10 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in North Carolina
As the twelfth state to join the Union, North Carolina is one of the oldest states in the US. During the Civil War, North Carolinians were said to have “tarheels” for their ability to stay and “stick their ground” during a fight, and now North Carolina is known as “The Tarheel State.” North Carolina is a beautiful state that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. The mountains and beaches that border North Carolina draw a lot of visitors, but the towns in between are unforgettable and are just as worth a visit as the beautiful geography.
Banner Elk
Banner Elk, North Carolina, is located in the northwest corner of North Carolina and is known for its gorgeous scenery. There are many things to do in Banner Elk, like drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or hike Grandfather Mountain, but there are a couple of things to do in Banner Elk that are truly unique. First, Grandfather Mountain boasts the highest suspension footbridge in the country, the “Mile High Bridge,” which is, you guessed it, a mile above sea level. Drive to the top of the mountain and walk across the bridge if you dare! Banner Elk also hosts a Woolly Worm Festival every year. 2026 will see the 49th annual festival, which celebrates the woolly worm with worm races, food trucks, craft vendors, and live music. Finally, Banner Elk hosts the Grandfather Mountain Highlander Games, an annual festival that celebrates Scottish games, dances, ceremonies, and other traditions. There are a variety of athletic, dancing, and music competitions you can participate in or just watch! Banner Elk is a wonderful and memorable little town.
Bryson City
For those who love to be active and go outdoors, check out Bryson City! Bryson City is the “Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains,” and there are so many unforgettable things to do. Have a thrilling or peaceful experience on the Nantahala River with a whitewater rafting ride or a relaxing tube ride-Bryson City can do both! The Nantahala River offers class one through three whitewater rafting on the west side of Bryson City, and is available for ages seven and up. Hike, bike, or ride on horseback to any of the many waterfalls located in Bryson City, like the Upper Nantahala Cascades, Juneywhank Falls, or Tom Branch Falls. On top of all this, Bryson City has gem mining at the Nantahala River Gem Mine and Deep Creek Tube Center Mining Company, and ziplining at Carolina Bound Adventures and the Nantahala Outdoor Center. You will be hard-pressed to forget your experience in Bryson City!
Buxton
Moving across the state, Buxton, North Carolina, is located in the middle of the North Carolina coast. North Carolina is infamous for its deadly shoreline, known as “The Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and is consequently famous for its lighthouses. Buxton is home to North Carolina’s most notorious lighthouse, Cape Hatteras, which at the time of its construction in 1870, was the tallest lighthouse in the world. Cape Hatteras is famous for its stripes, but also for being relocated half a mile inland in 1999 to protect the historic structure from the eroding coastline. This region of North Carolina is unique for its rich history as well. In the late 17th century, the barrier islands off the coast of the state were regularly sailed by one of the most notorious pirates to ever live, Blackbeard. During World War II, German U-boats were stationed off the coast of North Carolina, and when they were sunk, the wreckage would often wash up on the shore of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Visit Buxton to learn more about some of the coolest pieces of North Carolina history and experience the beauty of the coast and its iconic lighthouse.
Bald Head Island
This town is so unique that even the experience of getting there is unforgettable. In order to get to Bald Head Island, you must take a ferry! This town is known for having the oldest standing lighthouse, Old Baldy. As a barrier island, Bald Head Island was also a pirate sanctuary in the 17th and 18th centuries, but it has a more extensive military history than Buxton. Fort George, a British military base, was on Bald Head Island during the Revolutionary War, and the base was later used as Fort Holmes for the Confederacy in the Civil War. The base became a training site in World War II, and Old Baldy was used as a radio beacon. Now, the lighthouse is a museum you can climb up, and cars are banned on the island! Travel is restricted to walking, biking, golf carts, and ferries. Check out Bald Head Island for a truly memorable experience!
Pinehurst
This next town is for the golfers. Pinehurst, North Carolina, is a village in central North Carolina. What makes it famous is the Pinehurst Resort. The golf course at Pinehurst Resort is legendary for hosting many acclaimed golf tournaments and boasts twelve different courses! On top of being a national landmark, no other state has hosted more championships than Pinehurst Resort, which was also the location of the 2024 U.S. Open Championship. Outside of golf, Pinehurst has many other engaging activities, like equestrian facilities at the Pinehurst Harness Track, water activities at Lake Pinehurst, and hiking at Reservoir Park and Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve. Pinehurst is also known as the safest city in North Carolina. With all of these options, it will be impossible to forget your visit to Pinehurst.
Beech Mountain
Sitting on top of a mountain, Beech Mountain is one of the most beautiful towns you will ever see. With a resident population of just 658, Beech Mountain is most active during ski season, when thousands flock to Beech Mountain Resort to hit the slopes. The skiing and sledding are awesome there, but what really makes Beech Mountain stick out is the Autumn of Oz Festival. Located at the old Land of Oz theme park, which was only open from 1970 to 1980, the park opens again for three weekends once a year. A yellow brick road runs through the park, which contains structures and recreations from the famous Land of Oz stories. The park is magical and employs a full cast of characters, from Dorothy to the Wicked Witch! There are live performances, craft and food vendors, and lots of activities to participate in. The opening dates for 2026 have yet to be announced, but a visit to Beech Mountain and the Autumn of Oz Festival will be a magical experience!
New Bern
Bern, Switzerland, is an adorable town that influenced the planning and creation of its sister city, New Bern, North Carolina. Bern is Old German for bear, and all across town are cute bear statues and bear-themed shops. What makes New Bern special is its rich history. New Bern was the original capital city of North Carolina before it was moved inland to Raleigh. New Bern is at a strategic location in the state, which makes it a hub of activity. The town is a port city along the Neuse River close to the coast. The original Governor’s Mansion, the Tryon Palace, is still standing in New Bern and functions as a museum. The garden and grounds surrounding the palace are beautiful and open for tours as well. Your experience through the cute town of New Bern will be memorable as well as educational as you venture through North Carolina’s first capital.
Statesville
For those looking for a thrilling and unique experience, visit the “Ballooning Capital of the East!” Statesville, North Carolina, is a beautiful town with lots to do. Fort Dobbs, a military base dating back to the French and Indian War, is just outside the town and open for tours. There are also occasionally reenactments that are open to the public at this historic fort. Statesville also has good places for swimming, like the Statesville Leisure Pool or the Statesville Splash Pad. The big draw of Statesville, however, is the balloons. The Carolina BalloonFest is held in Statesville every year, with craft and food vendors, live music, face painting, and of course, hot air balloon rides! Beyond the festival, Statesville has lots of local balloon pilots, so you can ride anytime! Rides are twice a day, every day. Take a trip to Statesville for a sky-high experience!
Burgaw
A small town in the southeast part of North Carolina with less than 4,000 people, Burgaw is a wonderful place to visit. With many different parks, like Ashe Street Park and Rotary Park, this town is a great place for people who love to go on nature walks or who have children, but what really makes Burgaw unique is the annual Blueberry Festival. North Carolina is one of the leading producers of blueberries, and they throw an awesome festival for it! The Festival has so many fun things to do or participate in, like a blueberry recipe contest, live music, beer and wine gardens, a 5k race and a one-mile walk, a “Tour de Blueberry” bike race around town, a car and truck show, and of course, lots of fresh blueberries! Visit Burgaw for an unforgettable blueberry experience!
Beaufort
Did you know that North Carolina has wild horses? The Outer Banks of North Carolina are one of the only places on the East Coast where wild horses roam! They are descendants of Colonial Spanish Mustangs believed to have been brought to North Carolina in the early 16th century and are the official state horse of North Carolina. See these beautiful horses up close by booking a tour with Shackleford Wild Horse and Shelling Safari! They will take you on a ferry ride to Shackleford Banks, where some of the horses roam, and teach you to track and find the horses. There are also lots of beautiful and rare shells that wash up there that you can collect. Visiting Beaufort and seeing these feral horses will be an experience you will never forget.
The Tarheel State is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and for good reason! North Carolina is full of rich history, beautiful scenery, and special experiences. From the mountains to the sea, gem mining to hot air balloons, North Carolina has all kinds of activities for whatever you are looking for. A trip to any of these small towns will leave you with a fun, incredible, and unforgettable experience.
