Top Things to do in North Carolina Mountains
Top Hotels in North Carolina Mountains
- 1. Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville
- 2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
- 3. Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Village
- 5. Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Downtown Tunnel Road, NC
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Westgate, NC
- 8. Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville
- 9. Courtyard by Marriott Asheville Biltmore Village
- 10. Best Western Asheville Tunnel Road
What to do and see in North Carolina Mountains, North Carolina Mountains: The Best Mountains
Discover the best top things to do in North Carolina Mountains, United States including Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Whiteside Mountain, Waterrock Knob, Black Balsam Knob, Hendersonville Visitor Center, Rough Ridge Lookout, Black & White Market, Roan Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Stone Mountain State Park.
Restaurants in North Carolina Mountains
1. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 105 reviews
North Carolina scenic state park offering hiking, birdwatching, wildlife, a wide variety of trees and rare plant life.
Reviewed By tracymW3537RP - Mt. Athos Peninsula, Greece
Well maintained park, with good signage. Clean Restrooms, picnic tables, scenic overlooks. Variety of activity levels.
2. Whiteside Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 376 reviews
Expert rock climbers are attracted to Whiteside Mountain, which offers some of the highest cliffs in the east, rising more than 2,100 feet to its summit at 4,930 feet.
Reviewed By pianohiker - Sarasota, United States
Yes worth the drive (for us, from Franklin), and the slightly strenuous walk. Do use the gravel trail up on the left, it's a mile incline to the top. Then take the harder trail down, not gravel at all, but through the woods, rocky and fun. The views you will get from the "harder" trail are simply amazing and you will miss them if you just use the gravel trail up and then down (unless you have kids or are not stable on your feet). The summit at 4930 is along the Eastern Continenal Divide and there is a marker explaining that up top. Also info about the "pluton" rocks from 470 million years ago. Great teaching tools. Small fee for parking.
3. Waterrock Knob
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 301 reviews
Reviewed By GoVols79 - Chattanooga, United States
Waterrock Knob is part of the Plott Balsams mountain range in western North Carolina. At mile marker 451.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway there is a great stop with a National Park Service Visitor Center that is open seasonally. It features a large parking lot with great views all around, restrooms and hiking trails. We enjoy hiking so we took the trail to the top but the view isn’t any better from what you see in the parking lot. It is paved for the first half and then turns to a dirt trail. The trail isn’t overly technical but I wouldn’t wear flip flops. It is also pretty steep; especially the paved part. The summit of the trail is 6,273 feet above elevation and is the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The visitor center is small but has a station for stamping a NPS passport, maps, an assortment of gifts and food and drink. There are also displays about the area and wildlife. We picked up Junior Ranger packets for the kids to complete. Waterrock Knob is a great stop on the Parkway and was one of the highlights of our trip.
4. Black Balsam Knob
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By jeannethem2018 - Kathleen, United States
Great little hike. Some families and dogs, most people were mask conscious and friendly. I would suggest doing the entire loop starting with Balsam knob and ending with the lower loop to the parking area. In total about 3 hours.
5. Hendersonville Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
The Visitor Center offers area brochures, maps, things to do, directions, lodging information, dining options & public restrooms. The Gift Shop at the Visitor Center offers a unique selection of gifts & souvenirs. Open 7 days week, Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Eve.
Reviewed By LKaupa - Hendersonville, United States
The locals inside can help you so many ways. They have maps, brochures and advise about the many places to visit, stay and eat. It is very relaxed, large and modern. You can ask even the most unusual questions. A small gift shop is there and bathrooms. Activities for the four seasons can be discovered also. Go Enjoy
6. Rough Ridge Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Retriever32 - Winston Salem, United States
Stop at mile marker 302 on the Parkway, follow the steps up to start the 1 mile hike to the top Great overlooks with views of Lin cove viaduct, grandfather mountain and the blue ridge Moderate difficulty Great fun for age 4 to 90
7. Black & White Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
A completely unique and one-of-a-kind shop. Farmhouse Decor, New and Old. Local Goods: Pottery, WoodWork, Soaps, Shirts. Vintage Furniture and Decor. Appalachian Trail shirts. Eco Candle Line. Seasonal Decor & Gifts. Appalachian Mountains & Great Smoky Mountains Souvenirs. We are located in a 121-year-old building, originally John E Fain Groceries, in the heart of downtown Murphy.
Reviewed By Stylist240
Stopped in with my coffee to shop! Loved the NEW store! Found a couple items for my house as well! So friendly, and welcoming! Black and White Market has something for everyone! :)
8. Roan Mountain
9. Grandfather Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,128 reviews
Grandfather Mountain’s pristine scenery and sweeping vistas rejuvenate mind and spirit. At an elevation of 5,946 feet, Grandfather is recognized as one of the world’s most diverse nature preserves. Be exhilarated by the altitude and panoramic views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge; stand eye-to-eye with bears, cougars and otters in natural habitats. Dine in the restaurant or find a scenic picnic spot, browse the nature museum, wander the trails, go behind the scenes of the animal habitats, visit with knowledgeable naturalists, and stop for a treat at the fudge shop. Fill your day with family memories at place where wonders never cease.
Reviewed By speedsister - Fareham, United Kingdom
There is a $22.00 entry fee (per person) to enter Grandfather Mountain park but there is plenty to do when there so think this is good value for money. There are picnic areas, stunning vistas, hiking trails, wildlife habitats with multiple animals, and the Swinging Bridge so more than enough to keep you entertained for most of the day! We stopped first at the wildlife habitat and while I do have a problem with animals being kept in enclosures I understand the reasons for doing it and it was great to see bears and eagles in close proximity. The staff do talks at various points during the day and they were really friendly and informative so its worth timing your visit to make the most of each of the talks. At the top of the mountain is the amazing swinging bridge which is accessible for everyone as there are some steps but there is also a lift for the less able and the views from the bridge are fantastic. There are also numerous hiking trails (which we didn't have time to explore) but all in all this is a great value experience!
10. Stone Mountain State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
This 15,000-acre North Carolina state park offers trout fishing, hiking, climbing and scenic waterfalls.
Reviewed By 4NCtravellers - Raleigh, United States
Beautiful park with well maintained trails, great views, and tons of flora and fauna. We hiked the full Stone Mountain Loop, and they are NOT exaggerating when they rate this trail "strenuous." Parts are very easy, but there are several parts with steep climbs and/or lots of stairs. If you're going to do the full loop, I recommend starting at the upper parking lot and doing the summit side of the loop first; this was you're coming DOWN the longer side. Save some energy though for the stairs you go UP at the end. Going this direction also means you're doing the sunnier side in the earlier part of the day, and the shadier side as it gets warmer out. That being said, there were families with small children, so it is possible for most people to make this hike, you may just need to rest more at intervals. If you're looking for an easier hiking experience, I recommend parking at the lower parking lot and just hiking the view side of the loop to the falls and back. Also note that the ONLY bathrooms at at the parking areas, so make sure to use the facilities before embarking on your hike. Bring plenty of water. We very happily noticed that mosquitoes, ticks, and flies were NOT a problem at this park.
