Mitchell Crafts Fair and the Burnsville Metric, a popular bike ride held in late April. America's 50 Best Small Towns in the Mountains By Lissa Poirot, updated on December 13, 2022 Getty Images Small towns and wide-open landscapes are great places to be. 2. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. Mica Gallery is one of a few spaces that showcase local artists from here and surrounding counties. Best non-touristy mountain & coastal towns in North Carolina The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina For 2022 - HomeSnacks At an elevation of 3,500, the town is surrounded by mountain peaks of 5,000 feet or more and is within close proximity to a number of natural resources to enjoy. Its bustling with incredible restaurants, shops, and an iconic courthouse on a hill. 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: 4,382 Park the car and wander through small shops, discover local cuisine, and enjoy the fresh mountain air, or take a drive through the spectacular scenery to find waterfalls, lookouts, and hiking trails. My favorite mountain town is Banner Elk. best places to live in south carolina mountains Cashiers is the gateway to one of our favorite NC mountain escapes, Bear Lake Reserve. "source": "woocommerce", Well, youll need to answer that question when you visit Marion and their annual Bigfoot Festival! Emerald Outback has plenty of trails to trek through dense old-growth forests, lush fields, and babbling mountain brooks in the warmer months. Stop into Myras 1950s style diner for a taste of the good old days. South Lake Tahoe Might Be a Good Option. Boone is a no-brainer when it comes to top mountain towns in North Carolina, as this lively university town is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just a few miles from Sylva (see below) is Dillsboro, an artist community that is one of the coolest North Carolina mountain towns. The iconic flower is an abundant symbol in this region of the state. Venture out and explore the rest of Burke County, hike to Hawksbill Mountains peak, Linville Falls, the nearby Wisemans View in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, and High Shoals Falls inside South Mountains State Park. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Bryson City is well-known for hiking and river recreation. So many great mountain towns to choose from! With a population of just over 1,000 people, the village atmosphere of Banner Elk makes it an appealing attraction. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. Read More: 20 Excellent Things to Do in Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary (and Nearby!). If you prefer to spend your day being pampered, there are some excellent spas in the area. Cities are fun but sometimes it's nice to swap the busy roads for the peaceful streets of a small mountain town.