There are many amazing small towns near Raleigh that are worth a visit.
Raleigh is a large city with plenty of fun things to do. Museums, landmarks, theaters, you can find it all in the city. Even though spending time in Raleigh is fun, it can be great to escape from the city for a while and travel to a charming small town. And there are lots of great options for that nearby. These towns are filled with boutique shops, pretty streets, great restaurants, and more.
From beautiful mountain towns to gorgeous beach towns, these are the best small towns close to Raleigh!
Best Small Towns Near Raleigh
Mount Airy, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 2 hours
Mount Airy is a small town that you can reach from Raleigh a bit more than 2 hours by car. It is situated close to the border with Virginia.
Mount Airy is also known as Mayberry because the town was the inspiration for the fictitious town of Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show. The town is also the birthplace of the famous actor Andy Griffith.
There are many fun things to do in Mount Airy, including going to museums and visiting historic places.
One of the best museums in the town is the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. At this museum, you can learn about the history of the town.
Another highlight of Mayberry is the Andy Griffith Museum. This museum has the largest collection of objects related to the personal life and career of Andy Griffith.
The Mayberry Replica Courthouse is one of the best sights in the town. This is a replica courthouse from “The Andy Griffith Show”.
You can also go to the Historic Earle Theatre when you are in the town. This is a theater that was built in the 1930s. Nowadays, you can often attend concerts and other events at the theater.
Boone, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
You can reach the small town of Boone in about 3 hours by car from Raleigh. The town is located next to another great small town, Blowing Rock.
From doing a guided tour to having a fun time at a theme park to seeing art, there are many things to do in Boone.
One of the highlights of the town is the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, which is part of the Appalachian State University. At this place, you can see exhibitions of contemporary art and attend events.
The Tweetsie Railroad is a theme park with a “Wild West” theme that is located close to Boone. At this park, there are many amusement rides and you can enjoy great live entertainment.
The main attraction of the park is a 3-mile railroad with a historic steam locomotive.
The Hickory Ridge History Museum is a great place in the town too. This is a living history museum where you can learn about the culture and history of the Appalachian Mountains.
There are also many places for entertainment, such as the Regal Boone movie theater, the Mysterium Escape Adventure escape room, and the miniature golf course Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf.
You can also go to the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts to attend a show, or you can go to the Kidd Brewer Stadium to attend a football game.
Williamsburg, VA
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
This next small town, Williamsburg, VA, can be reached from Raleigh, by car, in about 3 hours.
In the town of Williamsburg, you can find Colonial Williamsburg, which is a large living history museum that is part of the historic district of Williamsburg.
At Colonial Williamsburg, there are hundreds of restored and rebuilt buildings that date back to the time when Williamsburg was the capital of the Colony of Virginia.
You can see historic architecture and there are costumed actors. There are also often fun events that take place at Colonial Williamsburg.
It is also possible to do a tour of Colonial Williamsburg during which you can see the main sights while learning about history. During such a tour, you can also see demonstrations of historic trades.
Black Mountain, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 3.5 hours
Black Mountain is a small town near Raleigh that you can reach in about 3.5 hours.
Black Mountain is home to many great restaurants, art galleries, and sights.
You can go to White Horse Black Mountain when you are in the town. This is a nonprofit performance venue where lots of live performances take place.
Black Mountain Brewing is another great place to go when you are in the town. This is a brewery where you can get great craft beer.
Lots of festivals and annual events also take place in Black Mountain, and when you visit there might be one taking place.
Beaufort, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Beaufort, NC, is a coastal small town that you can reach from Raleigh, by car, in about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The town is home to many restaurants where you can have food while enjoying a view of the water. For example, Moonrakers is an amazing waterfront restaurant.
One of the best things to do in Beaufort is to go to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. At this museum, you can learn about coastal life, the seafood industry, and much more. You can also see items related to Blackbeard at this museum.
In addition to that, there are many historic sites in the town. The town of Beaufort was founded in 1713, which makes it one of the oldest towns in North Carolina.
You can also go to the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market when you are in the town.
Hillsborough, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 45 minutes
Hillsborough is a small town that you can find very close to Raleigh. From Raleigh, you can get to the town in about 45 minutes.
Hillsborough is an old town that was established in 1754, and it’s located on the banks of the Eo River.
When visiting the town, you can explore Hillsborough’s art galleries, local restaurants, and boutique shops. There’s also great historic architecture that is interesting to see.
Pinehurst, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 1 hour and 15 minutes
The Village of Pinehurst is a place that you can get to from Raleigh in about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
Pinehurst is known for its many golf courses. The most famous one is Pinehurst No. 2, which is a golf course that has been home to more golf championships than any other golf course in the United States.
Besides that, there are many other great things to do in Pinehurst. For example, you can do a horse-drawn carriage ride when you are in Pinehurst. During such a ride, you can explore the streets of the village and learn about Pinehurst’s history from a guide.
There are many restaurants in Pinehurst that can be great to check out when you are visiting the town. One of these is The Deuce.
The Deuce, which is located next to the last hole of Pinehurst No. 2, is a restaurant where you can get delicious burgers, soups, tacos, and much more, as well as craft cocktails and local craft beers.
The Pinehurst Brewing Company is a brewery that is great to visit. This brewery is located in a historic power plant that dates back to the year 1895. In the past, the power plant provided energy to the village. At this brewery, you can try many styles of craft beer.
Pawleys Island, SC
Distance from Raleigh: 3.5 hours
Pawleys Island is a small town that is located in South Carolina. It is a coastal small town that you can reach from Raleigh, by car, in about 3.5 hours.
The town is home to many places where you can enjoy a view of the ocean.
You can also find lots of golf courses, restaurants with delicious food, and many other places in Pawleys Island.
During a visit to the town, The Hammock Shops Village, a shopping center that dates back to the year 1938, is great to go to as well.
Blowing Rock, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Blowing Rock is a small town that you can reach from the city of Raleigh in about 3 hours and 15 minutes by car.
The town is known for the Blowing Rock, which is a rock formation that “blows” when winds flow against it.
One of the best things to do in Blowing Rock is to go to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. At this museum, you can learn about the history and culture of the Southern Appalachian region through various exhibitions and events.
There are also many fun attractions in Blowing Rock. For example, you can go to Mystery Hill where you can find indoor and outdoor attractions. One of these attractions is one with optical illusions.
Another fun place to go is Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine. This is a locally-owned store that sells all kinds of objects made with gemstones. You can also play miniature golf here and there are other attractions.
Besides that, Blowing Rock is home to great local restaurants and boutique shops.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 2 hours
Wrightsville Beach is a small town that is located near the city of Wilmington. From Raleigh, you can get to the town in about 2 hours.
If you like views, this is one of the best small towns near Raleigh to visit, as there are many places that offer amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.
For example, you can go to the Crystal Pier, which is a historic pier that was built in 1939. The pier was restored in 2013.
You can also find the Oceanic Restaurant at the pier. At this restaurant, you can have dinner while enjoying a view of the ocean.
Another great place for views is the Shell Island Restaurant and Oceanfront Lounge.
One of the best things to do in Wrightsville Beach is to visit the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, which is a museum that is all about the history of the buildings and people of Wrightsville Beach.
Each year, there are fun events that you can attend in Wrightsville Beach. One of these is the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, during which you can see a boat parade, enjoy a fireworks show, and see the items of arts and crafts vendors.
Nags Head, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
You can reach the small town of Nags Head in about 3 hours. Nags Head is a small town that is situated on the Atlantic Ocean.
The town is known for its large sand dunes.
There’s much to do in Nags Head, including fun attractions.
For example, you can go to Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf, which is a pirate-themed 18-hole miniature golf course.
There are also art galleries and many places where you can enjoy a view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Nags Head is also home to great restaurants where you can have food with a view of the ocean. An example of such a restaurant is Blue Moon Beach Grill, which is a restaurant where you can enjoy Southern comfort food.
Southport, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 2.5 hours
Southport, NC, is a small town near Raleigh that you can reach in about 2.5 hours.
The small town of Southport is a historic maritime town where you can see historic houses and there are many things to do.
One of the highlights of the town is the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. At this museum, you can learn about the maritime history of the Lower Cape Fear region.
The town also has great art galleries, antique stores, and other types of stores. For example, the Northrop Mall, which is an antique store with more than 40 vendors, is located in Southport.
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Small Towns Near Raleigh Tips
There is a lot to do in the small towns close to Raleigh that I mentioned, so you will have a fun day when you go to one of them. However, you could also go to two of these small towns in one day, and enjoy a day with even more activities.
Some of the towns are near each other. For example, you can get to Boone from Blowing Rock in about 15 minutes, so these towns are easy to visit in one day.
Small Towns Close to Raleigh Map
Thanks for reading my guide to the best small towns near Raleigh. I hope you liked these places!