Travel North Carolina Our 19 Favorite Small Towns In North Carolina By Southern Living Editors Updated on April 18, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Education Images/Getty Images North Carolina is charming in many ways, from the coast to the mountains. There are so many great small towns in the Tar Heel State—far too many to count—so choosing our favorites is challenging. But we've picked 19 small towns across the state that we love. They're ideal for weekend getaways, with opportunities for hiking, biking, shopping, eating, boating, and wandering picturesque main streets. Visit any of these small towns, and you'll 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, a North Carolina small town on our list will compel you to plan a trip soon. Plus, these towns are full of history and ecological wonders. These small towns make us crave a North Carolina road trip. 01 of 19 Banner Elk Courtesy of Helen Hopper/grandfather.com Population: 1,039 (2023) This western North Carolina town is a paradise for outdoor adventurers. It's a little community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with Sugar Mountain Resort to the south and Beech Mountain Resort to the north for skiing opportunities. There is also a beach and a pier at Wildcat Lake. Meanwhile, Grandfather Mountain, to the southeast, is home to a nature museum, hiking trails, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. See: Banner House Museum, Mill Pond, Elk River, Mile High Swinging Bridge, Wildcat Lake, Grandfather Mountain State Park Dine: Stonewall's Restaurant Stay: The Lodge at River Run 02 of 19 Bath Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images Population: 243 (2023) You'll find a small town with big charm in Bath, North Carolina, which was established as the state's first town in 1705 after being a European settlement in the 1690s. Due to its ease of access to the Pamlico River and the Atlantic Ocean—as it sits about 50 miles away from the Ocracoke Inlet—it soon became North Carolina's first port. Its original town limits are now a historic district where tourists can visit historic homes. 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 03 of 19 Beaufort Charlotte Observer/Getty Images Population: 4,789 (2023) Beaufort is the fourth oldest town in North Carolina, established in 1713, and has been ranked as "America's Coolest Small Town" by readers of Budget Travel. This coastal treasure promises ecological adventures galore. You can experience the Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari with a ferry ride to the Outer Banks Island, Shackleford Banks. 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 04 of 19 Beech Mountain George Rose/Getty Images Population: 676 (2023) You'll find thrills on the slopes in this tiny ski town tucked into North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to skiing, there are many mountain trails to hike. Follow the creek-side Falls Trail's path to a refreshing waterfall. See: Beech Mountain Ski Resort, Grandfather Mountain State Park Dine: Beech Mountain Brewing Co., Alpen Restaurant and Bar, Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria Stay: 4 Seasons at Beech, Beech Mountain Ski Resort, Beech Alpen Inn, Top of the Beech 05 of 19 Blowing Rock The Washington Post/Getty Images Population: 1,401 (2023) Come for the High Country sights, and stay for the delicious eats in Blowing Rock. This village in the western part of the state is on Blue Ridge Parkway. It gets its name from The Blowing Rock, a formation with scenic views of peaks, sprawling forests, and the Johns River Gorge. 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, Foggy Rock Eatery and Pub Stay: Alpine Village Inn, Azalea Garden Inn, Chetola Resort, Historic Green Park Inn 06 of 19 Brevard Karen Kasmauski/Getty Images Population: 7,801 (2023) Summertime in Brevard is a small-town dream. It offers arts, music, and festivals aplenty. Brevard is also known as the Land of Waterfalls due to its numerous cascading water features. 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, Wild Morel Stay: Key Falls Inn, Brevard Vacation Houses 07 of 19 Bryson City Education Images/Getty Images Population: 1,447 (2023) Step into this Smoky Mountain hamlet and be transported. Hop aboard a family-friendly steam train ride in this mountain gem of a city. As a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and part of the Appalachian Trail, Bryson City has plenty of wildflowers, wildlife, and streams. 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, The High Test Deli & Sweet Shop, Cork & Bean Bistro Stay: The Everett Hotel, Calhoun House Inn & Suites 08 of 19 Cashiers Barcroft/Getty Images Population: 659 (2023) This picturesque, vacation-favorite village in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest is an excellent summertime getaway. The mountain peaks surrounding it reach up to more than 5,000 feet. And the lush area has plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventurers. See: Whiteside Mountain, Shadow of the Bear, Village Green, Silver Run Falls, Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley, Highland Hiker Dine: Cornucopia Restaurant, The Orchard Restaurant Stay: High Hampton Inn, Laurelwood Inn 09 of 19 Davidson Bloomberg/Getty Images Population: 15,246 (2023) Plan a quick weekend trip in this charming college town outside of Charlotte. Davidson's main street offers a variety of stores and restaurants. And the community takes pride in fostering a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment. See: Davidson College, The Village Store, Davidson Farmer's Market Dine: Kindred, The Pickled Peach, 131 Main, Brick House Tavern Stay: DavidsonVillage Inn 10 of 19 Elizabethtown George Rose/Getty Images Population: 3,098 (2023) Stroll down Elizabethtown's picturesque Main Street to learn about this small-town treasure. This southeastern North Carolina town is proudly friendly and family-oriented. It hosts the Cape Fear Farmer's Market each Saturday, where you can find a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meats, eggs, jams, and more. 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 Stay: The Elizabethtown Inn, Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery 11 of 19 Franklin Education Images/Getty Images Population: 4,345 (2023) Visit Franklin, a convenient stopover along the Appalachian Trail, and you will undoubtedly encounter hikers with stories to tell. It's nestled in the Nantahala National Forest, the largest National Forest in North Carolina. There, you can experience hiking, rafting, waterfalls, and more. 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 Stay: Oak Hill Country Inn Bed & Breakfast 12 of 19 Hendersonville Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images Population: 15,145 (2023) Enjoy the shops and restaurants on Hendersonville's charming Main Street. The Henderson County Heritage Museum exhibits Civil War artifacts and a replica of a 1900s general store in downtown Hendersonville. Nearby, Jump Off Rock overlooks the idyllic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. And remember 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 Stay: 1898 Waverly Inn, Pinebrook Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn 13 of 19 Highlands VW Pics/Getty Images Population: 1,116 (2023) This oasis of cuisine and arts in western North Carolina is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Visit the Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail. Or visit the rainforest mountain waterfalls in a town that has become a national waterfall destination. 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 14 of 19 Hillsborough Charlotte Observer/Getty Images Population: 9,748 (2023) This small town along the Eno River has plenty of cycling and walking trails near the water. The area is home to more than 100 residences, churches, schools, and other structures from the late 18th and 19th centuries in the city's historic district. It is also considered a quiet haven for artists and writers. 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 15 of 19 Lake Lure Davis Turner/Getty Images Population: 1,377 (2023) Explore the lake nestled next to the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills with a canoe and paddle. It's considered one of the most beautiful artificial lakes in existence. Lake Lure has been the filming location for several classic films, such as Dirty Dancing, Firestarter, and The Last of the Mohicans. 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 Stay: The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa, The Lodge on Lake Lure, The Esmeralda Inn and Restaurant 16 of 19 Mount Airy Visions of America/Getty Images Population: 10,471 (2023) The residents of Mt. Airy often call the town Mayberry, and there are many reasons why. One is that it's the hometown of Andy Griffith, star of The Andy Griffith Show. There is an annual Mayberry Days parade celebrating the show and its star. 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 17 of 19 Pinehurst David Cannon/Getty Images Population: 18,842 (2023) Bring your clubs for a weekend spent on the links in picturesque Pinehurst. It's a charming New England-style village, considered one of the safest cities in North Carolina. It's also centrally located between the beach and the mountains and offers recreational and world-class golfing. 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 18 of 19 Rodanthe The Washington Post/Getty Images Population: 135 (2023) Plan a trip to see why this small coastal village inspired Nicholas Sparks to write his novel Nights in Rodanthe. Both the novel's setting and filming location take place in Rodanthe. See the real-life cedar-clad beach houses of Sparks' story come to life. See: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Rodanthe Fishing Pier, Pamlico Sound, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Dine: Good Winds Seafood and Wine Bar, Lisa's Pizzeria Stay: Waves Village Watersports Resort, The Inn on Pamlico Sound 19 of 19 Sylva Education Images/Getty Images Population: 2,648 (2023) Slow down in Sylva while you browse the town's charming bookstores, local restaurants, friendly stores, galleries, and breweries. This picturesque small town sits at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains and has many events worth visiting. Try their annual Greening Up the Mountain street festival that welcomes spring or their weekly Concerts on the Creek during summer. See: City Lights Bookstore, Harry Alter Books, Jackson's General Store, Bridge Park Pavilion, Concerts on the Creek Dine: Mad Batter Kitchen, Lulu's Cafe on Main, Balsam Falls Brewing Co. Stay: Blue Ridge Inn Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit