5 Cool Mountain Towns In North Carolina You Can Visit In A Weekend

As summer heat waves continue to hit different parts of the U.S., tourists are fleeing to places that offer some relief, like the summer’s coolest cities in the U.S. But people who want to get away for the weekend to a quiet small town can go to North Carolina. The state has beautiful mountain towns that are a great way to escape the unbearable heat.

From well-known mountain towns in North Carolina like Asheville to less well-known ones, these places have cooler weather that’s great for both relaxing and going on adventures. This piece talks about seven cool mountain towns in North Carolina that are great for a weekend getaway.

1. Beech Mountain

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With an elevation of over 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is one of the highest towns in North Carolina. Due to the high elevation, the town has a pleasant climate, with summer temperatures rarely rising above 80 degrees.

As such, vacationers enjoy exploring the great outdoors at the Buckeye Lake Recreation Center, boasting beautiful hiking and biking trails. These trails include a scenic loop leading through a lush forest to the photogenic Buckeye Creek Falls.

While hikers explore the waterfall, visitors can relax in the picnic areas or canoe and kayak in the recreation area’s serene 10-acre lake.

Travelers with children should visit Beech Mountain Club, which offers summer day camps for those aged 5 to 12. The club also has an outdoor pool and state-of-the-art golf, tennis, and pickleball courts for more summer fun.

2. Banner Elk – Highest average summer temperature: 75°F

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Banner Elk is a small town of around 1,234 people set between the Sugar Mountain Resort and the Beech Mountain Resort. Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk is one of the coolest mountain towns to visit for an unforgettable weekend summer getaway.

While here, travelers can explore the expansive Grandfather Mountain State Park situated between the majestic Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It boasts incredible ecological diversity best explored along 13 miles of hiking trails, including the shaded Nuwati Trail. This trail starts near the Boone Fork Overlook and follows an old logging road lined with aspens. Along the way, hikers will encounter stream crossings and challenging rocky terrain, making it an ideal workout with stunning views from the Storyteller’s Rock.

3. Boone

Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone is a scenic alternative to Asheville, known for its rich history, artsy vibe, and plenty of recreational opportunities. Although worth visiting year-round, this town is a perfect weekend escape in the summer for its cooler temperatures.

One of Boone’s best summer destinations is Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, featuring scenic biking and hiking trails meandering through its lush 185 acres. The trails boast picturesque vistas and offer shade from the sun during the warmer months. After biking and hiking, visitors rest at the expansive picnic area while children play in a nearby playground.

Boone’s proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway also puts hikers minutes from routes like the Goshen River Trail, stretching along a river through a full canopy forest.

4. Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock is a small, beautiful mountain town located off the famed Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga and Caldwell counties, North Carolina. This town draws avid travelers with its small-town charm, varied attractions, and breathtaking natural beauty worth exploring year-round. In summer, this town offers an ideal weekend getaway spot for those escaping the summer heat, with its relatively cooler temperatures hovering around 64 to 75 degrees during the night or day.

Travelers can discover the famed Blowing Rock, a scenic downtown area, and the 4,200-acre Julian Price Memorial Park. The park is a favorite summer destination for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and camping under the stars in cool, shaded campsites. Visitors also enjoy picnicking as they admire scenic lake views against the backdrop of lush forests and distant mountains.

5. Highlands

Due to its idyllic weather, Highlands is one of North Carolina’s cool mountain towns to beat the summer heat on a weekend. Travelers can enjoy warm summers with average temperatures ranging from 75 to 78 degrees, allowing them to explore beautiful attractions like the Dry Falls, accessed via a short trail within the vast Nantahala National Forest.

Adventurers can view the falls from an accessible viewpoint or walk underneath the water for a misty and refreshing experience during a summer afternoon.

The Glen Falls Trail is another must-explore for waterfall chasers seeking stunning views and shade as it leads to different viewpoints within the Overflow Wilderness Study Area.