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North Carolina can boast of both mountains and beaches, from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smokies to the mighty Atlantic and Outer Banks shorelines. Whether you are looking to drive, walk, or bicycle on steep or gently rolling trails; explore coastal beaches, lakes, or the Intracoastal Waterway; see the scenery up close by kayak or zipline; or immerse yourself in some of the South's most intriguing history, NC towns are waiting for you.

(Note: Many NC towns sustained damage from Hurricane Helene, and some attractions and areas may still be closed. Please call ahead for status before planning your visit so as not to be disappointed.)

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 called Fishtown because fishing was such a prominent industry here, it was later renamed after the Duke of Beaufort. Country Living listed Beaufort as one of the "Best Small Towns in NC" both for its beauty and interesting things to do. Over 150 original buildings, built in Bahamian and West Indies style architecture, have been restored. Some are private homes, but many public buildings can be toured, including a schoolhouse and the original jail. Also visit the NC Maritime Museum, and take the ferry or a boat to Shackleford Banks island to see the 120 or so wild horses who live there. It's also known as a fantastic 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

It's tough to decide which brings more fame to Brevard: that the movie Hunger Games was filmed here, or that it is home to a rare, white specimen of squirrel that stands in for the groundhog on February 2. The town is often on lists of cool places to visit. USA Today put the town on its 10 Best Small Towns list for 2024 for its museums, trails, rock climbing, and waterfalls. In fact, Brevard is also called the Land of Waterfalls for the 200+ found throughout Transylvania County. Guided tours to many of them are available by Jeep or hiking trails. Also visit the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas for artifacts from every war, and the Transylvania Heritage Museum for area history and genealogy. (Call for hours and guided 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 2024, 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 gets its name, and its mention in Country Living, from the natural springs that visitors flock to from all over the state and region, often to soothe aching muscles after hiking the Appalachian Trail, which goes right through town. Kayak on the French Broad River or plan a trip to attend Trailfest, typically held in April, or the French Broad River Festival held annually the first weekend in May. For the more adventurous, there's white-water rafting and ziplining. Fishing, skiing, sport shooting, golf, disc golf, biking, and horseback riding are also popular. Rent a campground site, a privately owned cabin, apartment/suite or cottage for all levels of luxury or "roughing it."

Seagrove

Many artists are called to live and make their studios in NC because of its beauty and the solitude that fuels their creativity. Seagrove, however, is notable for its studios and galleries of 100 or more potters. This distinction put the town on Travel + Leisures 2024 list of 12 best best small towns in the state. Native Americans first realized that the area's clay in the soil made excellent pottery for everyday use as well as decoration. If you're looking for a unique piece of pottery, you will surely find many likely to make a decision on just one quite difficult. The variety of artistry, styles, designs, and ingenuity is seemingly infinite. Plan to attend the Celebration of Seagrove Potters Show and Studio Tour November 22 to 24, the Holiday Open House December 7 to 22, Celebration of Spring April 25 to 27, 2025 or Seagrove Wood Fire June 7 to 8.

Manteo

Manteo comes up on "best of" small town lists, as it did in both Southern Living and Travel + Leisure for 2024, because of its different kind of charm. Sitting along the Shallowbag Bay, the town has its own boardwalk along the harbor, with antique shops, boutiques, and other stores that offer special finds. Visit the replica Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse that looks like a house rather than a typical tall lighthouse, and the Island Farm living history site to see what Roanoke Island life was like. Take the Manteo Bridge to Roanoke Island Festival Park to see a replica of the boat that brought the first settlers. Watch a performance of "The Lost Colony," at Waterside Theatre, to learn about Roanoke Colony, a settlement that vanished mysteriously in 1537.

Wrightsville Beach

Named by Southern Living as NC's 2024 winner for Best Waterfront Town in Every State, Wrightsville Beach is just over the bridge from Wilmington and a mere two hours from Raleigh. The town is fortunate to be bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, each providing popular water activities from kayaking and paddleboarding to surfing and sailing. Fish from Johnny Mercer's Pier on the north end of the island or Crystal Pier on the south end, in the surf from specially marked areas, or from a boat. And as if the soft, sandy beach, crystal clear water, and all manner of activities to enjoy by and in the water were not idyllic enough, just a few miles from shore lies an underwater oasis for divers of all skill levels. Sunken ships form reefs, ledges, and marine habitats to explore, as well as a huge number of prehistoric Megalodon teeth to uncover.

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.