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?
Banner Elk
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
Bath
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
Beaufort
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
Beech Mountain
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
Blowing Rock
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
Brevard
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
Bryson City
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
Cashiers
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
Davidson
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
Elizabethtown
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
Franklin
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
Hendersonville
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
Highlands
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
Hillsborough
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
Lake Lure
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
Mount Airy
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
Pinehurst
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
Rodanthe
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
Sylva
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
