WorldAtlas released a list of 10 "undiscovered" small towns in North Carolina, including several locations in Western NC .
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. Writers for the website have recognized WNC many times .
This time, writers selected 10 towns "beyond North Carolina's big, vibrant cities" that they labeled as undiscovered - and worth discovering.
Here's what WorldAtlas said about the WNC cities they selected, plus the full list.
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'Undiscovered towns' in WNC
Of the 10 towns on the WorldAtlas list, nearly half were located in WNC, including Banner Elk, Tryon, Saluda, and Murphy.
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What to do in Banner Elk, NC
WorldAtlas writers praised Banner Elk for several factors, first and foremost, the town's access to various exceptional outdoor spaces. For a visit to the town, the list suggested:
- UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve Grandfather Mountain
- Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts
- Hiking and observing wildlife along the historic Tweetsie Railroad
- Linville Caverns
- Wildcat Lake
- Dining at award-winning restaurants like Artisanal Restaurant and Sorrento's Bistro
- Woolly Worm Festival
- Interacting with animals like alpacas and llamas at Apple Hill Farm
- Staying at Perry House Bed & Breakfast or Best Western Mountain Lodge
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What to do in Tryon, NC
Tryon was praised first for its small size, rich history and unique equestrian culture. Here's what they suggested:
- Tasting locally produced wines and/or staying the night at Overmountain Vineyards
- Checking out the art at 80Six and Upstairs Artspace
- Events at Tryon International Equestrian Center
- Staying at the GreenLife Inn
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What to do in Saluda, NC
Like Banner Elk, the WorldAtlas list first appreciated the natural areas in and around Saluda, including the 90-foot waterfall and botanical preserve Pearson's Falls. Here's what else writers suggested in Saluda:
- Hiking the variety of trails available at Dupont State Forest
- Nearby options for horseback riding, mountain biking and fishing
- Visiting historic sites like Thompson's Store
- Saluda Arts Festival
- Pace's General Store
- Tubing and kayaking on the Green River
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What to do in Murphy, NC
Last but not least, WorldAtlas writers called Murphy the "perfect gateway to the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains." Here's what they suggested during a visit to Murphy:
- Murphy River Walk
- Enjoying the biodiversity of nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Searching for amethysts, rubies and emeralds at the Wagonmaster Adventure Ranch and Gem Mine
- Outdoor activities such as fishing, cruising on a kayak or enjoying a pontoon boat ride with Appalachia Lake Tours
- Cherokee Historical Museum
- Appreciating traditional, contemporary and fine art at Valley River Arts
- Visiting the downtown district with shops like Marketplace Antiques
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Undiscovered NC towns
The full list of "undiscovered" NC towns from WorldAtlas included:
- Edenton
- Banner Elk
- Tryon
- Beaufort
- Manteo
- Bath
- Saluda
- Hertford
- Murphy
- Oriental
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Raw gems: How many WNC locations are among a list of best 'undiscovered' towns in NC
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