Murphy community and welcome center. The largest city in Western NC is Asheville, which sits right in the middle of Buncombe County. Map of Eastern Western Carolina. Join RoadSnacks Share on Facebook. Like the brewery, the outfitter even helps foster the growing nightlife in downtown through its Rock House Lodge bar, which takes up the back portion of the store and offers craft beer on tap, movie nights, dart tournaments, and live entertainment. Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895 as a retreat after he acquired the land, is another great place to visit. Real Estate Taxes: 0.020%. At the end of some of these trails are rock climbing and bouldering sites! But it’s not just the national forests that will make your pup feel welcome. Doyle’s Cedar Hill is among a smattering of restaurants in town, and on warmer evenings, the adjoining Tiki Bar is the place to be to mix, mingle, and enjoy live music on the weekends. Local towns near Western Carolina University. 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! For example, the WNC Nature Center or Apple Hill Farm within a certain town are mentioned, but not a part of the count. The Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum, housed in the old 1850s jail, holds one of the largest collections of gems, minerals, fossils, and artifacts in the Southeast. Alphabetical list of North Carolina Cities . That’s one reason why places like the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company and Outdoor 76 gear shop have found a foothold here. And the Scottish Tartans Museum is the only museum outside of Scotland devoted to Scottish Highlands dress, history, and culture, a testament to the influx of Scots-Irish immigrants that settled here in the mid 1700s. If you’re a visitor to this adorable hamlet, an ideal day might include a morning taking in the views of downtown from Sunset Rock and an afternoon trolling the dozens of boutiques along Main Street. Downtown is also home to antique shops and Heartwood Gallery, which features a carefully curated spread of locally made creations. Scott is an avid fly fisherman, and the name "Freestone Properties" comes from the freestone mountain streams for which Western North Carolina is famous. Just off Main Street, the Glen Burney Trail dips into a waterfall-laced wilderness, and a paved path circles Cannon Lake. That’s undeniable. Small Towns in Western North Carolina. Bryson City feels like a place in a pleasant state of perpetual motion. Part of the appeal is “the pace” of the place, says Beverly Lait, owner of the popular Banner Elk Inn. He and his wife Lisa have also been active real estate investors since 2004. Montreat’s incredible hiking trail system is open to the public and is also home to the famous Mt. 919x809 / 351 Kb Go to Map. And don’t miss Well-Bred Bakery, which was recently recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of “15 Amazing Small Town Bakeries.”. The average price for a single-family home in the Asheville region (as of May 2019) is $313,000, while the average price per square foot is $159. An hour away from Asheville, it is conveniently located for those in search of a quick trip away from city life. There are also countless other high peaks in the area, such as Max Patch, a wide-open grassy bald at 4,600 feet with 360-degree views, Black Balsam along the Blue Ridge Parkway (6,214 feet), and Grandfather Mountain (5,946 feet) near Linville, NC. Just a few steps away is Iron Horse Station, a combination inn, restaurant, tavern, and shops. The trail runs right down Bridge Street, giving visitors a chance to say they “walked the A.T.” Bluff Mountain Outfitters has long been a key outpost for trail hikers. And since so many of our towns have walkable downtown areas, it really helps create a sense of community. A number of shops (like adorable Reign by RB clothing and gift boutique), a public park, and a greenway attract visitors and residents alike, though the historical and cultural attractions are truly what set this town apart. Required fields are marked *. North Carolina coast map with beaches . You can take a rhododendron-sheltered path to The Village Café and have a gourmet brunch or sip Bloody Marys outside with locals beneath towering trees. The Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts presents first-rate plays and concerts. Greenville. And anyone can enjoy a stroll along the Murphy Riverwalk and Canoe Trail, a two-mile path that follows the Valley and Hiwassee rivers that surround the town. The good thing is that for a town that takes up a mere 6.2 square miles, there’s no shortage of choices. Consequently, “Beech Mountain is too cool for a lot of people,” Lait notes, “and Boone can be a little too warm. Some of the area’s best pies are made at Blue Mountain Pizza, and other nearby standouts include Creperie Café, Glass Onion, Main Street Grill, Soba Sushi & Noodles, and Twisted Laurel. Lenoir is located in the Blue Ridge foothills. Photograph by Caitlin Ragan. The Cliffs at Mountain Park 2019 America's Best Neighborhoods Western South Carolina Learn More. Learn more at www.visitwestjefferson.org. This place is famous for the outdoor activities offered in its general surroundings. Norbury Books & Café, just across from the Weaverville Public Library, offers baked goods and an assortment of teas. Opportunities for skiing and snowboarding are abundant at WNC’s local ski resorts. Going south towards South Carolina will take you right through Hendersonville, North Carolina. Montreat, NC may be the most unique town in this list. Montreat is home to a college, a conference center, and the town itself, and all share the same name. But there are areas where real estate is still relatively affordable. Locals and visitors arrive early for coffee, stay for lunch, and return later for beer, wine, and live music most nights. Brevard College also brings a lot of events to the town. That’s certainly the case with those comparatively little towns that offer an unexpectedly large amount of amenities, entertainment, and recreation for locals and visitors alike. He has consistently been ranked in the top 2% of sales production in the Asheville market, and has produced over $100 million in career volume. 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