The Best Mountain Towns for Day Trips from Asheville.

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Downtown Hendersonville is actually pretty lively and they have lots of events going on especially on weekends.

There are lots of shops, restaurants, and breweries here as well. But did you know that there are also some great local wineries in the area? Another great one is Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. Hendersonville is also known for all the apple orchards surrounding it! It has its own bakery and is very kid friendly. This little town is close to the corner where the borders of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet.

Lots of great shopping, incredible restaurants, and an upscale downtown area. If you can swing it make sure to stay at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa. The town of Cashiers is only 10 miles from Highlands. There are lots of boutiques along the highway but you may need to do some investigating to find them. Whiteside Brewing is a popular spot to grab a drink and hang out. There are also multiple events and concerts held here throughout the year.

Tyler and I thought it was fantastic. You really can soak in the hot springs in Hot Springs, NC. You can stay at a primitive tent site, an RV site, or they have cabins and vacation rentals.

While you are here soak in one of their famous mineral baths. Another great spot nearby is at Max Patch. Take a picnic and enjoy the sunset here. Another town close to some great hikes! Burnsville is close to Mount Mitchell — the tallest peak east of the Mississippi. Another cool attraction is the Bare Dark Sky Observatory where you can look through one of the largest telescopes available to the public. Located right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland offers amazing mountain views in a little resort community.

If you want to stay a while then book a room at the Little Switzerland Inn. Emerald Gem Mine is also near Little Switzerland. The Switzerland Inn Chalet Restaurant is a full service restaurant with gorgeous views. Rutherfordton is an up and coming town in western North Carolina with adorable places to stay and plenty of options for local food.

They even have lots of international cuisine options! There are lots of trails that pass through town and plenty of parks. Of course, they have all the usual lake activities — boat tours, kayaks, canoes, SUP.

There is a beach — Lake Lure Beach — where you can lay out in the sun. A unique attraction here is the flowering bridge. Flowers are planted all along this pedestrian bridge. Located in Madison County, this college town has a quaint downtown of historic buildings and homes. Enjoy many educational and cultural opportunities at the university, including stage plays, art exhibits, the national clogging champions.

This pristine, scenic mountain lake is surrounded by a community with many things to do – located near Brevard. Take a lake cruise at Greystone Inn, be a beekeeper for a day, stay at a wellness retreat and see Toxaway Falls. Explore one of the oldest towns in Western North Carolina, with historic antebellum homes and a downtown filled with shops, restaurants and one of the best children’s museums in the state.

And it’s the site of the first minted gold coins in the USA! Located at the base of Roan Mountain and the mile-high scenic drive, this town has several galleries and studios. Home to the Rhododendron Festival.

Penland School of Crafts is nearby. While it’s part of the city, West Asheville has its own vibe and busy Haywood Road lined with restored buildings filled a big variety of restaurants, bars, breweries, and funky shops. This tiny town in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains has a famous school, church fresco, historic buildings with gallery and weaving museum, plus much more. Near Spruce Pine and Banner Elk.

Founded on the traditions of 19th century Waldensian settlers from Italy. Stroll down Marion’s Main Street lined with historic buildings, churches and the courthouse. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains near popular attractions like Mt. Mitchell and Linville Falls. This is the coolest town on our list for temperature highest town in the eastern USA at 5, feet elevation.

While it’s very popular for skiing and snowboarding each winter, they have an impressive trail system for hiking and mountain biking in the summer. Summer golf and scenic chairlift rides too. Each fall, follow the yellow brick road at Autumn at Oz.

The largest downtown in western North Carolina outside of Asheville is filled with historic buildings and updated streetscapes with flowers and art. Find many spots for outdoor dining and a big variety of quality shops and galleries along a six-block stretch of Main Street. This tiny town of residents is perhaps best known for its hot mineral springs. Located north of Asheville at the junction of the Appalachian Trail goes right through downtown and the French Broad River.

Hike from town up to Lover’s Leap for a great view of the town. Visit for many festivals and gem mining. Since the late s, tourists have flocked to this tiny railroad town of residents. Main Street has many longtime businesses, including fantastic galleries and restaurants. A must stop is the Pace’s «old time» General Store that is part museum.

Since is Thompson’s Store and Ward’s Grill. Learn about the Saluda Grade at the Depot. Raft and tube on the Green River. From the mountain’s summit at 6, feet, making it the highest point in the East, visitors are enthralled by spectacular views of surrounding mountains, ridges and valleys. This 1,acre state park offers camping, hiking and gathering spots, as well as an education center and exhibit hall.

Notable nearby: In the shadow of the mountain is the quiet town of Burnsville with its shops, restaurants, playhouse and historic Nu Wray Inn. If golf is in the plan, take your game to new heights at Mount Mitchell Golf Course.

Opened to the public in , experienced guides take you into this subterranean world, providing the history of the caverns and allowing you to view the work of nature.

The temperature stays a comfortable 52 degrees Fahrenheit virtually year-round. During winter and early spring, you’ll also see bats that hibernate here. The Rocky Broad River tumbles downward through Hickory Nut Gorge to feed the deep, clear waters of Lake Lure , a acre body of water beautifully surrounded by tree-covered mountain ridges.

Offering craft brews, local vineyards, and cozy cabins, this is the stuff of which the best small towns in North Carolina are made! And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the views are spectacular. Cone Memorial Park which is good for horseback riding. Over the last few decades its main industry has shifted from lumber to an art scene steeped in Blue Ridge culture and a recently revitalized, pedestrian-friendly downtown. There are lots of events—including farmers markets, corn maze , concerts, and gallery crawls—to keep the atmosphere lively.

Not only are the state parks nearby, but the countryside around Elkin is dotted with dozens of vineyards, golf courses, and fishing holes. There is also a fantastic town park and recreation center—Elkin Municipal Park—that has a pool, tennis courts, hiking , biking trails, and several historical sites.

There is even a Main Street coffee house and a killer used book store. The Spartans of North Carolina enjoy outdoor festivals, particularly when it involves a bit of dancing and something nice to eat. Reimagining the classic mountain town as a cool college town, Boone NC pop. Consequently, it has all the hip youthfulness of a collegiate base, including concert halls, breweries , trendy restaurants , and entertainment venues.

When the holiday season comes around, Boone Christmas Tree Farms are some of the best places to get a real tree in the state of North Carolina. Like many of the quaint towns in North Carolina, Beech Mountain is built around outdoor recreation opportunities. Buckeye Recreation Center offers tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, as well as a playground for the kids and an official NC Birding Trail. But the recreational lifeblood of Beech Mountain is snow-skiing, snow tubing , and other winter activities.

Bryson City NC is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park , offering up a buffet of babbling mountain streams, knockout vistas, roaring waterfalls, and wondrous wildlife.

Native Americans have been living in this area for over 14, years. But, the town is a stop in its own right. It has an amazing collection of sites to devoted to the history and culture of Native Americans—the Cherokee—from the area.

– Tourist towns near asheville nc

Located south of Asheville off of I, Hendersonville NC is rapidly moving towards becoming a bona fide suburb. Historic downtown Hendersonville has the old school, rural feel, but also offers up excellent restaurants and worldy shops in addition to a general store and killer instrument depot. Festivals and street dances are regular events in Hendersonville from spring Garden Jubilee through autumn Apple Festival.

Burnsville NC is located in the shadow of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi and one of the best western North Carolina mountains for hiking.

Burnsville has a fun farmers market open from spring to fall, an old-time downtown with a handful of shops and restaurants, and plenty of scenery for scenic drives or hiking.

The historic town also has a youthful and green vigor brought on by several local art and community initiatives, such as Celo , Snaggy Mountain , and Mountain Gardens. Of course, finding a place to soak in the warm mineral waters is a favorite pastime in Hot Springs, but there is a bit more to it than that.

Just 40 minutes north of Asheville and a quick skip away from the Tennessee border, Hot Springs NC is a classic resort town with over years of service. The Catawba River Greenway is great for nature walks within the settlement. Catawba Falls and Lake James are also nearby, as are numerous breweries and vineyards. Near the entrance to the park, a small town was gradually formed to take advantage of the incoming tourism business.

This location is totally built on catering to visitors, as opposed to being a traditional historic mountain settlement. Nonetheless, the town is surrounded by stunning scenic beauty, and offers a quirky assortment of shops and restaurants suited for vacationing families. Located in the High Country 75 miles northeast of Asheville, Banner Elk NC offers a great blend of small-town stats with big city glitz.

Grandfather Mountain State Park is only a minute drive away, and once out of the car, there is a Mile High Swinging Bridge to walk across. Offering craft brews, local vineyards, and cozy cabins, this is the stuff of which the best small towns in North Carolina are made! And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the views are spectacular. Cone Memorial Park which is good for horseback riding. Over the last few decades its main industry has shifted from lumber to an art scene steeped in Blue Ridge culture and a recently revitalized, pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Visit Parker-Binns Vineyard on a day when the delightful retired restaurateurs-turned-vineyarders have their wood-fired pizza oven sparked up to bake some Neapolitan-style pies.

Tucked in the far west corner of the state, Murphy can be summed up in four simple words: mountains, lakes, rivers, and streams. Since the area is rich in these natural resources, the town has much to offer as a home base for wild wanderings. Appalachian Outfitters is an anchor for outdoorsmen of every ilk, especially fishermen. And anyone can enjoy a stroll along the Murphy Riverwalk and Canoe Trail, a two-mile path that follows the Valley and Hiwassee rivers that surround the town.

Downtown is comprised of just a few blocks, offering ample opportunities to rub shoulders with friendly locals. Locals and visitors arrive early for coffee, stay for lunch, and return later for beer, wine, and live music most nights. Craft brew enthusiasts can earn rewards by joining the Beervangilists, a beer club that encourages exploration.

And with John C. Campbell Folk School a quick jaunt down the road, the area is rife with creative types. Stick around for a class and you might feel so inclined to become one yourself. Photograph by Christopher Shane In addition to what is perhaps its most popular attraction, the Ashe County Cheese factory and store—where you can watch the process and purchase cheeses, jams, and preserves—West Jefferson holds a surprising number of arts offerings. The Florence Thomas Art School is here, offering workshops in a variety of artistic mediums to all ages.

The creative spirit can also be found at Bohemia, a gallery, coffee shop, and community gathering hot spot. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area sits to the west and offers hiking trails—including a kid-friendly trail—along with picnic areas and nice views over the town. The Bowie-Seagraves Municipal Park keeps families active with tennis and basketball courts, a playground, baseball field, and walking trail.

And with outdoors retailer Mountain Outfitters in town, West Jefferson makes a great base from which to explore the New River. Photograph by Rob Mangum Its quaint, walkable downtown is bursting with activity and only 10 minutes from Asheville. Its restaurants offer just enough variety to keep the locals happy and attract culinary visitors.

The town also offers outdoor amenities. Sometimes on Friday nights during the summer you can enjoy seeing the Mountain Street Dancers. Local breakfast and lunch spot Flat Rock 39 miles, 54 minutes from the inn This quaint and very small and historic village is located three miles south of Hendersonville. Cherokee 7 1 miles, 1 hour and 23 minutes from the inn – Located close to the Tennessee border and Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee is home to incredible nature, rich indigenous history, and friendly people.

Weaverville 8 miles, 22 minutes from the inn – Their small downtown area is filled with restaurants, galleries, and interesting local shops. Twice a year, they host the big Weaverville Art Safari with dozens of artists opening their studios to visitors. Maggie Valley 43 miles, 58 minutes from the inn – This longtime mountain resort town has kept much of its local charm with vintage motels, gift shops, and local arts and crafts.

Known for its old-fashioned vibe, motorcycle rallies, bluegrass and clogging, and plenty of mountains to hike. Tour Wheels Through Time collection of classic cars and motorcycles and enjoy old fashion festivals including Hillbilly Jam and Elk Fest. Lake Lure 36 miles, 1 hour and 6 minutes from the inn – Well known for its role in the hit movie Dirty Dancing, Lake L ure is a sanctuary for serenity and relaxation and beautiful lake views.

This is the Land of the Waterfalls with hiking, biking and famous Sliding Rock. Shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants center around the Village Green with outdoor sculpture, walking paths and gardens. Find a sophisticated arts and music scene. Located about 60 miles east of Asheville, Morganton’s charming downtown centers around the stately historic courthouse.

Shop, eat and taste local brews at three breweries. In September, don’t miss the big Morganton Festival. This quaint and very historic village is located three miles south of Hendersonville. The tiny village population has a busy downtown at the entrance to popular Chimney Rock Park. Behind the shops and restuarants, the Rocky Broad Riverwalk takes you along the cascading river with places for a picnic. Take a step back in time in this authentic tourist town that has kept the charm of the 60s and 70s.

Have lunch at the soda fountain, see an amazing collection of vintage cars and catch a baseball game in small town American. This pristine, scenic mountain lake is surrounded by a community with many things to do – located near Brevard. Take a lake cruise at Greystone Inn, be a beekeeper for a day, stay at a wellness retreat and see Toxaway Falls. Nestled in a valley surrounded by the highest peaks in eastern America, including Mt.

Mitchell, Burnsville’s small downtown is dominated by the Town Square with towering trees. The Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair transforms the streets into a festival for craft and art lovers. Located in Madison County, this college town has a quaint downtown of historic buildings and homes. Enjoy many educational and cultural opportunities at the university, including stage plays, art exhibits, the national clogging champions.

Located at the base of Roan Mountain and the mile-high scenic drive, this town has several galleries and studios. Home to the Rhododendron Festival. Penland School of Crafts is nearby. Explore one of the oldest towns in Western North Carolina, with historic antebellum homes and a downtown filled with shops, restaurants and one of the best children’s museums in the state.

And it’s the site of the first minted gold coins in the USA! Their small downtown area is filled with restaurants, galleries and interesting local shops. And it’s only 10 minutes from both downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Twice a year, they host the big Weaverville Art Safari with dozens of artists opening their studios to visitors.

This quaint town is just a mile from the busy I We especially love exploring the shops along Cherry Street. And don’t forget the Swannanoa Valley Museum.

Find an impressive selection of restaurants for a tiny town. Nearby Montreat is worth a quick sidetrip. Founded on the traditions of 19th century Waldensian settlers from Italy.

The 25 Best Western NC Small Towns To Visit (and Live In!)

 
Small towns near Asheville don’t get any more picturesque than Black Mountain. Dine at a local haunt, the Trailhead, and fuel up at Dripolator. Brevard (42 miles, 1 hour) – We love Brevard which is home to the acclaimed Pisgah Forest and Land of the Waterfalls. · Hendersonville · Black.

Tourist towns near asheville nc

 
 
Map of Small Towns Near Asheville, NC · Black Mountain · Bryson City · Weaverville · Marion · Mills River · Lake Junaluska · Sylva. Nearby Towns & Neighborhoods · Explore the Region · Weaverville · Woodfin · Montford · Black Mountain · Fairview · Biltmore · Biltmore Village. 40 Cool Mountain Small Towns near Asheville ; Waynesville, NC. Waynesville ; Dillsboro ; Flat Rock, NC. Flat Rock ; Brevard ; Tryon NC. Tryon.