Discover the unique outdoor adventures and lodging options in Hot Springs, North Carolina, a small town known for its scenic beauty and geothermal springs.
Did you know there are healing springs in North Carolina? Healing springs that happen to date back centuries? Hot Springs is a small town that is perfect for the nature lover in us all. In this podcast episode, we dive into the best Hot Springs, NC lodging, from cabins by the river to bed and breakfasts in town. Plus, we plan out some incredibly unique Hot Springs, North Carolina, things to do.
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Dillsboro, North Carolina transforms into a magical Christmas town with enchanting lights and festive activities during the first two weekends in December.
Looking for the quintessential mountain Christmas experience in North Carolina this year? Then gather up friends and family and head over to the tiny town of Dillsboro. At Christmastime, this charming mountain locale is home to the most enchanting Main Street in the country. With local shops getting in on all the fun and a spectacular Christmas light display spread out over the town, this is one place you will not want to miss. So, if you need a little holiday cheer, then Christmas in Dillsboro, NC is just what you need.
Filled with delightfully rustic galleries brimming with handmade crafts, pottery, and other wonderful artisan creations, Dillsboro is a popular place to visit year-round.
But each year on the first two weekends in December, Dillsboro has the most enchanting Main Street in America. In an event called Lights and Luminaries, Dillsboro becomes one of the most quintessential North Carolina Christmas towns in the state.
This winter wonderland of sparking lights is a way to celebrate not only Christmastime but also the small businesses in town. There are lots of restaurants, shops, and galleries that all participate in the event. Holiday cheer abounds as the shops, restaurants, trees, and streets are dripping in twinkling lights. But that's not all...
More than 2,500 hand-lit luminaries line the sidewalks for the annual Lights and Luminaries event taking place on Friday and Saturday evenings (the first two weekends in December from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night).
But you can also have a wonderful holiday experience in Dillsboro in the daytime during the Christmas season. And you just never know who you'll run into on America's most charming Christmastime Main Street.
You may feel like a kid in a candy store as you stroll through this winter wonderland filled with shops, galleries, studios, and restaurants all decked out for the holidays.
To make the most of this festive time, all of the businesses have special hours and stay open late so you can enjoy the event even longer.
When Christmas shopping in Downtown Dillsboro, you'll notice that both the town and merchants come together to completely deck the halls. It's an experience most cherish year after year.
Find handmade chocolates at the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory and handmade Christmas items in nearly every shop. Prepare to check a few people off your holiday shopping list after a visit to Dillsboro's Main Street this season.
As mentioned, the shops and studios are open all season long, but if you want to attend the special Lights and Luminaries Christmas festival in Dillsboro, NC, it takes place Dec. 6-7, and Dec. 13-14, 2024 nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Join in with carolers strolling the streets or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the town. Also, keep an eye out for some live music on Front Street during the event. You simply can't go wrong when you surround yourself with holiday bliss in Dillsboro this year!
For a Christmastime memory that the entire family will cherish, head to Dillsboro, one of the most festive Christmas towns in NC, and its enchanted Main Street this year.
Want to learn more about Christmas in Dillsboro, NC? Then, make sure you head on over to the Dillsboro town website for all the information about Lights and Luminaries and more fun events throughout the year.
Want to get just a taste of the event before you go? Check out this video from Western Carolina University's YouTube channel:
As a mere point of reference: Dillsboro is located 17 miles southeast of Bryson City, 64 miles southwest of Asheville, 134 miles southwest of Boone, and fewer than three hours from both Charlotte and Winston-Salem. So, if you are looking to spend the night, check out this house rental in Dillsboro.
Are you excited about celebrating the holidays in North Carolina? Share this article with a friend and make plans to visit Dillsboro this December!
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Check out five of the coolest small towns in North Carolina on this epic multi-day road trip.
We've got some truly amazing larger cities in North Carolina. I love a visit to The Triangle, and Durham is one of my favorite cities I've ever visited. Still, our state is largely made up of small towns, and agriculture is still a huge part of the economy. These little rural towns are what make the Tar Heel State so great. Sure, they may not have the amenities and attractions you'll find in Charlotte or Winston-Salem, but what they have in spades is charm and a sense of community that can be tough to come across nowadays. If you're looking to check out some of the best small towns in North Carolina, I think you'll love this wonderful road trip.
This trip requires quite a bit of time on the road, and you'll want at least a few hours to explore each of the small towns featured. I recommend taking at least three days to enjoy this road trip to the fullest, but if you don't have the time or budget for such a long trip, you can always shorten it! Check out the customizable itinerary on Google Maps to remove or rearrange stops to your liking.
Our first stop is the charming Elizabethtown, population 3,200. This is the county seat of Bladen County, but it's perhaps best known as the home of Melvin's Burgers, nationally recognized as one of the best burger and hot dog joints in the South. This town was established in 1773, so there's quite a bit of history on display, including a historical marker indicating where the 1781 Battle of Elizabethtown was fought during the Revolutionary War. Want to spend some time outdoors? Jones Lake State Park is a perfect escape for any season, with trails, a campground, a huge lake, and so much more.
Next up, we'll head to the coast and pay a visit to Beaufort, another of the state's most historic towns. It's the third-oldest town in North Carolina and home to so much quaint Southern charm. If you're a fan of the spooky and scary, you'll be glad to know that Beaufort is allegedly haunted: check out the Beaufort Ghost Walk to learn more about the town's legendary hauntings.
We hope you like history, because our next stop is just as historic as the first two. Bath is a small town of under 250 residents nestled up against the Pamlico River. It was established way back in 1705, making it the oldest town in North Carolina. There are plenty of things to do in this lovely port city, but we love a simple stroll around the downtown area.
If you're looking for a shorter adventure, this is a great place to end your road trip, though we definitely think the final two towns are worthy of a visit, too! If you decide to continue on and complete the entire trip, this wonderful cabin is right on the water and has its own dock. It's just outside of Bath and is a great place to rest for the night before heading on to the last leg of your journey.
Our next stop is Hillsborough, population around 9,900. It's a rapidly growing town, but it retains its small-town charm and you could easily spend a whole day here. You'll find wonderful local restaurants - don't miss a visit to Panciuto if you're craving some delicious Italian. The downtown area is also full of adorable boutique shops, and there are even some great nearby hiking trails.
Last but not least, we'll end our trip in Davidson. This suburb of Charlotte has a population of around 15,000, so it's quite a bit larger than most of the places on this list, but it's definitely worthy of a visit and feels like a much smaller town than it is. If you love escaping into a good book, you don't want to miss a trip to Main Street Books. This independent bookstore boasts hundreds of titles and hosts tons of great events. There are some delightful eateries here, too, like The Pickled Peach, one of our favorite farm-to-table restaurants in this part of the state.
Which of these small towns in eastern North Carolina is your favorite? Are there any stops you think should be added? Share your thoughts in the comments!
No road trip is complete without food - after all, you don't want to end up hangry behind the wheel! Check out some of our favorite road trip snacks that are perfect for avoiding constant stops at the drive-thru.
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