Discover the 10 Best Small Towns in North Carolina to Visit and Live

North Carolina, a state steeped in history, natural beauty, and Southern charm, offers a diverse array of small towns that are perfect for visitors and residents alike. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, these towns showcase the state's unique character, rich heritage, and warm hospitality. In this article, we'll explore the 10 best small towns in North Carolina to visit and live, highlighting their attractions, amenities, and lifestyle.

With a population of just over 10 million people, North Carolina has managed to preserve its small-town feel, even in its larger cities. However, for those looking to experience the quintessential small-town charm, there are numerous options to choose from. Our selection criteria included factors such as population size, economic stability, community engagement, and access to amenities. We've also considered the towns' unique character, history, and cultural attractions.

Asheville: A Vibrant Mountain Town

Asheville, located in western North Carolina, is a vibrant mountain town known for its arts scene, craft breweries, and outdoor recreation opportunities. With a population of around 91,000, Asheville offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities. Visitors can explore the Biltmore Estate, a grand chateau-style mansion with beautiful gardens, or stroll through the River Arts District, a former industrial area turned arts hub.

Asheville is also a popular destination for foodies, with a wide range of restaurants serving everything from farm-to-table cuisine to artisanal pizza. The town's surrounding mountains offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting.

Wilmington: A Coastal Gem

Wilmington, located in southeastern North Carolina, is a coastal gem with a rich history and natural beauty. With a population of around 125,000, Wilmington offers a small-town feel with easy access to beaches, historic sites, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the Bellamy Mansion Museum, a historic house museum showcasing the state's antebellum history, or stroll along the Cape Fear Riverwalk, a scenic pedestrian path with beautiful views of the river.

Wilmington is also a popular destination for film enthusiasts, with a thriving film industry and numerous movie and TV show productions. The town's surrounding beaches, including Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, offer plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing.

Mt. Airy: A Quirky Tobacco Town

Mt. Airy, located in northwestern North Carolina, is a quirky tobacco town with a rich history and unique character. With a population of around 12,000, Mt. Airy offers a small-town feel with a strong sense of community. Visitors can explore the Mt. Airy Museum of History, a museum showcasing the town's tobacco heritage, or stroll through the Downtown Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Mt. Airy is also famous for being the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Mt. Airy Fiddlers' Convention and the Carolina Music Festival.

Sanford: A Thriving Arts Town

Sanford, located in central North Carolina, is a thriving arts town with a rich cultural scene. With a population of around 28,000, Sanford offers a small-town feel with a strong sense of community. Visitors can explore the Sanford Art Walk, a monthly event featuring local artists and live music, or stroll through the Downtown Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Sanford is also home to the Sanford Herald, a local newspaper that has been in publication since 1905. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Sanford Music Festival and the Lee County Fair.

Graham: A Charming Piedmont Town

Graham, located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, is a charming town with a rich history and natural beauty. With a population of around 15,000, Graham offers a small-town feel with easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can explore the Graham Historical Museum, a museum showcasing the town's history, or stroll through the Downtown Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Graham is also home to the Graham Gazette, a local newspaper that has been in publication since 1886. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Graham Festival and the Alamance County Fair.

Lexington: A Historic Tobacco Town

Lexington, located in central North Carolina, is a historic tobacco town with a rich heritage and unique character. With a population of around 26,000, Lexington offers a small-town feel with a strong sense of community. Visitors can explore the Lexington Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries, or stroll through the nearby Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, a beautiful garden featuring over 12 miles of walking trails.

Lexington is also famous for its barbecue, with numerous restaurants serving traditional Lexington-style barbecue. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Lexington Barbecue Festival and the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival.

New Bern: A Historic Coastal Town

New Bern, located in eastern North Carolina, is a historic coastal town with a rich history and natural beauty. With a population of around 30,000, New Bern offers a small-town feel with easy access to beaches, historic sites, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the Tryon Palace State Historic Sites, a historic palace and gardens showcasing the state's colonial history, or stroll through the Downtown Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

New Bern is also famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, with the Pepsi-Cola Company founded in 1893 by Caleb Bradham. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the New Bern Academy Museum and the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Blowing Rock: A Charming Mountain Town

Blowing Rock, located in northwestern North Carolina, is a charming mountain town with a rich history and natural beauty. With a population of around 1,500, Blowing Rock offers a small-town feel with easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can explore the Blowing Rock Park, a scenic park featuring walking trails, a lake, and a playground, or stroll through the Downtown Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Blowing Rock is also famous for its arts scene, with numerous galleries and studios showcasing local artists. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Blowing Rock Summer Concert Series and the Appalachian Festival.

Edenton: A Historic Coastal Town

Edenton, located in northeastern North Carolina, is a historic coastal town with a rich history and natural beauty. With a population of around 5,000, Edenton offers a small-town feel with easy access to beaches, historic sites, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the Edenton Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries, or stroll through the nearby Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a scenic coastal area featuring beaches, lighthouses, and wild horses.

Edenton is also famous for its colonial history, with numerous historic homes and buildings showcasing the state's early history. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Edenton Music Festival and the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Weaverville: A Charming Mountain Town

Weaverville, located in western North Carolina, is a charming mountain town with a rich history and natural beauty. With a population of around 4,500, Weaverville offers a small-town feel with easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can explore the Weaverville Heritage Center, a museum showcasing the town's history, or stroll through the Downtown Historic District, a charming area with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Weaverville is also famous for its farmers' market, with fresh produce and local crafts available every Saturday morning. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Weaverville Street Festival and the Madison County Fair.