North Carolina's 10 Most Laid-Back Towns For 2025
North Carolina is a truly special state; from the scenic Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains on the western border to the placid beaches of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast, it offers a place for everyone to find their own vibe. Among all the busy, fast-paced, and tourist-filled cities in the state, like Charlotte and Raleigh, 10 North Carolina towns stand out as the most laid-back in 2025: they share a slower rhythm, natural beauty, community warmth, and a noticeable absence of urban bustle or big-city stress.
Outdoor adventures abound in mountain towns like Highlands and Banner Elk in the Western region of the state, while the East Coast offers sun, sand, and artistic vibes in waterfront towns like Seagrove and Edenton. Time spent in Beaufort or Bath is like experiencing history, but be sure to save plenty of time for leisurely exploration. In fact, all of the towns featured beg for slowing down and strolling.
Highlands
Maybe it’s the altitude - its official elevation is 4,118 feet and one of the highest incorporated towns east of the Mississippi River - but Highlands is a truly laid-back city in Western North Carolina. It started out as a golfing haven with the establishment of the Highlands Country Club, and it's been attracting fans of the slow-paced game ever since; in fact, Highlands now has seven country club communities for its roughly 1,000 year-round residents.
Visitors not only get in their steps on the golf course, but they also explore a downtown filled with shops like Highland Hiker and Bear Mountain Outfitters for outdoor gear, as well as restaurants and inns, such as Old Edwards Inn. Several of downtown’s restaurants, such as Wolfgang's Restaurant & Wine Bistro and Ristorante Paoletti, have won national awards, and numerous buildings, like The Prince House and Highlands Inn, are on the National Register of Historic Places. To truly unwind, visitors can hike to Bridal Veil Falls, a 45-foot waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest. It’s the only waterfall in the state that visitors can drive behind. Dry Falls, another waterfall in the national forest, stands 65 feet high and offers a paved walking path behind it.
Banner Elk
If Woolly Worms and skiing are on the agenda for a laid-back holiday, Banner Elk is the place to go. Because it’s between 3,700-3,895 feet above sea level, it’s a popular ski destination in the winter for its Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. The 5,946-foot-high Grandfather Mountain and its mile-high Swinging Bridge are a big draw year-round for the town, as well as Lees-McRae College. But in autumn, Banner Elk is the place to see racing woolly worms (aka woolly bears) during the town’s Woolly Worm Festival.
Blowing Rock
The town is named for The Blowing Rock, a rock that hangs over a granite cliff over the Johns River Gorge. The rock got its name from the winds that blow upward from the gorge. Blowing Rock is close to skiing, an old-timey railroad, and plenty of hiking. The Tweetsie Railroad is North Carolina’s first theme park, and offers a three-mile trip on a historic steam locomotive. The train takes visitors to the Deer Park Zoo, and features themed train rides during holidays. For hiking fans, the trails at Moses Cone are fairly easy. For the more adventurous, there are opportunities for bouldering, whitewater rafting, canoeing, or kayaking on any of the several rivers and lakes in the area.
Seagrove
One of the smallest towns in the state, Seagrove is also one of the most creative. Known for its abundant pottery studios along the “North Carolina Pottery Highway" (NC 705), an estimated 100 potters live and work in the town. The North Carolina Pottery Center has been attracting visitors and artists since it opened in Seagrove in 1998, and the town itself is known as The Potter Capital of the United States. One of the more laid-back activities a visitor can partake in is a self-guided tour that leads to 50 pottery shops in a 20-mile radius. Every type of pottery and ceramics is available for purchase, and some shops even feature working artists crafting their wares while visitors watch. After a day of pottery exploring, take a break at The General Wine and Brew, a former general store built in 1910. The wine store features wine, beer on tap, and different food trucks.
Swansboro
Swansboro is the "Friendly City by the Sea," located along the White Oak River and Intracoastal Waterway. It is coastal living at its most relaxed, with pastel-colored shops, abundant watersports opportunities, and plentiful arenas for docking boats or fishing. Hammocks Beach State Park offers hiking, camping, and swimming, but it’s also the place to catch a ferry ride to Bear Island. The island is a secluded beach accessible only by ferry or private boat, offering four miles of pristine beach perfect for loafing or capturing wildlife on camera or paint. On the mainland of Swansboro, shopping for antiques and local artists’ works is a popular pastime, as is strolling Riverview Park or indulging a sweet tooth at Candy Edventure sweets shop.
Beaufort
A mellow and historic town, Beaufort is chock-full of interesting things to see and do. The legendary pirate Blackbeard ran his Queen Anne’s Revenge ship aground in Beaufort Inlet in 1718, and was discovered here in 1996. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is now a protected underwater archaeological site. The ship is not alone; several homes from that period of time are also on the register and are viewable in The Beaufort Historic District.
Beaufort is also home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Duke University Marine Laboratory, where visitors can explore the region's maritime history and science. Its position on the water makes for a prime location for seafood, including the award-winning 34* North restaurant on the waterfront. After a meal, don’t miss the wild horses at Rachel Carson Reserve, and be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming in the water.
Edenton
The waterfront town of Edenton was the first Colonial Capital of North Carolina, a fact that is evident in its Victorian mansions along Edenton Bay. In addition to the hundreds of historical homes and buildings, the city is also home to the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse. Visitors can embark on a trolley tour that explores the town’s beginnings and its current place as a quiet and tranquil southern town. The trolley tours through the Downtown Historic District, which features restaurants, shops, nightlife, and even spa services. If an exploration by boat is more suitable, take a cruise on the Albemarle Queen Paddle Boat. The modern paddle boat explores landmarks and views of Edenton and the surrounding towns. For a truly laid-back experience, spend some time walking along the waterfront.
Beech Mountain
The mountain settlement has the highest elevation of any town in the eastern US, at 5,506 feet. Because of its elevation, Beech Mountain features cool summers and snowy winters, making it the perfect location for skiing or snowboarding at Beech Mountain Ski Resort. In the summer, the resort transforms into a family fun center, offering chairlift rides to the top of the tallest hill, which leads to an 18-hole disc golf course. It’s also a great spot for downhill mountain biking, and has an outdoor stage for summer concerts from local and national acts. For more grounded visitors, Lake Coffey offers trailheads to two hiking trails, as well as a track and picnic spots around the lake. A fishing pier provides a perch for catching the regularly-stocked trout. The Land of Oz, once an amusement park based on the classic movie, is now a yearly celebration that takes place for a few weeks in autumn. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City of Beech Mountain for an immersive experience with Dorothy and her friends.
Bath
The very small historic town of Bath is North Carolina’s oldest. It’s home to quiet coves for boating and fishing, birdwatching, and just viewing the water on Pamlico Sound. Its population is less than 250, and it has very little tourism, which makes it all the more laid-back and quiet. However, it is believed to be the last known home of Blackbeard the pirate after he was pardoned in Bath by the governor. According to legend, Blackbeard lived in a home on Plums Point, visible across the bay from what is now known as the historic Bonner House. A room at the Bath State Historic Site is dedicated to Blackbeard and his men. Bath is also home to Goose Creek State Park, which features boardwalks for exploring.
Bryson City
Bryson City is the point where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge Mountains, and is a peaceful getaway in the mountains. It may be best known as the entry point for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad line, which takes guests on different excursions depending on the season. Visitors can choose from an open-air car or a closed one to make the trip from Bryson City to different points throughout Western North Carolina. The surrounding mountains make for a relaxing backdrop while rafting, tubing, or kayaking on the Nantahala River or Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tsali Recreation Area has numerous outdoor opportunities, including mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, and fishing on Fontana Lake. To fuel up after all the hiking and biking, dine at Bryson City Brewing or Big Wesser Riverside Pub and Grill at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina’s most laid-back towns share more than just beautiful scenery; they embody a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, connection, and calm. Whether it’s the pottery studios of Seagrove, the waterfalls of Highlands, or the coastal charm of Beaufort and Bath, each destination offers a place to slow down and enjoy life’s quiet moments. Each town reminds travelers that relaxation is discovered in stillness, wild natural scenery, and genuine Southern hospitality.
