Which Small North Carolina Mountain Town Is Right For You?

Bryson City is a happy and charming little town perched at the very edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A river runs alongside, with pull-offs to fish from. An antique excursion train takes you way up into the Smokies and back for some of the best views in the park. Get your fill of hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. It's a great place for anyone who wants the mountain living experience in a storybook setting, with the addition of artisan brews and foods, and a thriving art community.

There's not much here, but that's exactly what you want, right? There are SOME signs of civilization: a post office, grill, etc. There are also schools, inns, and other things to do scattered around the county. Whittier is one of the closest towns to the most remote spot in NC. Maybe you could just live in a portable mountain yurt that you move from place to place to fool the rangers and only come into town to mail letters and get supplies! Heck, if you don't fear the bears and painters--a.k.a. panthers--you could even set up home in a cave.

Set between mountains and ski resorts, Banner Elk is a place of beauty. It's a winter wonderland during ski season, a flowered paradise in spring and summer, and a riot of color in fall. World-class restaurants abound, as do golf courses and horseback riding, in addition to more rugged activities like rafting. Even though the town is a bit more upscale than surrounding mountain towns, Banner Elk's motto is 'Just BE.' They even flaunt a bit of whimsy with an annual Woolly Worm race. If you want to live in the mountains with all the cultural amenities of a city, Banner Elk is for you.

The roads to Cashiers are the most beautiful in the world. They wind--seriously WIND--around waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and mountains until you reach this gorgeous village. It seems to be mostly set up for tourists, but residents have special benefits, like deep discounts at restaurants and preferred seating. The town doesn't shut down at the end of tourist season either. Be there in February for an outhouse sled race. There are sixteen golf courses in the area. It's close to other gingerbread villages. And there are yearly festivals.

Step into a fairy tale. If you move to Tryon, that's what it will feel like. The town winds through a deep hollow between mountains and climbs up their sides with storybook houses and ancient stone churches. The cutest shops line downtown, including a bookstore and a boutique for your four-footed friend. The train runs right by a historic depot and park, and you can catch an art-house movie at the downtown theater. When you're feeling laid-back and in the mood to party, Saluda is right next door with live music. Try Tryon--you'll love it.

Getting to Saluda is a steep-drive, drop-down, wooded journey into a tiny railroad village from another time. It's horned in between mountains, with a railroad track on one side and shops on the other. One of those shops is the Historic Thompson's Store--the oldest grocery store in all of North Carolina, and probably some other states too. Locals meet at the grill there for flapjacks and biscuits and gravy. Besides being picturesque, this town is full of good times--live music, art shows, you name it. They're also right down the road from Tryon, a fairy-tale village full of charm. It's a laid-back town with an air of sophistication. That may be a contradiction, but so is Saluda.