These small towns in North Carolina provide something for everyone, whether you’re looking for adventure or laid-back vibes.
North Carolina is a state of extremes. It has historically been trapped between the North and South, resulting in intense warfare during the American Civil War.
Naturally, North Carolina is a mixed bag; one side is firmly located near the Atlantic Ocean, replete with an incomprehensibly intricate coastline – including the famed Outer Banks area – while the other tapers inland, with limits at the enormous roots of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There’s little doubt that the most picturesque towns in North Carolina are steeped in history and legacy.
Communities boast everything from great stately estates and hotels for America’s first New Money to religious structures and tiny cottages.
In addition, the settlements provide visitors access to some of the most beautiful and quiet – as well as harsh and awe-inspiring – natural areas that this thrilling mountainous coastline state has to offer.
Jump to:
- 1 1. Boone
- 2 2. Beaufort
- 3 3. Hillsborough
- 4 4. Bath
- 5 5. Asheville
- 6 6. New Bern
- 7 7. Kitty Hawk
- 8 8. Southport
- 9 9. Pinehurst
- 10 10. Blowing Rock
- 11 11. Brevard
- 12 12. Bryson City
- 13 13. Edenton
- 14 14. Seagrove
- 15 15. Manteo
- 16 16. Sylva
- 17 17. Highlands
- 18 18. Pittsboro
- 19 19. Banner Elk
- 20 20. Mount Airy
- 21 21. Washington (a.k.a. “Little Washington”)
1. Boone
This beautiful village, named for the great explorer and pioneer Daniel Boone, tops our list of North Carolina’s most charming little towns.
Aside from various structures on the US National Register of Historic Places, Boone’s past includes the play Horn In The West, produced in the town every summer since 1952.
The Blue Ridge Mountains, located in northwest North Carolina, are tantalizingly near this charming, tiny metropolitan enclave.
From here, you can reach the Blue Ridge Roadway, passing by the massive Grandfather Mountain, which the brave can climb.
Then there’s the adjacent Elk Knob State Park to explore. In this charming town, getting out into magnificent natural vistas is simple.
2. Beaufort
Beaufort is the county seat of Carteret County, located on North Carolina’s ‘Inner Banks’ coast (specifically, Beaufort is situated just where the Outer Banks end).
Its distinction as “America’s Coolest Small Town” appears to be the result of a blend of 300 years of history—replete with a small historic area—and a vibrant, handy, modern-day downtown.
Not only that, but its harbour area is rather lovely. Visitors can take boat cruises to explore the neighbouring Outer Banks or go fishing from here.
A seafood meal seems ideal after a wonderful day excursion to one of these natural wonders.
3. Hillsborough
Hillsborough is another beautiful old town with historical structures. From the Federal-era plantation mansion Ayr Mount and the majestic Eagle Lodge to the well-known Greek-revival Old Orange County Courthouse.
Hillsborough is a dynamic town with a flourishing downtown area and restaurant culture.
Not only that, but the undeniably beautiful Hillsborough is an excellent spot to base yourself if you want to explore the natural splendour of the surrounding area.
Eno River State Park offers several camping, paddling, and fishing options, while the adjacent Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is a beautiful place to hike.
4. Bath
We’ve arrived in Bath, North Carolina’s oldest European colonial town. Its foundations were laid in the 1690s when European settlers began settling along the Pamlico River, and it became the colony’s first town in 1705.
Bath, located on the eastern coast of Beaufort County, has a historic area filled with attractive heritage buildings.
After viewing the town’s old residences and structures, tourists may enjoy one of its most popular activities: fishing.
Because this is a seaside environment, fishing is easy, and visitors will enjoy the tranquil waters. The scenic location on Bath Creek’s uneven shoreline is a wonderful sight.
5. Asheville
Asheville, a rather big town, also has several outstanding examples of old architecture.
There’s the massive art deco-style Asheville City Hall, for example, and the extremely gorgeous Biltmore House and Estate, a château-style home.
This is the biggest privately owned residence in the United States, and tourists may take tours to learn more about this incredible monument.
To see more of the historical relics that make Asheville such a charming slice of North Carolina, visit the Downtown Asheville Historic District.
This district features 279 historic structures, including the impressive early 20th-century Basilica of St.
Lawrence and the 1920s skyscraper of Buncombe County Courthouse.
6. New Bern
When it comes to history, New Bern is positively awash. This county capital has four districts listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, each with many historic structures.
It makes a trip around this quaint ancient town feel like you’re in an open-air museum or on a movie set.
New Bern, named after its initial Swiss inhabitants (in honour of Bern, Switzerland), is North Carolina’s second-oldest colonial European settlement.
There are probably too many heritage structures to name, but notable examples include the 18th-century Tryon Palace and the Georgian-style Coor-Gaston House. In addition, New Bern is the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola.
7. Kitty Hawk
Picturesque Kitty Hawk is located on the Outer Banks, a cluster of islets connected by bridges along the eastern North Carolina coast, allowing for some spectacular coastal roadways.
Conversely, Kitty Hawk is famed for being the site of the Wright Brothers’ first successful flight.
Kitty Hawk is a gateway to the remainder of the Outer Banks and all the outdoor activities available, such as sailing, swamp exploration by boat, and sea fishing. It also has some outstanding natural treasures.
Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve’s wetlands are ideal for equestrian riding, mountain biking, and hiking.
8. Southport
Southport is located on the Atlantic Coast in Brunswick County, South Carolina.
This seaside town has a rich history. Spanish explorers discovered it as early as the 16th century, and the British inhabited it afterwards.
Fort Johnston, the first in North Carolina, was built in the 18th century.
Southport, on the other hand, is noted for its gorgeous setting. Looking back from the long, wooden fishing pier stretching out into the water verifies this.
It’s also a shooting site, most notably for Dawson’s Creek, among other shows and movies.
9. Pinehurst
With the moniker ‘The Home of American Golf,’ you can be sure that golf is one of Pinehurst’s key draws in Moore County, south-central North Carolina.
In reality, it is the location of the famous Pinehurst Resort, a golf course and resort built in 1901. Frederick Law Olmsted, a well-known landscape architect, developed the core settlement.
Other attractions in Pinehurst include the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, which has succulent collections and an English-style formal garden.
Historic structures abound in this well-to-do community, including the 1899 Mystic Cottage, but the structures around America’s first resort are truly something.
10. Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock was founded in the 18th century by hardy Scottish-Irish pioneers. It was later populated by soldiers who returned after sending their families there for protection during the American Civil War.
During that time, this region of North Carolina was notorious for its guerilla warfare.
Aside from its history, this town in the state’s northwest is most known for the natural monument that bears its name – Blowing Rock, a rocky outcrop with breathtaking vistas.
From here, you can easily access a stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a route that winds through stunning natural landscapes and is ideal for road excursions.
11. Brevard
Brevard is a tiny town in western North Carolina, nestled amid the extensive forests of Transylvania County.
This location is well-known for the outdoor activities available in its immediate surroundings.
Brevard is a gateway to the vast, rugged wilderness of the Pisgah National Forest and is also close to DuPont State Forest.
Mountain biking is popular in both areas, so exploring these enormous swaths of wilderness from Brevard is possible.
The Appalachian Path, the world’s longest hiking-only trail, traverses through Pisgah.
Back in town, Brevard College is a magnificent cluster of brick buildings that resemble the traditional American college town.
12. Bryson City
Prepare your hiking boots: Bryson City, the county seat of Swain County in western North Carolina, is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Wild streams and hillwalking await daring adventurers, while the Tuckasegee River is a white-water rafting paradise.
If exploring the great outdoors on foot isn’t your style, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers the opportunity to experience the amazing landscape from the luxury of a historic train carriage.
Furthermore, if you enjoy fishing, you will enjoy the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, which includes displays of 19th-century equipment.
13. Edenton
Edenton is a romantic hideaway in coastal Carolina, with its scenic location on Albemarle Sound and many 18th- and 19th-century houses.
Take a trolley trip around the state’s first colonial capital to see the historic residences available to the public (and second-oldest town).
One of the few intact screw-pile lighthouses in the United States, the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse is a must-see. Stay at a stately Edenton bed & breakfast, such as Inner Banks Inn.
14. Seagrove
The little village of Seagrove is the throbbing centre of North Carolina’s pottery history and a rustic heaven for pottery aficionados.
There are dozens (maybe more than 100) of pottery businesses and workshops amid the picturesque countryside and Uwharrie foothills, many of which have active potters at the wheel.
Uwharrie Crystalline is one such stop, featuring works fired with unusual crystal-infused glazes.
15. Manteo
Manteo’s proximity to the vast Outer Banks may be its most obvious selling factor. (The Roanoke Island hamlet is a gateway to Nags Head, Hatteras, and other popular barrier island resorts.)
However, unlike most beach towns, which are little more than an endless strip of big, stilted vacation rentals, this storied location is brimming with antique shops, waterfront eateries, and elegant bed-and-breakfasts — some of which, like White Doe Inn, have been designated as National Register of Historic Places.
There’s a lot of history here, to be sure. The enigmatic Lost Colony, an English hamlet that vanished in the 1580s, was located on Roanoke Island.
16. Sylva
With fewer than 3,000 residents, this 19th-century mountain village offers a relaxed neighbourhood vibe.
Like its smaller neighbour to the west, Sylva attracts outdoor enthusiasts eager to climb in the Smokies and raft or tube down the Tuckasegee River.
Between trips, you can visit breweries, antique stores, and mom-and-pop restaurants—eccentric Lulu’s on Main has been a favourite for decades.
17. Highlands
Highlands, at 4,000 feet above sea level, has long served as a summertime hideaway for residents of Carolina and Georgia who seek to escape the extreme heat and humidity.
The milder temperatures and stunning mountain scenery attract visitors eager to walk, rest, and repeat.
The Nantahala National Forest is rich in waterfalls, such as the walk-behind Dry Falls (roaring, despite the name) and the beautiful Cullasaja River Gorge.
18. Pittsboro
Pittsboro is within easy driving distance of the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) and offers guests a pleasant, convenient setting with plenty of local charm.
After visiting Jordan Lake’s pleasant pathways and sandy beaches, dine at The Fearrington House Restaurant, widely regarded as one of the top fine-dining establishments in the state.
Alternatively, S&T’s Soda Shoppe, a former pharmacy/soda shop painstakingly refurbished to look like it did in the early 1900s, serves a Gambler (skirt steak on a hot pan) and a float.
Try Starrlight Mead’s honey wine or Fair Game Beverage Company’s North Carolina whites, reds, and ciders to drink.
19. Banner Elk
This charming High Country village serves as the entrance to Grandfather Mountain State Park.
The park and its 2,500 backcountry acres offer all the expected alpine magnificence (spruce woods, ridgeline routes) and some unusual sights, such as the legendary mile-high Swinging Bridge.
(The elevation is 5,282 feet.) The village of Banner Elk has bed-and-breakfasts, quiet cafés and taverns, local wineries and breweries, and working farms open for visits – say hi to the gorgeous alpacas and angora goats at Apple Hill Farm.
20. Mount Airy
Mount Airy, which inspired Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show, is a time capsule of 1950s small-town America.
The charming historic downtown, the Andy Griffith Museum, and the Mayberry Replica Courthouse are all centred on the popular ’60s comedy and its Mount Airy-born star.
Browse antique boutiques, eat at Leon’s Burger Express, stop for a picnic and a game of cornhole in the riverfront park, and stay in one of the town’s magnificent old bed-and-breakfasts to keep things retro.
21. Washington (a.k.a. “Little Washington”)
Thanks to its gorgeous coastline surroundings, this little riverfront location shines for small-town charm and relaxed outdoor activities.
Kayak or paddleboard along the Pamlico River, set up on a pier to catch fresh and saltwater fish, and wander down the Palmetto Boardwalk and Goose Creek State Park’s nature paths (whose marshes and bogs were once preferred hiding spots for the pirate Blackbeard).
Then stroll around the historic coastline, where you can wind down with crab cakes, Southern-fried shrimp, and other coastal Carolina favourites.
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