The province was named in honor of King Charles I. . Dont forget to visit Dry Falls, an accessible waterfall that you can walk behind. Summers are usually hot and winters are mild. Just a short drive from Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, you can enjoy all that the area has to offer. Driving through the park from Gatlinburg and to North Carolina on US-441 and US-19, youll end up in the charming town of Bryson City. Another defining feature of this town is the frequent arts and crafts demonstrations at its Visitor Center. For travelers making their way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is one of the best small towns in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. To find certain criteria for the best places to live in Tennessee, we can help you screen options by population size or prices of the housing/renting market. Spruce Pine is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of fun to explore. Go back to see more maps of North Carolina. The Atlantic Coastal Plain comprises mostly flat lowlands stretching from Currituck Sound in northeastern North Carolina down to central Florida. Situated in the Piedmont Plateau region, in the Mecklenburg County is Charlotte the largest and the most populous city of North Carolina. This page was last updated on January 25, 2023, All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Andrew Jackson the 7th President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt 26th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan - 40th President Of The United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower the 34th President of the United States, The 11 Most Picturesque Small Towns in Georgia, 7 Towns in Kansas That Have The Best Main Streets, 9 Most Underrated Towns In the Great Basin. For beautiful walks through colorful landscapes and peacefully meandering waterways, Maryville-Alcoa Greenway connects Alcoas Claytons Disc Golf Course and Springbrook Park with Maryvilles Bicentennial Greenbelt Park and Pearson Springs Park. Asheville is one of the coolest mountain towns in NC and by population, its the biggest in this guide. Plus, cities in the Smoky Mountains like Townsend have unlimited access to a vast underground network of ancient caverns. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. For adults who want some extra excitement, stop at Harrahs Cherokee Hotel & Casino Resort to try your luck at blackjack, roulette, poker, and more. Robbinsville is surrounded by some wonderful places both natural and manmade. All three regions contain hills, lush forests, and many rivers and lakes. @media (max-width: 767px) { Wiki User. "National forests in the mountains provide. Snapple, Scenic trails punctuated by increasingly difficult climbs, higher peaks, and more expansive vistas. You can also view Fontana Lake in Graham County, though another spot is near Bryson Citys Road to Nowhere. Missouri and Arkansas are at Tennessee's west border. This page is not available in other languages. Its downtown is home to nice shops, a cozy atmosphere, and great restaurants. "source": "woocommerce", Festivals and celebrations are another reason to visit Wears Valley. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; however . Theres a lot to do here, such as hiking the famous Appalachian Trail and rafting down the Cheoah River. You have access to plenty of outdoor activities, including hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, enjoying the mountain vistas on the Lovers Leap Hiking Trail, walking over the French Broad River via the Bridge St Bridge, or being surrounded by the old-growth trees in Pisgah National Forest. Juan Pedro was the first European to explore the area in 1566 and 1567. Distance: 74.3 miles from Gatlinburg TN (2-hour drive). The open summit sits at 5,600 feet. Drive your load the way you need to don't let idiots behind you make you go faster than you should enjoy scenery and use common sense. There are a variety of shopping venues, and to enjoy a taste of Tennessee cuisine, choose one of many tasty restaurants and cafes. The Valdese Recreation Department oversees five parks in the area but we think you must visit McGalliard Falls. Located right on the main drag of Hot Springs, Laughing Heart was built specifically to accommodatethru-hikers. Tennessee is bordered to the south by three states; Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Bring your camera to take pictures of Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls situated in the Southern Appalachians. Theyre expansive with giant rock formations and stunning SilverFalls. On the NC side, it's within Mitchell County lines, about 13 miles north of Bakersville. Wears Valley is not known as The Peaceful Side Of The Smokies. Venture out and explore the rest of Burke County, hike to Hawksbill Mountains peak, Linville Falls, the nearby Wisemans View in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, and High Shoals Falls inside South Mountains State Park. ), and one of our favorite North Carolina distilleries (Oak & Grist). This area is known for its swamps, cypress trees, and salt marshesall habitats that attract a wide variety of wildlife, such as alligators and bald eagles. That scenic route is another reason we rank Highlands among the best mountain towns in NC! The marker can be accessed by a hiking trail. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina. There are a few hiking trails there, too, which are among the best in the area. Youll also enjoy walking around and stepping into local shops, art studios, and more here. .ai-viewport-0 { display: none !important;} Find out why natives of the state say that Tennesseeing is believing!. Faces of Hot Springs: Introduction to Hot Springs, NC. Big and beautiful bald mountains paired with views of seemingly endless mountains. } The rivers of North Carolina include the Cape Fear (which starts near Fayetteville and empties into the Atlantic Ocean), Catawba, French Broad, and Yadkin rivers. Also, the Blount County Memorial Museum features additional historical artifacts. It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns. Not saying its not interesting, from an anthropological point of view, but its expensive and doesnt cater much to skinny-ass hikers. During warm months, the most popular activity is river rafting on the Nantahala River. For a flavorful afternoon, pick up a map of the Jackson County Ale Trail. Regardless of your religious views, Fields of the Wood (a massive representation of the 10 Commandments) is an interesting place to visit. This map shows cities, towns, main roads and rivers in Tennessee and North Carolina. .wp-block-button a { An awesome spot to enter/exit these states! Throughout this massive park, visitors are always traversing along rugged trails that, Read More ULTIMATE Smoky Mountain Guide to The Sinks GatlinburgContinue, Traveling to the Smokies? The Emerald Village complex hosts 12 mines for gem and gold panning seven days a week from spring through fall. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and one of our favorite small mountain towns in NC. Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. Additionally, you can visit Bryson City Island Park and Darnell Farms. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, All of these Smoky Mountain towns are great to visit, but each of them can be quite crowded any time of the year. .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} A number of great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too. Its much more scenic than Georgia! This wonderful (and family-friendly) music festival brings in big names each year. We decided to, Hot Springs North Carolina is the first true trail town the Appalachian Trail northbound through hikers encounter. Read More: How to See Elk River Falls (Trail and Safety Tips). Hope you get to see them sometime! The State of Virginia and Kentucky border it to the north. These caverns are estimated to be between 20 to 30 million years old. .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} Enjoy creekside beers at BearWaters Brewing, dance at Stompin Ground, and zoom through the iconic Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The Fry- Jefferson survey line crossed the location of State Line Cemetery 1820, Fodderstack Mountain and then Iron Mountain to terminate just south of Backbone Rock on a small island, surely Backbone Rock is the "steep" rock. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. .ai-viewport-3 { display: none !important;} Plan a visit to the Forbidden Caverns with a guided tour through the scenic underground landscape where so many people from the past have passed before. They're boozy desserts in a glass: The Cobbler contains fresh blueberries, graham cracker crumbs, and Tito's vodka, while the Boozy S'mores conjures campfire flavors with marshmallow vodka . Sylva is one of the most interesting and quaint NC mountain towns youll find. North Carolina / Tennessee State Line - Border Crossing See all 300 photos North Carolina / Tennessee State Line Border Crossing Hartford Save Share Tips 16 Photos 300 "National forests in the mountains provide scenic views ." (3 Tips) See what your friends are saying about North Carolina / Tennessee State Line. Located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you have access to the many activities of the park any time of year, while the nearby cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer numerous attractions and things to do for all ages. Visit this website for directions and maps. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Even though Nashville is its capital, it is not the largest city. In 1749, a Virginian team, consisting of Peter Jefferson and Joshua Fry, surveyed an additional 90 miles west of the Peters Creek point. Also, you can explore the stunning beauty of the ancient trees and delicate wildflowers that inhabit Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Most people know all about Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville in Tennessee, as well as Asheville in North Carolina. Smith's journal states on 8\18\1779 "Went to John Keys on the Laurel Fork the nearest house to our place of the beginning". We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Graceland, home of the late Elvis Presley, opens its doors to visitors in Memphis. You can take a 7-mile hike in Pinnacle Park, listen to concerts at Bridge Park, and let the children play at Poteet Park. Copy. As one of the main points of interest in Tennessee, the park offers a place to enjoy nature whether you choose to hike, bike, fish, canoe, observe wildlife, camp, or have a picnic. You could even visit the Old Macon County Jail which is now the Gem & Mineral Museum the Macon County Historical Museum, and the historic Nikwasi Mound. Not all, The Appalachian Trail has a lot of defining characteristics, perhaps none as welcome to a weary hiker as the incredible hostel community running the length of the trail. NC Tripping uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising on this Website. .inside-article{ Let us know in the comments section, as always. The good news is, you can still throw up a tent on the lawn stretching out in front of it. } Spend a luxurious weekend at The Old Edwards Inn and roam the charming shops. One of our absolute favorite North Carolina mountain towns is Maggie Valley, a consistent family vacation spot. padding-right: 10px; At Lake Lure, get the best of mountain and lake life by going boating, biking the trails at Buffalo Creek Park, or climbing to the top of Chimney Rock. Millions of people tour these cities and take in shows like the Grand Old Opry and other star-studded productions. Just a few include Ober Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, Hollywood Star Cars Museum, Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies, and the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. min-width: 310px; Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels you can find them all in the best Smoky Mountain towns. Your Decision Making Guide, 24 Unique Tennessee Smoky Mountains Attractions for Couples, Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum, 13 BEST Smoky Mountain Rentals for Your Next Getaway, 50 Reasons You MUST Visit the Smoky Mountains During Your Lifetime. .inside-footer-widgets a { Distance: 14.8 miles from Gatlinburg TN (30-minute drive). Famous, photogenic clearing with incredible views. So many great mountain towns to choose from! Study now. Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina. Click here for the National Register of Historic Places files: Cades Cove Historic District: text and photos. For those with Scottish ancestry, visit the Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center. You can learn about the Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse, Cades Cove Preservation Association, and Cades Cove Museum, which is situated inside a log cabin with artifacts from the past on display. Check out the shops filled with local crafts and popular tourist attractions like Harrahs Casino. The above blank map represents the State of North Carolina, located in the south-eastern region of the United States. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); North Carolina later fell into the hands of the British who greatly influenced the shape of its borders. Tennessee is located in the southeastern part of the United States. }, false ); Enjoy beautiful vistas at The Switzerland Inn and stay while seeking out your next mountain home. Outside of town, you can take a hike along Deep Creek Trail. Frostys in Ashe County is one of our favorite Christmas tree farms in North Carolina. text-decoration: none The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. } Many people come to this waterfall every year as the trail is an almost entirely flat gravel road. Its known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains. If youre looking to explore the many waterfalls near Brevard, we recommend starting with Looking Glass Falls. The Ashe County Cheese factory and store are two great places to visit in West Jefferson, one of the cutest mountain towns in NC! These two towns straddle the Virginia- Tennessee border. In terms of size (square miles), Tennessee ranks 36th largest state of the Union. } For indoor fun, stop by the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. Read More: How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails. Read More: The Best NC Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes. To the east, Tennessee is bordered by North Carolina. Backbone Rock now lies in the VA-TN state line offset[clarification needed]. Close to lots of great waterfalls (like Soco Falls! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I hope Waynesville stays relatively small in comparison to Asheville which is getting very crowded. /***Underline Links***/ An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Also,, Read More 50+ Smoky Mountain Words & Phrases: An Applachian English DictionaryContinue, Looking to enjoy a romantic Smoky Mountains picnic? Popular pastimes here include surfing and boogie boarding at. Artificial reservoirs are also abundant - most notably Lake Norman near Charlotte City and other big lakes like Lake Wylie and Lake Hickory. We are surrounded by wonderful small towns throughout North Carolina (especially historic ones! "agent": "woocommerce-7.6.1-3.0.19" Despite their dispute over the boundary, Virginia frustrated efforts to bring surveyors to determine the exact position of the boundary. Many talented young people have been lured to the Home of Country Music to make their fortune. The act of cession decreed that the boundary between the two states would begin at Stone Mountain, on the Virginia line, and follow the highest ridges of various mountain ranges until reaching the Georgia boundary. That last part is why Wilkes County is also home to the first-ever NASCAR track. Snap a picture at this prime Smokies photo opp. The small community was established in the late 1700s and named after Samuel Wears, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. About Catawba Falls, we think youll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. There are plenty of opportunities to go fishing, horseback riding, and river rafting. North Carolina is bordered by the state of South Carolina in the south; by Georgia in the southwest; by Tennessee in the west; and by Virginia in the north. All of these cities are located in Sullivan County, which is part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area. /***Mediavine Sidebar Fix***/ 3 Nights in Gatlinburg When last we left off, the crew had just rolled into Gatlinburg for a much needed zero. One of the most-visited national parks, this protected area spans more than 520,000 acres along North Carolina's western border. Spring blossoms, summer water activities, the fall landscape and the changing of the leaves, and winter festivals make visiting the Great Smoky Mountains a year-round travel destination where youll create memories of a lifetime. .generate-back-to-top:visited { I wonder if the Gorge is to trick drivers as the Dragon is to motorcyclist? Colleen Goldhorn, I gauged which state I was sleeping in by whether or not the shelter had a privy. North Carolina has a whole handful (or two) of wineries, and Hendersonville's Trolley Company takes your experience to the next level. Distance: 19.2 miles from Gatlinburg TN (30-minute drive). Of course, we cant forget about the famous Christmas Fraser Firs youll see around Ashe County. ), 10+ Great Things to Do in Chimney Rock Village (and Nearby), 20 Awesome Wineries near Charlotte (Vineyards Within 2 Hours), 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley, 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive), 25 of the Most Amazing Winter Hikes in North Carolina, 25 Wonderful Wineries Near Asheville (Vineyards Within 2 Hours), How to Find 20+ Haywood County Artists on Blue Ridge Craft Trails, Christmas in North Carolina (the Best Holiday Events), How to Reach Beautiful Dry Falls near Highlands, Engadine Inn and Cabins near Asheville (10 Things We Love About It! The western border is composed of the mighty Mississippi River. In terms of size (square miles), Tennessee ranks 36th largest state of the Union. To ease your search, weve organized these NC mountain towns in alphabetical order. Dogs are not allowed, and permits are required. Its largely known as the Moonshine Capital of the World, with those spirits practically married to our mountains (along with stock car racing). .ai-viewport-2 { display: inherit !important;} Saluda -- a picturesque small town near Asheville, NC. The national park on the Tennessee and North Carolina border is the most popular in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing. [5], The revised ending point of the Fry-Jefferson Line became the site of Steep Rock Creek now Beaverdam Creek near where the modern tripoint of the three states is located. All of these Smoky Mountain towns are great to visit, but each of them can be quite crowded any time of the year. ), 25+ Beautiful North Carolina Road Trips (Scenic Byways and Highways), Max Patch Trail (A Short Hike to Beautiful 360-Degree Views! Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!). This quaint town offers a place to shop at local boutiques and antique shops, dine at local restaurants, and visit art galleries without traffic jams. Other activities to fill your itinerary include the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, and the Swain County Heritage Museum.