See 6 WorldAtlas 'off-the-beaten-path' travel picks in Western NC

Six Western North Carolina towns were described as travel favorites for those looking to explore areas "off the beaten path" in a new list from WorldAtlas.

Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel.

Previous Citizen Times articles have covered numerous mentions of Western NC from WorldAtlas, including the publication's favorite North Carolina towns for 2026 visits, best scenic drives, most interesting historic towns the "coolest towns" both literally and figuratively and more.

Here's what the latest WorldAtlas article published Aug. 28 said about Western N.C. towns that are "off

the beaten path," plus the full list and more.

What to do in Marshall, NC

According to WorldAtlas, Marshall is built on a narrow strip between the French Broad River and a steep wooded slope, with the 1907 Madison County Courthouse at its center and railroad tracks that still follow the river as part of the town's historic layout.

During a visit to Marshall, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• The 1907 Madison County Courthouse, which stands at the center of the town's narrow strip and is ringed by brick storefronts, galleries, cafes and music spaces
• Blannahassett Island, which offers picnic space, river access and views back toward the courthouse and hillside.
• Marshall High Studios, where artists work inside a former high school on Blannahassett Island
• The Old Marshall Jail, another piece of local history on Main Street
• The bridge in late afternoon, when the French Broad "catches the light beneath the surrounding ridges"

What to do in Burnsville, NC

WorldAtlas described Burnsville as a hub for arts, crafts and outdoor attractions, with a walkable town center and easy access to mountain scenery. The publication highlighted everything from local galleries and studios to stargazing and theater.

During a visit to Burnsville, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Burnsville's Town Square, the natural starting point for exploring the center
• The Otway Burns statue among independent shops, restaurants and galleries
• Toe River Arts, where regional artists show their work
• Studios devoted to pottery, glass, painting and other forms scattered through the surrounding mountains
• Mount Mitchell, "at 6,684 feet the highest peak east of the Mississippi River"
• Roaring Fork Falls, reached by a short forest path to a roughly 100-foot cascade
• The Bare Dark Sky Observatory at Mayland Earth to Sky Park, where a large public telescope points skyward beneath exceptionally dark mountain skies
• The Parkway Playhouse, home to a theatrical tradition decades old in Burnsville

What to do in Tryon, NC

WorldAtlas highlighted Tryon's connection to Nina Simone, along with its walkable downtown, equestrian heritage and nearby natural scenery. The publication pointed to historic sites, cultural venues and outdoor attractions that help define the town.

During a visit to Tryon, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Nina Simone Plaza, home to a bronze sculpture of the singer seated at a piano
• Nina Simone's childhood home, which survives nearby as an important historic site
• Murals and preservation work that keep her story present beyond a single memorial
• Trade Street, where much of Tryon's daily activity runs
• Independent shops and restaurants along the walkable stretch of older buildings
• The Tryon Theatre
• The Tryon Fine Arts Center
• Horse farms outside the town center that reflect the area's long equestrian tradition
• Highway 176, which follows the Pacolet River toward Saluda and is "particularly pretty beneath fall foliage"
• Pearson's Falls, reached by an easy woodland path in a protected glen
• The 90-foot waterfall at Pearson's Falls, which spreads across a broad rock face beneath thick forest after rain

What to do in Sparta, NC

WorldAtlas highlighted Sparta's access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, outdoor recreation and quiet small-town atmosphere, pointing to historic sites, trails, waterways and mountain scenery throughout Alleghany County.

During a visit to Sparta, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• The Blue Ridge Parkway, with about 32 miles of the route crossing Alleghany County through high meadows, woods and farm country
• Cumberland Knob, which has special historic status because construction of the Parkway began there in 1935
• The trails at Cumberland Knob, described as an easy stop close to the road
• Doughton Park, with more than 30 miles of trails crossing open balds, wooded slopes and former homestead land
• Sparta's Main Street, where cafes, shops and the courthouse ring a modest downtown
• The New River for paddling, tubing and fishing
• Stone Mountain State Park east of town
• The "huge granite dome" at Stone Mountain State Park rising above forest trails and waterfalls

What to do in Saluda, NC

WorldAtlas highlighted Saluda's railroad heritage, outdoor recreation and small-town businesses, pointing to historic sites, scenic landscapes and longtime local favorites. The publication noted attractions both in the town center and along the surrounding mountain terrain.

During a visit to Saluda, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Main Street, where historic storefronts, antique shops, galleries, cafes and Pace's General Store sit close together
• The Saluda Historic Depot, which documents how rail travel made the ridge-top settlement an important nineteenth-century stop
• The Green River Gorge, where outfitters run rafting, kayaking and tubing trips through heavily forested terrain
• Pearson's Falls & Glen, reached by a short trail through protected woodland
• The 90-foot cascade at Pearson's Falls & Glen
• The Purple Onion, described as a dependable place for a meal
• Wildflour Bakery for baked goods before heading out for the day
• Highway 176 south of Saluda, which follows the Pacolet River toward Tryon alongside the historic Saluda Grade
• The historic Saluda Grade, where "the steep Blue Ridge terrain that challenged early railroads is impossible to miss"

What to do in West Jefferson, NC

WorldAtlas highlighted West Jefferson's arts scene, local businesses, mountain views and agricultural roots, pointing to attractions both in town and across the surrounding countryside. The publication noted mural-lined streets, galleries, cheesemaking and scenic overlooks among the area's draws.

During a visit to West Jefferson, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• The murals that cover brick walls throughout central West Jefferson, with each one described as "a stop of its own"
• Gallery owners and studio artists who reinforce the town's artistic streak, particularly during seasonal gallery crawls
• Independent shops throughout the compact downtown area
• Ashe County Cheese, which grew out of the area's long dairy history
• The Ashe County Cheese factory store
• Viewing windows where travelers can watch cheesemaking when production is underway
• Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, where roads and trails reach overlooks across the Blue Ridge
• The surrounding countryside filled with farms, barns and rolling pasture
• The autumn scenery, when surrounding slopes turn red and gold around West Jefferson's murals and brick storefronts

Off-the-beaten-path towns in North Carolina

The full list of towns from WorldAtlas included:

• Marshall
• Dillsboro
• Oriental
• Burnsville
• Tryon
• Saluda
• West Jefferson
• Belhaven
• Elkin
• Sparta
• Rutherfordton

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: See 6 WorldAtlas 'off-the-beaten-path' travel picks in Western NC