North Carolina is home to plenty of well-known big cities such as Raleigh and Charlotte. A recent piece from WorldAtlas, however, put the spotlight on 12 towns it considered "off the beaten path."Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel. Previously, the public...
North Carolina is home to plenty of well-known big cities such as Raleigh and Charlotte. A recent piece from WorldAtlas, however, put the spotlight on 12 towns it considered "off the beaten path."
Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel. Previously, the publication has put out lists on eccentric towns, best main streets, unique traditions and more in N.C. alone.
WorldAtlas writers chose 12 towns with a "unique brand of charm," focusing on close-knit communities, unique cultures and rural atmospheres for escaping the busy city. It may come as no surprise to residents of the region that over half of the 12 chosen towns were located in Western N.C.
Here's what WorldAtlas said about the WNC picks, plus the full list.
Best things to do in Bryson City
Writers appreciated Bryson City for its closeness to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and abundant, beautiful wilderness areas. For visitors, they suggested:
Best things to do in Brevard
With "indoor and outdoor attractions in equal measure," writers assured tourists that they'll be able to enjoy the best of both worlds in Brevard. They suggested:
Best things to do in Hendersonville
WorldAtlas writers called Hendersonville by one of its nicknames, "The City of Four Seasons," and praised it for its variety of options for tourists and beautiful Blue Ridge setting. They suggested:
Best things to do in Blowing Rock
Writers called Blowing Rock "a small village on the Blue Ridge Parkway," appreciating "stunning landscapes" that encourage outdoor immersion. For tourists, they suggested:
Best things to do in Morganton
Writers appreciated Morganton's small size - and the many things it contains despite that size, from a lively downtown area to picturesque rural landscapes. They suggested:
Writers also appreciated the beauty of Catawba River Greenway. However, with much of the greenway having been ravaged by Tropical Storm Helene, lending a hand in the cleanup process may be your best bet for visiting the river.
Best things to do in Waynesville
Framed by the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains, it's no wonder Waynesville was another WNC location praised by WorldAtlas for its natural areas. Writers suggested:
Best things to do in Highlands
Last but not least, writers loved Highlands for its connection to the Nantahala National Forest, including the many waterfalls and hiking options in the area. They suggested:
Off the beaten path towns in NC
The full list of WorldAtlas' picks:
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].