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Black Mountain. Small towns near Asheville don’t get any more picturesque than Black Mountain. Brevard (42 miles, 1 hour) – We love Brevard which is home to the acclaimed Pisgah Forest and Land of the Waterfalls. · Hendersonville · Black.
 
 

Best towns around asheville nc

Asheville, North Carolina. Unemployment Rate. Median Income. Median Home Price. Median Age. Comfort Index Climate. Asheville lies at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest portion of the Appalachian Range. The town is an eastern equivalent of the many mountain resort towns that dot the American west, particularly in the Rocky Mountains.

Today the area has an active economy and serves both as a getaway from summer heat in the nearby lowlands and as a travel destination for many in east coast cities. Read More about Asheville. Although there is some manufacturing, led by GE lighting systems, the economy is largely supported by hospitality, education and health care.

The area attracts educated young professionals, artisans and active retirees. The attractive downtown offers a mix of modern and Art-Deco buildings and an assortment of trendy restaurants and live-entertainment venues.

There are several resorts and planned communities surrounding the city and especially to the north and west. The city has controlled urban sprawl better than many of its type.

At most times of the year, except winter, tourists can make the area feel crowded. Because of its inland location and higher elevation, the area sees considerably more below-freezing weather than nearby regions. Overall, the area scores well in most categories with no major downsides. Mountain ridges to the east and west flank the entire valley with peaks from 2, feet to 4, feet above the valley floor.

The Blue Ridge rises about 30 miles south. Mixed vegetation grows in the valley, with densely wooded foothills and mountains surrounding the city, particularly to the north and west.

The invigorating climate offers considerable temperature variation from day to day in all seasons. Summers are warm and humid, but the elevation and nearby mountains cause some cooling, particularly in the evenings. The high mountains to the northwest block precipitation and cold fronts in the winter. Precipitation in Asheville, particularly northwest of the immediate city, is the lowest in North Carolina. Significant snowfall is uncommon.

Heavy Gulf rains can cause flooding in the river valley. First freeze is late October, last is mid-April. Recent job growth is Positive. Asheville jobs have increased by 1. More Economy. Today’s Weather Climate Averages. More Voting Stats. Since , it has had a population growth of 9.

Learn More The National Average is Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 6. The average school expenditure in the U. There are about More Education. Start Your Review of Asheville. Members receive 10 FREE city profile downloads a month, unlimited access to our detailed cost of living calculator and analysis, unlimited access to our DataEngine, and more.

Enhanced Cost of Living Calculator Now includes childcare, taxes, health, housing for home owners vs renters, insurance costs and more when you upgrade to premium.

Log In Sign Up. Median Age Download Report. September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Asheville, while January and December are the least comfortable months.

Zip Codes: Cost of Living: 5. Pros Attractive setting Attractive downtown Nearby mountains. Cons Home prices Air service Winter cold.

Best Places to Live in Asheville Rankings. Housing Market in Asheville. It’s a good time to buy in Asheville. Home Appreciation is up Schools: See Local Schools. Real Estate: See Homes. Reviews for Asheville Reviews. Once a good city, now a place one should avoid. Read More. Agree 74 Disagree What happened to Asheville? At one time downtown and the charming family friendly neighborhoods within, reminded me of The Waltons Scotty Reply 2 Replies.

Agree Disagree Small but if you look close you see big liberal city problems in this town. Mainly because it is overwhelming liberal. Far left liberals You can also use our New Interactive Map to explore places. Try Now. All rights reserved. BestPlaces Mobile App. Least Expensive Homes. Homes Over 2, Sq.

Most Expensive Homes. Homes less than 10 yrs old. All Single Family Homes. Attractive setting. Attractive downtown. Nearby mountains. Home prices.

Air service. Winter cold.

Asheville’s Top Surrounding Towns & Real Estate.

Nonetheless, the town is surrounded by stunning scenic beauty, and offers a quirky assortment of shops and restaurants suited for vacationing families. Located in the High Country 75 miles northeast of Asheville, Banner Elk NC offers a great blend of small-town stats with big city glitz.

Grandfather Mountain State Park is only a minute drive away, and once out of the car, there is a Mile High Swinging Bridge to walk across. Offering craft brews, local vineyards, and cozy cabins, this is the stuff of which the best small towns in North Carolina are made! And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the views are spectacular. Cone Memorial Park which is good for horseback riding. Over the last few decades its main industry has shifted from lumber to an art scene steeped in Blue Ridge culture and a recently revitalized, pedestrian-friendly downtown.

There are lots of events—including farmers markets, corn maze , concerts, and gallery crawls—to keep the atmosphere lively. Not only are the state parks nearby, but the countryside around Elkin is dotted with dozens of vineyards, golf courses, and fishing holes. There is also a fantastic town park and recreation center—Elkin Municipal Park—that has a pool, tennis courts, hiking , biking trails, and several historical sites.

There is even a Main Street coffee house and a killer used book store. The Spartans of North Carolina enjoy outdoor festivals, particularly when it involves a bit of dancing and something nice to eat. Reimagining the classic mountain town as a cool college town, Boone NC pop. Consequently, it has all the hip youthfulness of a collegiate base, including concert halls, breweries , trendy restaurants , and entertainment venues.

When the holiday season comes around, Boone Christmas Tree Farms are some of the best places to get a real tree in the state of North Carolina.

Like many of the quaint towns in North Carolina, Beech Mountain is built around outdoor recreation opportunities. Buckeye Recreation Center offers tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, as well as a playground for the kids and an official NC Birding Trail. But the recreational lifeblood of Beech Mountain is snow-skiing, snow tubing , and other winter activities. Bryson City NC is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park , offering up a buffet of babbling mountain streams, knockout vistas, roaring waterfalls, and wondrous wildlife.

Native Americans have been living in this area for over 14, years. But, the town is a stop in its own right. It has an amazing collection of sites to devoted to the history and culture of Native Americans—the Cherokee—from the area.

Cherokee has a full fleet of hotels, motels, campgrounds , resorts, and cabins for hire. Naturally, Maggie Valley has embraced its convenient location to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and plenty more , added attractions, and invited everyone to enjoy.

Established in , Murphy NC has had long-standing status among the historic small mountain towns in NC. Many of its buildings have been restored to their original splendor.

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. Hendersonville 33 miles, 50 minutes from the inn -The largest downtown in western North Carolina outside of Asheville is filled with historic buildings and outdoor eateries. Wonderful shops and galleries line the six-block stretch of Main Street. Black Mountain 24 miles, 38 minutes from the inn – This quaint town is close to the inn, and we especially love the Swannanoa Valley Museum and exploring the shops along Cherry Street.

If there is a knitter in your group check out Black Mountain Yarn , and if you are craving a juicy hamburger, stop by Black Mountain Butcher Bar and Kitchen.

Street art in Waynesville Waynesville 39 miles, 53 minutes from the inn – Home to our very favorite Bakery- Well-Bred Bakery , the downtown is filled with quaint old buildings, brick sidewalks, galleries, and a general store to take you back to a more leisurely time. If you have a 4 legged pet at home there is a wonderful pet bakery here too. Each summer, Folkmoot U. Sometimes on Friday nights during the summer you can enjoy seeing the Mountain Street Dancers.

Local breakfast and lunch spot Flat Rock 39 miles, 54 minutes from the inn This quaint and very small and historic village is located three miles south of Hendersonville. Cherokee 7 1 miles, 1 hour and 23 minutes from the inn – Located close to the Tennessee border and Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee is home to incredible nature, rich indigenous history, and friendly people.

Weaverville 8 miles, 22 minutes from the inn – Their small downtown area is filled with restaurants, galleries, and interesting local shops.

Twice a year, they host the big Weaverville Art Safari with dozens of artists opening their studios to visitors. Maggie Valley 43 miles, 58 minutes from the inn – This longtime mountain resort town has kept much of its local charm with vintage motels, gift shops, and local arts and crafts.

– Best towns around asheville nc

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.