6 stunning North Carolina mountain towns for a weekend getaway

As a native of Charlotte, NC, there’s nothing like escaping city life for a weekend to disconnect and reset. Lucky for me, I’m never too far from the serenity of the state’s western mountains and their cozy mountain towns—from the family-owned vineyards in Highlands and the trails in Black Mountain to the incredible fall foliage in the towns along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check out these six North Carolina mountains towns that are perfect for your next getaway.

When to go: Summer, to take advantage of all the outdoor adventures, plus the fruit and veggie festivals at Darnell Farms (the peach jam fest in August is a blast).

Getting there: Hop in the car for a one-hour drive from Asheville or a two-hour drive from Knoxville, TN.

On your to-do list: Said to be the outdoor adventure capital of the Great Smoky Mountains, fill your itinerary with fly or trout fishing with Fly Fishing the Smokies on Fontana Lake, adrenaline pumping mountain biking with Tsali Cycles in the Tsali Recreation Area, and rafting trips on the Nantahala River. Families should be sure to set aside a day to ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which has four-hour, round-trip journeys along the river.

Where to stay: Live out your Hallmark movie dreams and opt for a locally-owned B&B or country inn, like Folkestone Inn on the edge of town, or check into the boutique Everett Hotel for a cozy mountain feel smack in the middle of the action.

When to go: Summer, when you can pop into one of the Music at the Orchard gatherings at Geneva Hall on Saturdays in July and August—start stretching now to try your hand at square dancing.

Getting there: The Swiss-inspired village sits along the Blue Ridge Parkway, about an hour outside of Asheville. Just before you get to Little Switzerland, pop into the small, kid-friendly Museum of North Carolina Minerals to browse interactive exhibits featuring some of the state’s 300 gems and minerals, like high-purity quartz and mica.

On your to-do list: Wander the town's many shops, which are reminiscent of classic Swiss chalets—Little Switzerland Books & Beans is one of my favorites. Plan to visit Roaring Forks Falls, a gorgeous waterfall with a 30-foot rush that can be reached by a mostly flat half-mile walk along a gravel trail. Or, if you're a motorcycle enthusiast, hop on your bike and head to the Diamondback Driving Trail, which has around 200 curves in its short 12-miles.

Where to stay: There are a few small mountain inns in town, including the Switzerland Inn, which offers rustic cottages in addition to its standard rooms or suites; the Skyline Village Inn, with a panoramic balcony on the third floor that has incredible mountain views; and Alpine Inn, a quaint 12-room lodge.

When to go: Spring, for some of the state's most gorgeous views of the Appalachian Mountains. If you visit in early May, check out the Lake Eden Arts Fest (LEAF), a family-friendly art event that celebrates diversity in music and dance, or Art in Bloom, a floral art festival, later in the month.

Getting there: The town is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Asheville. Fly into the city’s airport and rent a car for the short drive.

On your to-do list: Pop into must-see galleries like Black Mountain Center for the Arts, which offers public art workshops for all ages and artistic level; Mountain Nest Gallery, which focuses on handcrafts like wood carvings or glassblowing; and Seven Sisters Craft Gallery, a quirky shop with unique clay works and more. You’ll likely find yourself marveling at the surrounding mountain peaks—including its namesake, Black Mountain—so hit the Old Cemetery or Lee Moore trails, both relatively easy two-mile hikes.

Where to stay: Check into the Hampton Inn Black Mountain—the shady back patio is the perfect place to wind down—or Red Rocker Inn, a cute B&B that serves homemade biscuits in the mornings, if you want to stay in town. That said, there are only a handful of lodging options here, so you may have better luck staying in Asheville. A personal favorite is the Kimpton Hotel Arras for it's fun lobby happy hour.

When to go: Late fall, for the annual Highlands Food & Wine Festival, usually held in mid-November. Spanning several days, you can check out craft breweries and food trucks, enjoy live music, and settle in for multi-course dinners from top regional chefs.

Getting there: Highlands is within a two-hour drive of Atlanta; Knoxville, TN; Greenville, SC; and Asheville, so you have plenty of airports to choose from.

On your to-do list: Indulge in your fair share of world-class and hard-to-find wines. Stop by The Vineyard at High Holly to sip locally-grown muscadine wine on the picturesque tasting room’s patio, or Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden to indulge in glazed duck breast or meatloaf paired with the Matanzas Creek Chardonnay. Pop into High Country Wine + Provisions to pick up a bottle of locally-owned Davis Wines 2021 “The Sage,” a cabernet and Syrah blend that makes for a stellar souvenir. For a little self-care, check out Old Edwards Inn and Spa in the heart of town. Be sure to book your massage in advance and carve out time to relax in the hot tub.

Where to stay: Naturally, you can stay at the Old Edwards Inn, or check into the pet-friendly Park on Main Hotel. If you’re bringing the family, check out Highlands Vacation Rentals, which has an array of homes to accommodate your whole crew.

When to go: Winter, of course! Boone is easily the state’s most popular area for skiers—and friends looking for a fun cabin getaway.

Getting there: Boone is about a 1.5 hour's drive from Winston-Salem, NC, and two from Charlotte.

On your to-do list: Most North Carolinians know Boone as the home of Appalachian State University, but the area is also where winter sport lovers, myself included, head to shred fresh tracks. Standout nearby resorts for winter sports are Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain and Appalachian Ski Mountain—deemed the region’s first ski area. All offer lessons for everyone from first-timers to pros looking to brush up on their skills. There’s also Hawksnest, the largest winter tubing park in the Southeast, with 30 runs available (Beech and Sugar Mountains have more low-key tubing courses, too). Off the slopes, the Winter Farmer’s Market, which is held on Saturdays at the Watauga County Center in downtown, is a must-visit.

Where to stay: For hotel lovers, Graystone Lodge is a gorgeous boutique property with outdoor fire-pits for nighttime s’mores cravings. If you’ve got a big group, rent a cabin like this cozy three-bedroom option (just make sure your rental car has four-wheel drive for maximum safety in the winter).