See 4 'historic towns' in Western NC named the state's best by WorldAtlas

A new list from WorldAtlas named nine "must-see historic towns" in North Carolina, including four locations in the western region of the state. Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology

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A new list from WorldAtlas named nine "must-see historic towns" in North Carolina, including four locations in the western region of the state.

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 N.C. from WorldAtlas, including the publication's favorite North Carolina towns for 2026 visits, best day trips in the state, "idyllic" and "unpretentious" towns, scenic drives, a favorite downtown area and more.

Here's what WorldAtlas suggested during a trip to each Western N.C. town on its list, plus the full list of

locations and more.

What to do in Waynesville, NC

WorldAtlas says Waynesville took its name from General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War officer, and has served as the seat of Haywood County since 1808. The outlet notes that the entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where brick storefronts now house galleries and craft shops instead of feed stores, though "the bones are the same."

During a visit to Waynesville, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

Downtown Waynesville, where the entire historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and brick storefronts now hold galleries and craft shops
The Shelton House, an 1875 farmhouse that houses the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts
The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, featuring regional pottery and old mountain quilts
Cherokee, which WorldAtlas notes is close enough to include in the same weekend
Sylva, another nearby stop WorldAtlas suggests can be folded into the same weekend

What to do in Boone, NC

WorldAtlas says Boone is named for Daniel Boone, who hunted these mountains long before the town existed. The outlet highlights several attractions tied to the area's history, from living-history exhibits and an outdoor drama to longtime local institutions, noting that "history here is the kind you can climb aboard."

During a visit to Boone, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, which recreates an 18th-century mountain homestead with costumed interpreters working the cabins and gardens
"Horn in the West," an outdoor drama that has staged the story of Revolutionary War-era settlers in the high country every summer since 1952
Mast General Store, a King Street fixture known for its creaky floors and barrels of candy
Tweetsie Railroad, where a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive loops around a Wild West theme park

Engine No. 12 chugs along on Tweetsie Railroad.

What to do in Cherokee, NC

WorldAtlas describes Cherokee as the cultural center of the Qualla Boundary, the homeland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, whose people have lived in these mountains for thousands of years. The outlet notes that after most Cherokee were forced west on the Trail of Tears in 1838, a determined group remained behind, and their descendants still hold the land today. Together, the attractions highlighted by WorldAtlas make Cherokee "one of the few places in the state where you hear the history straight from the people who lived it."

During a visit to Cherokee, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

The Museum of the Cherokee People, founded in 1948, which tells the story of the Cherokee people in Cherokee voices rather than an outsider's summary
Oconaluftee Indian Village, which has recreated an 18th-century Cherokee community since 1952 with artisans weaving baskets and burning out dugout canoes
"Unto These Hills," an outdoor drama that has performed the tribe's history at the Mountainside Theatre since 1950
Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, a Native cooperative that has operated since the 1940s and offers traditional work to take home

What to do in Tryon, NC

WorldAtlas says Tryon's biggest contribution to history was born on East Livingston Street in 1933, where Eunice Waymon spent her early childhood before the world knew her as Nina Simone. The outlet notes that her childhood home was nearly demolished before four artists bought it in 2016 and restored it as a National Treasure, while a statue of Simone now stands downtown. WorldAtlas also points out that the entire Tryon historic district was added to the National Register in 2015 and that, for a town of around 1,600 people, Tryon has produced "an outsized legacy."

During a visit to Tryon, WorldAtlas writers suggested:

The Nina Simone childhood home on East Livingston Street, a three-room clapboard house restored as a National Treasure after being purchased by four artists in 2016
A downtown statue of Nina Simone
The Tryon historic district, which was listed on the National Register in 2015
Tryon International Equestrian Center, which carries on a horse-country tradition that goes back generations

American McLain Ward leaps the final jump in the group jumping competition on horse, Clinta, during the FEI World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center on Sept. 20, 2018.