Best Places to Live in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Are you looking to visit some of the cutest Blue Ridge Mountain towns across the Southern United States? We have you covered with our list of the best places to take a trip!

The Blue Ridge Mountain range covers over 500 miles of the Southern United States. Part of the larger Appalachian Mountain Range they span Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Whether you are looking for a weekend escape with family and friends, or a romantic couples get-a-way there is Blue Ridge Mountain Town that fits the description. From small quaint villages and towns to large cities and everything in between you are just a few hours drive from one of the many mountain towns across the south!

Enjoy the great outdoors, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit wineries and breweries, visit museums and local shops or head to one of the many festivals taking place throughout the year these cute blue ridge towns won't disappoint!

15 Cutest Blue Ridge Mountain Towns Across my The South

Helen, Georgia

Helen, Georgia is one of the most popular small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains to visit. It is actually the third most visited town in Georgia and located just 75 miles from Atlanta! A visit here, will transport you to Germany as the town has a Bavarian influence on culture, food and architecture.

At just over 2 miles, the downtown is comprised of restaurants, shops and cobblestone streets! There is so much to do in the surrounding area from wineries, breweries, festivals, nature and more! You can float down the Chattachoochee river, do some fishing and hiking or come for one of the many festivals.

If you happen to be in the area during Oktoberfest (September to October), Helen Georgia throws one the largest festivals in the Unites States, as well as numerous other festivals such as Wine week and Christmas markets! This has to be one of the Blue Ridge Mountain Towns on your list to explore in the South!

Boone, North Carolina

If looking for a Blue Ridge Mountain Towns that has something for everyone, Boone, North Carolina needs to be on your list! Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone is the perfect starting point to explore the outdoors around the area.

This historic town has a "small town" vibe despite being a a large university town now as it is home to Appalachian State University. The downtown area has delicious restaurants and local shops located along Main Street, which runs along the University along with athletic buildings and older churches.

In the surrounding areas you will find nature trails, hiking, parks, ski resorts as well as wineries, museums, white water rafting and more. Making it the perfect place to visit year round, whether looking for snow adventures in the winter, or outdoor exploring in the summer time!

Dahlonega, Georgia

Dehlonega is one of the best Georgia mountain towns! It was one of the first cities in the United States for the Gold rush back in 1829, and is also in the heart of Georgia viticultural wine region.

Located just an hour north of Atlanta, this is one of the Blue Ridge Mountain towns know for getting outdoors. Visit one of the 8 award winning wineries or 12 wine tasting rooms in the area.

For those looking to hike through nature in the Chattahoochee National Forest, visit a waterfall, go panning for gold, or shop and explore museums in the downtown you are in for a treat!

Bryson City, North Carolina

The motto in Bryson City, North Carolina is "have a big vacation in a small town". This is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns that is known for its proximity to Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Located just an hour west of Asheville, this small town is an outdoor lovers paradise. For those who love adventure you must try white water rafting down the Nantahala River or zip lining through the Nantahala National Forest!

From the historic downtown filled with shops, local artisans, restaurants and the historic courthouse it is the perfect starting point for a trip to Bryson City.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Southern Living Magazine voted Blue Ridge, Georgia one of the best mountain towns! Located just 90 minutes from Atlanta, it is perfect for a romantic get a way or a family mountain vacation!

Known for its Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, wineries and brewers as well a more upscale dining and shopping destination.

Blue Ridge is a great year round town to visit for the outdoors where you can hike on the Appalachian trail, go trout fishing or tubbing, visit a brewery or winery, enjoy a scenic drive or play golf!

Roanoke, Virginia

One of the best Virginia mountain towns, Roanoke, is located in the southwest area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For those interested in arts and culture this is the town for you! There are a variety of museums ranging from arts with Norman Rockwell to science and more.

For those looking to get outdoors there are plenty of parks, Mill Mountain that acts as a backdrop to Roanoke and is home to iconic Mill Star, Read mountain preserve with hiking and biking trails. If looking to explore the Blue Ridge by car explore the Blue Ridge Parkway!

When you have finished exploring the great outdoors around Roanoke head downtown and visit one of the many restaurants, shops or numerous breweries around the area!

Charlottesville, Virginia

Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is one of the towns in the Blue Ridge mountains located near the Shenandoah National Park. With over 500 miles of trails in the surrounding areas, amazing farm to table restaurants, and wineries Charlottesville is for both foodies and adventurers.

The downtown area is known as the pedestrian mall and is home to many of the local restaurants and shops and is a great place to spend an afternoon people watching and wandering around!

For wine lovers you can drive along the Monticello Wine Trail and visit one of 33 wineries all within driving distance from Charlottesville many of which have amazing full service restaurants.

If looking to visit museums there are several on the campus of the University of Virginia as well as a walking historical tour of the campus that is offered daily!

Asheville, North Carolina

Votes as the top destination in the United States by Lonely Plant, Asheville is one of the amazing North Carolina Blue Ridge towns! Home to the Biltmore estate the largest private owned home in the United States is a must visit for anyone coming to Asheville!

For foodies there is a cheese and wine trail, amazing restaurants, and for beer lovers Asheville is called "beer city USA" and has over 26 craft breweries around town.

Explore the great outdoors, from hikes and waterfalls, throughout the blue ridge parkway, Pisgah National forest, Lake Lure and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

Head to French Broad River, for water activities, like swimming, kayaking, tubbing or stand up paddling! A great place to enjoy during the summertime.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the best Appalachian towns, and located just 10 minutes from Boone it has a small village vibe. Named after blowing rock that is located 4000 feet above sea level the town has sweeping vistas, and is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Downtown has tons of shops, restaurants and a community park. Just a short drive from downtown, you will find Moses Cone Memorial Home and Bass lake a perfect place to explore for an afternoon. As well as Julian Price Memorial Park.

Or take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Grandfather mountain is also just a short drive from Blowing Rock where you can go on the swimming bridge or view the wildlife habitats . Ski resorts and wineries are located a close drive as well!

Lewisburg, West Virginia

If looking to visit one of the small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains head to Lewisburg is West Virginia. Known its underground caverns as well as being both a foodie destination, an arts destination there is a ton to do in this small town!

You can explore the caverns just outside town at Lost World Caverns. First discovered in 1942 there is now more than a mile of underground to explore!

For those looking for arts and culture visit one of four remaining Carnegie Halls's left for musical performances, lectures and art exhibits hosted year round.

This small town hosts a First Friday event where local shops, restaurants and artists have a community event with free refreshments and entertainment on the first Friday each month. The town also offers a free historic walking tour!

And hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year. From chocolate festivals to Taste of the town in Fall and a winter music festival.

Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay is one of the small Blue Ridge towns located in Northern Georgia. This town is perfect for visiting in the fall for apple picking as it is known as the apple capital of a Georgia!

Often referred to as a nature lovers playground, there is so much to explore outdoors here! From hiking and biking on the Appalachian trails, to the Amicalola waterfall the tallest cascading waterfall in the southeast, to tubing down the Ellijay River, to farms and apple orchards, to wineries and outdoor festivals, Ellijay offers year round entertainment.

Harrisonburg, Virginia

If Virginia is for lovers, Harrisonburg is for arts and culture lovers. Named the first arts and culture district in Virginia this is one of the best small Virginia mountain towns to visit in the Shenandoah Valley!

What makes Harrisonburg a unique Blue Ridge town is that you can walk and bike throughout the downtown area. Enjoy the over 40 restaurants, locally owned shops, museums, art and history!

If you want to explore the surrounding area, head to the valley for many of the areas local wineries. Or take the Shenandoah Beerworks Trail for the area breweries.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

The motto of Pigeon Forge is "memories are made in the mountains". This resort town is located just north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is known for Dollywood Theme park.

Bring the family to Dollywood to live country music performances, rides, food and more! Or visit one of the other theme parks, water parks, or museums like Ripely's Believe it or not.

If coming for an adults only trip not to worry, there are several wineries and breweries to explore as well as comedy and musical shows around town.

Bristol, Tennessee

If you are looking for one of the Appalachian towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee head to Bristol just an hour and half from Asheville. Bristol, is located on the Virginia and Tennessee border.

Often refereed to as the birthplace of country music there is a Smithsonian museum downtown. After visiting the museum you can head to one of the area breweries, take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, shop on Main Street or head outdoors!

If looking for water sports head to South Houston Lake for some fishing and boating! Or come to a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway. There are also caverns located in the area where you can explore the underground cabers and view rock formations.

Clemson, South Carolina

Known as an art town Clemson, South Carolina is also one of the popular collage towns along the Blue Ridge Mountains. An adventure destination located in Pickens County this is the town to head to if you want to explore the outdoors.

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with lake Hartwell there is a mix of things to do in Clemson. From waterfalls, hikes, enjoying the mountains or just relaxing the lake you visit to Clemson combines southern charm and the great outdoors.

Whether visiting the botanical gardens, the Fort Hill Plantation which is John Calhouns historic home on the Clemson Campus, one of the Clemson Stadiums or museums there is tons to explore here!

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Source: https://southerntrippers.com/blue-ridge-mountain-towns/

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