Photo: Walter Bibikow/Stone/Getty Images
North Carolina is home to a host of eclectic small towns and popular big cities, but it also houses two of the most gorgeous mountain towns in the entire country, perfect for experiencing the natural beauty of the Tar Heel State.
LoveExploring compiled a list of the "most beautiful mountain towns" in America, scoring the destinations nestled along towering peaks around the country, from the ancient forests of the Appalachian Mountains to the stunning formations in the Rockies and everything in between.
Two towns in North Carolina made the list: Asheville (No. 12) and Black Mountain (No. 20). Keep reading to see what the site had to say about these "charming" destinations.
"With its galleries, world-class restaurants, bars and music venues, Asheville brims with excitement and activity. [...] Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains and with more than 800,000 acres of pristine wilderness, Asheville is the ultimate playground for outdoor adventurers, including hiking, climbing, mountain biking and rafting."
"Roughly 15 miles from Asheville, Black Mountain gets its name from the magnificent mountain range that towers over it. During the mid-20th century, the town thrived as a haven for pioneers in art, music, poetry and architecture. Black Mountain's artistic tradition has since lived on, with several galleries dotted across town, showcasing some of the region's best southern Appalachian arts and crafts, alongside restaurants, independent shops, music halls and breweries."
See the full list at loveexploring.com to read up on the most beautiful mountain towns around the country. You can also check out our previous coverage of the North Carolina spot named among America's "most stunning natural wonders."