It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Pleasant Street Historic District in Belmont, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Belmont, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I love working for this company.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I love working for this company.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Drift on Lake Wylie or visit Stowe Manor, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Belmont, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Belmont, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Belmont, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
NC State volleyball picked up its fourth win in as many home games in the program’s first ever match against Belmont.Fifth-year middle blocker Sophie Groom led the team with seven blocks while freshman setter Eva Long tallied 34 assists. Despite a 3-0 Wolfpack win, it wasn’t an easy match. The Bruins stayed close in all three sets, and it took a lot of back-and-forth for NC State to separate.“We knew we were the more physical team, but just making sure that we took care of all the little things, I knew ...
NC State volleyball picked up its fourth win in as many home games in the program’s first ever match against Belmont.
Fifth-year middle blocker Sophie Groom led the team with seven blocks while freshman setter Eva Long tallied 34 assists. Despite a 3-0 Wolfpack win, it wasn’t an easy match. The Bruins stayed close in all three sets, and it took a lot of back-and-forth for NC State to separate.
“We knew we were the more physical team, but just making sure that we took care of all the little things, I knew that wasn’t happening,” head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney said. “But I have faith in our young crew that we’re gonna figure it out.”
The first set was a battle. The Wolfpack got off to a strong start, but Belmont fought back and took the lead, causing head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney to take a timeout. Long said the message in the timeout was to “stay calm and just chip away for the match.”
Following the pause in play, NC State carried on to a 25-20 set win and brought that momentum into the second set, jumping out to an early 6-2 lead. Belmont took its first timeout, but nothing much changed. The Bruins couldn’t figure out the Wolfpack’s block and struggled to return serves. NC State took a 25-17 victory and moved on to the eventual match-winning set.
“We talked about coming out and taking some hard physical swings, and I thought we did that,” Wargo-Kearney said.
The third set wasn’t so easy. The Wolfpack took an early lead, but Belmont battled back and forced the home team to take a timeout. Sophomore opposite hitter Jordan Smith — who led the team with 11 kills — said the message in the huddle was to “be aggressive and do what Wolfpack volleyball does.”
That isn’t quite what happened, as Belmont put up a challenge until the very last point, but eventually NC State claimed its victory. Four kills in a row ended the third set 25-23, with freshman outside hitter Britni Silver ending things off an assist from Long. Long has been the team’s assist leader through the season and along with fellow freshman Silver, looks very comfortable in the starting lineup.
“She did a great job of putting our hitters in good situations, and I thought she served them really tough,” Wargo-Kearney said.
It wasn’t an easy sweep, but the team adapted to the problems that Belmont threw its way.
“The outside hitters were scoring a few points on us, so we just had to address being disciplined with our block and disciplined with our defense in the back row, and just staying true to us,” Smith said. “Then we fixed it, and it was fun.”
Next up, NC State faces App State at home at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, looking to extend its now five-game winning streak.
North Carolina runs from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge, and packed in between is a long roster of towns that got their downtowns right. The best of them keep a Main Street you can actually walk: a century-old hardware store, a movie house from the 1920s, a coffee counter, a bakery, and a river or a lake usually close enough to see. These eleven have the downtowns worth the drive across the state, whether you are after mountain arts, coastal history, or a small-town square an afternoon slips away in.New Bern New Bern was N...
North Carolina runs from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge, and packed in between is a long roster of towns that got their downtowns right. The best of them keep a Main Street you can actually walk: a century-old hardware store, a movie house from the 1920s, a coffee counter, a bakery, and a river or a lake usually close enough to see. These eleven have the downtowns worth the drive across the state, whether you are after mountain arts, coastal history, or a small-town square an afternoon slips away in.
New Bern was North Carolina's first colonial capital, and its downtown still carries that weight. Founded by Swiss and German settlers in 1710 at the meeting of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, the town anchors its historic district with Tryon Palace, the reconstructed Georgian governor's mansion and its 16 acres of gardens. A few blocks north, at Middle and Pollock Streets, the Birthplace of Pepsi store marks the pharmacy where Caleb Bradham mixed the first batch in 1898; it still pulls a soda-fountain crowd. The name means "bear" in the settlers' Swiss German, so painted bear statues turn up all over downtown. Front and Middle Streets carry the restaurants, galleries, and shops, and on weekend nights the town closes them for outdoor dining and music, with Union Point Park waiting at the water's edge.
Davidson is a college town on the shore of Lake Norman, built around Davidson College, founded in 1837. The downtown strip earned the nickname "Restaurant Row," with Kindred turning out inventive American plates and the Famous Toastery handling the breakfast crowd, and Whit's Frozen Custard keeping the kids happy. Just outside town, Rural Hill preserves more than 250 years of Scottish heritage on the former Davidson family farm, and hosts the Loch Norman Highland Games each spring. The lake itself covers the rest, with boating, fishing, and shoreline trails a few minutes from the shops.
Mount Airy is the real Mayberry, the hometown of Andy Griffith and the model for his fictional town. Downtown leans all the way in: you can tour the Andy Griffith Museum, ride through in a Mayberry squad car, or catch a show at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. The town's deeper roots are musical, and the Earle Theatre and the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall keep the bluegrass and old-time string-band tradition alive with regular live shows. Between the tribute stops and the genuine granite-town history, the walkable Main Street rewards an unhurried afternoon, about 40 minutes from Winston-Salem.
Hillsborough is the artsy one, a small colonial town on the Eno River that has drawn an outsized community of writers and makers. King Street is the heart of it, lined with shops like Carlisle and Linny for vintage and estate jewelry and the Hillsborough Bakeshop and Pasta Co. for everything from morning buns to spaghetti. Just outside the center, Blackwood Farm Park runs four miles of trail past a historic farmhouse, and the Occoneechee Speedway Trail follows the route of one of NASCAR's earliest dirt tracks. Seasonal traditions like the Handmade Parade give the downtown its distinctly homespun character, and Durham and Chapel Hill are both under 20 minutes away.
Belmont sits between the Catawba River and Lake Wylie just west of Charlotte, close enough for the city and far enough to keep a Main Street of its own. Its compact downtown runs on sweets and good food, from Cinnaholic's build-your-own cinnamon rolls to Old Stone Steakhouse, with Drift handling the lakeside meals out on Lake Wylie. Nearby, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden spreads formal gardens, fountains, and a glass conservatory over hundreds of acres. The lake covers the boating, fishing, and kayaking, making Belmont an easy small-town base within reach of the big city.
Southport sits where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic, a waterfront town of fewer than 5,000 that Hollywood keeps casting: "A Walk to Remember" and "Safe Haven" both filmed here among the live oaks and porch-front cottages. The downtown mixes waterfront seafood spots like Fishy Fishy Cafe with craft-beer stops like the Southport Tap and Cellar, and the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum fills in the town's 18th-century history. The waterfront walk, the marina, and the ferry over to Bald Head Island give the small downtown an outsized sense of the coast, and the annual N.C. Fourth of July Festival is one of the state's oldest.
Washington, on the banks of the Pamlico River, was the first town in the country named for George Washington, and locals call it "Little Washington" to keep it straight from the capital. The downtown's centerpiece is the waterfront, where a boardwalk runs along the river past the North Carolina Estuarium, a museum devoted to the Pamlico-Tar estuary system with pontoon-boat tours out onto the water. Riverside restaurants and boutiques fill the historic blocks just behind it, and the town makes an easy, quiet base in the Inner Banks for anyone who bikes, fishes, or boats.
Franklin is gem country, set in the Blue Ridge about an hour southwest of Asheville, and its downtown reflects the mining heritage with rock shops and the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum, housed in an old jail. The Little Tennessee River Greenway threads past the edge of town for walkers and cyclists, and the Nikwasi Mound downtown preserves a sacred Cherokee site at the center of the old town grid. Main Street cafes like 828 Cafe cover breakfast, and the mountain setting fills the calendar with outdoor festivals such as Pickin' on the Square through the summer.
Waynesville is the mountain-arts town, the seat of Haywood County and the largest town west of Asheville, sitting between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Its brick Main Street is a genuine arts destination, lined with galleries and studios and anchored by the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, with farm-to-table kitchens filling the gaps. The town leans into its Scottish and Appalachian roots at the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts and the annual Folkmoot festival, which brings dance troupes from around the world. With two national forests and the Parkway minutes away, it is the western edge of the state at its most walkable.
Duck is the Outer Banks at its most laid-back, a former waterfowl-hunting village turned beach town on the Currituck Sound. Its downtown is really a soundside boardwalk, where the flagship Duck Donuts makes them warm to order and the Sea Dragon Gallery shows local photography and crafts. Kayaking, kite-flying, and paddleboarding fill the sound side, while the ocean beaches sit a short walk east. The Sanderling Resort covers the upscale stay with sound-facing dining, and the town's small size keeps the whole thing walkable, best in the warm months when the boardwalk hums.
Matthews keeps a genuine historic downtown a half-hour southeast of Charlotte, centered on a railroad past that still shows in its depot and grid. The anchor is Renfrow Hardware, a working general store going strong for over 120 years, selling cast iron, local honey, seed, and baby chicks in spring. The Matthews Heritage Museum lays out the town's history, the Matthews Community Farmers Market draws growers on weekends, and the Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts keeps the evenings busy. It is the rare Charlotte-orbit suburb that held onto a downtown with its own character.
What these eleven share is a downtown built to be walked, with something real at the center: Tryon Palace and the Pepsi counter in New Bern, the old-time music halls of Mount Airy, the galleries of Waynesville and Hillsborough, the century-old hardware stores in Matthews and beyond. From the Currituck Sound to the edge of the Smokies, they prove the state's best afternoons are often spent on a single Main Street. Pick the one nearest you and start there.
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