8 Charming North Carolina Towns For The Perfect Getaway
North Carolina, the state where the Wright brothers achieved flight, still lifts the spirited energies of travelers with its charming towns suitable for the perfect getaway experience. Known as the Tar Heel State due to its historic production of tar, pitch, and turpentine, North Carolina has endured significant chapters of American history, including the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. Fortunately, many of the charming North Carolina towns to visit have become perfect getaways for exploring the history and natural splendors. Whether you have a craving for panoramic mountain trails or have a scholarly inclination towards the historic anecdotes, these charming North Carolina towns are all suitable for a perfect getaway journey in this exquisite and spirited state.
Hendersonville
Located deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is fondly known as the “City of Four Seasons,” an endearing and charming title earned from year-round and seasonal wonders to behold. Visitors can sample the town’s spirited side on the Cheers! Trail, which includes craft breweries, wineries, and cideries that echo the camaraderie of the classic TV show. For lovers of literature and history, the Angel statue, made famous in Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward, Angel, adds a poetic touch to the town square. Several exemplary routes and hiking trails, like Jump Off Rock and nearby Blue Ridge Parkway trails, lead you towards many beautiful landmarks and landscapes surrounding Hendersonville.
The Henderson County Heritage Museum, meanwhile, offers deep insights into the region's American Civil War roots and its ties to neighboring communities like Flat Rock, Mills River, and Laurel Park. Whether you are sipping apple cider in the fall or admiring blooming gardens in the spring, Hendersonville’s seasonal enchantments will have you wanting more, especially due to the lovely accommodations worth spending your nights at, such as Charleston Inn or The Henderson.
Highlands
Nearly 4,000 feet above sea level on the Highlands Plateau, the charming North Carolina town of Highlands is a high-altitude destination within the Appalachian Mountains. With its pristine air and elevated biodiversity, this area is revered as the "biological crown" of the region. Just a stone’s throw from the Georgia border, Highlands invites travelers to discover nature’s wonders at places like Secret Falls, Glen Falls, and the Cashiers Sliding Rock.
The nearby Nantahala National Forest is a similarly idyllic haven for some of the many reclusive and unique organisms in the Appalachian Mountains, as well as being a laid-back area for hikers and trekkers. Within the town, the Highlands Historical Society and the Hudson Library provide cultural context through fascinating exhibits of the town’s intriguing past. Best of all are the luxurious lodgings that await you, among them the Old Edwards Inn, the Highlands Inn, and the Highlands Chateau, all equally accommodating and charming to everyone visiting the “biological crown” of the Highlands Plateau, the town of Highlands.
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock fulfils its very name by providing sweeping vistas and a romantic legend that will blow you away. One story claims the town is named after an unusual wind pattern that blows vertically along the rock face, while another recounts a Native American love story between two lovers from the opposing Cherokee and Catawba tribes: an Indigenous tale akin to “Romeo and Juliet.” Whichever legend or tale is true, Blowing Rock is nevertheless a charming North Carolina town with transcendental values and attractions to see.
A visit to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum will give you more context into the origins of the town’s name and the development the town underwent. Meanwhile, the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is an excellent spot to see nature-inspired artworks curated for and by conservationists. A handful of scenic trails that lead to the Thunder Hill Overlook, Grandfather Mountain, and Bass Lake will offer a perfect getaway into the unbothered wilderness around Blowing Rock. Visitors can wind down within one of the lavish and quaint rooms at the serene Chetola Resort, one of many fine lodgings in this town situated near the popular Blue Ridge Parkway.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill offers an energetic blend of art, culture, and community spirit, just a half-hour away from the big cities of Raleigh and Durham. With the University of North Carolina anchoring Chapel Hill, this vibrant college town is renowned for its colorful murals and innovative institutions. Among these institutional landmarks is the Ackland Art Museum, which houses impressive works from Europe and Asia. Similarly, the North Carolina Botanical Garden showcases native flora, which you can find all over the Tar Heel State.
The Morehead Planetarium & Science Center highlights the significance of the cosmos while also hosting a few events. Among the many annual events you can admire in Chapel Hill are the Chapel Hill Pride Promenade in June, which reflects the town’s inclusive, progressive ethos, as well as Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, which pays homage to the emancipation of enslaved peoples in the US. You can also attend the Carolina Jazz Festival in February and the whimsical Forest Theatre Puppet Show in August. There are many more festive and attractive features to see in the charming North Carolina town of Chapel Hill, so consider booking a room at either The Siena Hotel, the Carolina Inn, or the Rizzo Center for a more relaxed and memorable vacation in Chapel Hill.
Banner Elk
Surrounded by the scenic splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk stands out as North Carolina’s premier ski capital, famous for its proximity to top ski destinations like Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain. This charming North Carolina retreat is a perfect getaway into the snowy and winter-bright wonderland of the Tar Heel State, where travelers can find an odd menagerie of llamas and alpacas at Apple Hill Farm and many other unique animals all around Banner Elk.
Recreational locations such as Grandfather Mountain and Wildcat Lake offer year-round fun and enjoyment for everyone willing to play in the outdoors. Many ought to ride the historic Tweetsie Railroad for a nostalgic journey connecting Banner Elk with Blowing Rock and Boone. Most of all, you ought to visit the Banner House Museum, which recounts the town’s pioneer history. Ultimately, you will feel the need to rest and relax in one of Banner Elk’s lovely abodes, such as the Perry House Bed & Breakfast or Azalea Inn.
Edenton
Set along the calm waters of Edenton Bay and the Albemarle Sound, the charming North Carolina town of Edenton exudes hospitality and adventure. As North Carolina’s first colonial capital, Edenton is a living museum filled with well-preserved 18th-century architecture, including the iconic Cupola House, the stately Chowan County Courthouse, and the Roanoke River Lighthouse. The town played a crucial role in the Maritime Underground Railroad and was home to famed abolitionist and author Harriet Jacobs.
Vintage trolley tours reveal over three centuries of Edenton’s impressive and inspiring history, from colonial resistance in the American Revolutionary War to the site of the nation’s first female political protest, the Edenton Tea Party of 1774. This coastal town also invites you to book rooms in homely and accommodating establishments like the Coach House Inn or Hampton Inn for a more memorable and engaging experience in one of North Carolina’s most historic and charming towns.
New Bern
New Bern, located at the junction of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, holds the honor of being North Carolina’s first official state capital. With a wealth of colonial and Civil War history, New Bern was where the regal Tryon Palace once hosted governors and even George Washington during its governmental times, and even now, you can explore these hallowed halls where great American leaders once walked. The town witnessed pivotal moments during the Battle of New Bern in 1862, and its Freedmen’s Bureau initiatives after the American Civil War helped reshape lives.
Today, visitors can learn about that legacy at the New Bern Battlefield Park and the Firemen’s Museum, the latter recounting the devastating fire of 1922. New Bern is also known as the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, particularly within the Five Points neighborhood, as this particular portion of the town holds the original pharmacy where the drink was created. Those of you more invested in explorations into the present rather than the past can traverse the Croatan National Forest for its marshes, trails, and wildlife. Finally, for those wishing to stay a little longer in New Bern, you can find plenty of rooms at the Bridge Pointe Hotel & Marina, Aerie Bed & Breakfast, or Abbot Zeigler Motel.
Brevard
Sandwiched between the Pisgah National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest, the town of Brevard is a resplendent and perfect getaway into North Carolina’s wilderness. Home to nearly 250 cascades and waterfalls, including the Looking Glass Falls and Daniel Ridge Falls, this mountain town is as scenic as it is spirited. The month of May brings the quirky and beloved White Squirrel Weekend, which celebrates the town’s rare white squirrel population.
The nearby DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park are idyllic locations and landscapes worth seeing, especially since some of these areas were featured in The Hunger Games. For those interested in heritage, the Transylvania Heritage Museum explores the area’s Native American roots. Meanwhile, the Veterans History Museum honors those who served in US conflicts, ranging from WWI and WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and now the War on Terror. To extend your stay, you are always free and encouraged to book a room at places like the Sunset Motel or the Campbell House.
From the misty waterfalls near Brevard to the historic cobblestone streets of Edenton, the many charming North Carolina towns are all idyllic destinations for a perfect getaway. Offering glimpses into America’s founding moments in addition to beautiful routes and landmarks, each of these glimmering and gorgeous small towns showcases the impressive history, culture, and natural splendors that the Tar Heel State is famous for. Whether you are venturing into the past in towns like New Bern or Edenton, or taking in the vast scenery in places like Highlands or Hendersonville, the charming North Carolina towns will always remain great locations for a perfect getaway experience in the rural countryside.
