The mountain towns of Western North Carolina are mostly open for business and are excited to welcome visitors for dining, music, recreation and more. After the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, tourism stopped, leaving a serious dent in revenue. Local attractions and the people who keep them operating depend on visitors’ dollars.
“These small, locally owned businesses are truly the lifeblood of our region,” says Mitch Bearden, the chief communications officer with Haywood Electric Membership Cooperation. “The impact (of the storm) really can’t be understated. It was far reaching; it had its effects economically, emotionally.”
Mitch recommends supporting WNC’s economy by hiring a local guide for fishing or hiking and shopping and eating meals at local establishments. Financial donations, rather than clothing and food, are preferred. If you’re willing to donate time, organizations such as Beloved Asheville can connect you to ongoing projects.
It’s possible some of your favorite spots may not look the same — do your research before heading out. Visit NC is a valuable resource for planning ahead. And although Carolina Country selected these eight towns to highlight, dozens more in WNC are ready to welcome guests.
EXPLORE WESTERN NORTH CAROLina
Banner Elk
Head to Banner Elk for Art on the Greene, an annual event on Memorial Day weekend. Forty to 60 local and regional artists display a variety of media, including ceramics, jewelry and watercolors. The festival returns throughout the summer.
Enjoy Banner Elk Café’s indoor and patio dining, a rustic lodge bar and espresso bar. Country Bumpkin Candles & Boutique is ready for shoppers, despite losing its inventory in the storm. Tour Apple Hill Farm, a working alpaca and llama farm. Add a dose of excitement with a ride on the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster.
To learn more:
Banner Elk courtesy of Wilderness Run
Burnsville
Hearth Glass & Gallery photo courtesy of VisitNC.com
Burnsville’s downtown hosts Saturdays Around the Square: Enjoy a family picnic and browse the shops and galleries. The NuWray Restoration Shindig, a grand reopening event will be in early to mid-May, celebrating the hotel’s restoration.
Scan the night sky at a community viewing event at the Bare Dark Sky Observatory and Planetarium. Walk to Roaring Fork Falls, an easy 1.3-mile, out and back hike.
To learn more:
Canton
Stop at Blue Moon Books, Papertown Coffee and Southern Porch in downtown Canton. Blooming flowers and artisan products make Ten Acre Garden’s Spring festival on May 3 a must-see. Listen to live music and grab local produce from the Milltown Farmers Market, every Thursday from 4–7 p.m., May 15 through Oct. 30. Cold Mountain Music Festival, May 30 through June 1, features musicians including American Aquarium and Melissa Carper.
The 7.5-mile moderate out and back hike on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail will treat you to two waterfalls.
To learn more:
Ten Acre Garden, photo courtesy of Visit Haywood
Forest City
Follow the murals and statues throughout Forest City to learn what’s important to the town. The Rutherford County Farm & History Museum highlights 30 years of agricultural history.
Catch the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, an almost 14-mile paved trail, from downtown Forest City. Catch a show or enjoy the splash pads at the Pavilion On Park Square (POPS), completed in 2019.
To learn more:
Highlands
Cullasaja Falls, photo by Greg Newington
Highlands has a reputation for dining and shopping, and adding to this are the town’s newest businesses, Highlands Supper Club, Stubborn Buddha, and Western Carolina Brew and Wine.
Plan a visit during High Style, a celebration of art, cuisine, fashion and music, on May 17 or Highlands Motoring Festival, a tribute to motor vehicles, from June 12–15, 2025.
Explore the path behind Dry Falls, a 75-foot waterfall on the Cullasaja River in the Nantahala National Forest.
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Lansing
Find your groove at The Liar’s Bench or the Old Orchard General Store — both offer live music. The Molly Chomper Cidery, The Squirrel & Nut and The Loghouse provide shopping and sustenance for a spring day.
In June and July, pick your own lavender at Good Ashe Lavender Farm. Blueberries become available in late June at the Old Orchard Creek Blueberry. The walking trails and new playground are open at Lansing Creeper Trail Park. Reel in trout on a 2.5-mile section of Big Horse Creek, accessed from the park.
To learn more:
Photo by Germain Media
Little Switzerland
Little Switzerland’s beautiful views from Switzerland Inn provide a peaceful setting with few distractions and much ambience. The neighboring town of Spruce Pine hosts the Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival with blacksmith demonstrations and blacksmith vendor booths on April 26, 2025. Emerald Village brings mining to life with the NC Mining Museum, The Gemstone Mine and gold panning.
To learn more:
Valle Crucis
Valle Crucis Mast Farm Inn courtesy of VisitNC.com
Peruse the Original Mast General Store and Mast Store Annex in Valle Crucis (pronounced “Valley Kru-sis”), an iconic stop in WNC. The Valle Tavern at the historic Mast Farm Inn offers a plated three-course dinner available to the public on Fridays and Saturdays.
Valle Crucis Mast Farm Inn courtesy of VisitNC.com
Music in the Valle kicks off at Valle Crucis Community Park on the third Friday of May and features free (donation-suggested) performances by local musicians. Run along the Watauga River at the Valle Crucis Community Park, or hike to Crab Orchard Falls, a 1.3-mile “lollipop” loop to the falls.
To learn more:
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