Do you ever wish you could go back in time just for a little while? There are times I’d love to escape modern life for a bit and leave behind the beeping, buzzing, and flashing technology as well as the sense of hustle that pervades the 21st century, and trade it for a slower, quieter way of life. There’s a small town in North Carolina that’s like a living time capsule. Sylva, North Carolina, has a welcoming small-town community, walkable streets, and charming local businesses.Sylva, North Carolina, is a small town i...
Do you ever wish you could go back in time just for a little while? There are times I’d love to escape modern life for a bit and leave behind the beeping, buzzing, and flashing technology as well as the sense of hustle that pervades the 21st century, and trade it for a slower, quieter way of life. There’s a small town in North Carolina that’s like a living time capsule. Sylva, North Carolina, has a welcoming small-town community, walkable streets, and charming local businesses.
Sylva, North Carolina, is a small town in North Carolina with approximately 2,700 residents. It’s in the western part of the state, founded in the late 1800s with the surge of the Western North Carolina Railroad. In 1913, it was designated the seat of Jackson County, and a year later, its stunning courthouse was built. It still stands today. Sylva is known for its placement in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, its historic courthouse, and walkable downtown area, many of the same characteristics that make it feel like a living time capsule.
Sylva’s old-fashioned downtown area has several unique shops. Jackson’s General Store on Main Street sells gifts, clothing, and footwear. It features a section of items made in North Carolina, including soaps, lotions, and body washes from Greenwich Bay Trading, and Honeywell Buds hard candy, made by Butterfields. Underground Sylva is a shop located on Mill Street that sells antiques, clothing, decor, and more. City Lights bookstore offers a selection of new and used books, rare books, journals, and gifts. If there’s one business from decades past that I wish there were more of, it’s local, one-of-a-kind bookstores!
This living time capsule town is also home to fantastic restaurants. Lulu's on Main serves delectable hand-cut steaks, sandwiches, salads, pastas, and more, and was named Our Favorite Restaurant in the Region by Southern Living Magazine. It has an outdoor covered terrace where diners can enjoy their meals with views of downtown Sylva. Lucy in the Rye is another local favorite serving breakfast dishes like Huevos Rancheros and a Breakfast Burrito, as well as sandwiches and salads for lunch. Whether it’s 1925 or 2025, delicious food is always in style.
Part of Syvla's old-fashioned charm is its community. Each week, the town comes together for a farmer's market at Bridge Park and the Jackson Arts Market on Main Street. It also hosts annual festivals to bring people together and celebrate the region. Mountain West Brewfest is a September festival where people enjoy local western North Carolina beer, live music, and more. Greening Up the Mountains is an annual spring heritage arts festival focused on Appalachian art, music, food, and drinks. Attendees can enjoy live music, local craft beer, a 5K run, and arts and crafts. These welcoming community events, where old friends and new gather together, are just the type of blasts from the past I'm happy to keep around.
This Loft Apartment in Sylva's historic downtown is an awesome place to stay. It accommodates four guests and features a kitchen, dining space, walk-in closet, and a view of the mountains.
Sylva is only about 47 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, an awesome city with restaurants and attractions galore. An Only In Your State writer even wrote a love letter to Asheville. The unforgettable Biltmore Estate is a must-see attraction, with its stately mansion, gardens, and winery. Asheville also has the North Carolina Arboretum, the Asheville Botanical Garden, and the Asheville Museum of Science.