These 5 Western NC towns are 'adorable' according to WorldAtlas

A new list from WorldAtlas praised nine North Carolina small towns as "adorable," including five familiar Western N.C. locations.

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 Sept. 19 said about its five "adorable" Western N.C. picks.

What to do in Bryson City, NC

WorldAtlas describes

Bryson City as centered on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which departs from downtown and carries passengers past rivers, forests and trestles that most cars never reach. Writers also highlighted the town's compact downtown, nearby waterfall trails at Deep Creek and easy access to the vast trail network of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

During a visit to Bryson City, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, the town's signature outing departing from downtown Bryson City
• Downtown Bryson City, described as compact and friendly
• Deep Creek, where forest trails lead to several waterfalls and cool swimming holes
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a trail network large enough to keep a hiker busy for years

What to do in Blowing Rock, NC

According to WorldAtlas, Blowing Rock draws visitors with a cliffside overlook above the Johns River Gorge and a village center where boutiques, galleries and cafes line a walkable Main Street. WorldAtlas also highlighted nearby scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway, including trails and historic landmarks within Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.

During a visit to Blowing Rock, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• The Blowing Rock, where wind funnels up the gorge with enough force that light objects tossed off the rim can drift back toward you and views across the Blue Ridge
• Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, where carriage trails loop through the Blue Ridge Parkway boundary
• Flat Top Manor within Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
• Bass Lake within Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
• Downtown Blowing Rock, with boutiques, galleries and cafes along a walkable Main Street shaded by leafy trees and hung with flower baskets in the warm months

What to do in Highlands, NC

Highlands sits around 4,000 feet up in the Blue Ridge, with WorldAtlas praising its downtown area surrounded by dense forest and waterfalls. WorldAtlas writers highlighted the town's mix of natural scenery and a walkable Main Street, describing it as "a polished mountain village set against some genuinely wild country just past the last streetlight."

During a visit to Highlands, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Dry Falls, where a paved path leads behind the 75-foot curtain of water to a dry rock shelter
• Cullasaja River Gorge, where waterfalls and mountain scenery lie beyond town
• Cullasaja Falls, which drops roughly 250 feet and is visible from the road
• Main Street, lined with galleries, independent shops, restaurants and well-kept gardens

What to do in Saluda, NC

According to WorldAtlas, Saluda grew up alongside the Saluda Grade, described as "the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway grade in the United States" when trains still operated there, and retains the character of a small mountain railroad town. Writers highlighted its walkable downtown, nearby waterfall preserve and access to rugged foothill landscapes, noting that Saluda blends historic railroad architecture, an active arts scene and mountain scenery.

During a visit to Saluda, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Historic Downtown District, with galleries, cafes, antique shops and colorful storefronts
• Saluda Grade, the historic railway grade that helped shape the town
• Pearson's Falls and Glen, a botanical preserve run by the Tryon Garden Club
• The quarter-mile trail through Pearson's Falls and Glen
• The 90-foot waterfall at the end of the Pearson's Falls and Glen trail
• Green River Game Lands, with hiking trails and rugged foothill country

What to do in Hendersonville, NC

Hendersonville centers on the Main Street Historic District, a National Register area with broad sidewalks, restored storefronts, independent shops and restaurants at the foot of the Western N.C. mountains. WorldAtlas writers also highlighted nearby mountain views at Jump Off Rock and the waterfall-lined trails of DuPont State Recreational Forest, describing the town as having "a welcoming small-town feel."

During a visit to Hendersonville, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

• Main Street Historic District, a National Register stretch of broad sidewalks, restored storefronts, independent shops and restaurants
• Jump Off Rock, which caps a ridge with wide Blue Ridge views and several short walking trails
• DuPont State Recreational Forest, where waterfalls and forest trails wind through the landscape
• The forest locations in DuPont State Recreational Forest that appeared in "The Hunger Games" and "The Last of the Mohicans"

Most adorable small towns in North Carolina

The full list of "adorable" North Carolina small towns from WorldAtlas included:

• Blowing Rock
• Beaufort
• Bryson City
• Edenton
• Southport
• Highlands
• Manteo
• Saluda
• Hendersonville

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: These 5 Western NC towns are 'adorable' according to WorldAtlas