3 Must-Visit North Carolina Mountain Towns

Need a change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of life? Want the kids to unplug from their devices so you can connect as a family this summer? Take a scenic hike, kayak down a river, pitch a tent or explore the local shops in these three inviting western North Carolina mountain towns.

- Amy Ragsdale

ASHEVILLE

Asheville is an artsy, architecturally appealing town with acclaimed restaurants and a craft brewery on nearly every block. It’s also surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, which offer family-friendly hiking trails and the French Broad River — perfect for a lazy day of tubing. Stay downtown within walking distance of everything, or stay closer to Biltmore Estate, just 5 miles south of downtown. You can also search for that perfect antique at the renowned Tobacco Barn, just a few miles south of the downtown area.

Where to Stay

If you’d like to be able to walk to restaurants, shops and other attractions downtown and not have to deal with the hassle of parking, most major hotel chains — Marriott, Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Omni — operate in the area, along with a few boutique hotels like the Aloft Asheville Downtown, Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Hotel Indigo and Haywood Park Hotel.

Just a little over a mile south of the downtown area, you can stay at one of Biltmore Estate’s renowned hotels: The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate or the Cottage on Biltmore Estate. The Omni Grove Park Inn is 2.5 miles north of downtown and offers a memorable boutique experience as well.

If you’d rather rough it, check out Lake Powhatan Recreation Area and Campground in Pisgah National Forest, 12 miles southwest of downtown Asheville. Make reservations in advance on the U.S. Forest Service website at fs.fed.us.

Where to Play

Craggy Gardens is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 364. A less-than-1-mile hike puts you at the summit in no time and offers big rewards with 360-degree views. The trail head is located 20 miles from downtown Asheville.