The Best North Carolina Mountain Towns To Visit For Majestic Views

Wooden cabins, gushing waterfalls, bustling main streets, and wandering black bears. Freshly churned ice cream, winding hiking trails, glistening gem mines, and whitewater rapids. The dynamic North Carolina mountains brim with life, and you could easily spend weeks vacationing in the various towns nestled between their peaks. Whether you visit the area alone or with a partner, friends, or family, there is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied during all four seasons.

North Carolina is understandably famous for mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. However, there are smaller ranges throughout the state, such as the Uwharrie Mountains and the Sauratown Mountains, that have their own distinctive beauty. As a lifelong resident of North Carolina and someone who has hiked the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and many parts of the Appalachian Trail, I consider these mountains my home. In fact, I have personally visited each of the towns on this list. In addition to describing some of the more famous North Carolina mountain towns, I will also to introduce you to a few of the lesser known locales.

In light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, I ask readers from the bottom of my heart to practice sustainable tourism while visiting these locations. That said, many places are welcoming visitors again and need your business to continue recuperating. If that's not the perfect excuse to take a few vacation days, then what is? Get ready to fall in love with what I consider some of the most well-rounded mountain towns in North Carolina, if not the world.

Downtown Hot Springs is the only town in North Carolina where you can see Appalachian Trail markers on the pavement right beside a classic diner serving pancakes and home fries, a sporting goods store with plenty of fun T-shirts and dehydrated meals, and a small public library that offers free Wi-Fi and a strong sense of community. In this small town just 45 minutes northwest of Asheville, you can soak in hot springs (as the name suggests) or hike nearby trails to overlooks like Lover's Leap and Max Patch.

Because the A.T. passes through the heart of downtown, it can be tough to find accommodations in Hot Springs during the months of April and May, when most hikers stop to resupply and sleep on real beds. However, there is also a charm to seeing the town alive with such hardy souls. Autumn is likewise crowded, especially when the leaves peak, but worth it for the views of the French Broad River framed by orange, red, and yellow. I recommend staying at a bed and breakfast or pitching a tent along the river at the Hot Springs Campground.

Asheville has a higher population than any other city in Western North Carolina, and its airport makes it convenient for folks from all over the world to visit. With nearly 100,000 residents and plenty of tourists, it comes as no surprise that the city is a hub for activities as diverse as fine dining and thrift shopping. It has one of the best music scenes in the state, with The Orange Peel being one of my favorite venues for seeing tribute bands and original artists. On warm Friday nights, especially during the summer, you can find folks outside dancing to the beat of the Asheville Drum Circle. For a gourmet meal with a view, try one of the rooftop restaurants, such as Hemingway's Cuba.

Asheville is surrounded by mountains, and it provides easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. You don't have to go out of the city to enjoy spectacular views, but if you want to further immerse yourself in nature, try taking the Craggy Pinnacle trail or the Catawba Falls trail. Nearby Chimney Rock State Park also offers a great network of trails that you can combine for an all-day adventure.

If you could spend all afternoon wandering around antique stores, licking ice cream, and admiring the views, then Blowing Rock is the place for you. Nestled in the mountains just 15 to 20 minutes south of Boone, this town is a popular spot for vacationing families who want the conveniences and comforts of civilization, but also exposure to ample wilderness and the rustic, traditional elements of mountain life. In addition to being a paradise for those who like to shop for furniture and gifts, Blowing Rock is a good home base for ziplining, gem mining, skiing, and hiking. Some of my favorite hiking trails are located in Julian Price Memorial Park and Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The latter offers carriage trails that are easy to traverse so that you can focus more on soaking up the views.

Have kids? Just a few minutes away is Tweetsie Railroad, a unique amusement park that has been entertaining families since 1957. Children will also love stopping by Kilwins, an iconic ice cream, fudge, and chocolate shop awash with irresistible aromas. For grown up food, go to Gideon Ridge Inn, where fresh ingredients meet attentive service and mountain views.

Sparta, which is a considerable distance from more popular tourist destinations like Asheville and Boone, is an underrated gem of the North Carolina mountains. It is in close proximity to a few of my favorite hiking destinations of all time, and it also has a thriving arts and culture scene. Check the town's calendar before planning your trip to see if you can hit events like the Mountain Heritage Festival in September. My family has been to the Fried Apple Pie Festival as well, and all we need to say on that subject is, "Come hungry." Sparta's Barn Quilt Trail is likewise an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

For hiking, you would do well to visit Doughton Recreation Area. I generally hop on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to see wildflowers there in the spring and stunning fall foliage in October. Meanwhile, Stone Mountain State Park is 25 minutes from Sparta and revolves around a giant dome of rock that is fun to hike and play on. Finally, just across the border in Virginia, you cannot miss the Grayson Highlands State Park for its wild ponies. While it can get a bit cold, Sparta usually does not receive much snowfall in the winter, making these hikes possible year-round.

The Sauratown Mountains are isolated from North Carolina's other mountains, but no less unique or entertaining. You might already be familiar with Mount Airy if you are a fan of the Andy Griffith Show; Andy Griffith grew up there, and his experiences inspired the fictional town of Mayberry. It has a charming downtown where you should take a stroll and have a meal. For dessert, I recommend Miss Angels Heavenly Pies, just across the street from the Andy Griffith Museum. Finally, there are several great bed and breakfasts in the surrounding area where you can spend the night.

I suggest visiting two great outdoor recreation spots in close proximity to Mount Airy: Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park. Both offer wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Pilot Mountain has long been a favorite among my friends and family for hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and camping. As for Hanging Rock, I recommend hiking up to the park's namesake at sunrise; it's not only a remarkable time of day to marvel at the landscape below, but it is also the best way to avoid crowds (it can get very crowded in the summer). If your stomach gets to rumbling after all that activity and the season is right, stop by a pick-your-own farm for fresh produce.

If Grandfather Mountain State Park is on your bucket list (and it should be, for the swinging bridge, incredible views, and "Forrest Gump" fame), then the nearby town of Banner Elk ought to be on your itinerary as well. It's a great place for a family vacation, offering activities year-round, both indoors and outdoors. In addition to exploring the trails around Grandfather Mountain, I recommend hiking in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, especially if you want to pitch a tent in the backcountry. 

Powder lovers, rejoice, because Banner Elk is also a central location for accessing both the Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain ski resorts. While these resorts are certainly not as massive as their counterparts on the west coast, they are still fun places to hang out and get the blood flowing as you enjoy views of the snow-capped mountains.

If you prefer to soak up the views without breaking a sweat, hop into a cart on the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, which (except for the initial ascent) is powered entirely by gravity. This coaster is often fully booked during peak foliage, so plan well in advance. At the end of the day, adults can rest assured that there will be plenty of opportunities to unwind over a glass of wine or craft beer in Banner Elk.

Boone is the home of Appalachian State University, so you can expect to see plenty of young folks around town during the academic year. They add vibrancy to a city that is already popular among tourists for its shopping, dining, and craft breweries. You can't leave Boone without spending an hour moseying around the Mast General Store downtown. With its giant barrels of candy, brand name clothing, niche games, and kitchenware, it's a shop unlike any other. Melanie's on Howard is one of my favorite places to get breakfast, and Stick Boy Bread Company turns out some incredible baked goods.

Just outside the urban center, one can also go on such expeditions as hiking, tubing, fly fishing, and skiing. I recommend visiting Elk Knob State Park just 20 minutes north of town. During the fall, the 3.8-mile round-trip Summit Trail boasts particularly lovely views of the surrounding mountains, but it is worth the huffing and puffing to the top any time of the year. Meanwhile, for those who are into yoga and wellness, the Art of Living Retreat Center offers a wonderful escape with breathtaking views 20 minutes east of town.

Cashiers is a quiet town near the Georgia and Tennessee borders that comes alive during the summer with an influx of tourists. I recommend browsing the art galleries and antique emporiums for some unique souvenirs. For food, you can't go wrong with Whiteside Brewing Company or Crossroads Custard & Cold Brew. Another popular town known as Highlands is 15-20 minutes away from Cashiers. A few of my friends have had weddings there, so you can imagine how picturesque the area is!

Cashiers is located in Nantahala National Forest, where I have spent several weeks hiking, mostly on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and in Panthertown Valley. Rugged and difficult, as well as easy and leisurely, trails exist. One of my favorites is the hike to Schoolhouse Falls, where you can walk behind the waterfall and splash around in the pool below (just watch out for snakes). The Whiteside Mountain Trail is another excellent option that offers great views of the dense forests below. The area receives quite a bit of rain, so it's smart to have back-up plans in case of inclement weather.

The town of Franklin, located in Nantahala National Forest, is sparsely populated, with just over 4,000 year-round residents. You can expect everything from whitewater rafting to fly fishing, but there are also several unique museums that you should check out during your stay. The Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center, for instance, provides excellent insight into how and why Scottish people immigrated to North Carolina's mountains. The Gem & Mineral Museum will satisfy geology nerds, while the Old Cardinal Gem Mine will captivate the imaginations of children. After visiting these attractions, it will become clear that Franklin is not just a tourist town, but is instead built upon a rich and complex history.

You won't have to look far for incredible views in and around Franklin. The Little Tennessee River Greenway begins in town and stretches for about 5 miles, taking trail users past wetlands, woodlands, and pastures. The Bartram National Recreational Trail is also nearby; the path is over 112 miles long, so you really could walk all day on it.

It's no wonder why Bryson City has been dubbed the "outdoor adventure capital of the Great Smoky Mountains." This town is a haven for hikers, white water rafters, kayakers, mountain bikers, swimmers, and more. It is a terrific home base for day trips into the Smokies, the most visited national park in the country, but other natural areas deserve your attention, too.

Just 20 minutes southwest of town is the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which offers rafting, ziplining, and mountain biking tours. Meanwhile, Fontana Lake is a spectacular body of water with plenty of undeveloped shoreline to ogle at as you boat, swim, fish, or hike. You'll find scores of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers around the Fontana Dam area during March, April, and May.

While Bryson City is geared for the outdoors, there are plenty of amenities and comfortable activities indoors as well. A handful of breweries are in the area, including the Mountain Layers Brewing Company, which offers views of the Tuckasegee River. Winery and brewery tours are abundant as well. If you have kids, though, you might be better off boarding the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a laid-back way to see as much scenery as possible.

Foodies simply cannot miss a trip to Black Mountain, a town just 15 minutes east of Asheville that offers a peaceful respite from city life. I particularly recommend visiting the Black Mountain Tailgate Market for everything from fresh produce and artisan cheeses to small-batch tinctures and local handicrafts. Another family favorite is Louise's Kitchen, which serves all-day breakfast plus lunch after 11 a.m., in a house that dates back to 1904.

After getting your fill, it's time to explore the great outdoors. Among the best 360 degree views in Western North Carolina is atop Mount Mitchell, which is also the highest peak in the Eastern United States. One of my most treasured hiking memories is watching the tree species change as I ascended the Mount Mitchell Trail, and the aroma of the spruces and firs at the top are indescribably refreshing. However, if you prefer to stick closer to town — not to mention, several thousand feet closer to sea level — Lake Tomahawk Park is an excellent recreational area that you can walk to from downtown Black Mountain.

Surrounded by several state parks and protected forests, Brevard is part of Transylvania County, which boasts 250 waterfalls and over 1,000 miles of hiking trails. The town is about 45 minutes southwest of Asheville, close to the South Carolina and Tennessee borders, making it accessible from several airports. If you are thinking of exploring North Carolina by way of a road trip, you can start your journey in Brevard on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. There are plenty of amenities and outfitters in town to supply your adventures, not to mention restaurants and coffee shops.

My favorite place to hike near Brevard is the Art Loeb Trail. It's over 30 miles long, but short day hikes to areas like Black Balsam are incredibly popular (and rightly so). If you are into backpacking like me, though, spend a few nights on the trail so that you can see as much of Pisgah National Forest as possible. Early October when the leaves start to peak is nothing short of gorgeous. Additionally, Brevard is only 20 minutes away from two cool water features: Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls. Both of these attract major crowds during the summer, so arrive early.