We found out by exploring 13 in Western North Carolina that share some characteristics—a population under 5,000, a pedestrian-friendly downtown, ample food and nightlife options—but possess unique attributes as well. Today, this postcard-perfect village is full of quaint lanes, flower bedecked specialty shops, inns, and eateries, all centered around a town park that’s an idyllic spot to lick ice cream cones or browse the offerings at the monthly summer Art in the Park events. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In 2018, home security company Safewise released a list of the safest towns in North Carolina. Just a few steps away is Iron Horse Station, a combination inn, restaurant, tavern, and shops. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek in Madison County, Hot Springs is an official Appalachian Trail community. The Real Estate Guide to Western North Carolina - Counties, Cities & Towns The biggest event to jam the tiny downtown is October’s Woolly Worm Festival, where worm races determine which woolly caterpillar’s stripes will predict the coming winter weather. The largest city in Western NC is Asheville, which sits right in the middle of Buncombe County. At the end of some of these trails are rock climbing and bouldering sites! Burnsville Town Square. These two towns are located very close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making them a popular vacation area in the summer. Photograph by Jackson County Tourism Development Authority. Below please see all North Carolina cities and towns which are listed in alphabetical order. Nestled along the banks of the French Broad River, Marshall, NC is an old mill town with several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Voted the Prettiest Small Town in America by TripAdvisor, Black Mountain is a must-see small town just east of Asheville. The evening could be capped with fine dining at a posh restaurant like Paoletti’s or On The Verandah. Hendersonville is another summer camp hotspot, and its proximity to Dupont State Forest makes it a good option for outdoorsy people. Nature lovers find Wilmington seashores and sections of the Appalachian Mountains most welcoming to adventures. Learn more at www.exploreburnsville.com. Prettiest Small Town in America by TripAdvisor, list of the safest towns in North Carolina. Going south towards South Carolina will take you right through Hendersonville, North Carolina. Their history and more is as close as a visit to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. MOUNTAIN LIVING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. The Bowie-Seagraves Municipal Park keeps families active with tennis and basketball courts, a playground, baseball field, and walking trail. The town is replete with annual festivals—Hot Springs Community Trailfest in April, French Broad River Festival in May, Bluff Mountain Music Festival in June, Wild Goose Festival (a kind of social justice celebration) in July, and the French Broad Brew Fest in September—but it’s fair to say that Hot Springs is festive any day of the year. That’s undeniable. 1. It’s a must-stop on any visit to Hot Springs. Required fields are marked *. For weary Appalachian Trail hikers, Franklin, which sits 11 miles off the trail, serves as a popular refueling station. College students flock to UNC Chapel Hill, the oldest N.C. University in the United States. Learn more at www.mainstreetsylva.org, Photograph Courtesy of Hot Springs Tourism Association. Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895 as a retreat after he acquired the land, is another great place to visit. Sitemap   •   Privacy Policy   •   ©2021 All Rights Reserved. If you consider that other national forests and recreation areas in upstate South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia are also within just a couple hours’ drive, there truly is more than you could explore in a lifetime! Pace General Store. It’s little wonder authors Jan Karon and Tom Robbins hail from here—a tiny but inspiring town that calls itself “The Crown of the Blue Ridge.”. Hordes of visitors and like-minded locals attend, among them students from Lees-McRae College. And with outdoors retailer Mountain Outfitters in town, West Jefferson makes a great base from which to explore the New River. There's no better place to experience this geographic icon than along South Carolina's western lake coast. After dark, don’t miss the string of restaurants and bars along Depot Street, from Nantahala Brewing’s tap room, featuring local beer and live music, to the swank cocktail bar Derailed, and more. While Charlotte is the most popular N.C. city, Raleigh is the state’s capital. There are also countless other high peaks in the area, such as Max Patch, a wide-open grassy bald at 4,600 feet with 360-degree views, Black Balsam along the Blue Ridge Parkway (6,214 feet), and Grandfather Mountain (5,946 feet) near Linville, NC. It borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, Virginia to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Ski season usually runs from December to March. Located in Transylvania County about 30 minutes west of Asheville Regional Airport is the outdoor paradise of Brevard, NC. Brevard College also brings a lot of events to the town. Road map of North Carolina with cities. To truly soak up the town, try the 100-acre Hot Springs Resort & Spa. What’s more, Franklin has three distinct museums within walking distance. Bistro serves up classic global cuisine like duck Provençal, Cacciatore crespelle and! 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