Summary

  • Brevard in North Carolina is a peaceful vacation spot located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, known for its beautiful scenery. (140 characters)
  • Saluda is a charming town with a rich railroad history, situated at the top of the steepest mainline railroad line in the US. (135 characters)
  • Southport offers a tranquil experience with a peaceful pier, renovated buildings, and attractions like the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors Center. (144 characters)

US nature enthusiasts can find a lot to enjoy in North Carolina. The windswept and sunny Atlantic coast is in the east, while the densely forested Appalachian Mountains in the west provide breathtaking panoramas to The Old North State. To complement the attractiveness of the scenery, the state is also home to several genuinely magnificent cities, towns, and villages. North Carolina's little communities provide a wide range of things to do that are just waiting to be discovered. The stunning sceneries in the quaint tiny towns will astound anyone who lives in the state or passes through. Here are the 10 most beautiful towns in North Carolina.

UPDATE: 2023/08/22 18:20 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are More Small Towns In North Carolina To Visit!

This article has been refreshed with new information regarding a trip to North Carolina, as well as the countless small towns and communities throughout the state. Here are 12 we find charming for this fall and beyond.

Related: 12 Adorable North Carolina Mountain Towns You Should Visit

12 Check Out The Quaint Town Of Brevard

Brevard_College_Campus_in_Brevard,_North_Carolina
TarkellCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brevard College campus in North Carolina
  • Brevard sits at the entrance of Pisgah National Forest.

One small town worth seeing in North Carolina is Brevard. Home to nearly 8,000 people, Brevard is a city and the county seat of Transylvania County, North Carolina. It's best known for being located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and has become a noted tourism, retirement, and cultural center in western North Carolina. It's certainly a nice, peaceful vacation spot in the state.

11 Go Back In Time To Saluda, North Carolina

Saluda_Historic_District
BigskybillCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Saluda in North Carolina
  • Saluda has a rich history surrounding the railroad industry in the US.

The next charming town in North Carolina to visit is Saluda, boasting a population of 800 people. Here lies a quaint community of kind, welcoming people and plenty of railroad history. Notably, the town is famous for sitting at the top of the Norfolk Southern Railway's Saluda Grade, the steepest mainline standard gauge railroad line in the country.

10 Stroll Around The Amazing Southport

Southport_from_Pier1
User:DincherCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
View of Southport from Pier1
  • Located on the banks of the Cape Fear River.

On the banks of the Cape Fear River, there lies a little town called tranquil Southport. A peaceful pier with wonderful water views can be found here, along with an appealing collection of renovated buildings situated along lanes surrounded by trees. Tourists can explore the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors Center to learn more about Southport's past. The Old Brunswick County Jail, the NC Maritime Museum, and a number of lovely waterways may all be explored with a kayak or tour boat, among other things.

9 Pass By The Stunning Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Kirby S on Unsplash
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
  • Blowing Rock is perfect for hiking and being outdoors.

Blowing Rock, a stunning alpine town makes a great starting point for hiking, spelunking, bouldering, and skiing. In addition, the Crown of the Blue Ridge is a perfect location for spa relaxation before checking into a nice hotel or cabin. Tourists can also visit Blowing Rock, a jagged outcrop situated 4,000 feet (1219 meters) above sea level, where they may stand and experience the odd upward lift of the wind that earned this site its name, the blowing rock phenomenon. Moses Cone Memorial Park, which offers lakes for bass and trout fishing as well as walking trails to explore, is another interesting destination.

8 Spend Your Vacation At The Magnificent Hillsborough

North Carolina highway road with blue sky near Blue Ridge Mountains parkway
Shutterstock
North Carolina highway road with blue sky near Blue Ridge Mountains parkway
  • Many of the towns' historical buildings have a Greek Revival theme.

Hillsborough is a beautiful old town with historical structures. From the opulent Eagle Lodge and Ayr Mount plantation homes from the Federal era to the renowned Old Orange County Courthouse's Greek Revival structure, Hillsborough, a tiny town, is booming. It also has a bustling downtown and a burgeoning restaurant scene. Furthermore, if tourists want to explore the nearby natural splendor, Hillsborough, which is undeniably attractive, is an excellent location to start. Numerous camping, paddling, and fishing options are available at Eno River State Park, and the adjoining Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area offers a gorgeous setting for hiking.

7 Discover The First Town In North Carolina, Astonishing Bath

Blue Ridge Mountains during fall
Clay Banks on Unsplash
Blue Ridge Mountains during fall
  • This is the first official town in North Carolina.

In addition to being the first town in North Carolina to be founded, the mesmerizing Bath also served as the state's first port. Cary's Rebellion in 1711 and the Tuscarora War, which lasted from 1711 to 1715, both took place in this ancient town. Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was a well-known pirate who formerly resided in Bath. Many individuals have traveled over to the ruins of Plum Point, where Blackbeard is said to have resided in the past, and have attempted to uncover his hidden wealth.

6 Surf At The Splendid Kitty Hawk

Kitty Hawk fishing pier under a cloudy sky along North Carolina's Outer Banks
Shutterstock
Kitty Hawk fishing pier under a cloudy sky along North Carolina's Outer Banks
  • Kitty Hawk is great for beach vacations and surfing in North Carolina.

Kitty Hawk is the ideal location for unwinding to the sound of the surf. The Wright brothers' first airplane flight took place near Kitty Hawk, which is why the state motto of North Carolina, First in Flight, refers to the location. The scent of salt water flowing off the warm Atlantic Ocean, the beach's bright colors, and possibly even one of the state's many lighthouses will meet tourists as soon as they arrive at this chain of barrier islands.

Related: 10 Best Beaches In North Carolina, Ranked By Scenery

5 Explore Charming Edenton

House view from river in Edenton, North Carolina
Shutterstock
House view from river in Edenton, North Carolina
  • This town is filled with 18th and 19th-century buildings and is on the Albemarle Sound.

Edenton is a charming seaside town in coastal North Carolina because of its gorgeous location on Albemarle Sound and its abundance of 18th- and 19th-century structures. Tourists can take a trolley trip to explore the state's first colonial capital's several historic residences that are accessible to the general public. One of the few intact screw-pile lighthouses in the United States, the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse is a must-see in North Carolina’s second-oldest town.

4 Have A Peaceful Time At Enchanting Beaufort

 Beaufort, North Carolina.
Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash

Boats and marina in Beaufort, North Carolina.

  • This is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.

The third-oldest town in North Carolina is the lovely waterfront Beaufort. This old hangout for pirates, which Blackbeard himself once frequented, is now a beautiful harbor full of protected ancient structures and ocean landscapes. Here, tourists may easily pass a tranquil morning searching the beach for shells or touring the Crystal Coast by cruise ship or surfboard. The Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve, where serene aquatic views, islands, and salt marshes await for bird viewing and kayaking, is one of its main draws. Tourists can visit one of the many attractive eateries along the shore for a morning coffee or a blue crab feast after dusk.

3 Visit Marvelous New Bern

New Bern, North Carolina
Image by dtracz from Pixabay
A beautiful street view in New Bern, North Carolina
  • New Bern has been called the 'Athens' of the South.

With several historic districts filled with structures registered on North Carolina’s historic register, New Bern is now one of the state's cities with a greater historical concentration. Due to its Athens Theatre and Masonic Temple, both of which are still standing today, it was originally referred to as the Athens of the South. Tourists may view some of the hundreds of crape myrtle trees in stunning bloom if they visit in the spring or summer. Being the home of Pepsi Cola may be the city's largest claim to fame.

2 Enjoy Your Time At Beautiful Asheville

Mountains of Asheville NC
Photo by Cody Scott Milewski on Unsplash
Mountains of Asheville NC
  • This town is filled with art galleries and small businesses and is known to be charming.

Asheville, one of North Carolina's most endearing little towns, will surprise many visitors with its blend of quaintness and coziness with an artsy, edgy vibe. The village is filled with independently owned stores, galleries, and distinctive eateries. Due to the town's many entertainment options, Asheville's nighttime can be vibrant. The breathtaking Appalachian Mountains may be seen in the distance behind all of this beauty.

1 Spend An Exceptional Time At Mesmerizing Boone

Boone NC
Photo by Zach Camp on Unsplash
Boone NC
  • This is one of the prettiest small-town 'enclaves' in North Carolina.

Boone's history includes the play Horn in The West, which has been presented in the town every summer since 1952, in addition to a number of structures that are listed on the US National Register for Historic Places. The Blue Ridge Mountains, which are tantalizingly close to this charming small-town enclave in northwest North Carolina, embrace the area. Tourists can enjoy climbing the expansive Grandfather Mountain. They can also visit adjacent Elk Knob State Park. In this picture-perfect town, visitors can easily enjoy spectacular natural settings.