best nc mountain towns to live

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You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. 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 . } But, with only 12,920 full time residents, there aren't a lot of people to get the word out. Please visit our Disclosure and Privacy Policy pages for further explanation. Its charming downtown is composed of just a general store, bookstore, and restaurant. This area is considered to be one . Blowing Rock's downtown has the look and feel of a true mountain town, with a mix of restored historic buildings and modern structures designed to fit in with the town's village atmosphere. There are many opportunities for phenomenal hikes, waterfalls, climbing, watersports, and winter sports to engage in here. The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is a testament to this moniker, set in a 19th-century jailhouse. Its a town with a rich cultural heritage and an amazing area to learn more about these native peoples. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. This mountain town in NCs Main St is lined with studios and galleries, great restaurants (including Zuma Coffee), and lovely shops. The history of Cashiers showcases the rich heritage of several buildings circa 1800s that have been restored overtime and are still in use today. The town offers a surprising amount of accommodation and has a number of family-focused attractions. Night or day, this city never ceases to amaze. 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina - Great Small Towns to Visit and Live In NC 1 Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family 2 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023 3 Early Spring Flowers Will Combat the Winter Blues 4 What Our Editors Bought and Loved in February 5 Dad Jokes To Keep the Whole Family Laughing Retail shops and restaurants can be found on Sylva's Main Street. text-decoration: none text-decoration: none This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. We are captivated by the Plateaus beauty and special charm and are passionate to share it with others looking to make the area home. A glistening lakefront community in North Carolina, Connestee Falls is home to an 18-hole golf course and other established lifestyle amenities that are fully owned and operated by the residents. One of our absolute favorite North Carolina mountain towns is Maggie Valley, a consistent family vacation spot. You'll also find a fine assortment of restaurants, many with outdoor patios. "source": "woocommerce", The town is also a junction for the Appalachian Trail, which winds through downtown. ), Hendersonville NC Map of Attractions (+ 5 Surrounding Counties! Emerald Outback has plenty of trails to trek through dense old-growth forests, lush fields, and babbling mountain brooks in the warmer months. .inside-footer-widgets a { Well, youll need to answer that question when you visit Marion and their annual Bigfoot Festival! Asheville is a popular retirement spot, and over a quarter of the population is age 60 or older . My favorite is Spruce Pine that is my home town but I also love Maggie Valley Boone and Cherokee. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { You'll find the Great Smoky Mountains on the Eastern side of Tennessee. } Similar lists have been published by other websites, including this one that also includes Boone, Brevard, and Morganton. Between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors will find charming downtowns with local shops and restaurants as well as cozy inns and cabins. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. bottom: 80px; /* 80px from the bottom of your screen */ 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. Get the latest Severe Weather Alerts. The simple and slowed-down atmosphere of these magical enclaves makes for an ideal relaxing respite from the real world. 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. There are museums, an arts center, a variety of shops, and over 30 restaurants, all quite impressive for their small stature. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. You forgot to mention that it is home to Lees-McRae College! Next on our list of the best cities to live in North Carolina is the Inner Banks community of Greenville. Just outside of the Great Smoky National Park sits the home of the eastern band of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. (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. Set on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, its a tiny treasure trove for local art, as this community lives and breathes creativity. Read More About Our Journey! Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. From old standbys such as Aspen and Stowe to a few spots you've probably never even heard of (what's up, Hamburg? Check out Toe River Arts, the Design Gallery, and the Quilt Block Trails. The relatively low elevation, 1,991 feet, means it's warmer here in spring, which can be a real advantage. max-width: calc(100% - 320px); Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. } Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. Overall SnackAbility. Each of our North Carolina mountain towns has its own personality and charm, offering an authentic Appalachian experience unlike any other. With the smallest population of all, the town consists of just a few quaint shops. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Morganton is one of the easternmost North Carolina mountain towns well mention. Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} /***Mediavine Sidebar Fix***/ Main Street is a mix of restaurants and retail shops, including a disproportionate number of bookstores considering the size of the town. The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. Let us know what piques your interest or just tell us what your dream home looks like in your vision. RELATED The 12 Most Charming Small Towns in South Carolina Mark Vandenberg 1. Known as the home of the White Squirrel (and annual festival! The last town before the Nantahala National Forest and Parks, Bryson City pops up out of nowhere in a valley between some of North Carolina's most incredible outdoor spaces and stunning waterfalls.. The Macon County Gemboree is one of the most widely known gem shows in the entire country. 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. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bryson City. A little over 1.5 hours from Asheville, just over two hours from Atlanta, and about three hours from Charlotte, Highlands is a beautiful town in the far southwest corner of North Carolina, not far from the South Carolina border. Old Fort is another of our North Carolina small towns off I-40, best known for gold and Catawba Falls. The downtown area has many restored buildings and interesting shops, and you'll have no trouble finding a place for lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants. Hot Springs is one of the most adorable North Carolina mountain communities, best known for its hot mineral springs. The Murphy River Walk is an idyllic stroll around the scenic town. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. 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.". Several Western NC towns made the list, including Fletcher (#3), Woodfin (#12), and Black Mountain (#20). Its historic and Swiss-style architecture adds to its charm. This is a popular ski resort for families or skiers and boarders interested in terrain parks. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cute shops and a variety of restaurants, some with summertime outdoor patios set beneath huge leafy trees, line Main Street. The water also calls anglers to cast their lines in a variety of streams great for fly fishing. The most recent of a long list of awards was Community of the Year by the Asheville Builders Association (ABA). Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA. Each year, they hold several celebrated events, like the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival and the Mt. Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. "pluginVersion": "3.0.12" Appalachian Ski Resort is just minutes away and is a top destination for snowboarders and young skiers. text-decoration: none Its largely known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, with those spirits practically married to our mountains (along with stock car racing). 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. The Best of North Carolina: Still in the planning stage of your next vacation? If you brought kids, theyll want to check out the fire engine outside! ), but theres just something extra special about those found in and around our North Carolina mountains. .right-sidebar .content-area { Our NC travel map will help you visually plan, in case youre ready to start exploring! 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. This is an isolated outpost at a high elevation and a hidden gem of the high country. Banner Elk. They hold the renowned Steeplechase each Spring. Don't miss a chance to see spectacular Dry Falls, about 10 minutes from town, where you can walk behind a curtain of water pouring off an overhanging ledge. Its also where you can see the spectacular Soco Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. Our weekly newsletter shares weekly updates and tips on upcoming events. This tiny North Carolina mountain town is a hidden gem of the high country. If you are looking for things to do, the TGIF Summer Concert Series features a wide variety of musicians playing free Friday night concerts in the main square. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; Burnsville is an authentic mountain experience with an artistic flair. It is a popular tourist destination as well, so developing tourism . All this wonderful scenery might be a reason why many movies, including The Fugitive and Nell, were filmed in the area. Dry Falls along Highway 64 where visitors can walk behind a beautiful 75-foot waterfall. If youre feeling adventurous, you can even visit the nearby ghost town of Henry River. With Watauga River running through, its also a haven for anglers seeking out that coveted rainbow trout. padding-left: 10px; Let us know in the comments section, as always. Fly fishing is a popular thing to do in Sylva. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. Can some one tell me where the goats are in the Flat Rock picture? If you simply want a relaxing getaway, you can find it here any time of year. People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. 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. .ai-viewport-2 { display: none !important;} It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. There are a few hiking trails there, too, which are among the best in the area. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Access to Roan Mountain goes through Bakersville and you can also enjoy the Toe Rivers waters here. Its also home to New River Brewing for the finest craft beer and pub grub. You can easily immerse yourself in local art, browse unique shops, and dig into each places amazing food scene. As a former railroad outpost, the towns historic charm offers a vintage vibe, enhanced by establishments such as Paces General Store, the oldest grocery store in the state. 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. 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. Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. I would never live anywhere else again. After a day of taking in the sights, stroll downtown Highlands along Main Street to discover a number of boutiques, specialty shops and make reservations at any of the fine dining options in this mountain town. Enjoy beautiful vistas at The Switzerland Inn and hike to Grassy Creek Falls while youre there. Its also known for The Diamondback, a road full of dangerous curves and beautiful vistas, popular among many daring drivers. Regardless of your religious views, Fields of the Wood (a massive representation of the 10 Commandments) is an interesting place to visit. Here are a few of them. Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. So many great mountain towns to choose from! } Stay at the historic Green Park Inn or luxurious Chetola Resort, but make sure you stop by the oldest attraction in North CarolinaThe Blowing Rock. Banner Elk Avery County NC Official Website One of the town's major annual events is the Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival, held over a 10-day stretch in July. Named after blowing rock that is located 4000 feet above sea level the town has sweeping vistas, and is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. text-decoration: none Cities are fun but sometimes it's nice to swap the busy roads for the peaceful streets of a small mountain town. Just 15 minutes from two of the best ski resorts in North Carolina, Banner Elk is a popular winter destination. 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 Each town has its own vibe and many unique outdoorsy things to do. Stacker used 2020 data from WalletHub to determine the 46 best U.S. lake towns to live in, evaluating each on six factors: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of .

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