best nc mountain towns to live

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 . The outskirts of Highlands are known for spectacular waterfalls, but the downtown of Highlands is equally beautiful! 1. Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival. Many of the most popular public access points, including Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Access Area, are a short drive from Banner Elk. Its largely known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, with those spirits practically married to our mountains (along with stock car racing). Its also where you can see the spectacular Soco Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. Sit down and have a meal at a diner, or visit the Andy Griffith Museum! Its home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi, the majestic Mt. Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes. Its been a retreat for tourists since the 1890s and continues to be as refreshingly retro as ever. If you decide to walk up the 107 stairs to the courthouse, you'll be rewarded by panoramic views over the downtown and surrounding countryside, including the Blue Ridge Mountains. Livability Asheville, NC Read the Magazine. Experience a mountain resort atmosphere in Sapphire Valley. Back to Wilkesboro, of course, which is love for so many things but above all, the iconic Merlefest. RELATED The 12 Most Charming Small Towns in South Carolina Mark Vandenberg 1. .archive .content-area a { Often called the crown of the Blue Ridge, it boasts both the oldest tourist attraction and a current vibrant visitor scene. Read More: Western North Carolina Map (400+ Wonderful Places Listed). This is another popular destination in winter for skiers, particularly families. The old brick buildings have been restored in a thriving downtown that offers all the amenities you could need. Bryson City is a great gateway if youre looking to explore the expansive Great Smoky Mountains. You can find works from hundreds of artists, all in this small scenic setting. Ayden wasn't even in the top 40 cheapest places to live in North Carolina last year, so this jump up to the #2 spot is quite impressive. Right next door to the happening city of Asheville, Weaverville has become its own desirable destination. Great place to visit! The university, one of the more popular ones in the North Carolina system, has brought more and more young people to the area, so there's always something cultural to do on the weekends. Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! Joyce Kilmer Forest, the Cherohala Skyway, Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Lake Santeetlah are nearby. It's famous for its' "all American" Main Street, but it offers so much more. For more ideas, see our list of the Top Attractions in North Carolina. Sylva is one of the most interesting and quaint NC mountain towns youll find. Known as the home of the White Squirrel (and annual festival! Greenville, South Carolina From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. Explore the hiking trails and waterfalls, and if you are here on a weekend, check the local events calendar to see the complete lineup of festivals. Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Access to Roan Mountain goes through Bakersville and you can also enjoy the Toe Rivers waters here. Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world-class facility for horse racing and riding. Be sure to stop by the scenic Lake Sequoyah and of course, the many natural wonders that surround Highlands. Its an ideal setting for any wild wanderings in the local landscape. Dry Falls along Highway 64 where visitors can walk behind a beautiful 75-foot waterfall. We also love that town and cant wait to go back:). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. Read More: 20 Excellent Things to Do in Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary (and Nearby!). Accommodation: Where to Stay in Maggie Valley. At over 5,000 feet above sea level, you can expect some of the most breathtaking views from this mountain town. Youll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town. So many great mountain towns to choose from! Spruce Pine is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of fun to explore. Beyond chasing tall hairy creatures, Marion is situated at the base of Mount Mitchell with many waterfalls nearby, such as Linville Falls and Toms Creek Falls. 5. 4. Brevard has a pleasant feel about it. Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. Art festivals are held here year-round and an impressive array of galleries and funky shops to browse. I hope Waynesville stays relatively small in comparison to Asheville which is getting very crowded. 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. This vacation destination is located on the eastern edge of the Plateau region near Sapphire Valley. There are also plenty of Blowing Rock Restaurants to grab a bite to eat at! Each village brings its own delightful draws and unique allure. While in the area, dont miss out on Apple Hill Farm, an ethical and working alpaca farm! Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! For local beer and live music, hit Nantahala Brewing, one of the best breweries in North Carolina, before enjoying some amazing Bryson City restaurants. .ai-viewport-3 { display: none !important;} Table Rock Mountain is one of the best hikes around. This famous performance, running each summer since 1952, tells the story of Daniel Boone's adventures in the local area. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! Along with multiple parks, the area is the ideal location for camping, boating, fishing, or cycling. The Ashe County Cheese factory and store are two great places to visit in West Jefferson, one of the cutest mountain towns in NC! 5 Pinehurst at No. With only about 500 people living here, its main draw is the eponymous natural thermal mineral baths. At, For a relatively small town, there are some fantastic restaurants in Waynesville, North Carolina. There are a plethora of charming small towns nestled among the majestic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. Couples may want to book a room at the romantic B&B-style Bob Timberlake Inn, while families looking for more living space can opt for the Chetola Premium Condominiums. Its main attractions, including the darling historic downtown, the . Black Mountain features quaint shops, impressive restaurants (including Phils Bar-B-Que Pit! Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. shaka wear graphic tees is candy digital publicly traded ellen lawson wife of ted lawson best places to live in south carolina mountains 25 Feb/23 (No Ratings Yet) Its also home to the only fly-fishing trail in the country on the Tuckasegee River, making this activity quite a draw. Boone is a no-brainer when it comes to top mountain towns in North Carolina, as this lively university town is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Were ending this list of beautiful mountains towns in NC with perhaps the most well known Asheville. Overall SnackAbility. This is also a popular area for trout fishing in North Carolina, particularly in the fall, with the Watauga River presenting a great opportunity for anglers. From stunning scenery to outdoor adventure to quirky shops and quaint eateries, the North Carolina mountain towns have plenty to offer visitors. The Trail of Faith explores this heritage through a collection of preserved monuments and buildings. It also helps that you can refuel at one of Asheville's many innovative restaurants and breweries. 7. This wonderful (and family-friendly) music festival brings in big names each year. Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. Ashe County might sound familiar if you like yummy cheese. Awesome to hear, Rebecca! Dont miss walking across the Flowering Bridge, a beautiful blooming garden that spans the Rocky Broad River. We mentioned Valdese earlier and thought you should know about this truly interesting place. This area is considered to be one . // Insert placeholder for events injected when a product is added to the cart through AJAX. Its also home to one of the coolest distilleries in the state, Oak & Grist. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. For example, here are some facts about Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains: Population: 10,770. 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. Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events). The attraction to Highlands is the ability to get outdoors on area trails, browse the Highlands Historic Village, or just explore downtown. /***Mediavine Mobile Fix***/ 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). ), Maggie Valley draws tons of tourists each year. Asheville is one of the coolest mountain towns in NC and by population, its the biggest in this guide. Cameron grew up in Charlotte and spent his childhood traveling around this great region. As a university town, the population reaches heights of around 20,000. Known as the apple capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is a great central stop for all the scenery of the area. Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. The first town on this list isn't a town at all; rather, it's an unincorporated area in the Wilmington Metropolitan area. The Jackson County Courthouse stands proudly on the hill at the end of Main Street in the quaint town of Sylva. Mitchell. This mountain town in NCs Main St is lined with studios and galleries, great restaurants (including Zuma Coffee), and lovely shops. Next on our list of the best cities to live in North Carolina is the Inner Banks community of Greenville. If you are heading to the coast, you may want to have a read through our article on Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina. } At Lake Lure, get the best of mountain and lake life by going boating, biking the trails at Buffalo Creek Park, or climbing to the top of Chimney Rock. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value. Climb to the top of Chimney Rock or stroll over the Rocky Broad River through the blooming flora of Flowering Bridge. Set on a high plateau, some of its surrounding peaks boast breathtaking views. Surrounded by rolling hills, it has many hikes for sweeping sights, such as the Nantahala Gorge. 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. North Carolina is home to over 250 waterfalls with a number of them located in the Plateau region. The busy Main Street is lined with covered sidewalks, and is an ideal place for a bit of retail therapy.