9 North Carolina Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Although North Carolina is largely known for its Blue Ridge Mountains, barbecue, and beaches, its friendly people are just as much a part of what makes the state special. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the kindest folks can be found in its smaller towns, unburdened by the commotion that often comes with larger cities. If you are looking for a refreshing, friendly escape this year, the following nine towns are a great place to start, abundant in food and music festivals, friendly orchards, and local inns.

Beaufort

Located along North Carolina’s Atlantic Coast, the tight-knit town of Beaufort offers some of the region’s best festivals and seafood. There are plenty of music events throughout the year, such as Rock the Dock, a concert series that takes place every Thursday from April through October. Each spring, the town hosts the Beaufort Music Festival as well, a beloved tradition that has been taking place since 1988. If you love oysters, check out the Beaufort Wine & Food Oyster Roast, taking place in November this year and offering plenty of steamed oysters, shrimp, and other seafood delicacies. For good seafood year-round, travelers should grab a bite at Lady’s Island Dockside, a waterfront restaurant with seafood, pasta, steaks, and poultry.

Hendersonville

Situated near apple orchards, cideries, and breweries, Hendersonville has one of the coziest and friendliest atmospheres in the state. For some fresh fruit, jams, or apple butters, plan a visit to Apple House & Owenby Orchards, a popular, locally-owned farm market. Continue your apple-themed adventures at Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery, which produces all of its ciders and spirits with the “Cider as Wine” method. Throughout the summer, Hendersonville hosts a robust calendar of live music events, including the Music by the Lake series, which features several free concerts offered by Blue Ridge Community College, and Music on Main, held on the town’s Main Street from June through August.

Bryson City

Perched between the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bryson City is not only a friendly town, but also extremely beautiful. Travelers can explore this mountain beauty with a ride along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which winds through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest. The railroad also offers seasonal themed events, such as a Polar Express Ride in December! As fall rolls around, the town celebrates all things autumn at Darnell Farms, which has a pumpkin patch, hay rides, and a corn maze from September through November. Looking for a hospitable place to spend the night? McKinley Edwards Inn is a great option, situated on a hill overlooking the town.

Franklin

Although many travelers visit Franklin for its waterfall and mountain hikes, its community events are just as worthy of discovery. Some of the town’s most famed events include Pickin’ on the Square, a free live-music series that takes place downtown between May and October, and the PumpkinFest, a giant street festival that celebrates autumn. Travelers may also want to take a look at the calendar for the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts concerts, plays, and other live performances throughout the year. For a cozy place to lodge, the Franklin Terrace is a classic option, set in an Antebellum-style home that dates back to 1887.

Southport

Named as “America’s Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living, you are certain to encounter a friendly community in Southport. The town has several community events during the year, including the Southport Concert Series in the summer and the holiday-themed Winterfest in December. The town has also been the filming set for several prominent films, with travelers able to visit some of the iconic filming locations on a tour with Southport Fun Tours. For a memorable meal, grab dinner at Fishy Fishy Cafe, a beloved seafood restaurant on the water with both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Sylva

Sylva is a relaxed town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that has an exciting culinary and festival scene. To celebrate the mountains that surround town, Sylva holds the Greening Up the Mountains festival each spring, which consists of a 5k run, plenty of arts, crafts, and food vendors, and live music. The WNC Pottery Festival is another cherished tradition, occurring on November 8th this year and bringing over 40 master potters to town. If you are looking for a good restaurant, make sure to add ILDA to your itinerary, which serves Italian-Appalachian-inspired cuisine. For something a bit more casual, Lucy in the Rye is a town favorite as well, offering a hearty breakfast and lunch menu.

Saluda

Saluda has a little bit of everything, ranging from ziplining courses and dog-themed festivals to luxury inns. Travelers wanting to experience a bit of Saluda’s quirky spirit should visit during the annual Coon Dog Day Festival, which features a day full of dog shows, live music, dancing, and more. The Saluda Arts Festival is another favorite tradition in town, a spring event that turns the downtown district into an outdoor art gallery. For an adrenaline-filled afternoon, book an experience with The Gorge Zipline, an 11-zipline, tree-top course that is set in an old-growth forest. If you plan to spend the night in town, consider lodging at the Saluda Inn, a luxurious and hospitable inn housed in a building from the 1880s.

Banner Elk

If you are looking for a weekend packed with quirky activities, you’ll find it right in the heart of Banner Elk. The community’s quirky spirit truly comes out in October, during the Wooly Worm Festival, which features a famous worm race said to predict the North Carolina High Country’s winter weather! If you are looking for a mountain adventure, book a ride on the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, a 3,160-foot track that winds through the area’s sloped alpines. Prefer to explore the area via horseback? Banner Elk Stables offers one-hour, guided rides. After an eccentric afternoon, kick back and relax at one of the town’s friendly breweries or wineries, such as Blind Elk Taproom, which has an extensive rotating craft beer menu.

Blowing Rock

Between its green spaces and art-themed festivals, there is plenty to be happy about as a resident or visitor in Blowing Rock. From May through October, the town hosts a monthly Art in the Park event, where jury-selected artisans display their work in tents along Park Avenue. To beat the Monday blues, residents head to Broyhill Park each Monday evening for the Monday Night Concert Series. You can also count on seeing locals out at Julian Price Memorial Park on the weekends, hiking, canoeing, camping, or fishing. Travelers needing a relaxing place to lodge have an abundance of charming inns to choose from, including The Blowing Rock Manor, which has been receiving guests since its opening in 2021.

Final Thoughts

As you explore North Carolina, you will likely find that unfriendly towns are few and far between. However, the nine towns described above are arguably some of the friendliest, thanks to their endless list of summer festivals, highly rated restaurants, and beloved parks. There is always a friendly inn nearby where you can spend the night as well. So pack your bags and get ready to experience the kindness that North Carolina has to offer!