There is just something about North Carolina that makes people want to visit and live there all year round. What makes it so attracting to visitors? The small cities that dot the area with their rich historical history and appealing recreational activities.
Instead of fading away into ghost towns that are barely noticed as people drive past, these towns continued to thrive despite their small populations as they have built strong community ties, affordable housing, great schools, tons of recreational activities and tourist attractions.
Here we have created a spotlight of the top 21 cities in North Carolina. While we know there are tons more cities out there than just the 18 places we have listed, we simply don’t have the room to fit them all in this short article. So don’t feel left out if your small, charming city was not mentioned on the list.
The way North Carolina is attracting visitors from all over the country to come visit its southern country roots, coastal cities and mountain towns, your city will certainly get all the attention it richly deserves.
Photo credit: bodycoach2 / Flickr
1. Asheville, NC: A Small City With Many Accolades
While many people might not consider Asheville a small city with a population of 83,393 and the designation of if being one of the largest cities in North Carolina, it actually made the top ranking as one of the top 25 smallest cities in America according to American Style Magazine.
Perhaps it is because Asheville has maintained its quiet small city atmosphere with all its local shops, cultural museums, and historical attractions. Asheville started as a small outpost in 1797 where Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett would travel through leading out into the wild frontier, according to Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. It wasn’t until the first railroad was built that Asheville gained a place on the map. The city was then considered a therapeutic center and resort.
Today, people visit Asheville due to its numerous Art Deco buildings, art galleries and cultural programs. The city has always supported pioneers, poets and artists for generations. The American novelist Thomas Wolfe who wrote the famous works of “Look Homeward, Angel” and “You Can’t Go Home Again” was born in Asheville as reported by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Also, the famous art collector George W. Vanderbilt built his grand estate in the city of Asheville in 1880.
The city’s rich history is turning the downtown region into a renaissance district. If you aren’t into art and history, Asheville still sports plenty of outdoor activities from mountain hiking, white water rafting, and horseback riding along the Blue Ridge Mountains and the French Broad River, advises Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
If you are in the mood for some shopping, you’ll find tons of eclectic shops to choose from where you will find unusual and one-of-a-kind items to take home from your summer trip.
