North Carolina is one of the few US states with both high mountains and barrier islands, giving many of its towns undeniable charm. Along the Eno River in North Carolina’s Piedmont, Hillsborough preserves an old street grid and landmarks like Ayr Mount and the Old Orange County Courthouse. And in far southwestern North Carolina at more than 4,000 feet elevation, Highlands brings together Dry Falls and a compact center anchored by spots like The Bascom and Kilwins. To explore North Carolina at its most scenic, these 10 towns below offer the best views in the state.
At more than 4,000 feet in North Carolina’s far southwest, Highlands sits in steep mountain country surrounded by Nantahala National Forest. That terrain shapes the town’s best-known outdoor stop, Dry Falls, where the trail passes behind the waterfall instead of stopping at a distant overlook. For an even wider view of the landscape, Whiteside Mountain adds sheer cliffs and one of the region’s strongest short hikes. Back near town, The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts introduces a more formal cultural stop through galleries and studios on a campus just outside the busiest blocks. On Main Street, Kilwins keeps things grounded, drawing people in for fudge and ice cream rather than relying on a vague shopping scene.