WorldAtlas has released a list of its 12 most hospitable NC towns – and it may come as no surprise to Asheville residents that many of their choices were located in the western areas of the state.
WorldAtlas, founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife Chris Woolwine-Moen, publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel.
In this article, 12 cities were chosen for "awe-inspiring surroundings, fascinating attractions, colorful festivals, friendly locals and warm hospitality".
Read about the WNC cities that made the list below.
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Which North Carolina towns are the most hospitable?
WorldAtlas cites these 12:
- Boone
- Sylva
- Bryson City
- Highlands
- Blowing Rock
- Hillsborough
- Mount Airy
- Southport
- Banner Elk
- Hendersonville
- Pinehurst
- Manteo
Boone, Sylva, Bryson City, Highlands, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Hendersonville are all located in Western North Carolina – over half of the cities on the list of 12.
Read on for info on the WorldAtlas suggestions for what to do in each of these WNC towns – and what makes them each so special.
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Best things to do in Boone
WorldAtlas has high praises for outdoor attractions around Boone, located in Watauga County. They suggest the following locations for tourists and residents alike:
- Natural attractions including Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Grandfather Mountain, Elk Knob State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Hickory Ridge Living History Museum.
- Appalachian State University's Kidd-Brewer Stadium.
- Jones House Cultural Center.
WorldAtlas also suggests watching catching the outdoor Revolutionary War drama "Horn in the West" at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater, an event that occurs every summer.
Best things to do in Sylva
Sylva, in Jackson County, earned its spot for more than just the natural beauty of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are some specific attractions from Sylva that WorldAtlas writers appreciated:
- Jackson County Court House (currently Jackson County Public Library).
- The Pinnacle, with its view of the entire town and the Scotts Creek Valley.
- History attractions including the American Museum of the House Cat and the nearby Museum of the Cherokee People and Appalachian Women’s Museum.
- Yearly events including Concerts on the Creek, Greening Up The Mountains Festival and the Hook, Line & Drinker Festival.
They also mention Sylva's main street as a whole, praising it for its shops, bookstores, art galleries, craft breweries, boutiques, cafes and farm-to-table restaurants.
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Best things to do in Bryson City
Bryson City, in Swain County, located 65 miles from Asheville, is next on the list. Here are a few of the options WorldAtlas suggests:
- The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad draws more than 200,000 passengers yearly and provides gorgeous views of the Nantahala Valley.
- Outdoor recreation at the Nantahala National Forest including Fontana Lake and the Nantahala River. WorldAtlas specifically suggests guide services from the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
- For history lovers, the list includes the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians and the Swain County Visitor Center & Heritage Museum.
- Finally, WorldAtlas praises the Bistro at the Everett Hotel as a perfect spot for a romantic date night.
Best things to do in Highlands
WorldAtlas first praised Highlands, in Macon County, as a summer refuge for anyone sick of the southern heat and humidity due to its high elevation and cool temperatures. Here are some more of the things that earned Highlands a spot on the list:
- Numerous National Register-listed landmark properties, vintage stores, eateries and inns.
- Performing art venues like the Highlands Cashiers Players, Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center and Instant Theatre Company.
- Fun in the great outdoors with hiking trails to scenic waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls, Quarry Falls, Dry Falls and Cullasaja Falls, plus adjacent Cliffside Lake Recreation Area and Harris Lake, which are popular fishing locations for anglers.
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Best things to do in Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, in Watauga County, made the list for more than just its namesake rock formation of over 1,500 feet. WorldAtlas also listed the following attractions:
- Tweetsie Railroad theme park
- Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine
- Parks including Julian Price Memorial Park and Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
- Yearly events including “Art in the Park,” the Fourth of July festival & parade, Blowing Rock Winterfest, Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival, Symphony by the Lake and Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town.
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Best things to do in Banner Elk
WorldAtlas called Banner Elk, in Avery County, a "mecca for outdoors enthusiasts." WorldAtlas praises Banner Elk for:
- Winter outdoors options including skiing and snowboarding at the Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts.
- Water-based recreation, hiking, blueberry-picking and more outdoor options during warm seasons.
- Wineries and award-winning restaurants such as the Artisanal Restaurant and Sorrento’s Bistro.
- The yearly Woolly Worm Festival.
Best things to do in Hendersonville
Hendersonville, in Henderson County, around 22 miles south of Asheville, is the last – but not the least – of the WNC towns listed. Attractions cited by WorldAtlas for the "City of Four Seasons":
- Main Street and Downtown areas which are "chock full" of vintage stores, art galleries, museums, boutiques, breweries, theaters and fine dining establishments.
- WorldAtlas included plenty of options for history and culture fans in Hendersonville including the Henderson County Courthouse, Mineral & Lapidary Museum, Hands-On Children’s Museum, Hendersonville Little Theatre, Western North Carolina Air Museum, Henderson County Heritage Museum and Oakdale Cemetery.
- The Jump Off Rock overlook in Laurel Park five miles west of Hendersonville, with panoramic views of the Pisgah and Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
