Picture yourself strolling down a quiet sidewalk on a crisp morning, admiring the turning fall leaves as you walk off a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy.
You pop into an independent bookstore and peruse the curated selection before continuing towards the town square. On your way, you run into a local artist, who points out that she immortalized her dog in a mural just off of Main Street, holding up the pup next to her portrait so you can see the resemblance.
This isn’t the plot of a Hallmark movie: it happened to me last week in Burnsville, a picturesque town in Yancey County, North Carolina.
I recently visited Western North Carolina on a press trip ahead of the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene, stopping in multiple towns where I couldn’t help but fall in love with the area. While the devastating effects of the storm are still top of mind for the region’s residents, more than anything, they want people to know that they are open for business and are welcoming tourists back with open arms.
Whether you’re looking for a fall getaway that’s all about leaf-peeping and spending time outdoors, or you’re the type that indulges in delicious food and beautiful art on your vacations, Western North Carolina has you covered.
Asheville
Why you should visit:
From the stunning architecture and art collection at Biltmore to Asheville’s phenomenal dining options, there’s a reason this small but mighty city has been dubbed the Paris of the South.
What to do:
Take a stroll through the River Arts District, where you can visit galleries and studios helmed by over 700 artists. Sign up for a class, purchase original art, or take a guided tour of the neighborhood with Asheville Art Experience. Led by a team of local artists, the tour company creates custom itineraries tailored to your specific interests.
What to eat:
Stop by ButterPunk in the River Arts District for a biscuit that’s as flaky as it is buttery (after all, it’s in the name), or indulge in items made with local ingredients at Luminosa. The menu changes daily at the Italian eatery with Appalachian flair, depending on what’s in season, but you can’t go wrong with standards like their bone marrow tater tots, wood-fired lion’s mane mushrooms, or lemon pizza.
What you’ll love most:
Art is everywhere in Asheville, so keep your eyes peeled for things like yarn bombing, where artists knit around items like street poles and trees. If the bone-in pork chop is available when you go to Luminosa, it’s a must-order item that you’ll dream about for days to come.
Banner Elk
Why you should visit:
The Blue Ridge Mountains are all around you in this lovely town that’s reminiscent of Stars Hollow fromGilmore Girls, down to the charming people you’ll meet while walking the one-mile loop around town.
What to do:
There’s no shortage of outdoor activities in the North Carolina High Country, from mountain biking to skiing. There are also hiking trails to explore, and even an alpine coaster at Wilderness Run, where riders can reach speeds of up to 27 miles per hour!
What to eat:
If you like classic, all-American dishes like prime rib, you’ll love Stonewalls Restaurant. The Banner Elk institution has been open since 1985 and has been owned and operated by Scott Garland and Tim Heschke for almost a decade. Culinary Institute of America graduate Garland, who grew up in the area and even dined at Stonewalls for his senior prom in 1986, returned to the area after years of working in the food industry across the country. When Helene hit, Garland and Heschke jumped into action, serving free meals from their food truck and eventually partnering with World Central Kitchen to feed neighbors in need.
What you’ll love most:
The mile-high suspension bridge at Grandfather Mountain Nature Park gives you 360-degree panoramic views, and while it’s called “the swinging bridge,” it’s manageable for those who are uncomfortable with heights.
Burnsville
Why you should visit:
Go to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, or tackle the rolling hills in town as you stop by murals, art galleries, and charming shops.
What to do:
Stroll along Main Street and pop into one of the many women-owned small businesses in town, like independent bookstore Plott Hound Books or Burnsville Candle Co., where you can purchase hand-poured small-batch natural soy wax candles. There’s No Place Like Roan will have your home smelling like a forest, while Petrichor smells just like the outdoors after a cleansing rain.
What to eat:
Pack your stretchy pants, because there’s excellent dining in Burnsville! Go to Pig & Grits for breakfast, where you can have your fill of biscuits and gravy, country fried steak and eggs, or indulge your sweet tooth with waffles and pancakes. For elevated Southern cuisine, stop by the restaurant at the beautiful NuWray Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel in North Carolina, and enjoy menu items like country cordon bleu or duck and dumplings.
What you’ll love most:
Hearth Glass and Gallery doesn’t just celebrate the American studio glass movement; it continues it with resources and workshops for local glassblowers. Watch the artists at work in the open-access studio, or take a class and make your own masterpiece. If you like fish, you need to try the Blue Ridge trout BLT at Live Oak Gastropub. It features candied bacon and fried green tomatoes alongside seared rainbow trout and green goddess dressing, and is hands down the best sandwich I’ve eaten in my life.
Madison County
Why you should visit:
This sparsely populated county, made up of only three towns, is surrounded by natural beauty, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Go for the stunning views, stay for the kind and resilient community you’ll meet while visiting.
What to do:
Get your adrenaline pumping in the great outdoors with French Broad Adventures. There’s ziplining from treehouses, off-road e-biking, canyoneering, and whitewater rafting to choose from. And if you’re traveling with the whole family, you’re covered–most of their activities are accessible for older kids and teens, while guests as young as four can join a calm rafting trip.
What to eat:
When Hurricane Helene struck, the French Broad River crested over 24 feet in the small town of Marshall. Rebuilding efforts continue, but businesses like On Your Bike, a coffee shop and bike shop in one, are already celebrating their re-openings. Enjoy a wide selection of coffee and tea, smoothies, pastries, and panini. I recommend the banana pudding latte, which is out-of-this-world good. It features house-made syrup, vanilla cold foam, and crumbled Nilla Wafers and can be served hot or cold.
What you’ll love most:
Soaking in mineral water from natural hot springs at Hot Springs Resort and Spa. The water, which is naturally heated deep within the earth, is piped to private, jetted hot tubs that are drained and sanitized after every use. Visitors have flocked to the region to partake in the relaxing hot springs for generations, making the region a tourism destination since the 1800s.
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