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WNC Welcomes You! Our beautiful small towns are open and eager to welcome visitors — we’ve missed you! Of course, some of our area towns and communities have lingering effects from Helene last fall and are still recovering, but the majority of our small towns re-opened quickly.
To help you plan your visit, please check the list of small towns below and stay informed about travel conditions by visiting the Western North Carolina Travel Advisory and DriveNC.gov.
Are you ready to explore the fun small mountain towns of Western North Carolina? Of course you are! Here are 40 of our favorite places to visit, with full guides for each on the best things to do, see, and eat.
Discover charming Main Streets, local shops, unique restaurants, and art galleries. With close proximity to state and national parks like Pisgah National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park you’ll also find amazing hikes, waterfalls, whitewater rafting, skiing, and so much more.
Don’t miss the mile-high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain, the sights and sounds of Linville Falls, and breathtaking mountain vistas in every direction. Let’s go!
(Feature photo: Downtown Sylva)
Best Small Towns Near Asheville
Bryson City
Bryson City, NC, was spared from Hurricane Helene storm damage and has remained open for visitors. Shops, lodging, restaurants and attractions are all open and ready to welcome visitors with open arms.
Waynesville, NC
Waynesville, NC, is open and welcoming visitors, with its Main Street business district and other areas in good shape.
Waynesville, NC, is open and welcoming visitors, with its Main Street business district and other areas in good shape.
Chimney Rock Village
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park and Chimney Rock Village are CLOSED until further notice due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Check the official NC State Parks site for updates.
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park and Chimney Rock Village are CLOSED until further notice due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Check the official NC State Parks site for updates.
Cherokee
Cherokee, NC, is open. Home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee offers rich cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and entertainment.
Cherokee, NC, is open. Home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee offers rich cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and entertainment.
Forest City
Fortunately, Forest City, NC, was relatively unaffected by Hurricane Helene. Businesses, restaurants, shops, and more are open and eager to welcome visitors.
Fortunately, Forest City, NC, was relatively unaffected by Hurricane Helene. Businesses, restaurants, shops, and more are open and eager to welcome visitors.
Morganton
Downtown Morganton, NC, is open and welcoming visitors. Morganton Greenway, including the Freedom Park and Greenlee Ford parking areas are also open.
Downtown Morganton, NC, is open and welcoming visitors. Morganton Greenway, including the Freedom Park and Greenlee Ford parking areas are also open.
Cashiers
The town of Cashiers, NC, is grateful to have escaped severe damage from Hurricane Helene. All businesses are open and ready to welcome visitors.
The town of Cashiers, NC, is grateful to have escaped severe damage from Hurricane Helene. All businesses are open and ready to welcome visitors.
Little Switzerland
Little Switzerland, NC, and many businesses there, including the Switzerland Inn & Chalet Restaurant, are open and welcoming visitors after Hurricane Helene.
Little Switzerland, NC, and many businesses there, including the Switzerland Inn & Chalet Restaurant, are open and welcoming visitors after Hurricane Helene.
Lake Junaluska
Lake Junaluska, NC, is open for recreation, including activities like walking trails, fishing, and summer boat rentals.
Lake Junaluska, NC, is open for recreation, including activities like walking trails, fishing, and summer boat rentals.
Cedar Mountain
While Cedar Mountain, NC, was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, many businesses and attractions are now open and welcoming visitors.
While Cedar Mountain, NC, was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, many businesses and attractions are now open and welcoming visitors.
Franklin
Franklin, NC, known as the "Gem Capital of the World" is open and ready for visitors. Downtown is home to the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum in a 19th-century jailhouse.
Franklin, NC, known as the "Gem Capital of the World" is open and ready for visitors. Downtown is home to the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum in a 19th-century jailhouse.
Burnsville
Burnsville, NC, is open and encouraging visitors to visit its downtown. Local shops, galleries, restaurants, and taprooms are open and ready to welcome guests.
Burnsville, NC, is open and encouraging visitors to visit its downtown. Local shops, galleries, restaurants, and taprooms are open and ready to welcome guests.
River Arts District
Asheville's River Arts District, home to hundreds of artists, is partially open after Hurricane Helene. Visit the Upper RAD or the RADA Outpost in downtown Asheville at 24 N. Lexington.
Asheville's River Arts District, home to hundreds of artists, is partially open after Hurricane Helene. Visit the Upper RAD or the RADA Outpost in downtown Asheville at 24 N. Lexington.
Rutherfordton
Rutherfordton, NC, is open to visitors, and many businesses and accommodations are welcoming guests, though some areas, like Chimney Rock, are still under restoration.
Rutherfordton, NC, is open to visitors, and many businesses and accommodations are welcoming guests, though some areas, like Chimney Rock, are still under restoration.
Banner Elk
Banner Elk, known as "North Carolina's Ski Town" is open and welcoming visitors to enjoy its snow sports, restaurants, breweries, and shops.
Banner Elk, known as "North Carolina's Ski Town" is open and welcoming visitors to enjoy its snow sports, restaurants, breweries, and shops.
Bakersville
Bakersville, NC, is open and welcoming visitors. Located at the base of Roan Mountain and the mile-high scenic drive, this town has several galleries and studios.
Bakersville, NC, is open and welcoming visitors. Located at the base of Roan Mountain and the mile-high scenic drive, this town has several galleries and studios.
Highlands
Highlands, NC, was fortunate to fare reasonably well from Hurricane Helene. The town is open and welcoming visitors to its businesses, shops, and restaurants.
Highlands, NC, was fortunate to fare reasonably well from Hurricane Helene. The town is open and welcoming visitors to its businesses, shops, and restaurants.
Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway, NC, near Brevard, was fortunate to escape the worst of Tropical Storm Helene. It is the largest private lake in NC, surrounded by national forests.
Lake Toxaway, NC, near Brevard, was fortunate to escape the worst of Tropical Storm Helene. It is the largest private lake in NC, surrounded by national forests.
West Asheville
West Asheville is open and welcoming visitors. Check out an array of restaurants, bars, breweries, and funky shops on Haywood Road.
West Asheville is open and welcoming visitors. Check out an array of restaurants, bars, breweries, and funky shops on Haywood Road.
Robbinsville
Robbinsville, NC, is open for business. The town sustained minimal damage and all local businesses, trails, waterfalls, and outdoor sites are open to visitors.
Robbinsville, NC, is open for business. The town sustained minimal damage and all local businesses, trails, waterfalls, and outdoor sites are open to visitors.
Weaverville
Weaverville, NC, is open, with downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios, and restaurants welcoming visitors.
Weaverville, NC, is open, with downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios, and restaurants welcoming visitors.
Old Fort
Old Fort, NC, is open to visitors and many businesses are reopening for the season, including Old Fort Picnic Area, Kitsuma, Point Lookout Greenway and Gateway Trails, and Catawba Falls.
Old Fort, NC, is open to visitors and many businesses are reopening for the season, including Old Fort Picnic Area, Kitsuma, Point Lookout Greenway and Gateway Trails, and Catawba Falls.
Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine's downtown area suffered significant damage due to Tropical Storm Helene. Please check with individual businesses before booking travel.
Spruce Pine's downtown area suffered significant damage due to Tropical Storm Helene. Please check with individual businesses before booking travel.
Black Mountain
Black Mountain, NC, is open for business and welcoming visitors. Downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios, and other businesses are open.
Black Mountain, NC, is open for business and welcoming visitors. Downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios, and other businesses are open.
Beech Mountain
Beech Mountain, NC, is open for visitors, and the Beech Mountain Ski Resort is also open for the 2024-25 season.
Beech Mountain, NC, is open for visitors, and the Beech Mountain Ski Resort is also open for the 2024-25 season.
Marion
Much of Marion, NC, is open for business and encouraging visitors to come to their town. Stroll down Marion's Main Street lined with historic buildings, churches, and the courthouse.
Much of Marion, NC, is open for business and encouraging visitors to come to their town. Stroll down Marion's Main Street lined with historic buildings, churches, and the courthouse.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene and is still working to rebuild. See what's open at Visit Madison County. A grand reopening for the town is planned for May 3.
Hot Springs was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene and is still working to rebuild. See what's open at Visit Madison County. A grand reopening for the town is planned for May 3.
Flat Rock
The Village of Flat Rock, NC, is open, but some areas and attractions are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and may have restrictions or closures. Check ahead before visiting.
The Village of Flat Rock, NC, is open, but some areas and attractions are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and may have restrictions or closures. Check ahead before visiting.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is open and ready to host visitors. Recovery was swift in most areas, and the majority of shops, restaurants, and attraction are open.
Hendersonville is open and ready to host visitors. Recovery was swift in most areas, and the majority of shops, restaurants, and attraction are open.
Biltmore Village
While the Biltmore estate is open, Biltmore Village is still undergoing repairs with most of its charming shops, restaurants, galleries, and inns closed at this time.
While the Biltmore estate is open, Biltmore Village is still undergoing repairs with most of its charming shops, restaurants, galleries, and inns closed at this time.
Lake Lure
Note: Lake Lure will likely remain closed for the 2025 summer season due to ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Several attractions and activities are available in the area, including… read more
Note: Lake Lure will likely remain closed for the 2025 summer season due to ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. Several attractions and activities are available in the area, including Dittmer-Watts Nature Trails, Lake Lure Green Space, Pool Creek Picnic Park, Youngs Mountain, and Rumbling Bald Golf Courses.
Marshall
Hurricane Helene caused massive destruction to Marshall, NC. Progress is being made, but the community needs help. Visit www.helpmarshall.org to show support.
Hurricane Helene caused massive destruction to Marshall, NC. Progress is being made, but the community needs help. Visit www.helpmarshall.org to show support.
Maggie Valley
Maggie Valley, NC, is open and actively encouraging tourists to visit and support their recovery efforts.
Maggie Valley, NC, is open and actively encouraging tourists to visit and support their recovery efforts.
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, NC, is open and eager to serve visitors. Some trails along the Parkway are closed due to storm damage, so plan ahead and do your research.
Blowing Rock, NC, is open and eager to serve visitors. Some trails along the Parkway are closed due to storm damage, so plan ahead and do your research.
Free Printed Guides
Many of these NC mountain cities have free printed guides that they will mail to you (free postage, too!). Find 12 that you can order here, along with maps so you'll never be lost.
Western North Carolina Small Town Map
