Small Town Beauty in North Carolina

Enjoy the art deco style of the small town of Asheville. Downtown Asheville has 279 historic buildings.

See the Asheville City Hall and

the lovely Biltmore House and Estate, a chateau-style mansion.

Blowing Rock is a Blue Ridge Parkway small town. It takes its name from a geological formation, an ancient gneiss outcrop whose rocky bulk makes the wind blow vertically, making objects appear to float skyward. It is a picturesque mountain retreat offering upscale dining, boutique shopping, and charming inns.

Visitors enjoy the Gilded Age Estate in Moses Cone Park of textile tycoon Moses H. Cone, with highland fields and forests to explore on foot or horseback.

Take the Tweetsie Railroad or

Enjoy the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster.

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk is a little community especially for outdoor adventures.

Commune with nature at Wildcat Lake and enjoy the beach and pier.

Take a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

Established in 1713, Beaufort is the fourth-oldest town in North Carolina.

From here you can experience the Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari with a ferry ride to the Outer Banks Island, Shackleford Banks.

The little hamlet in the Smoky Mountains, Bryson City, is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is part of the Appalachian Trail.

Enjoy a visit to the Smoky Mountains National Park.

Hike the Appalachian Trail.

Located in the woodlands of Transylvania County is the small town of Brevard. It is known to be surrounded by outdoor activities.

Brevard College is a collection of beautiful brick buildings.

The town is the gateway to the Pisgah National Forest as well as the nearby

DuPont State Forest

The world’s longest hiking-only trail, the Appalachian Trail, runs through Pisgah.

The lovely small town of Franklin is a good stopover along the Appalachian Trail.

Hikers enjoy the Nantahala National Forest, which is the largest national forest in the state. Enjoy the waterfalls and rafting.

Enjoy the charming Main Street of Hendersonville with many shops and restaurants.

Visit the Henderson County Heritage Museum with Civil War artifacts.

Jump Off Rock offers amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Highlands is an oasis of arts and cuisine in western North Carolina.

Visit the rainforest mountain waterfalls in a town that has become a national waterfall destination.

Enjoy the Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail.

Located on the Outer Banks, a collection of islets along a reef linked by bridges, you’ll find Kitty Hawk. This is the world-famous place from which the Wright Brothers made their first flight.

It is the gateway to the rest of the Outer Banks with outdoor recreation like boating and fishing.

The wetlands of the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve is perfect for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

Manteo is a lovely small town with a scenic harbor is located on Roanoke Island. Visitors enjoy walking the boardwalk and browsing the shops.

Enjoy the lighthouse; its coastal warning display tower has been restored and is part of the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Take a chartered dolphin boat tour.

Mount Airy is often referred to as the real-life Mayberry, reflecting its small-town charm and community spirit. The city has a history rooted in granite quarrying and textile industries. It is the hometown of American actor Andy Griffith.

Visit the Andy Griffith Museum, which includes memorabilia from the time of The Andy Griffith Show. Enjoy Mayberry Days, an annual celebration in September.

Enjoy nature at the Pilot Mountain State Park, a national natural landmark with good hiking trails.

The town of Silva attracts outdoor enthusiasts. It is a 19th-century mountain town where

visitors stop to hike in the Great Smoky Mountains or

raft or tube down the Tuckasegee River.

With beautiful coastal scenery, Washington is known as a riverside destination for outdoor recreation. See the historic riverfront.

Enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking on the Pamlico River.

Visitors enjoy the nature trails in Goose Creek State Park with marshes and bogs that were once favorite hiding spots for the pirate Blackbeard.