North Carolina
7 Underrated Small Towns to Explore in North Carolina
![7 Underrated Small Towns to Explore in North Carolina 7 Underrated Small Towns to Explore in North Carolina](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w1200-q80/upload/2a/9e/65/shutterstock-2177564029-2.jpg)
North Carolina is an under-appreciated gem of a travel destination on the East Coast of the United States. With its lush, mountainous interior to the west of the state to the temperate, beach-lined Atlantic coast to the east, one does not have to stray far to find natural beauty here. On top of that, North Carolina is built up of a collection of cities and towns that are full of a southern charm that you don’t normally find in many coastal areas.
Today, let’s take a deeper look at 7 of the most underrated small towns in the Tar Heel State that will certainly broaden your enjoyment and understanding of this wonderful place and give you some unique ideas for your next road trip here.
Brevard
Brevard is located on the far western side of North Carolina and is regarded as a gateway to the famed Pisgah National Forest, which is known for its lush interior wildlands and numerous waterfalls. The nearby Looking Glass Falls, for example, is a popular spot for visitors looking for beautiful landscape photos and a refreshing dip on a hot day.
Brevard’s downtown area, although small, has all the amenities one may need on a stop here. One popular spot is the Oskar Blues Brewery, a fun locale to grab a cold, locally-produced, beverage in. For more entertainment, the Brevard Music Center is a scenic venue to catch an outdoor show. Historical landmarks like the Transylvania County Courthouse and the many historic homes along Main Street give a detailed look into the town’s past.
The annual White Squirrel Festival, celebrating the town’s unique albino squirrels, is a whimsical event to take part in for those on the lookout for an obscure cultural outing.
Statesville
![Downtown historic Statesville on a warm summer's evening.](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/c5/4d/da/shutterstock-1175535112.jpg)
Looking for a quiet town to retreat to outside of Charlotte? Located less than an hour north of the city, Statesville might be just the place for you. With a modest population of less than 30,000 residents, this underrated town has much to see and do in and around it, with a number of museums and other landmarks downtown and the picturesque Lake Norman located nearby.
The Academy Hill Historic District is well-known for its Victorian-era architecture, among many other historic buildings that are registered on the National Register of Historic Sites. Furthermore, the Iredell Museums, located right in the center of town, regularly showcases exhibits based on local interests and artists from the region.
If you’re in the area during the winter holidays, definitely stop by to check out the annual Statesville Christmas Parade, where the entire dowtown area dresses up to match the spirit of the season.
Elkin
![A summer street festival in Elkin, North Carolina](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/23/74/56/shutterstock-1988420276.jpg)
Elkin, situated in the Yadkin Valley, is an ideal town to stop in in North Carolina’s underrated wine country. This town’s location along the Yadkin River also makes it a sought-after destination for outdoor adventures, with its abundant fishing, kayaking, and hiking spots. Nearby, the Stone Mountain State Park also features extensive hiking trails many including rewarding viewpoints looking over the surrounding area.
The local wineries and vineyards, including the Elkin Creek Vineyard, exemplify this ideal grape-growing region. This family-owned winery is celebrated for its beautiful countryside setting and more importantly, its fine wines. Other popular nearby wineries include Piccione Vineyards and Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery.
Be sure to pay a visit to the historic Reeves Theater, a beautifully restored venue that regularly hosts film screenings and live performances.
Southport
![Street view in Southport, North Carolina](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/cd/81/5a/shutterstock-1947303304.jpg)
Southport sits on the southeastern coast and is conveniently located near the city of Wilmington. This charming beach town sits on the banks of the Cape Fear River and is in close proximity to a good selection of parks and other natural reserves.
Southport’s waterfront is often the main point of interest. Visitors can enjoy walks along the docks, where several eateries serving fresh seafood can also be found. Oliver’s on the Cape Fear and Provision Company are highly rated choices, with options closer to the heart of dowtown including Moore Street Oyster Bar and Blue Cow Grille.
Southport is also home to several historic sites, including the Fort Johnston Museum, which explores the area’s military and maritime significance dating back to the town’s founding in 1792.
The neighboring Oak Island offers additional ways to explore the coast with its beautiful beaches and the Oak Island Lighthouse, another notable landmark from the past.
Mount Airy
![Downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina.](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/07/05/3a/shutterstock-1494351755.jpg)
Mount Airy, often recognized as the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show, is a true window into small-town Americana. Many visitors to Mount Airy opt to explore the Andy Griffith Museum, which celebrates the life and career of the beloved actor and his connection to this town.
Many also come here for its nearby parks and wildlands. The nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the great Appalachian Mountain range, contain many outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, and for those who don’t wish to leave the comfort of their car, some of the most scenic drives in the country. Pilot Mountain State Park, a short drive from town, is also renowned for its unique yet wonderful rock formations, each carved by the powers of wind and water over millennia.
Historic sites in and around Mount Airy, like the Old North State Winery (housed in a mercantile from 1890) and the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (just across the street from the former), will lay out additional info about the area via exhibits and guided tours.
Marion
![Marion, North Carolina: A sign for Hawkins Lumber Company business store shop and American Flag](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/4e/af/c8/istock-1406109396.jpg)
Marion is another town that gives easy access to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, a popular natural landmark nearby being the Linville Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the United States.
Marion’s dowtown area is worth at least a bit of exploration too, with several notable historic sites to be found within it. The McDowell County Courthouse, built in 1927, stands as a prominent landmark. The local Marion Historic District is also home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries housed in well-preserved buildings. Marion also hosts the annual Marion Firemen’s Fair, a local tradition that features rides, games, and food, making it a good place to bring the whole family.
The nearby Catawba River is another highlight for outdoor enthusiasts. It is a place where canoeing, riverside picnics, and hiking are popular activities for residents and visitors alike.
New Bern
![Bradham's Pharmacy is the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola in New Bern, North Carolina](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/86/4d/52/shutterstock-2230846371.jpg)
Founded in 1710 New Bern is one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, on top of being an absolute coastal delight. Situated at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern is well known for its boat docks and access to other water-based activities.
Given its age, this town is full of historic landmarks for you to explore. For one, the Tryon Palace, a reconstruction of the former British Governor’s opulent residence, now contains a museum and regularly scheduled guided tours. Its grounds are also well known for its vast gardens, making it a perfect place for an afternoon walk. The nearby New Bern Firemen’s Museum will provide you with deep insight into the town’s longstanding firefighting department, a spot that certainly appeals to history buffs and families alike.
New Bern is also known as the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, and visitors can explore the original pharmacy where the famous drink was first created. Grab a cold one this summer!
See another Side of South North Carolina
From sea to summit and everything in between, these underrated small towns in North Carolina make perfect stops for any road trip throughout the state. Whether you seek to hike the vast Blue Ridge Mountains or simply lounge on a beach by the ocean, there are several great options for all interests. Better yet, all the destinations mentioned here are filled with intriguing history and people who continue to preserve traditions that date back to the very founding of the country. Be sure to explore all corners of the welcoming Tar Heel State if you’re in the area!
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North Carolina
Donald Trump retakes slim lead in North Carolina polling average
![Donald Trump retakes slim lead in North Carolina polling average Donald Trump retakes slim lead in North Carolina polling average](https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2459313/donald-trump.jpg)
Donald Trump has retaken the lead in North Carolina, according to polling.
FiveThirtyEight’s poll tracker showed Harris take the lead in the state for the first time last Thursday when she was 0.2 points ahead of Trump. On Friday, she was 0.4 points ahead, on 45.8 percent to the former president’s 45.4 percent.
However, Trump has now retaken the lead, per the poll aggregator, which shows him 0.3 points ahead, on 45.8 percent to Harris’s 45.5 percent.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump and Harris campaigns for comment via email.
It comes after the most recent poll in the state, conducted by SoCal Strategies between August 26 and 27, showed that Trump has a 4-point lead over Harris among 612 likely voters, on 50 percent to Harris’s 46 percent. The poll had a 95 confidence level.
Trump’s lead over Harris among likely voters is powered by his influence among male (55 percent-41 percent) and white voters (57 percent-39 percent), according to the poll. He also leads Harris among independents, with 54 percent to her 37 percent.
Emily Elconin/Getty Images
Before Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on July 21, Trump was leading the president in every poll in the state by between 2 points and 12 points.
However, the lead began to fade when Harris took Biden’s place atop the Democratic ticket. The vice president first saw a lead in North Carolina in a poll conducted between July 26 and August 2 by The Cook Political Report, which gave her a 2-point lead over Trump among likely voters when third-party candidates were included.
Since then, polls in North Carolina have shown Trump with only a lead of between 1 point to 4 points, while other polls have shown the two candidates neck and neck in the state, or Harris in the lead. RealClearPolitics’ polling average shows Trump with a 0.9-point lead in the state.
The tight margins mean that North Carolina is no longer the closest state in the presidential race, according to FiveThirtyEight.
It is also the second most likely state to be the tipping point state in November, with an 11 percent likelihood. A state’s tipping-point chance is the probability it will give the Electoral College winner their 270th electoral vote.
“The Trump campaign can’t afford to let North Carolina slip,” Cook Political Report Editor-in-Chief Amy Walter said on the organization’s website. “If Harris were to win just North Carolina and the Blue Wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, she could afford to lose every other competitive Sun Belt state—Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona—and still win the Electoral College vote.”
FiveThirtyEight’s forecast model shows that the Republicans are projected to secure a victory in the state, with a 0.4-point margin.
North Carolina has voted Republican in the last three presidential elections.
It is considered a swing state because of its close margins and its history of electing Democratic governors. Seven of the last eight gubernatorial races have gone blue in the state.
North Carolina
Man wins $439,000 lottery prize just after buying North Carolina home
![Man wins 9,000 lottery prize just after buying North Carolina home Man wins 9,000 lottery prize just after buying North Carolina home](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/08/28/USAT/74976031007-benny-murphy.jpg?auto=webp&crop=599,337,x0,y56&format=pjpg&width=1200)
A day after buying a home, a North Carolina man is already seeing a drastic return on his investment.
Benny Murphy from Alamance County won $439,527 from a winning lottery ticket on Aug. 13 just a day after purchasing a house, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.
“They made a joke about lower payments if I won the lottery,” Murphy told North Carolina lottery officials.
Murphy won the Cash 5 prize after picking up a $1 ticket from a Quickmart in Mebane, the lottery reported. After federal and state tax withholdings, he received $314,262 from his jackpot win.
He said he will use the money to finish paying off the house far sooner than he originally planned. He will also embark on a fishing trip and still have some spare money to go to savings, the lottery reported.
Mega Millions jackpot at $582 million
A lucky Mega Millions jackpot ticket holder can win up to $582 million if they have the winning numbers for Tuesday’s drawing. The estimated price increased after there was no winner of the Friday jackpot.
After taxes, the take-home payment will be around $286.9 million, according to lottery officials.
In 2024, there have been two winners of Mega Millions jackpots including a New Jersey player who won $1.13 billion in March and an Illinois player who won $552 million in June.
North Carolina
New North Carolina poll shows state could again vote red for president, blue for governor
![New North Carolina poll shows state could again vote red for president, blue for governor New North Carolina poll shows state could again vote red for president, blue for governor](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/15165889_HarrisTrump.jpg?w=1600)
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — With North Carolina in the national spotlight for the 2024 Election, a new poll sponsored by Elon University is shedding light on how the races for president and governor are shaping up.
In both 2016 and 2020, North Carolina voters split their tickets — voting for Republican Donald Trump to be president and Democrat Roy Cooper to be governor. Polling suggests a similar outcome could happen in 2024, even without Cooper on the ticket.
The new poll from Elon University found both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump viewed favorably by just about half of voters.
That similar favorability means the presidential race in North Carolina — and subsequently the state’s key 16 electoral votes — is a tossup. This is corroborated by the amount of attention both campaigns have given North Carolina, with each visiting multiple times over the last several weeks.
Polling for the governor’s race is much different. The same responders in the poll favored Democrat Josh Stein to Republican Mark Robinson by a 14-point margin.
“This is not because Stein is exceptionally popular his numbers are about like that of Harris, but rather Stein’s 14-point lead in favorability is because Robinson is far less popular than Trump among both Republicans and independents. The Trump base in North Carolina among Republicans and the Trump-leaning Independents are not going to Robinson at the level that one may have expected early on in this campaign,” said Jason Husser, the director of the Elon University poll.
Trump and Robinson are closely aligned politically and have even campaigned together as recently as last week in Asheboro, but the poll director believes there could be a reason for the difference in popularity.
It was Trump’s first outdoor campaign event away from one of his properties since the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman tried to assassinate him.
“Donald Trump is a unique figure in American political history, we will be talking the idiosyncratic nature of Trump in politics for years in the future. Robinson while having some of the same positions as Trump is not Trump, and so we haven’t seen some of that support carry over with other Republicans,” Husser said.
Robinson’s campaign doesn’t believe that difference will hurt his chances, telling ABC11 in a statement:
“Polls have consistently underestimated Republican support in North Carolina for several cycles now and with a large portion of the electorate still undecided as we continue to ramp up our efforts on the ground and on the airwaves, Mark Robinson remains in a strong position to win in November.”
In an era of political division and polarization, ticket splitting is becoming more rare. In fact, 85 percent of North Carolinians polled said they would be voting the same party in both major races, but the poll found about 1 in 6 North Carolinians are open to voting for different parties for President and Governor.
And in a close race, that could be decisive as in was in 2016 and 2020. But who are these Trump-Cooper or potential Trump-Stein voters?
“The people who are splitting their ticket are often people who are not necessarily moderate, they’re not necessarily independents, but they’re not people who define themselves based on their attachment to a political party so closer to the middle than the far right or the far left,” Husser said.
The poll also found that the economy was important to 90 percent of North Carolinians in that poll. It also found North Carolinians are worried about the aftermath of the election, almost 75 percent of voters were concerned about the possibility of political violence after the election.
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