Real Estate Blog

Black Mountain is situated just 20 minutes from Asheville, but that's not the only mountain community worth exploring. With so many mountain towns to eat, drink, and sightsee through in Western North Carolina, putting roots down in Black Mountain makes for a fun home base to enjoy all the amazing small businesses, makers, and artists that make our region so special. So, we've provided a short description of some of four of our favorite WNC day trips, and all of these locations are less than an hour's drive from Black Mountain!

1. Saluda, 48 miles / 49 minutes from Black Mountain

The tiny town of Saluda has a population of under 1,000 people and has retained that Main Street, tight-knit vibe since 1831 thanks in part to being home to North Carolina's oldest grocery store, Thompson's Store, which opened in 1890. Today's grocery store is flanked by ta few tasty restaurants like The Purple Onion, Green River Barbeque, and Whistle Stop Pizza. Be sure to stop at the tiny Green River Brew Depot for a local craft brew from one of their 14 rotating taps.

2. Lake Lure, 23 miles / 42 minutes from Black Mountain

Made famous by being the backdrop to the original Dirty Dancing movie. The lake community celebrates their claim to fame with their annual Dirty Dancing Festival every September (and yes, they host a "lake lift" competition! The rest of the year, Lake Lure makes the view from Chimney Rock extra special, and a water wonderland with boat, kayak, and SUP rentals available. Or, let someone else do the driving and join a scenic lake cruise.

3. Morganton, 41 miles / 43 minutes from Black Mountain

The local-ingredient-obsessed Fonta Flora Brewery has helped put Morganton on the map by gaining international recognition for their craft brews. But before Fonta Flora opened in their historic flatiron building, Root + Vine opened down the street--with an adorable courtyard--following a similar locally-sourced, scratch made philosophy. And one of North Carolina's best-known breweries, Catawba, also has a production facility and taproom in Morganton.

4. Hendersonville, 39 miles / 43 minutes from Black Mountain

Another adorable downtown resides in Hendersonville, dotted with inventive restaurants, craft breweries, bars, and coffee shops that would fit right in as part of Asheville's or a larger city's culinary landscape. Go to Never Blue to experience unique items like Lamb Kofta and Gypsy Cheese (poblano-smoked jalapeño pimento cheese dip) and plenty of Southern staples with a twist like shrimp and grits and butter biscuits and jams. Hendough Chicken & Biscuits and Umi are also amazing local eateries.

What is your favorite small mountain town in Western North Carolina? Let us know on our Facebook page.