These 10 Towns In North Carolina Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026

North Carolina’s landscape of Blue Ridge mountains and Atlantic shoreline is dotted with stunning small towns, ten of which landed on our US favorites list for 2026. In the high country, Banner Elk offers skiing at Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain in winter and swimming or fishing at Wildcat Lake in summer. In Brevard, visitors can chase waterfalls across Transylvania County, where more than 200 cascades have earned the area its nickname, the “Land of Waterfalls.” And on the coast, Manteo invites travelers to stroll its Shallowbag Bay boardwalk, browse waterfront shops, and soak up classic Outer Banks charm.

Banner Elk

When Southern Living Magazine listed Banner Elk among "Our 20 Favorite Small Towns in NC," it was likely because the town offers all-season fun. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Banner Elk sits between Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts. Wildcat Lake, with its lifeguarded white-sand beach, is the spot for swimming, boating (non-motor), and fishing for largemouth bass, trout, and bluegill. Visit Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum and take a walk, if you dare, across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the highest suspension footbridge in the US.

Beaufort

Originally named Fishtown because fishing was a major industry, it was later renamed after the Duke of Beaufort. Country Living recognized Beaufort as one of the "Best Small Towns in NC" for its beauty and attractions. Over 150 buildings in Bahamian and West Indies style architecture have been restored, including private homes and public sites such as a schoolhouse and the original jail, which are open for tours. Visitors can also explore the NC Maritime Museum or take a ferry or boat to Shackleford Banks to see approximately 120 wild horses. The island is also famed as an excellent beach for shelling.

Blowing Rock

Also on Southern Living's list of 20 favorite NC towns, Blowing Rock gets its curious name from the famous rock formation that looks like the rock is blowing the wind. Of course, this is a must-see and a perfect spot for amazing views of Johns River Gorge below and the surrounding forest. Residents believe author Jan Karon based her series of novels about life in the fictional town of Mitford, NC on the real-life town of Blowing Rock, although Karon is mum on the subject. In any case, nearly every sport is available in Blowing Rock, from fishing and spelunking to rock climbing and hiking the trails of Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (simply "Cone Park" to locals) which is on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition, be sure to stop by Memorial Park on Main Street, where town events and impromptu concerts often take place.

Brevard

Brevard's fame is often debated: is it because the movie Hunger Games was filmed there, or due to its rare white squirrel that substitutes for a groundhog on February 2? The town frequently ranks among top cool places to visit. USA Today named it one of the 10 Best Small Towns for 2026, praising its museums, trails, rock climbing, and waterfalls. Known as the Land of Waterfalls, it features over 200 waterfalls across Transylvania County, with guided Jeep and hiking tours available. Visitors should also check out the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, showcasing artifacts from all wars, and the Transylvania Heritage Museum for local history and genealogy (call for hours and tours).

Davidson

A suburb of Charlotte, 21 miles north of Davidson, the town made Southern Living's list of 20 favorites for several reasons. Its location on Lake Norman is beautiful and promotes many water sports. The town is known for (and closely connected to) prestigious Davidson College, whose famous alums include Woodrow Wilson and NBA player Stephen Curry. The school and later the town were named for Revolutionary War hero General William Lee Davidson. Town planners made sure Davidson is both bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Visit Fisher Farm Park, a natural park with walking and biking trails of various difficulty. Tour the historic buildings downtown while enjoying the intellectual and cultural vibes of its bustling streets.

Edenton

Ever since Forbes magazine called Edenton the Prettiest Small Town in the South over a decade ago, it has retained that moniker and receives mentions every year for it. For 2026, Southern Living put Edenton on its 20 best small towns list for precisely that reason. The town is known for the restored,18th century Victorian mansions that line its streets, many housing specialty shops or graceful inns. Take a narrated tour via the town trolley and see the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, Roanoke River Lighthouse, part of the Underground Railroad, and homes of town heroes like Penelope Barker, who organized town women to stage their own Tea Party protesting Britain's tax on tea.

Hot Springs

The town's name and its feature in Country Living come from the natural springs that attract visitors from across the state and region. These springs are often visited to help soothe sore muscles after hiking the Appalachian Trail, which runs directly through the town. Visitors can kayak on the French Broad River or attend events like Trailfest, usually held in April, and the French Broad River Festival, held annually on the first weekend of May. For thrill-seekers, options include white-water rafting and ziplining. Other popular activities include fishing, skiing, sport shooting, golf, disc golf, biking, and horseback riding. Accommodation choices range from campgrounds and privately owned cabins to apartments, suites, or cottages, offering options from basic to luxury experiences.

Seagrove

Many artists choose to live and work in NC because of its scenic beauty and the solitude that sparks their creativity. Seagrove, in particular, is renowned for its studios and galleries housing over 100 potters. This reputation earned the town a spot on Travel + Leisure's 2026 list of the 12 best small towns in the state. Native Americans were the first to recognize that the local clay soil was ideal for making practical and decorative pottery. If you're searching for a distinctive piece, you'll find numerous options, making it difficult to settle on just one. The diversity of artistry, styles, designs, and clever techniques seems endless. Don't miss the Celebration of Seagrove Potters Show and Studio Tour from November 22 to 24, the Holiday Open House from December 7 to 22, the Celebration of Spring from April 25 to 27, 2026, or the Seagrove Wood Fire event on June 7 to 8.

Manteo

Manteo frequently appears on "best of" small town lists, as seen in Southern Living and Travel + Leisure for 2026, thanks to its unique charm. Located along Shallowbag Bay, the town features a harborboardwalk lined with antique shops, boutiques, and specialty stores. Visitors can explore the replica Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, which resembles a house rather than a traditional tall lighthouse, and visit the Island Farm living history site to learn about Roanoke Island's past. Cross the Manteo Bridge to reach Roanoke Island Festival Park, where a replica of the boat that brought the first settlers is displayed. Enjoy a performance of "The Lost Colony' at Waterside Theatre to discover the mystery surrounding Roanoke Colony, which vanished in 1537.

Wrightsville Beach

Named by Southern Living as North Carolina's top waterfront town for 2026, Wrightsville Beach is just across the bridge from Wilmington and only two hours from Raleigh. The town benefits from its location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, offering popular water activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and sailing. Visitors can fish from Johnny Mercer's Pier on the north end or Crystal Pier on the south, either from designated fishing areas or by boat. Along with its soft, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, the area boasts a variety of water-based activities. Just a few miles offshore, divers of all levels can explore an underwater world filled with sunken ships creating reefs, ledges, and habitats, as well as uncovering numerous prehistoric Megalodon teeth.

North Carolina is known for its storied coastline and the wide variety of water activities it beckons visitors to try, from surfing to sailing to standup paddle boarding. Many people have never heard that the Land of Waterfalls lies within the state, along with the highest suspension footbridge in the country, or that over 100 potters create masterpieces from the clay soil in one small mountain town just as Native Americans did before them. Whether you have a weekend or weeks to get away, you can fill all of it exploring North Carolina and come back again and again.