North Carolina
7 Underrated Small Towns to Explore in North Carolina
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
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
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
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
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 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
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!
A man kidnapped and killed a U.S. Postal Service worker while she was delivering mail in North Carolina last week, police said, orphaning her two daughters, who lost their father just a few months before.
Brandi Reynolds, 35, was found dead following a call for help to authorities in Hays, North Carolina, Friday afternoon, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.
“I can confirm that Brandi Reynolds was delivering mail on her route when the incident occurred,” U.S. Postal Inspector Michael Martel said by email.
Prosecutors in Wilkes County charged William Craig Durham, 56, of the community of Roaring River, with first-degree kidnapping and murder, according to court records.
The defendant, arrested the day of the murder, remained in Wilkes County Jail on Tuesday, according to a third-party inmate information service used by the county. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
A warrant filed in district court alleged Durham committed kidnapping “by unlawfully restraining the victim, removing the victim from one place to another without the consent of the victim.”
It said Durham carried out the alleged kidnapping “for the purpose of terrorizing” Reynolds and “doing serious bodily injury” to her.
It’s unclear how Durham allegedly committed the killing. Any weapons that may have been used were not mentioned in the document, and any motive was unavailable.
On Monday, district court Judge Robert J. Crumpton ordered the defendant to remain in custody without bond, citing his “significant criminal record.”
State prison records show Durham has served time for second-degree kidnapping, assault on a female and possession of a gun by a felon, among other offenses.
An investigation into the killing was being conducted jointly by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the bureau said.
Reynolds was the mother of two girls, according to her obituary. She lost her husband, Brent Reynolds, on Dec. 23, 2025, when the pickup he was driving veered off a road in Rhonda, North Carolina, and struck a tree, according to NBC affiliate WXII of Winston-Salem.
His obituary stated at the time that he was the father of the couple’s two girls — “the light of his life.”
Reynolds’ obituary, likewise, stated that her daughters “were her whole world.”
She left behind her mother, two sisters and several nieces and nephews, it said.
“The U.S. Postal Service is deeply saddened about the death of our colleague, Brandi Byrd Reynolds,” Postal Service spokesperson Martha Johnson said by email. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and co-workers at the Hays Post Office.”
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina lawmakers have released a long-delayed state budget proposal that includes higher pay for educators and state employees, along with new funding for community colleges.
The plan, still awaiting legislative approval, outlines several provisions that would directly affect Durham.
The proposal calls for an average 8% raise for teachers and a 3% raise for most state employees, plus one-time bonuses. It also fully funds “Propel NC,” a new community college funding model that rewards schools for training students in high-demand careers rather than focusing solely on enrollment.
Durham Technical Community College President JB Buxton said the model would strengthen programs tied to the region’s growing industries.
“It’s a very good budget for the community colleges,” Buxton said.
Full proposed budget
Durham Tech expects increased support for programs in life sciences, healthcare, and skilled trades — fields that continue to drive the Triangle’s economy. Buxton said those programs reflect the needs of employers across the region.
“If you think about things like electrical systems and technicians, in addition to HVAC, and plumbing and welding, if you think about biomedical engineering, those are areas that are in demand here,” he said.
Buxton said building a strong talent pipeline is essential as the region expands.
“We want to be the workforce development engine in this area, but we also want to be an economic development engine and kind of power our companies,” he said. “Not only bring people to opportunity, but give companies what they need to grow.”
The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the budget on Wednesday and Thursday. If it passes both chambers, it will go to Gov. Josh Stein, who said he plans to review it closely before deciding whether to sign it.
“What we want is for the state to pass a budget that invests in our people,” Stein said, adding he wants to see more focus on education, public safety and mental health. “There are many things that the state needs to invest in, and we will be scrutinizing it, just as everyone else is, to see if it meets that test.”
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina lawmakers are nearing agreement on a new state budget that Rep. Zack Hawkins says could bring long-awaited stability to agencies and employees who have been operating under 2023 spending levels.
Hawkins, a Democrat representing Durham, said Monday that legislators are close to finalizing the budget after waiting 1,000 days since the last budget passed
“We’re going to potentially meet the June 30, July 1 deadline, so that there’s stability for all the agencies and all the entities that depend on the state budget,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the prospect of a finalized budget offers needed certainty.
“The opportunity for them to have a budget means stability,” he said.
The expected spending plan centers on pay increases for educators and state employees. State workers could receive an average 3% raise and a $1,700 bonus for those earning under $75,000. Hawkins said the goal is to ensure workers have a “strong and respectable pay scale.”
“State employees know that they’re not going to get rich, but we need to make sure that they have a strong and respectable pay scale, bonuses that keep up with inflation, and the benefits, of course, that the state of North Carolina brings, and so we’re hoping that we value them in this budget,” he said.
Teachers could see an average 8% raise. Hawkins, a former educator, said he hopes North Carolina can lead the South in teacher pay.
“And eventually beating the national average. But alongside that, we really want to make sure that there’s an opportunity to keep and retain teachers who’ve been teaching for 10, 15 and 25 years,” he said.
The budget is also expected to include a 13% pay raise for law enforcement, according to a post from Rep. Brenden Jones, who celebrated the finalization of the budget.
The budget could come with a plan to reduce the personal income tax rate and a higher tax rate for sports gambling operators. The rate would increase from 18% to as high as 23%, a change Hawkins supports.
“We can bring in even more revenue, because it’s going to some really good places, it’s going to universities, athletic departments, it’s going to support youth sports, it’s going to support outdoor opportunities and grants,” he said.
One proposal not included in the budget is funding for a Major League Baseball stadium in Raleigh. Hawkins said the Senate-led idea was not the right fit this year.
“Because we have to make sure that we’re taking care of our basic obligations, our people,” he said.
Hawkins said agencies have been operating under the 2023 budget, affecting hiring and pay raises. Many are waiting for Tuesday’s release of the new spending plan.
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