10 Underrated North Carolina Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
North Carolina's best road trips don't always lead to its biggest cities, as these ten underrated towns prove. Mount Olive takes its pickle obsession to another level with an entire festival dedicated to the town's signature export. Farther east, Kill Devil Hills celebrates the Wright brothers' first powered flight. For more fascinating history, visitors can check out Ocracoke Island's legendary pirate past. These ten small towns are all within a two-hour drive of a major city, and showcase the character and soul that make North Carolina a southern travel destination.
Boone
Often referred to as the "heart of the High Country," Boone is a mountain town centered on local history, community arts, and outdoor access. Boone gets its name from pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone, who frequented the area in the 1700s. Monuments of the town's namesake and other notable historic figures and landmarks can be found on a 1.3-mile self-guided walking tour through the historic downtown district. The tour features 27 stops, including a mural of a prominent 1940s Black-owned business and the site of a Civil War raid.
For the serious history buffs, look no further than the Hickory Ridge History Museum. Founded in 1980, the museum is an immersive experience into the lives of area colonials. Experience Boone's natural beauty with a bike ride or stroll along the town's Great Greenway Trail. The mostly flat 4.75-mile trail follows the South Fork of the New River and is either paved or graveled. Wander past historic ruins and learn more about the area's extensive history or pack a lunch to enjoy at any of the many picnic tables, benches, and shelters lining the path. End the day with an incredible sunset view from Howard Knob Park, looking out over the town, the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains looming in the distance.
Burnsville
Burnsville sits in a valley, 35 miles northeast of Asheville, in the shadow of the highest peaks in the eastern United States. Visiting Burnsville's historic public town square is a must, where locals still gather regularly for anything from weekly farmers' markets to a cup of coffee from local favorite Appalachian Java. During the first weekend in August, the square and entire downtown area come alive for the annual Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair. Started in 1956, the fair consists of more than 200 vendors and performers. Expect to find live bluegrass and acoustic music, regional food pop-ups, and a wide range of handmade arts and crafts, with an emphasis on traditional Southern Appalachian craftsmanship and heritage.
The highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Mount Mitchell, can be found right in Burnsville's backyard. A bucket list find for many hiking enthusiasts, Mount Mitchell stands at an impressive 6,684 feet and can be seen peering down anywhere in town. Notably, the first state park in North Carolina, Mount Mitchell State Park has an observation deck that offers an unmatched panoramic view of the Black Mountain Range and 40 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. It's the perfect place to pack a lunch and marvel at the tallest mountains on the eastern coast.
Cashiers
Unique is the most common word used to describe Cashiers, the small village settled on the highest plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains. To get a better understanding of the mountain town's origins, plan a visit to the Zachary-Tolbert House Museum. Hand-built in 1850, all brick and lumber used for construction were locally sourced, and it still stands today. In 1999, it was designated as a National Register of Historic Places site. After a tour of the Zachary-Tolbert House, pop by the Crooked Corners Cabin. The cabin, erected around 1844, is the oldest residential structure in Jackson County, where Cashiers is located.
Festivals, fairs, and any reason for communal gathering are abundant in Cashiers. Nearly every major town event is held on The Village Green, a 13.2-acre park in the center of town. A summer staple, Groovin' on The Green is a free weekend concert series for the whole family, four-legged friends included. Celebrate cooler temps and colorful autumnal foliage at the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival. Held every October, the festival is an artisan mecca that hosts around 100 local vendors sharing woodworking, pottery, textiles, food, and more.
Cashiers and the surrounding area are a waterfall haven. Dozens of waterfalls can be found within a 30-minute drive of the town center, but the most prominent and impressive is Upper Whitewater Falls. With an incredible 411-foot plunge, Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, even higher than Niagara Falls.
Flat Rock
Don't let the name fool you; Flat Rock is anything but flat. Sitting at 2,200 feet in elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains, less than an hour from Asheville, the town is known for its extensive history and artistic community. The eight-square-mile town is a historic landmine; the entire village is designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site to see the life and work of the renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer. For an entertaining walk down history lane, catch a show at the Flat Rock Playhouse, the official state theater that opened in 1952.
Explore The Park at Flat Rock to witness the environmental dedication of the locals, who purchased the property in June 2013 from an area golf course. Intended to be a communal space for generations to gather and recreate, the 66-acre green space boasts a 1.3-mile hiking trail, a picnic pavilion, and two playgrounds. Step away from civilization at DuPont State Recreational Forest, where you can hike, bike, or ride horseback on 80 miles of trails throughout the 10,000-acre forest. Known for its countless waterfalls, the forest features six dazzling cascades.
Albemarle
Situated in the Uwharrie Lakes area of the state's Piedmont region, Albemarle is one of Central North Carolina's best-kept secrets. Roughly an hour outside of Charlotte, the former textile town is brimming with community-centric entertainment. For a more intimate setting, Courthouse Square Park is the place to go. This pocket park is a frequent host for downtown events like the annual Halloween costume contest.
The arts are a significant facet of Albemarle culture, as seen in the abundance of murals throughout downtown. If you're a thespian fanatic, the Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre is the place for you. Check the city's Parks and Recreation Department website for event times and ticket purchases.
No trip to Albemarle would be complete without visiting one of the area's three muscadine vineyards. While all have their own brand of local pizazz, Stony Mountain Vineyards is the most notable. The 62-acre boutique vineyard boasts one of the most incredible panoramic views of the lower Yadkin Valley. The outdoor wonders don't stop there; the vineyard has several hiking trails and rock climbing spots on the property that are open to the public.
Davidson
Home of Davidson College, Davidson might look like an average college town on the surface, but this small town is anything but average. A mere 22 miles north of Charlotte, a visit to Davidson will feel like stepping into your favorite Hallmark film. Local dining plays a huge role in the Davidson experience, most notably the Michelin-recognized farm-to-table eatery Kindred. The menu at Kindred changes seasonally, so you're sure to find something new with every visit. For a more laid-back atmosphere with a twist of old-school charm, visit The Davidson Soda Shop. Opened in 1951, the soda shop is an old-fashioned American diner serving up the classics.
Every month in Davidson is a reason to celebrate, so the chances of being in town during an event are likely. Free concerts downtown happen almost every weekend from April through October. In October, the town's annual A Taste of Davidson is one of the most popular festivals. Every food and beverage business in town gathers for an evening highlighting the best eats Davidson has to offer. Perhaps the most beloved event is the annual Davidson Cookie Crawl. During the first Saturday of November, over 25 local businesses join in handing out homemade cookies to each "cookie passport" holder that comes through their doors. This ticketed event sells out quickly each year and is the official kick-off for the town's holiday festivities. Even better, all proceeds from the event benefit local charities, showcasing the tight-knit community spirit Davidson is known for.
Mount Airy
Many have seen Mount Airy before ever visiting, without realizing it. A small town in the Yadkin Valley, Mount Airy is the inspiration for The Andy Griffith Show and the hometown of its star. Museums are also plentiful in Mount Airy. Mount Airy Museum of Regional History is a one-stop overview of the town's history, tucked into a four-story former mercantile store. Immerse yourself in local history even further with a self-guided downtown walking tour that highlights 20 historic sites.
Mount Airy's biggest claim to fame is its ties to the beloved 1960s sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show. The town has fully leaned into its fictional double with several show-related attractions, including the Andy Griffith Museum, Andy Griffith Playhouse, and Andy Griffith's childhood home.
North Carolina and bluegrass go hand in hand, and the same can be said for Mount Airy. The region is known for bluegrass music that relies heavily on fast fiddle and banjo work. The Historic Earle Theatre is the spot for all things music-related in the community and has plenty of educational dioramas and exhibits to tell the area's musical story. The Old-Time Music Heritage Hall inside the theatre is a must-see and includes artifacts from local music icons like Tommy Jarrell.
Kill Devil Hills
Kill Devil Hills is the heart of the state's coastal Outer Banks region, both geographically and residentially. The town possesses the largest population of any municipality in the immediate area with a whopping 7,500 year-round residents. Walk the grounds of the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the Kill Devil Hills national park that commemorates the site where brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered flight in human history in 1903. Make sure to walk to the top of the hill where the actual monument is; the views are breathtaking.
Innovation and creativity are prominent in Kill Devil Hills culture, and not just with scientific inventions. Kill Devil Hills Cooperative is the place to see the finest local art the area has to offer. Kill Devil Hills Cooperative is an artist-managed gallery that showcases works from local artists across the Outer Banks region. Nags Head Woods Preserve is the best place for outdoor junkies and anyone looking for a beautiful walk through nature. It's not your typical preserve, though. Nags Head Woods is one of the largest maritime forests still standing on the east coast.
Mount Olive
If you've been to a grocery store, you've most likely seen the town's signature export. A little over an hour north of Wilmington, the small town of Mount Olive is home to the largest and most popular pickle company in America, Mount Olive Pickle Company. It doesn't take long in Mount Olive to make the connection; the town has embraced its pickle fame to the fullest. Pickle murals canvas the brick buildings downtown, and plenty of local businesses have capitalized on the communal theme, like the downtown Mount Olive Pickle Parlor. Opened in 2025, the parlor has every branded and unbranded pickle product you can imagine. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the parlor is the Pickle Bar, where you can grab a pickle soda from R&R Brewing, munch on a pickle snack, or take part in the daily pickle tasting.
Like most everything in the small, quirky town, Mount Olive's largest festivals are pickle-themed as well. The newest town event happens the first week of November: Pickles, Pigs, and Swigs. Festivities last all weekend long, including a high-stakes barbecue cook-off, downtown beer gardens, and plenty of free pickles. The most popular event and the inspiration for the fall bash is the North Carolina Pickle Festival, held in April. Started in 1986, the festival is a combined effort of Mount Olive, Mount Olive Pickle Company, and the local University of Mount Olive.
Ocracoke Island
Hugging the southern North Carolina coastline, Ocracoke Island is the most remote destination in the Outer Banks. The island is only accessible by ferry, but there are three different ferries with varied schedules that make getting there easier.
Protected beaches and marshland make up the scenic blueprint of the island, with one of the most beloved spots being the 122-acre preserve, Springer's Point. If you love the intersection of nature and history, take the 0.8-mile trail leading to Teach's Hole, where legend has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard camped and eventually died during a battle with the British Royal Navy in 1718.
Several centuries back, a shipwreck left a herd of Spanish mustangs on the island. Descendants of these horses, known as the Ocracoke Banker Ponies, roamed freely until 1959, when the National Park Service began protecting and caring for the horses. The ponies have 188 acres of undeveloped land to themselves, but you can still visit them at the Ocracoke Pony Pens.
These ten towns unearth the unusual and intriguing aspects of North Carolina that often get overshadowed by prominent cities across the state. Burnsville stands above the rest with the tallest mountain on the East Coast. Mount Airy offers a new take on cultural heritage and preservation. And Mount Olive provides an immersive celebration of the local economy that never ends. Regardless of what part of the state you find yourself in or which small town you choose to visit, you're sure to have an adventure you won't forget.
