6 of America’s Most Picturesque Towns Are in North Carolina

Some towns in North Carolina are rated as among the most picturesque towns in the United States. Of the many small towns in the country, six are located in North Carolina. There is even one in the triangle.

“Our team conducted a study to identify the 120 most picturesque towns in the United States that are definitely must-visit and not to be missed this summer,” reads North Carolina Travel Guide, which conducted the non-scientific investigation.

“For this study, a team of travel experts at North Carolina Travel Guide compared 500 small towns. To determine which photos are most beautiful, we looked at the following categories: search trends, the popularity of photographers, and the popularity of photography among the public.”

At the top of the list is Fredericksburg, Texas, which the North Carolina Travel Guide calls “a paradise for those who want to admire stunning historic buildings and stunning natural beauty.”

Second and third places went to Fort Cedar in Wisconsin and Orange Beach in Alabama, respectively. Here is a ranking of small towns in North Carolina.

New research calls North Carolina’s most picturesque town

• Beaufort: This coastal town is number 50 on the list. It is about a three-hour drive from Raleigh.

Beaufort is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, which houses artifacts from the wreck of the Blackbeard flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge found in Beaufort Bay. You can also visit the two-acre Beaufort Historic Site, as well as the Oldbeaufort Farmers Market on Saturdays.

• Hillsborough: This triangle town is number 54 on the list. 45 minutes drive from Raleigh.

Join Last Friday and the Arts Walk, a town-wide arts and community celebration hosted by the Hillsboro Arts Council on the last Friday of each month. Hillsborough is home to many art galleries and walking tours.

• Blowing Rock: This mountain town is ranked 73rd on the list. Three hours drive from Raleigh.

Popular points of interest include Blowing Rock Attraction, Appalachian Ski Mountain, and Doc Rock Gem Mine.

• Cashiers: This western town is at number 90 on the list. 5 hours drive from Raleigh.

Visit Village Green, a 12-acre park with outdoor sculptures, boardwalks, and gardens. Their activities include live music, farmers’ markets, educational talks, and design presentations.

• Washington: This riverside town is number 110 on the list. Less than two hours drive from Raleigh.

Washington is home to the world’s first estuary pavilion, an interactive hub for exploring estuaries, an area where freshwater and saltwater environments are mixed. Because Washington has more estuarine waters than anywhere else on the East Coast, there are more than 200 exhibits.

• City of Bryson: This western town is ranked 115th on the list. It is nearly a five-hour drive from Raleigh.

Known as the outdoor adventure capital of the Great Smoky Mountains, Bryson, North Carolina boasts abundant hiking trails, whitewater rafting, boating, biking, gem mining, ziplining, horseback riding, fishing, and more.