When you think of the mountains of North Carolina, places like Asheville or Boone may be the first names that come to mind. Beautiful places, each in their own way. Cabins dotting the hillside. Streets overflowing with people browsing around. Store shelves lined with tchotkes. Cars waiting on the elusive perfect parking space. Yes, this version of the mountains is all too typical.
But what if you didn’t want typical? What if you were one of those rare people who wanted to venture off the beaten path? Where would you go then? What would you find?
Welcome to Waynesville.
If the name rings a bell or if you’ve found your way here at one point, you are one of the chosen few. This little town in the mountains is typically known to the more adventurous traveler. It’s not "Brigadoon hidden." It doesn’t just appear one day every hundred years. It’s been where it stands since 1810. Quiet. Beautiful. At the intersection of creativity and tradition.
Waynesville is a true small mountain town. It’s not overrun and you won’t spend half your visit looking for a parking space. Most people find their way here by accident and not by intention. But, the result is the same: They fall in love with the place.
The Gateway to the Smokies as it is called, Waynesville is perfectly situated for those seeking the awe-inspiring. In the span of a few miles, you can hike to cascading waterfalls and find "oh my" overlooks. But the centerpiece of it all is the downtown itself. Quaint. Charming. Grab a thesaurus and you’ll still run out of words to describe its appeal.
Shops line the street. But not like the ones in other mountain towns. There are galleries where you can actually watch artists paint, sculpt, and carve their ideas to life. Jewelers bend silver spoons into bracelets. 250-year old cedar trees are turned into benches that make the perfect conversation pieces for your dining room table. Mountain traditions are alive and well and on full display. Locals take pride in their work and are usually happy to share a story behind the pieces you’re buying.
Restaurants and bars are usually buzzing. But, again, not in the typical fashion. A shop selling neon signs also has a bar to offer weary husbands a drink or two as their wives test limits of buyers remorse. Mythical mountain creatures come to life in craft beer form. Meals are farm to table with ingredients sourced locally and menus changing regularly. Sweet Onion Pot Roast today and then Chicken Fried Steak with pepper gravy tomorrow. Each dish served with a genuine smile and made from traditions, not recipes.
Waynesville is an authentic mountain experience. It doesn’t feel retail or manufactured for tourists. It is genuine, natural. You can take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can watch an 1,100 pound lumbering bull elk stop traffic in the Cataloochee Valley. You can browse shops that keep traditions alive by nourishing the craftsmanship, patience, and dedication of local artists. You can dine at restaurants that believe a good meal should be a conversation starter. If the adventurous traveler in you says "yes" to all these things, Waynesville is your Appalachian True. Find your way there soon.