1. Boone, 2. Ocracoke, 3. Bryson City, 4. Blowing Rock, 5. Lexington, 6. Rodanthe, 7. Pinehurst Village, 8. Brevard, 9. Hillsborough, 10. Beaufort. North Carolina is a state of extremes. It has historically been a state caught between North and South, resulting in heavy fighting during the American Civil War. Naturally, North Carolina is a mixed bag; one side is firmly located adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, complete with an incomprehensibly complex coastline – including the famous Outer Banks area – and the other tapers inland, with borders at the mighty roots of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s no doubt that the most charming towns in North Carolina are steeped in history and heritage, with towns boasting everything from grand stately homes and hotels for America’s first New Money to religious structures and humble cottages. And here are the best small towns in North Carolina.
Boone
This Blue Ridge Mountains town was named after frontiersman and explorer Daniel Boone (1734-1820) and is known for its breathtaking scenery. Visit the Hickory Ridge History Museum to learn about Daniel Boone’s life. The living history exhibits depict what it was like to live in a colonial mountain community. At the Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, you can even channel your inner explorer. It’s a fantastic family-friendly attraction where you can mine for and learn about various gems. Turtle Island Preserve is the place to go for scenery and history. Aside from a number of structures on the US National Register of Historic Places, Boone’s heritage includes the play Horn In The West, which has been performed in the town every summer since 1952.
People live a primitive lifestyle in this preserve, which is tucked away in a valley. Visit and learn what it’s like to truly live off the land from those who do. The Cascades Falls Trail is ideal for those looking for a short but easy hike. Take a quick hike to a 200-foot cascading waterfall in E.B. Jeffress Park, which is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Booneshine Brewing Company has everything you need for a drink and a bite to eat while you’re in town. Order a frosty beer and delicious food in the restaurant or outside in the beer garden, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Boone. You’ll enjoy it here!
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Ocracoke
It almost seems appropriate that the most isolated town in North Carolina is also the most haunted. This small sliver of land, only accessible by ferry, boat, or plane, has retained its original solitude. However, something much darker lurks beneath the live oaks, marshland, tide forests, and beautiful beaches. Ocracoke’s lingering history, from Blackbeard and his pirates to generations of families who have lived on the island, has created quite a hotbed for paranormal activity, some of which is primarily unknown to others. The southernmost island on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is Ocracoke.
The island is only 9.6 miles long and has only a few major roads, one of which is the two-lane NC 12. When you step off the ferry, you realize you’ve arrived on an otherworldly, isolated island. You watch the ferry depart and slowly feel the energy of the island’s history engulf you. You’ve come to the right place if you want a little less island exploration and a little more paranormal discovery. Apart from pirates, Ocracoke has 81 cemeteries. The harsh realities of the coastal landscape have washed away some markers. On Lighthouse Road, there’s a cottage where the headstones of two toddlers are barely standing but serve as a sacred reminder of the hauntings and histories of this place. Families of the deceased have today marked certain gravestones with “No Trespassing” signs to discourage tourists from attempting to recreate their own paranormal experience. So, it is with Fannie Pearl McWilliams’ headstone.
After landing, you’ll take a one-of-a-kind drive through the dunes into downtown Ocracoke. Park your car and keep track of where you put your keys; you won’t need them for a while. There are more golf carts than cars driving through town, and with a plethora of rental options available, you can explore the uncrowded beaches in open-air off-road vehicles.
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Bryson City
If you want to have a big vacation in a small town, Bryson City, North Carolina is a great place to do it. This small town of about 1,500 people is brimming with irresistible charm and gracious hospitality. Whether you want to spend your time indoors sampling the fruits of the local breweries and restaurants, or you want to get outside and play, Bryson City and the surrounding area have an incredible number of options. Bryson City, located in Western North Carolina, is brimming with adventure. Whether on a honeymoon or not, there are several bucket-list-worthy things to do in town, including a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad!
Take a scenic ride through Western North Carolina. Plan your trip around special events throughout the year, such as the Polar Express, for even more fun. Hiking trails in this part of the woods are also full of surprises. For example, the Goldmine Loop Trail is a 3.1-mile loop that leads to an abandoned tunnel deep in the woods. It’s dubbed The Road to Nowhere. Because the trail is popular, you can expect to make some new friends along the way. If you want a significantly more difficult hike, you can take on the Newfound Gap to Clingman’s Dome trail.
You could simply drive across the border into Tennessee and there instead. Fontana Lake is another potential day trip from Bryson City. Relax on the shores — or atop Western North Carolina’s largest lake, a man-made reservoir near town. If a day on the lake is too peaceful for you, you can spice things up with a whitewater rafting trip.
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Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is a town in the North Carolina counties of Watauga and Caldwell. Blowing Rock is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area in Caldwell County, and the Boone Micropolitan Statistical Area in Watauga County. Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway and enter Blowing Rock for upscale dining and a vacation experience. The entire downtown is surrounded by parks and the Appalachian Mountains, and it serves up plenty of visually appealing delicacies. There are so many options at legendary fudge shops, pubs, and fine dining establishments that you’ll have to return to try them all.
If you want a luxurious vacation experience, peaceful Blowing Rock has it all. Weddings, anniversaries, and honeymooners appreciate the peace and quiet, and it’s arguably one of the most romantic getaways in North Carolina. If you want to spoil yourself, come to Blowing Rock. Early in the twentieth century, the introduction of the automobile and improved roads made the journey to Blowing Rock even easier, and visitors began to arrive from as far away as Florida. Blowing Rock is still a popular tourist destination for people from all over the country. Blowing Rock has restaurants, hotels, golf courses, and other attractions because of the town’s well-to-do, out-of-state summer residents. Blowing Rock residents have recently prioritized the preservation and protection of the town’s historic structures, as well as the preservation of the small-town charm and scenery that has drawn so many visitors over the last 150 years.
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Lexington
Lexington, North Carolina, is known as “The Barbeque Capital of the World”. It is located in Davidson County in the Piedmont region. While the best BBQs are often found in roadside diners along state highways, the best BBQs in North Carolina all use Lexington sauce. The small town in North Carolina is the birthplace of the state’s signature vinegar concoction. North Carolina is one of the country’s pork capitals, and they take their barbecue seriously. Lexington lives up to its BBQ reputation by making no changes. For decades, the downtown shacks have been slathering up the same recipe, and people have never stopped loving it.
If you can’t get enough of the sauce, Lexington-sauce fans flock to the town every year to sample thousands of sauces made in the traditional style but with new twists. The town has even gone full hog, with pig statues scattered throughout downtown. Discover Lexington’s allure. Visit popular shopping on historic Main Street, where a small family grocery has thrived for more than 100 years, one of the largest family hardware stores in the South offers personal service, and a store for those who believe candy is a necessary food group. A half-dozen wineries dot the surrounding countryside, as does one of NASCAR’s top race shops and museums, as well as the gallery of North Carolina’s most famous living artist. Of course, no trip to Lexington is complete without sampling Lexington-style barbeque, which is smoked fresh daily at 13 barbecue restaurants.
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Rodanthe
Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo appear to be one town at first glance. Indeed, many people, both locals and visitors, refer to them as “The Tri-Villages”. Their borders intersect, and one village appears to blend into the next, but to many – locals and long-term visitors alike – the villages are distinct places, each with its own identity, history, and personality. Rodanthe’s meaning has been lost to time, but it has since become synonymous with this lovely little beach town, a town that few outside of the families who lived here and the intrepid travelers visiting the Outer Banks knew about until a certain novel and a certain film – Nights in Rodanthe – put the town on the pop culture map.
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, a collection of historic buildings that once housed the men, animals, and equipment needed to rescue ships stuck on the shoals offshore, is one of the first sights as you enter Rodanthe. It’s now a museum that tells the stories of daring rescues and the men who carried them out, and it’s a source of pride for the village and a place to which nearly every resident has a connection. After you’ve finished checking in, there’s a dramatic dining scene. Expect the usual suspects, as well as plenty of pizza and fresh seafood. To collaborate on development, the small communities have joined forces with nearby Waves and Salvo. With Rodanthe as a base camp, you can explore the Outer Banks to the north or south and find a fun way to spend the afternoon.
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Pinehurst Village
If you’ve been looking for a small, quiet town to visit, Pinehurst has plenty to offer. Despite the quiet nature of the area, there is plenty to do here. You’ll be feeling better in no time! Of course, the nearby spa could have something to do with it. Today’s peaceful haven is Pinehurst, North Carolina, where not only the residents but also the environment is pleasant and peaceful. Small and quiet towns, on the other hand, do not have to be devoid of activities or entertainment. In fact, golf (an exciting and peaceful activity) is the main draw of this lovely location.
Though the town feels small, Pinehurst Resort ensures that golf will always be a part of it. The resort attracts visitors all year round with nine golf courses, three hotels, and a variety of other activities. Golf is so popular in this town that it’s not uncommon to see golf carts parked around town. Golf carts have access to many of the areas you’ll want to visit, aside from a few state roads. The local population is around 17,000 people, which is just enough to feel comfortable without being overcrowded. Walk around for a while, peruse the shops and restaurants, and turn it into an adventure. Despite being home to an incredible golf course that is loved by people from all over, the town retains all of the charm you’d find anywhere else. It’s worth a vacation visit, and if you fall in love with it, that’s even better.
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Brevard
The Smithsonian Magazine listed 10 small towns in North America that should be on your travel bucket list in 2021, and Brevard was one of them! Travel to the small town of Brevard, North Carolina, for a relaxing getaway close to home. Brevard, which was founded in 1889 as the county seat of Transylvania County, is rich in must-see sights and attractions, wonderful places to stay, shops and galleries, and restaurants. Of course, no trip to Brevard would be complete without a stop at the South’s number one toy store, O.P. Taylors. Every customer, no matter their age, feels like a kid again while browsing the 6,000 square feet of fun merchandise in the original O.P. Taylor’s location.
Brevard is surrounded by beautiful natural settings such as the Pisgah National Forest and cool mountain rivers to cool off in on a hot summer day. Brevard County has some of the best hiking in North Carolina. Because of the variety of outdoor activities available, the area attracts thousands of summer campers each year, with Brevard serving as the focal point. World-class rafting, mountain biking, and hiking are all within a 20-minute drive of the town center, which has its own share of grit. Many alumni have stayed and created a vibrant arts scene that highlights the town’s culture. Come for easy access to the outdoors and stay to feel like part of the family, and have a drink at one of Brevard’s best breweries.
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Hillsborough
Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, and is situated along the Eno River. Its name was unofficially shortened to “Hillsboro” in the nineteenth century. Residents voted in the late 1960s to return the name to its original, historic spelling. If you need to meet with the mayor of this small town, go to the local tavern. Almost anyone in Hillsborough can be found singing through the historic downtown streets on most nights of the week. The town’s authentic center is within easy walking distance of the majority of the locals.
This has resulted in a bustling central few blocks that haven’t felt the need to change in order to please others. Local establishments serve high-quality coffee and cuisine without attempting to be unique. As you stroll through an authentically lovely downtown, Hillsborough provides plenty of history. Hillsborough has many historical sites to visit, some of which date back to the late eighteenth century. More than 100 surviving late-eighteenth- and nineteenth-century structures help to illustrate the city’s early prominence in the state. Furthermore, numerous secondary buildings, bridges, mill sites, and dams along the Eno River serve as historical markers. Native American relics have been discovered at the sites of ancient villages that date back thousands of years.
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Beaufort
This small town on North Carolina’s southern coast combines century-old cottages, oak-shaded streets, and a laid-back atmosphere that will charm you. This place is easy to fall in love with. Beaufort is located on the very tip of North Carolina’s southern coast. Dotted with century-old cottages frosted with white gingerbread woodwork, sleepy, oak-shaded streets snake down to the water in a neat grid. This former fishing village is relaxed and low-key, but it welcomes visitors with open arms. People smile and say hello here; they’ll stop in the middle of their work to ask passersby how they’re doing.
It’s a community that pulls together when times are tough; just weeks after Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc on Beaufort in September 2018, it had almost completely recovered, with live music drifting down the wooden boardwalk, floating between boat masts and across brick storefronts. It’s the kind of place you visit once or dozens of times before deciding to stay for good. Beaufort has created a wonderful Carolinian destination that showcases the sea that has given the area life right along the Atlantic Ocean’s coast. Kayaking excursions leave from near the town center to explore the many barrier islands that make up the town’s more natural areas. There is something for everyone in Beaufort! Once you’re off the water, the area’s economic center has packed in microbreweries and homestyle meals to keep you busy.
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Source: https://top-list.co/top-best-small-towns-in-north-carolina-v5480.html
Keyword: Top Best Small Towns in North Carolina