Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. The South's Best 2022
  3. The South's Best Mountain Towns 2021

The South's Best Mountain Towns 2021

Valerie Fraser Luesse, Author and Senior Travel Editor for Southern Living
By Valerie Fraser Luesse March 09, 2021
Skip gallery slides
FB
West Virginia’s Gauley and New River Adventures
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Oh, give us a mountain town—the cozy streets and forested surroundings, charming shops and local breweries, snow flurries in winter and cool breezes in summer. There's nothing else like it. We're always looking for an excuse to plan a trip to higher altitudes, and now, more than ever, we can't wait to answer the call. The strategy? Pick a town, rent a cabin, and get away from it all. Browse welcoming downtowns, meet your neighbors, do some hiking, and take advantage of photo ops along meandering rivers and crashing waterfalls. In short? See the sights. Won't you come too? Plan a trip to one of the South's Best mountain towns, from the Ozarks to the Smokies and every peak in between. Then enjoy looking forward to those adventures you can only find in the midst of the South's most picturesque ranges. Haven't you heard? Mountain towns just have more fun. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Banner Elk, North Carolina

Banner Elk, North Carolina
Credit: Todd Bush

This colorful little hamlet near Boone and Blowing Rock might be a one-stoplight town, but it has a surprising array of offerings, including great dining at places like Artisanal, which collaborates with Springhouse Farm to keep its menu seasonal. Check out wineries and breweries in the area, as well as two of the South's premier ski resorts, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. P.S. Where else could you find an annual Woolly Worm Festival?

Learn more about Banner Elk.

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge, Georgia
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Thimble-size Blue Ridge offers you a boatload of reasons to come, including great restaurants (do not miss Harvest on Main or Chester Brunnenmeyer's Bar and Grill), artisans (people travel from all over the world to learn the art of making bamboo fly rods with Bill Oyster), and local shops and galleries (clear some space on your credit card for a stop at Canoe and some room in your trunk for the handmade jewelry and handbags you'll buy there). The Georgia Highlands area is wine and apple country, so you can tour plenty of vineyards and orchards from your Blue Ridge base, with abundant adventure in the mountains.

Learn more about Blue Ridge.

2 of 11

3 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Boone, North Carolina

Linville Gorge Sunrise Boone, NC
Credit: skiserge1/Getty Images

Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone shares Asheville's hippie vibe, but it lives on a smaller scale. These mountains have long inspired artists, and Appalachian State University's Turchin Center for the Visual Arts encourages locals and visitors to interact with great works, indoors and out. The impressive food scene in Boone attracts a following with farm-to-table dining. And, of course, you get to revel in the beauty of the Blue Ridge. Icing on the cake: Boone now has a luxury boutique property, The Horton Hotel, which opened in 2019. 

Learn more about Boone.

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Elkins, West Virginia

Elkins, WV
Credit: Robbie Skinner Photography

An outdoor paradise, Elkins sits on the edge of Monongahela National Forest (check out the Dolly Sods Wilderness within the forest). You can take the steam-powered Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad into the Appalachians or hike and bike the Allegheny Highlands Trail to catch some of the best mountain scenery in the South. At Davis & Elkins College, visit the Augusta Heritage Center, which preserves traditional music, dance, crafts, and folklore.

Learn more about Elkins.

4 of 11

5 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The South's Best Mountain Towns

5 of 11

6 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay Georgia
Credit: rodclementphotography/Getty Images

North Georgia is best known for mountains, wineries, and apples. Ellijay checks all three boxes. The scenery here is amazing, and you'll be in close proximity to places like Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery, Engelheim Vineyards, Red Apple Barn, Hillcrest Orchards, and B.J. Reece Orchards. Get caffeinated at the Ellijay Coffeehouse, or grab a stool at Cartecay River Brewing Co. to sample craft beers with a view. Better yet, you can get on the water with an outfitter or take a hike to explore nature in the Cohutta and Rich Mountain Wilderness areas.

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Fayetteville, West Virginia

West Virginia’s Gauley and New River Adventures
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Situated next to the New River Gorge—which recently became a National Park and Preserve—Fayetteville is a tiny, walkable town featuring great restaurants. Stop for a wake-up cup at Cathedral Cafe, housed in a former church and still operating with a strong social conscience by supporting area growers and the community. At Secret Sandwich Society, both the food and the cocktails are handcrafted. Local breweries are happy to serve you a cold one and welcome you into the fold. And when you're ready for it—that river is always calling.

7 of 11

8 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Frostburg, Maryland

Great Allegheny Passage in Frostburg, MD
Credit: Courtesy Allegany County Tourism

This college town on Maryland's lesser known "mountain side" has an eclectic collection of local shops, including independently owned Main Street Books and Yellow K Records, where you can pick up some choice vinyl; McFarland Candies, a third-generation family-run chocolate maker; and Clatter Café, the gathering spot for coffee lovers. Outdoor recreation here is limitless. Bike the Great Allegheny Passage, pack a picnic to enjoy on a drive through Green Ridge State Forest, or paddle a river—we could go on.

Learn more about Frostburg. 

8 of 11

9 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Heber Springs, Arkansas

Heber Springs, AR: Bridal Veil Falls
Credit: Courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism / Casey Crocker

Founded as a health resort and planned community in the mid-19th century, Heber Springs is a historic town that has lots of character. But nature might be the biggest draw here. The Buckeye Trail (a National Recreation Trail) is wheelchair accessible—a rare find—while the Collins Creek Trail follows a waterway designed to promote trout reproduction. (Anglers from far and wide flock to Heber Springs to dip a line.) Head for trout-fishing heaven on the Little Red River, or enjoy water sports on 30,000- to 40,000-acre Greers Ferry Lake, which was created in the 1960s.

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville, North Carolina
Credit: JillLang/Getty Images

Another cousin to Asheville, Hendersonville is artsy and interesting but smaller. Follow the Cheers! Trail to wine, beer, cider, and mead, but allow plenty of time for grazing because Hendersonville's restaurant scene is hopping. Mezzaluna, for example, is a terrific Italian spot with 50 taps and plenty of choices to suit wine lovers. At Postero, the menu includes a charcuterie-and-cheese appetizer with dry-cured pork, a daily selection of local farmstead cheeses, seasonal fruits, house pickles, and more. Visit Jump Off Rock in Laurel Park for stunning Blue Ridge views. Be sure to catch a performance at the nearby Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theater of North Carolina.

Learn more about Hendersonville.

10 of 11

11 of 11

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Jonesborough, Tennessee

Jonesborough
Credit: Paul Harris/Getty images

The state's oldest town is also known as the Storytelling Capital of the World—home to the International Storytelling Center and the annual National Storytelling Festival. From May through September, head downtown for Friday night Music on the Square, featuring musicians, poets, storytellers, and other performers. Dip into Jonesborough's Appalachian roots at the Tennessee Hills Distillery, which believes "the old way is the right way." Dining options abound—from Mexican food to brewpub grub—but this place has a serious sweet tooth: Old Town Dairy Bar, Downtown Sweet, and Sweet E's Bakery. You can hike it off on the Appalachian Trail from Laurel Falls to Pond Mountain in neighboring Hampton.

Learn more about Jonesborough.

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Valerie Fraser Luesse

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 11 Banner Elk, North Carolina
    2 of 11 Blue Ridge, Georgia
    3 of 11 Boone, North Carolina
    4 of 11 Elkins, West Virginia
    5 of 11 The South's Best Mountain Towns
    6 of 11 Ellijay, Georgia
    7 of 11 Fayetteville, West Virginia
    8 of 11 Frostburg, Maryland
    9 of 11 Heber Springs, Arkansas
    10 of 11 Hendersonville, North Carolina
    11 of 11 Jonesborough, Tennessee

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    The South's Best Mountain Towns 2021
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.