6 Quietest Small Towns Near Charlotte
Charlotte is such an underrated city in the United States. Its entertainment scene is fantastic, especially as a hub for NASCAR and several professional sports teams. There are hundreds of parks throughout the city, along with a pretty extensive list of barbecue restaurants when you get hungry! Even with so much to do, see, and eat, it is still natural to crave a break from it all. Fortunately, you do not have to travel far to find a bit of peace and quiet. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway near the city, these six towns are all wonderful respites, offering vineyards, mountainous state parks, and countryside inns that make it easy to disconnect and recharge for a few days.
Elkin, North Carolina
Elkin, home to roughly 4,000 residents, sits about an hour north of Charlotte in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Carter Falls is an easy attraction to reach from town, a beautiful cascade that was made accessible to the public in 2018. Visitors can reach these falls via a short, half-mile trail that meanders through an old-growth forest, parking their car on Pleasant Ridge Road.
You’ll also find plenty of wineries in the area, including Elkin Creek Vineyard, a family-owned vineyard that is set on the site of a historic, 1896 grist mill. Here, guests can enjoy wine tastings accompanied by a handmade brick oven pizza. Head back into town at the end of the day for a night away at Three Trails, a boutique loft hotel that is housed in a 19th-century building on Main Street.
Forest City, North Carolina
Forest City has an adorable downtown, lined with cafes and museums that will keep you busy all day long. It’s also just a little over an hour from Charlotte, making it the perfect destination for a short weekend away! As you wander around downtown, you’ll find gems like the Rutherford County Farm & History Museum, a museum that has been in the community for about 30 years, exhibiting some of the town’s most interesting agricultural heritage.
Once you start to work up an appetite, swing by the Copper Penny Grill for lunch, located on Main Street. Here, you can enjoy wings, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, steaks, and more. If the weather is nice, you can also enjoy a walk on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, a 13.5-mile trail that runs through several neighboring towns, including Forest City. The Olivewood Inn is the perfect place to spend the night, a European-style home with a gorgeous turreted stairway and marble floors that will make you feel like royalty during your stay.
Tryon, North Carolina
Tryon is about an hour and a half from Charlotte and is famous for its equestrian heritage. Like Elkin, it also has a beautiful waterfall nearby! Travelers can begin their adventure by driving to Shunkawauken Falls, a 150-foot-tall roadside waterfall located on White Oak Mountain Road. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is also just outside of town, a world-famous equestrian center that hosts events throughout the year. Winterfest is currently occurring here, transforming the venue into a winter wonderland with carriage rides, holiday shopping, a drive-through light show, and a skating rink.
If you are hoping to attend a laid-back live performance or workshop, check out the calendar at the Tryon Fine Arts Center, which has been operating since 1969. GreenLife Inn at The Mimosa is a peaceful place to spend the night, a contemporary bed and breakfast set in a historic inn that was built in 1903.
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
Hikers will love a weekend at Pilot Mountain, which lies just an hour and 40 minutes from Charlotte and is considered a gateway to exploring Pilot Mountain State Park. This state park centers around a towering geologic knob and is a well-known destination for rock climbing, horseback riding, and hiking. Visitors will find 14 miles of hiking trails and nine miles dedicated to horseback riding. Travelers can also pick between camping in the park or spending a cozy night just outside the park at the Pilot Knob Inn, which offers private lake access, a picnic area, and a complimentary breakfast each morning.
Besides exploring the park, you can also spend an afternoon at JOLO Winery & Vineyards, a veteran-owned and family-operated winery that provides guided wine tastings and an excellent on-site restaurant. Grab a souvenir at Mount Pilot Country Store before leaving town, which sells candy, home decor, gifts, and more.
Landrum, South Carolina
Cross the state border into South Carolina, and you can pretty easily reach the Blue Ridge mountain town of Landrum, which is just an hour and a half from Charlotte. Here, you can enjoy hiking along trails like the Blue Wall Passage: Palmetto Trail, which features rolling hills, clear ponds, a 30-foot cascading waterfall, and over 100 species of birds.
The town also boasts a lively antiquing scene, showcased by businesses like The Shops at Landrum Antique Mall, a large antique store featuring vintage furniture, dining sets, accessories, and more. To experience the ultimate relaxing weekend, consider lodging at The Red Horse Inn, which is surrounded by rolling foothills, offering luxurious cottages, suites, and an on-site wine bar.
Lake Lure, North Carolina
If you’ve been dreaming about a quiet lakeside vacation, Lake Lure will almost certainly fulfill your expectations. This small town of roughly 1,400 residents is about an hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte and is filled with lakeside beaches, golf courses, and cozy inns. To get out on the water, consider signing up for an excursion with Lake Lure Tours, which offers narrated tours of the lake, along with private charters for special occasions. The Lake Lure Beach and Water Park is another way to enjoy the cool waters, a three-acre park downtown.
Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure, meanwhile, offers some of the region’s most impressive golf courses, each course providing exciting elevation changes and tree-lined fairways for your match. The resort also offers over 100 vacation rentals, ranging from mountain homes to cozy cabins, available to travelers. Be sure to check the availability of each attraction before your stay, as some attractions are only open during the high season.
Your Charlotte Getaway Starts Here
It might not come as a surprise to you, but North Carolina is practically built for relaxing getaways. And the towns around Charlotte are no exception! There is so much potential for a laid-back weekend in any of these towns, whether that involves golfing, hiking, wine tasting, or sunbathing on your itinerary. All you have to do is make the hotel reservations and get ready to have that relaxing trip that you deserve!
