11 Most Breathtaking Towns In North Carolina
In the state where the Wright brothers first took to the skies, travelers will find on the ground some of the most breathtaking towns in North Carolina that will either literally or emotionally sweep you off your feet. Each one inspires newcomers to savor the wealth of wonders and the plethora of perennial attractions in a state nicknamed the Tarheel State for its historic production of tar, pitch, and turpentine. In destinations that have witnessed the epic turn of events from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, you will discover stories, landscapes, and cultural treasures from the most breathtaking towns to visit in North Carolina. Let's visit the 11 most breathtaking towns in North Carolina.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is a homely and hospitable destination that one can find within the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has earned the nickname “City of Four Seasons” for its year-round beauty, where one can traverse the unique and exquisite Cheers! Trail to sample craft beer, wine, and cider that harken from the hit TV series "Cheers." Literature lovers can visit the Angel statue immortalized in Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward, Angel, a poetic landmark in the town square. When it comes to outdoor adventures, the Jump Off Rock offers sweeping vistas, while the Blue Ridge Parkway provides access to countless scenic trails. To learn more about Hendersonville’s local heritage, the Henderson County Heritage Museum explores American Civil War history and the surrounding communities of Flat Rock, Mills River, and Laurel Park. With comfortable lodging options at places like The Henderson or the Charleston Inn, Hendersonville is as inviting in spring blooms as it is in autumn’s apple harvest.
Highlands
Rising nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, the high-altitude town of Highlands is known as the “biological crown” of the Appalachian Mountains, as it boasts an abundant biodiversity in the heights of North Carolina. Waterfalls such as Secret Falls and Glen Falls are particularly enchanting areas to discern and discover the unique organisms that call the surrounding landscapes their home. Meanwhile, Cashiers Sliding Rock offers spectacular views of Highland and the Appalachian Mountains. Nearby, Nantahala National Forest contains and preserves a pristine wilderness for hiking and spotting rare plant and animal species. For history and culture, the Highlands Historical Society and Hudson Library display artifacts and photographs chronicling the town’s past. Accommodating establishments like the Old Edwards Inn and Highlands Inn further embolden and encourage many to pick Highlands as a fun and fulfilling destination for more breathtaking adventures in North Carolina.
Blowing Rock
With breathtaking vistas and a timeless tale of love and defiance, the small town of Blowing Rock enchants visitors its many natural attractions and its indigenous background. The town’s namesake, The Blowing Rock, is famous for an upward wind phenomenon that you can experience. Moreover, the name was also inspired from a romantic Native American love story between two members from the opposing Cherokee and Catawba tribes — a more local Romeo and Juliet kind of story that you can learn more about from the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, which also features regional works and exhibitions about local heritage. Additionally, the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park offers trails and historic carriage paths through scenic landscapes, whereas places like the Thunder Hill Overlook, Grandfather Mountain, and Bass Lake each promise peaceful Blue Ridge vistas. At the end of the day, you can afford and be comfortable with cozy accommodations from lodgings like the Chetola Resort, where serenity and ease will let you sleep peacefully in the mountains of North Carolina.
Chapel Hill
More populous than other towns on this list, Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina and pulses with creativity, history, and community spirit. Only around 30 minutes from the cities of Raleigh and Durham, travelers can admire ceramics from Asia and paintings from Europe in Chapel Hill’s Ackland Art Museum within the college ground of its university. On the other hand, you might also fancy floral and botanical at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, which celebrates the state’s native plants through beautiful display gardens and nature trails. Those of you with sights of the skies and beyond can appreciate the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, where NASA astronauts once trained, and enjoy interactive programs to learn more about infinity and beyond. The town also shines during events like the Chapel Hill Pride Promenade in June, the Carolina Jazz Festival each February, and Juneteenth celebrations, reflecting its inclusive and breathtaking spirit. With inviting hotels like The Siena or the Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill maintains an atmosphere of academic charm with Southern warmth.
Banner Elk
Banner Elk, a benevolent and beautiful town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, thrives as North Carolina’s ski capital. Being close to Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort, travelers can go skiing and snowboarding down the epic and exhilarating slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Banner Elk’s convenient location. Quirky charm awaits at Apple Hill Farm, where llamas and alpacas mingle with friendly barn animals. Elsewhere, Grandfather Mountain stands as a famous spot due to the Mile High Swinging Bridge and wildlife habitats situated in this particular mountain. In summer, Wildcat Lake becomes an epicenter for swimming, fishing, and picnics. Deep underground, the Linville Caverns open themselves to visitors eager to see limestone formations and subterranean streams. At the Banner House Museum, you can learn all about the pioneer stories that helped form and establish this exquisite ski capital. Finally, at either the Perry House Bed & Breakfast or Azalea Inn, you can enjoy a quiet and serene vacation in this breathtaking small town known as Banner Elk.
Edenton
On the shores of Edenton Bay, the former colonial capital of Edenton preserves much of its founding history. In places like the Cupola House (1758), a masterpiece of Jacobean architecture, you can see how Americana life used to be like when Edenton was the first colonial capital of North Carolina. Similarly, the Chowan County Courthouse is among the oldest still in use in the US, explaining supplementary facets of Edenton’s colonial history. On the other hand, maritime history shines at the Roanoke River Lighthouse, a restored screw-pile lighthouse that once guided ships to safe harbor. Since Edenton was also the home of Harriet Jacobs, author and prominent abolitionist member who played a role in the Underground Railroad, you can learn much more of her life and contributions at her own home. For deeper insights into the past, you can take trolley tours that trace events like the 1774 Edenton Tea Party, where women staged the first organized political protest by females in America, or other moments from the American Revolutionary War all the way to the American Civil War. With charming inns like the Coach House or Hampton Inn, Edenton feels like stepping into a living history book.
New Bern
At the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, the delightful town of New Bern contains a cornucopia of colonial and Civil War stories worth learning. The grand Tryon Palace served as the first permanent capitol of North Carolina and hosted prominent figures such as George Washington. When visiting historic sites such as the New Bern Battlefield Park, you can learn all about the pivotal battles that were fought in years like 1862 when the Civil War raged in the region. In contrast, locations such as the Firemen’s Museum recounts the devastating 1922 fire and the legacy of local firefighters who protected New Bern as much as they could. For a sweet twist, a restored pharmacy in the Five Points neighborhood is hailed as the Birthplace of Pepsi, where the famous drink was invented in 1898. When it comes to outdoor recreation, the Croatan National Forest is an excellent place for hiking and wildlife photography. Lastly, places such as the Aerie Bed & Breakfast make New Bern one of the most accommodating, most luxuriating, and most breathtaking towns to visit in North Carolina.
Brevard
Brevard is a soothing and breathtaking small town with over 250 waterfalls to visit and admire. Within the verdant woodlands of the Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forests, you can go looking for the Looking Glass Falls, one of the most photographed in the state and one of many to marvel in your journey through these vibrant areas. Each May, the town hosts White Squirrel Weekend, celebrating its rare albino squirrels with music, crafts, and fun. Even more opportunities for adventures are in store at the DuPont State Recreational Forest, known for its waterfall trails and film locations from The Hunger Games. The Transylvania Heritage Museum explores Native American history and pioneer life, while the Veterans History Museum honors US military service from World War I to the present. For a restful stay, you can try the Sunset Motel or Campbell House. In the end, you will come to see why Brevard is so breathtaking a location to tour in North Carolina.
Cherokee
Travelers interested in immersing themselves in the endearing and enduring Native American cultures of the Cherokee can learn to respect and love the small town of Cherokee. Idyllically situated on the reservation home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, Cherokee has retained its indigenous identity and promotes its many traditions for everyone. At the Oconaluftee Indian Village, for example, newcomers can learn all about the 18th-century Cherokee lifestyle vis-à-vis live demonstrations. Similarly, the Museum of the Cherokee People provides in-depths and comprehensive exhibits about the Cherokee culture. During the summer, the Mountainside Theatre plays hosts to a popular drama called “Unto These Hills,” which talks about the experiences of the Cherokee people from their first contact with Europeans all the way to the Trail of Tears. Outside the traditions and heritage to experience, newcomers might also be interested in exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north of town, or perhaps the Nantahala National Forest to the south. In any case, Cherokee continues to be a thriving and thrilling small town that will take your breath away.
Boone
The boons and banes of life are many and varied, but the beauty and benevolence of a small town like Boone is consistent and eternal. Thriving on the Blue Ridge Mountains, this town named after famous trailblazer Daniel Boone honors its namesake with the Daniel Boone Park, which in turn contains the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum that showcases the 1700s homestead livelihood that Daniel Boone would have experienced. Around September, visitors can experience the jubilations and creativity of North Carolina’s songwriters and storytellers during the annual Antlers and Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival. Undoubtedly the biggest feature in Boone is the winding and meandering Blue Ridge Parkway, which guides hikers and trailblazers to fantastic views and high-altitude areas such as Grandfather Mountain, a monumental landmark with a high suspension footbridge and a nature museum for everyone to tour. In this bodacious and grandiose small town that promotes the cultural nuances of North Carolina while catering to the adventurous spirit of trailblazers and trekkers everywhere, Boone is a boon for all who wish to savor the breathtaking wonders of the state.
Bryson City
Approximately 18 minutes east of Cherokee, the gorgeous small town of Bryson City is lauded as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, for which travelers can walk on pathways flanked with wildflowers, streams, and parts of the Appalachian Trail to reach a number of hidden gems in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Those of you who might not want to travel on foot will feel inclined to take the services of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which provides scenic and informative train rides. Additionally, you can learn the history of the railroad and the significance of the Great Smoky Mountains from the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum.
Of course, you can always opt to stay in Bryson City and enjoy the languid flow of the Tuckasegee River, which bisects the town and contains opportune spots for whitewater rafting and other recreational pursuits. Most of all, since Bryson City has a number of ideal fishing spots for you to try out, you can feel inspired by fishermen from the past at the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, complete with fishing gear and fly rods from the 1800s. With its convenient access to the Great Smoky Mountains and other wilderness regions, Bryson City lives up to its title as the "Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains."
The most breathtaking towns in North Carolina exemplify the state’s arboreal beauty and its gallery of captivating and intriguing historic anecdotes to learn about. With Brevard’s shimmering cascades, Edenton’s colonial landmarks, and Highland’s mountain air and ambiance, you will feel compelled to see more of what these feet-sweeping and awe-inspiring destinations have to offer. When it comes down to choosing the best places to visit in the Tar Heel State, you will find the most breathtaking towns in North Carolina the best options to choose from in your summertime or even wintertime vacations this 2025.
