Nicest Small Towns To Visit Near Raleigh
Raleigh became North Carolina's capital in 1792, long after the state's older towns had already taken shape along its rivers and coast. New Bern's 18th-century colonial waterfront and Wrightsville Beach's Atlantic barrier island sit within two hours of the city. They share almost nothing except the drive. Hillsborough's Historic Downtown District holds more than 100 buildings from the Colonial and Revolutionary eras on the National Register of Historic Places. Pittsboro's downtown circles an 1881 courthouse. The other towns near Raleigh have their own mix of riverfronts, historic districts, and coastal settings.
Pittsboro
This rural community has the feel of a Southern small town. With access to plenty of nature, thanks to its location near the Haw River and Jordan Lake, Pittsboro also has a walkable downtown district with locally owned shops and farm-to-table dining. Nicknamed Circle City, the downtown core is centered around a traffic roundabout, creating a unique layout for an American town. The downtown features revitalized 19th-century architecture and a Downtown Social District, where visitors can walk with alcoholic drinks from participating businesses within designated boundaries. In the center of the town roundabout, you will find the Chatham County Courthouse, built in 1881 in a Late Victorian style. The two-story, rectangular brick structure now houses the Chatham Historical Museum, which focuses on local heritage.
For outdoor activities, the nearby Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is centered around a reservoir of more than 13,000 acres, with boating, fishing, camping facilities, beaches, and hiking trails. The area is also known for spotting bald eagles. A former 18th-century dairy farm, Fearrington Village is an English-style planned community with its own small commercial district, Fearrington Village Center, with upscale dining, shops, cafes, and bookstores.
Hillsborough
This town, a short 45-minute drive from Raleigh, is well-known among both history and nature lovers. Located on the Eno River, Hillsborough has a beautiful historic downtown district. As one of the state's oldest towns, Hillsborough is renowned for its well-preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture. Occupying many of those historic buildings is an eclectic mix of locally-owned shops and a celebrated culinary scene. With a thriving arts community, Hillsborough is a mix of history and culture, giving the town a lively feel while preserving its small-town character.
The Hillsborough Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with over 100 noteworthy buildings from the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Victorian eras. The 18th-century Alexander Dickson House serves as a source for local information. You can take guided walking tours of the historic downtown district or visit the Burwell School Historic Site, a former 19th-century girls' academy and now a museum of local history. For taking in some nature along the waterfront, the Riverwalk is a paved greenway along the Eno River that connects downtown with Gold Park. The Riverwalk is part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a footpath trail of almost 1,200 miles, stretching across North Carolina between the Tennessee state line at Kuwohi and the Atlantic Ocean at Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks.
New Bern
Less than two hours from Raleigh is the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, something that is a significant part of New Bern's identity. Located at Middle and Pollock Streets is the original site where Caleb Bradham, a local pharmacist, invented the soft drink, originally called Brad's Drink, in 1893. Now known as The Birthplace of Pepsi, you can enjoy a fountain Pepsi and browse the souvenirs and memorabilia. New Bern was the state's first capital, and its well-preserved 18th-century architecture is a historical highlight.
Dating to Colonial North Carolina, Tryon Palace was built for Royal Governor William Tryon in 1770, and the Georgian-style mansion served as the seat of government until 1794. It was rebuilt after being nearly destroyed by a fire in 1798 and is today a living museum focusing on the Colonial and Revolutionary history of North Carolina. New Bern is located where the Neuse and Trent rivers meet, with the Neuse River flowing through the northeastern part of the town. Downtown New Bern is a waterfront district with locally owned shops, restaurants, and craft breweries, many housed in historic 18th-century buildings. The boardwalks at Union Point Park provide views of both rivers, while the park also has boat launches and space for community events.
Saxapahaw
A former mill town on the Haw River, Saxapahaw is now a popular destination for riverside views and the local music scene. The downtown district, Saxapahaw Rivermill, is a historic village, where old cotton mill buildings have been repurposed for performance spaces, art spaces, and local dining. Located in the historic Saxapahaw Mill, the Saxapahaw General Store is a well-known community hub, with a full-service grocery store and a restaurant serving local farm-to-table fare.
Located in the Haw River, Saxapahaw Island Park features hiking areas and spaces for children, including a 45-foot-long wooden slide and a giant rope spider web. You can take guided tours of the river and island, including nighttime stargazing paddles, or you can explore on your own in rented canoes or kayaks. Saturdays in Saxapahaw, held during the summer, feature local food, crafts, and music. The Saxapahaw Museum is a small museum located downtown, focusing on local history and the 19th-century cotton mill.
Washington
Sometimes called Little Washington, as a way to distinguish it from the nation's capital, this historic waterfront town is located on the north bank of the Pamlico River. The first town to be named after George Washington, this waterfront town blends a laid-back coastal setting with historic sights. The Downtown District features historic architecture in a revitalized commercial core, with locally-owned shops, notable restaurants, and the Waterfront Boardwalk, a 0.75-mile-long promenade with views of the Pamlico River, boat docking, and opportunities for wildlife watching.
The Social District encompasses designated downtown areas where visitors can stroll outside with alcoholic beverages from participating businesses. Every year in June, the Washington Summer Festival takes place, featuring live music, water activities, and food along the waterfront docks. The North Carolina Estuarium is the first museum and aquarium dedicated specifically to estuary systems in the world. The center focuses on the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary, the second largest in the US. There are over 200 exhibits and 1.5-hour pontoon boat tours along the Tar-Pamlico River.
Wrightsville Beach
Near Wilmington and within a two-hour drive of Raleigh, Wrightsville Beach is a strong day-trip destination. A 4.6-mile-long barrier island, Wrightsville Beach is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway. It consists of the main beach island and the residential and commercial interior island, Harbor Island. Accessible from the mainland by bridges near Wilmington, the town has a laid-back surf culture while still maintaining a small-town feel.
Downtown Wrightsville Beach is a walkable commercial hub centered around Causeway Drive and Lumina Avenue. With a lively shopping district and eateries featuring fresh seafood, downtown Wrightsville Beach offers easy access to the beach, including the Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, the state's first concrete fishing pier. Jutting 1,200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, the pier provides year-round fishing, plus plenty of opportunities for photography and nature watching. On a nearby island, the Masonboro Island Reserve is accessible by guided boat tour or by kayak. The island is open to visitors for birdwatching and hiking. If you are looking for further adventure, you can scuba dive offshore to explore sunken shipwrecks and fossil reefs. These underwater ledges are remnants of ancient riverbeds and are rich in fossils, including giant Megalodon shark teeth. Lessons are available for novices, along with places to rent scuba diving equipment.
Plan a Small-Town Day Trip From Raleigh
Raleigh has plenty of sights of its own, and it makes a great base for exploring the surrounding communities. Visit the City of Oaks in the spring for the blooming of daffodils and dogwoods in local gardens, and in the summer, lantanas, daylilies, and black-eyed Susans. Make sure, however, that you make time to get out of town and see what the small towns of North Carolina have to offer.
