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Small towns outside of asheville nc
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Explore all that the South has to offer with the best cities and towns near Asheville, NC for food, fun, and the great outdoors.
Although Asheville has enough to keep visitors and locals endlessly busy, the towns around Asheville are equally worthy for both day trips and overnight getaways.
Plus, many of the cities near Asheville make for great residential areas for natives and people looking to relocate. And, whether you live in Western North Carolina or are just visiting, it might be overwhelming to choose what to do and see. So, what are the best small towns near Asheville for quaint downtown areas, history, and shopping? How about the best cities near Asheville for hiking and waterfall chasing?
Below, explore a few of the closest cities to Asheville that promise delicious cafes, vibrant street art, craft beer, and quirky finds. Then, uncover mountain towns near Asheville filled with wineries, breweries, live music, mountain biking trails, and engaging museums. Get lost in bamboo forests, and visit famous filming locations.
Discover even more of the best day trips from Asheville. This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. One of the best cities near Asheville for wine, apple orchards, museums, and local bites, Hendersonville is a must. Hendersonville sits south of Asheville, and Asheville to Hendersonville is only about a minute drive. This is one of the up-and-coming cities that rivals AVL in culture and fun. There is so much to do in Hendersonville , and you might just catch a festival or special event.
If you enjoy hitting the trails, we recommend starting your morning chasing those waterfalls at DuPont State Forest in Cedar Mountain — which is about 20 minutes away from Hendersonville.
If it is fall, though, head straight to the Hendersonville apple orchards for cider, corn mazes, farm animals, and bamboo forests. Or, wine and beer hop. Paul Mountain Vineyards, and Point Lookout. Like Asheville, Hendersonville has hopping breweries , including D9, Guidon, and Oklawaha which has gluten-reduced beers too. One of the most beautiful towns near Asheville, Black Mountain is our go-to for a nearby lake, local coffee, and mouthwatering craft cocktails.
This town sits slightly east of AVL. For food in Black Mountain , Trailhead is a local favorite. Berliner Kindler serves up delicious German cuisine, and Cousins Cuba Cafe is outstanding for breakfast and lunch. Grab a coffee at Dripolator, and ice cream — with vegan options — at The Hop. This is one of the best Smoky Mountain cities near Asheville, especially if you enjoy trains and catching beautiful fall foliage drives.
Asheville to Bryson City is about a 1-hour and minute drive and is well worth it for hiking, Fontana Lake, and the charming downtown area. Start on the Road to Nowhere — Lakeview Drive — which is stunning in the fall.
Unfortunately, the Road to Nowhere represents a broken promise to residents during the war and was never completed. Today, the Road to Nowhere offers scenic overlooks of Fontana Lake and ends at hiking trails and an eerie and echo-filled tunnel.
Iron Wok serves giant bowls of steaming pho, and Nantahala Brewing and Mountain Layers feature hoppy local brews. Or, ride the steam train throughout the year for lunch or as part of their special wine adventure. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Bryson City for white-water rafting, ziplining, and of course, hiking the Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala National Forest. One of the closest cities to Asheville, Weaverville is just slightly north of the city and only a 10 to minute drive.
In fact, if you are coming from Downtown Asheville, take Merrimon Ave all the way there. Read more about what to do in Weaverville. Are you hoping to explore more of the best lake day trips from Asheville? And, where can you find a bridge filled with vibrant blooms while getting your Dirty Dancing on? Lake Lure has so much to offer and is one of the best towns around Asheville if you are craving that lake and cabin lifestyle. Spy herbs, flowers, and furry critters as butterflies and birds sail past you.
Chatty volunteers are always planting, weeding, and designing new creative garden spaces. Then, walk Morse Park for beautiful views of the lake. If it is summer, hang out at Lake Lure Beach or rent a boat. NC is home to tons of great filming locations. Baby carried that watermelon here and look back to many dancing scenes. We cannot leave out those quirky small towns near Asheville, and in , Hot Springs registered about inhabitants.
Asheville to Hot Springs is just under a minute drive, and Hot Springs promises to live up to its namesake. Along with the resort and spa, enjoy basic camping cabins, tent sites, and full RV hookups, which is perfect since Hot Springs is one access point for the infamous Appalachian Trail.
Find the sweetest library too. Nearby, continue along the Appalachian Trail at Max Patch. Also within Arden, head to Lake Julian for another popular recreational lake. Enjoy horseshoe pits and a playground. Rent paddle boats or play disc golf. Arden has some of the most kid-friendly activities around Asheville , too, including Launch Trampoline Park and Lakeview Putt and Play. Asheville to Arden is about a minute drive. When considering relocating to Asheville , many people look at homes in Arden as it is largely residential.
For more cities near Asheville, Fletcher is similar to Arden and has one of our favorite wineries , Souther Williams. What is one of the best cities near Asheville for waterfalls? In the summer, visitors and locals flock to Sliding Rock to slide down the foot, natural waterfall slide into a chilly pool of water.
Looking Glass Falls is a popular roadside waterfall that freezes in the winter, and Daniel Ridge promises challenging mountain biking trails. After a day of Asheville hiking , head to Downtown Brevard for food and beer.
Brevard has fun brewery options , too, like Ecusta and Oskar Blues. Brevard One of the best small towns near Asheville — well, technically a village with a population under 3, people as of — Flat Rock is home to history, apples, and hiking. Asheville to Flat Rock is about a minute drive, and Flat Rock and Hendersonville pair well together while you are in the area. Flat Rock Playhouse showcases musicals, concerts, and plays. Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes.
The Reservation, also known as the Qualla Boundary, holds 57, acres of land. On your way into the Smokies, climb the steps to stunning Mingo Falls , and pop into the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to get your bearings. While not the largest tourist destination, Mills River is a popular place to live and is most well-known for its cidery and breweries.
Sierra Nevada has a massive brewing facility in nearby Fletcher, which you can tour. We like to drop in here with hungry airport guests and try all of their beer while gorging on duck fries. Just down the road, Bold Rock is equally famous as one of the best cideries and has the most unique cider flavors. Across the street, find Mills River Brewing — a more local brewery with camping vibes and food.
Another one of the famous villages and small towns near Asheville, Chimney Rock lands on every Asheville bucket list of the best things to do. Chimney Rock State Park is home to a million-year-old monolith that sits 2, feet above sea level. Visitors may hike or take an elevator to the rocks. Hickory Nut Falls is an easier waterfall hike, and Chimney Rock — as a whole — is a family-friendly hiking spot. There are admission fees to enter Chimney Rock State Park, and winter is the best time to visit to avoid the crowds.
On your way out, explore Chimney Rock Village. Walk the short but picturesque Rocky Broad Riverwalk. Grab lunch — with gluten-free buns — at Old Rock Cafe. For ice cream treats, dip into the Village Scoop. For boozy travelers, Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery offers local brews along the river and Burntshirt has a wine taproom. Asheville to Chimney Rock is about 45 to 50 minutes, and if you are hoping to explore multiple towns around Asheville, visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure together.
Tired of generic Asheville travel itineraries? Experience Asheville like a local with our free Asheville Favorites checklist, including restaurants, breweries, and hiking. Plus, get local updates — including events and hidden gems — straight to your inbox. Sign up here. Lincolnton is one of those cities near Asheville that we just happened to wander into and now love. And, not too many tourists head into Lincolnton.
The perfect stop if you want to grab food on your way to or from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Lincolnton is east of Asheville and slightly north of Charlotte. Asheville to Lincolnton is about a 1 hour and minute drive — also making it one of the furthest cities on this list. Stop in Lincolnton for the cafes, bookstores, woodfire pizza, and a walkable downtown filled with old school murals. Get lost in North State Books.
Asheville to Waynesville is about a minute drive, and if you are starting at Lake Junaluska, Asheville to Lake Junaluska is an easy minutes. Like many of the other mostly Western North Carolina towns on this list, Waynesville promises a unique downtown filled with beer, food, and shops. Along with Lake Junaluska, visit Maggie Valley while here — another one of the most charming small towns near Asheville. Tyron is known for its equestrian culture, wineries, Christmas festival, Pearson Falls, and shops.
Small towns outside of asheville nc. Nearby Towns & Neighborhoods
This is a great jumping off point if you want to explore the DuPont State Forest area. There are tons of hiking opportunities here. This charming lake town is most commonly known as a retreat for Methodist churches. Anyone can enjoy the beautiful scenery though. There are also boat tours that are offered at the lake. There is also a golf course by the lake if you like to play golf.
If you are looking for an active lake day then head here. Sylva is another small town near Asheville that has a picturesque downtown area. They have weekly concerts in the summer called Concerts on the Creek! Dangerous, I know.
The Tuckasegee River also offers whitewater for the adventurous type. I will be the first to admit that I have not explored Hendersonville nearly enough. Downtown Hendersonville is actually pretty lively and they have lots of events going on especially on weekends.
There are lots of shops, restaurants, and breweries here as well. But did you know that there are also some great local wineries in the area? Another great one is Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. Hendersonville is also known for all the apple orchards surrounding it!
It has its own bakery and is very kid friendly. This little town is close to the corner where the borders of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet. Lots of great shopping, incredible restaurants, and an upscale downtown area. If you can swing it make sure to stay at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa.
The town of Cashiers is only 10 miles from Highlands. There are lots of boutiques along the highway but you may need to do some investigating to find them. Whiteside Brewing is a popular spot to grab a drink and hang out. There are also multiple events and concerts held here throughout the year. Tyler and I thought it was fantastic. You really can soak in the hot springs in Hot Springs, NC. You can stay at a primitive tent site, an RV site, or they have cabins and vacation rentals.
While you are here soak in one of their famous mineral baths. Another great spot nearby is at Max Patch. Take a picnic and enjoy the sunset here. Another town close to some great hikes! Burnsville is close to Mount Mitchell — the tallest peak east of the Mississippi. Another cool attraction is the Bare Dark Sky Observatory where you can look through one of the largest telescopes available to the public.
Located right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland offers amazing mountain views in a little resort community. If you want to stay a while then book a room at the Little Switzerland Inn. Emerald Gem Mine is also near Little Switzerland. The Switzerland Inn Chalet Restaurant is a full service restaurant with gorgeous views.
Rutherfordton is an up and coming town in western North Carolina with adorable places to stay and plenty of options for local food. They even have lots of international cuisine options! There are lots of trails that pass through town and plenty of parks. Of course, they have all the usual lake activities — boat tours, kayaks, canoes, SUP.
There is a beach — Lake Lure Beach — where you can lay out in the sun. A unique attraction here is the flowering bridge. Flowers are planted all along this pedestrian bridge. You can have plenty of adventures off the lake as well. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are right beside each other. This is a hopping little tourist spot. Just outside the state park there is a row of stores along the street where you could spend an hour or two shopping.
Burntshirt Vineyard also has a second location here with an incredible bistro. I recommend heading to the park and spending the morning hiking then stopping by the winery and brewery. Beware there is a charge to enter the park. Like my content? Join me on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , or Pinterest! I even have a Facebook Group. There are plenty of specialty shops and boutiques downtown as well as restaurants, breweries, and bottle shops. When I think of Morganton, I think of a gateway to incredible hiking.
They have a great buffet! Another town that is heavily influenced by local artists! Main street downtown has lots of quirky shops and incredible places to eat.
There are also plenty of events on the weekends in this small town. Make sure to check out the local brewery, Boojum Brewing too. This tiny town has a thriving downtown and visitors flock here in the summer.
At Appalachian Driving Experience you can rent a Porsche sports car and take it for a spin. Learn about the history of the Cherokee tribe at the Cherokee Historical Museum. Shop for locally made soaps and other body care products at Blue Moon Elise. More on that later. Apparently, these white squirrels escaped from a traveling carnival. Dupont State Forest. On the Way To: Hot Springs, still further north. I think Hot Springs may be the archetype for small towns near Asheville.
The Appalachian Trial—yes, the one that runs all the way to Maine—cuts straight through the center of town. Talk about a good place for a hike. In the vein of outdoor adventure, Blue Heron Rafting offers trips down the French Broad ranging from languid to full on whitewater extravaganza. If you find your inclination more on the relaxation side of things, visit Hot Springs Resort and Spa for a soak in hot mineral water, drawn straight from the earth.
– Small towns outside of asheville nc
While Asheville gets all the press in the Western North Carolina mountain s, we know that there are some other amazing small towns and communities all around. We could go on forever showcasing small towns, but here are just a few. Enjoy outdoor activities through the local outfitters and zipline companies. Or, stroll through the small downtown area and end up for a late lunch or dinner at The Purple Onion, a restaurant that has served the community since Sylva, tucked into the mountains on the way to Georgia off 74, is the epitome of small-town charm.
The city of Waynesville is a classic southern charmer with plenty of places to get food, watch live music, or enjoy an adult beverage. The Blue Ridge Parkway goes through Waynesville so you can enjoy a drive through the mountains.
Or check out the Cataloochee Valley, a place known for seeing elk. The city of Brevard, which is in Transylvania county, has also been a great attraction. Nestled on the banks of the French Broad, Marshall is a growing community welcoming to creative folk from all around the WNC area.
Visit Blannahassett Island to see the artist studios there. Not to be confused with Marshall, Mars Hill is also a nearby town welcoming to anyone who wants to wander the tree-lined streets.
Mars Hill is home to Mars Hill College, a private university known for the liberal arts. Further north, visit the city of Hot Springs. It has, as you might imagine, hot springs that you can soak in while looking out over the gorgeous NC mountains. The Appalachian Trail is also an intersection right in the middle of town. Nearby, also on the Appalachian Trail, is Max Patch, a unique bald mountain perfect for hiking or picnics.
We could go on for days listing towns all around WNC. What are your favorite small towns outside of Asheville? Feel free to ask, send us a message. Skip to content. Small Towns Around Asheville. Small Towns Around Asheville While Asheville gets all the press in the Western North Carolina mountain s, we know that there are some other amazing small towns and communities all around. Sylva Sylva, tucked into the mountains on the way to Georgia off 74, is the epitome of small-town charm. Waynesville The city of Waynesville is a classic southern charmer with plenty of places to get food, watch live music, or enjoy an adult beverage.
Brevard The city of Brevard, which is in Transylvania county, has also been a great attraction. Mars Hill Not to be confused with Marshall, Mars Hill is also a nearby town welcoming to anyone who wants to wander the tree-lined streets. Hot Springs Further north, visit the city of Hot Springs. Tags: Asheville brevard Hot Springs mars hill marshall saluda small towne sylva waynesville.
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Small towns outside of asheville nc –
Nearby at Montreat College there are some great hiking opportunities /4421.txt Lookout Mountain. Western North Carolina is perhaps best взято отсюда as home to historic Ashevilleone of the most deservedly popular up-and-coming small cities in the United States. Bring your family to Canton and revel in the country feel.