Our Favorite Small Towns in North Carolina

By Southern Living
May 14, 2019
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From the coast to the mountains, North Carolina has charm to spare. That’s undeniable. In the Tar Heel State, there are so many great small towns—far too many to count—so choosing our favorites is a monumentally challenging task. But we’ve done it; we’ve picked 19 of our favorite small towns across the state. These spots are prime destinations for making memories. They’re ideal for weekend getaways and have plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, shopping, eating, boating, and wandering picturesque main streets.Visit any one of these small towns, and you’re sure to run into locals who will greet you like family. Whether your thing is watersports, mountain climbing, antiquing, bookstore browsing, or lounging at a bed and breakfast, there’s a North Carolina small town on our list that will call out to you, compelling you to plan a trip soon. These towns are full of history and ecological wonders. Some you may have already visited. Whether eastern, western, or somewhere in between, these small towns have compelled us to plan a North Carolina road trip as soon as possible. Who’s with us?
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1 of 19

Banner Elk

Courtesy of Helen Hopper/grandfather.com

Population: 1,144

This Western North Carolina town is a paradise for outdoor adventurers.

See: Banner House Museum, Mill Pond, Elk River, Mile High Swinging Bridge, Wildcat Lake, Grandfather Mountain State Park

Dine: Stonewall’s Restaurant, Banner Elk Cafe and Lodge, The Painted Fish Cafe

Stay: The Banner Elk Inn, The Lodge at River Run

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2 of 19

Bath

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Population: 249

You’ll find a small town with big charm in Bath, North Carolina.

See: Palmer-Marsh House, Bonner House, Pamlico River, Goose Creek State Park, Bath Creek

Dine: Blackbeard's Slices & Ices, Old Town Country Kitchen

Stay: The Inn on Bath Creek

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Beaufort

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Population: 4,199

This coastal treasure promises ecological adventures galore.

See: Shackleford Banks, NC Maritime Museum, Rachel Carson Coastal Estuarine Reserve, Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Downtown Beaufort

Dine: Clawson’s 1905 Restaurant & Pub, Blue Moon Bistro, Aqua Restaurant

Stay: Pecan Tree Inn, Inlet Inn, Inn on Turner

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Beech Mountain

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Population: 321

You’re sure to find thrills on the slopes in this tiny ski town.

See: Beech Mountain Ski Resort, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Beech Mountain Adventure Tours

Dine: Beech Mountain Brewing Co., Alpen Restaurant and Bar, Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, Edward’s

Stay: 4 Seasons at Beech, Beech Mountain Ski Resort, Beech Alpen Inn, Top of the Beech

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Blowing Rock

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Population: 1,288

Come for the High Country sights, stay for the delicious eats in Blowing Rock.

See: The Blowing Rock, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Moses Cone Park, Glen Burney Trail, Annie Cannon Memorial Park, Chetola Resort

Dine: Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort, The Village Cafe, Bistro Roca, Canyons Restaurant, Rowland’s Restaurant, Foggy Rock Eatery and Pub

Stay: Alpine Village Inn, Azalea Garden Inn, Chetola Resort, Historic Green Park Inn

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Brevard

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Population: 7,822

Summertime in Brevard is a small-town dream, with arts, music, and festivals aplenty.

See: Brevard Music Center, Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest, Bracken Mountain Bakery, O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store

Dine: The Square Root, Rocky’s Soda Shop, The Falls Landing Eatery, Marco Trattoria

Stay: Key Falls Inn, Red House Inn

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Bryson City

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Population: 1,452

Step into this Smoky Mountain hamlet, and you’ll be transported (literally, if you hop aboard a family-friendly steam train ride).

See: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot, Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Fly Fishing Museum, Deep Creek Recreation Area, Fontana Lake, Nantahala River, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Island Park

Dine: Anthony’s Restaurant, Derailed Bar & Lounge, Filling Station Deli & Sub Shop, Cork & Bean Bistro

Stay: The Everett Hotel, Calhoun House Inn & Suites

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Cashiers

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Population: 157

This picturesque, vacation-favorite village is nestled in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest.

See: Whiteside Mountain, Shadow of the Bear, Village Green, Silver Run Falls, Lake Glenville, Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley, Highland Hiker

Dine: Cornucopia Restaurant, Randevu Restaurant, The Orchard Restaurant

Stay: High Hampton Inn, Laurelwood Inn

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Davidson

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Population: 12,452

Plan a quick trip to spend a weekend in this charming college town outside of Charlotte.

See: Davidson College, Tour de Food Davidson Walking Tour, The Village Store, Davidson Farmer’s Market

Dine: Kindred, The Pickled Peach, 131 Main, Brick House Tavern, Fork!

Stay: Davidson Village Inn, The Cedars Davidson Bed and Breakfast

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Elizabethtown

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Population: 3,544

Stroll down Elizabethtown’s picturesque Main Street to get to know this small town treasure.

See: Jones Lake State Park, Lu Mil Vineyard, Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery, Cape Fear River

Dine: The Cork Room, Giorgio’s Restaurant and Pizza, Christopher’s Steakhouse and Seafood, Burney’s Sweets & More

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Franklin

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Population: 3,993

Visit Franklin, a convenient stopover along the Appalachian Trail, and you’re sure to encounter hikers with stories to tell.

See: Scottish Tartans Museum, Appalachian Trail, The Nikwasi Mound, Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts, The Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum

Dine: Root and Barrel, Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, Rock House Lodge, Caffé REL

Stay: Oak Hill Country Inn Bed & Breakfast, Snow Hill Inn

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Hendersonville

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Population: 13,840

Enjoy the shops and restaurants on Hendersonville’s charming Main Street, and don’t forget to stop at the area vineyards too.

See: Main Street, North Carolina Apple Festival, Jump Off Rock, Flat Rock Playhouse, Carl Sandburg Home, Burntshirt Vineyards, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards

Dine: Flat Rock Wood Room, Olive or Twist Restaurant and Bar, Postero, Never Blue, Mean Mr. Mustard Express

Stay: 1898 Waverly Inn, Inn on Church, Pinebrook Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn

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Highlands

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Population: 941

This oasis of cuisine and arts in Western North Carolina is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway.

See: Highlands Botanical Garden, Highlands Performing Arts Center, Whiteside Mountain Hike, Shadow of the Bear, The Bascom

Dine: Ristorante Paoletti, On The Verandah, Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro

Stay: The Park on Main Hotel, Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands Inn, The Main Street Inn

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Hillsborough

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Population: 6,568

This small town along the Eno River has plenty of cycling and walking trails along the water.

See: Riverwalk, Eno River State Park, Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, ENO Gallery, Orange County Historical Museum, Old Orange County Courthouse, Ayr Mount, Historic Occoneeche Speedway Trail

Dine: Hot Tin Roof, Botanist and Barrel Wine and Tasting Room

Stay: Inn at Teardrops, The Webb House Bed and Breakfast

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Lake Lure

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Population: 1,180

Hire a canoe and paddle the lake beside which this fun town is nestled.

See: Town Center Walkway and Chimney Rock Village Riverwalk, Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, Buffalo Creek Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Hickory Nut Falls, Lake Lure Beach, The Hickory Nut Gift Shop

Dine: La Strada at Lake Lure, Medina’s Village Bistro, Larkin’s on the Lake

Stay: The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa, The Lodge on Lake Lure, The Esmeralda Inn and Restaurant

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Mount Airy

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Population: 10,347

The residents of Mt. Airy often call the town Mayberry, and there are plenty of reasons why—one of which is that it’s the hometown of Andy Griffith.

See: Shelton Vineyards, Mill Creek General Store, Andy Griffith Museum, Old North State Winery

Dine: Walker’s Soda Fountain, Chase and Charli Restaurant, 13 Bones, Aunt Bea’s Barbecue, Gondola Italian Restaurant

Stay: Heart & Soul Bed and Breakfast, Bee’s Bed and Breakfast, Cousin Emma’s Bed and Breakfast, Sobotta Manor Bed & Breakfast

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Pinehurst

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Population: 15,945

Bring your clubs for a weekend spent on the links in picturesque Pinehurst.

See: Pinehurst Resort, Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, Culinary Tours of the Pines, Tufts Archives

Dine: Elliot’s on Linden, Drum and Quill Public House, The Deuce, 1895 Grille, The Roast Office, Pine Scone Cafe, Ironwood Cafe

Stay: Pinehurst Resort, The Carolina Hotel, The Holly Inn, Pinecrest Inn

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Rodanthe

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Population: 261

Plan a trip to see what about this small coastal village inspired Nicholas Sparks to write his novel Nights in Rodanthe.

See: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Rodanthe Fishing Pier, Pamlico Sound, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Dine: Good Winds Seafood and Wine Bar, StingWray’s Bar and Grill, Lisa’s Pizzeria

Stay: Waves Village Watersports Resort, The Inn on Pamlico Sound

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Sylva

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Population: 2,644

Slow down in Sylva while you browse the town’s charming bookstores.

See: City Lights Bookstore, Harry Alter Books, Jackson’s General Store, Bridge Park Pavilion, Concerts on the Creek

Dine: Mad Batter Food and Film, Lulu’s Cafe on Main, Balsam Falls Brewing Co.

Stay: Blue Ridge Inn

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