7 Most Welcoming Towns In North Carolina's Countryside

According to the North Carolina Rural Center, 78% of North Carolina counties are classified as rural, meaning there is plenty of countryside to explore! Being part of the southern United States, you will undoubtedly encounter your fair share of Southern hospitality as you visit these countryside towns. The following seven towns are some of the countryside’s most welcoming, filled with friendly locals in inns, weekly farmers markets, and apple orchards that will make you feel right at home.

Southport

Recognized as “America’s Happiest Town” by Coastal Living Magazine, Southport's seaside southern hospitality is unbeatable. For a relaxing day on the water, travelers can book a trip with Southport Fishing Charters, led by the friendly captain Elliot Estes, offering excursions lasting anywhere from three to five hours.

Southport has several fantastic seafood spots if you enjoy seafood but prefer to leave the catching and cooking to someone else. The Frying Pan is a popular beachfront grill that serves pan-seared, grilled, fried, and blackened seafood specialties. You will also find plenty of small-town hospitality in one of Southport’s local inns. The Carriage House Inn, for example, is set in a historic home from the 1930s and serves guests a fresh, continental breakfast in the morning.

Bryson City

Although Asheville is often the first place that comes to mind when thinking of North Carolina mountain towns, travelers who make their way about an hour farther west will find the small, welcoming community of Bryson City. From May through October, the town fills each Friday with local vendors for the Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market. Taking place at Aquarium Park, a few of the items you might be able to purchase include fresh produce, eggs, honey, candles, art, jewelry, and other locally produced goods.

There are several unique ways to explore the area’s countryside as well. Nantahala Village Riding Stables offers short, family-friendly trail rides through the Nantahala National Forest for those who enjoy horseback riding. You can also hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which departs from the Bryson City depot and passes through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains.

Franklin

About a 40-minute drive south of Bryson City is Franklin, another beloved Smokies town known for its quirky festivals, cozy breweries, and mountain hikes. If you don’t have plans for August's first weekend, consider attending Franklin’s 80's Flashback Weekend. On August 1st and 2nd, this festival celebrates all things retro with neon fashion, an '80s parade, concerts, a dance party, and a themed 5K run. The best part? All proceeds go to the Greenville Shriners Hospital for Children.

Franklin’s breweries also deserve a mention. The Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. is a unique one to visit. It was established in 2015 in the old town hall and fire department. Travelers looking to explore Franklin’s surrounding countryside can head west to Siler Bald, a 3.7-mile round-trip trail that has panoramic views from the top.

Beaufort

North Carolina’s coast is undeniably gorgeous, and the welcoming town of Beaufort offers plenty of tours and guides to help visitors fully appreciate it. Travelers can enjoy the coast at a relaxed pace aboard Crystal Coast Lady Cruises, a local company offering wild horse and dolphin cruises, dinner cruises, and occasional special event trips. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you also might enjoy an excursion with Science By the Sea, a three-hour-long boat tour that ventures into some of the area’s more remote tidal creeks and shores, giving you the chance to spot osprey, shorebirds, horses, dolphins, and turtles. Following your adventurous day on the water, head back into town to spend the night at the Pecan Tree Inn, an 1866 Victorian-era bed and breakfast with amenities like a garden patio, large porches, and a koi pond.

Morganton

Surrounded by locally owned farms and orchards, Morganton’s tight-knit community takes pride in sharing its agricultural roots with visitors. In mid-August, Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill kicks off apple season, welcoming visitors to pick their own from the orchard or purchase fresh, pre-picked apples. The orchard also has a farm market (open select days during July and early August) and bakery on the premises that you can visit on Fridays and Saturdays. Meanwhile, Henry River Farms opens to the public in late September, providing all kinds of fall-themed activities like a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and more. Morganton’s Saturday Farmers Market is another excellent place to grab fresh food. It runs from May through October and sells some of the region’s best locally grown products.

Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock often comes up as a recommendation as a stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and for good reason, with its ziplining tours, mountainside inns, and art events. Travelers can take in the mountain views from above with Sky Valley Zip Tours, which provides two-hour canopy adventures featuring 10 zip lines, a swinging bridge, and a cliff jump. One of the best places to stay for a scenic view is the Gideon Ridge Inn, a cozy local lodge featuring a back porch with incredible panoramic mountain views. The town hosts a monthly Art in the Park event on Saturdays from May through October. This jury-selected art show showcases diverse art, including furniture, cutlery, textiles, and jewelry.

Brevard

With over 100,000 acres of public land, 250 waterfalls, and many miles of hiking trails, Brevard welcomes nature lovers from all over the country. Looking Glass Falls is one of the state’s most popular cascades, easily accessible off U.S. 276 and plunging at an impressive 60 feet. You can also find many hiking trails in the Pisgah National Forest, which features over 500,000 acres of hardwood forest, whitewater rivers, mountain peaks, and waterfalls. And although Brevard is home to fewer than 8,000 residents, you won’t have difficulty finding a good eating spot. Vescovo is an excellent option for an elegant meal, serving pan-seared mahi mahi, hand-cut Prime Delmonico, Kurobuta Pork, and other premium dishes.

Local North Carolinians know it is hard to find an unwelcoming town in the state. However, the seven mentioned above stand out for their friendliness. They feature coastal cruises, local farms, and monthly art events that create a welcoming environment for each visitor. So take a break from the city for the weekend and experience the warm hospitality these countryside towns have to offer.