Hidden In North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains Is A Charming Underappreciated Town With Cozy Cabins And Art

Valle Crucis is a charming little town on the western edge of North Carolina. Just a short drive from the Tennessee border and buried deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's often considered one of the most beautiful towns in the entire state. Along with its majestic natural surroundings, the entire community of Valle Crucis is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, giving visitors a chance to enjoy both the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains and an abundance of cozy cabins throughout the landscape.

Out-of-state tourists are looking at a bit of work to get to Valle Crucis. Because it's enveloped by mountains, forests, and farmland, there aren't many airports in the immediate surroundings. You are, however, about two hours away from Charlotte and its large airport. And since Valle Crucis neighbors another artsy North Carolina mountain town, you can turn your vacation into an epic adventure through the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you're interested in kicking back in a historic lodge, tramping through the rugged wilderness, or diving into inspiring local artwork, Valle Crucis makes for a lovely getaway.

Valle Crucis was impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024, but the resilient community has largely recovered from the heartbreaking event. Thankfully, many of its historic cabins and structures are still standing, including the iconic Mast General Store from 1883. Originally designed to serve several purposes for the tiny settlement, visitors are now treated to aisle after aisle of snacks, apparel, souvenirs, and other trinkets. You can also wander down the road to find the Original Mast Store Annex with additional items for sale.

For more Blue Ridge charm, explore the creations of Rivercross Made in USA. The shop is home to an eclectic assortment of jewelry, paintings, weavings, and other inspiring works of art. There's even a selection specifically for children, so everyone in the family can head home with a truly unique keepsake. Many of the tiny communities around Valle Crucis contain more art galleries, so consider jumping in your car and venturing out to the Salley Nooney Gallery and The Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk for additional exhibits.

It's not just the shops that are warm and cozy in Valle Crucis, as its accommodations are just as enchanting. The Mast Farm Inn is a perennial favorite, as the boutique hotel is overflowing with history and treats guests to well-appointed rooms with modern conveniences. Choose from one of the gorgeous modern or historic cabins, or opt for a room in the farmhouse. There's also a verdant garden filled with zinnias, calendula, tulips, and snapdragons during the growing season, which makes for a wonderful afternoon stroll.

Valle Crucis is reminiscent of "America's Prettiest Small Town," as both are hidden away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Both are also excellent destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. While in Valle Crucis, hikers can lace up their boots and trek out to Grandfather Mountain. The sprawling park offers trails for all skill levels, including the rocky Grandfather Trail that traverses cliffs and requires a bit of scrambling. It'll take you to Calloway Peak, which soars to an elevation of 5,946 feet and is the highest point in the area. Beyond hiking, Grandfather Mountain features America's highest suspension footbridge, an assortment of wildlife exhibits housing cougars, bears, and bald eagles, and a restaurant if you work up an appetite.

If you're looking for a reason to venture into Tennessee, there's a flower-filled mountain forest just across the border from Valle Crucis. Roan Mountain is located right across the state line, though the range sprawls across into North Carolina. Keep in mind that some of its trails are currently closed for maintenance (and expected to remain closed for much of the year), but there are still plenty of options taking you to colorful cliffs and panoramic views of the rolling mountains. And since the park consumes over 2,000 acres of hardwood forests carved through by the Doe River, it's an incredibly popular place for photographs.