Summary
- Discover cool mountain towns in North Carolina with ideal summer temperatures for relaxing and adventuring away from the heat.
- Cashiers, West Jefferson, Highlands, Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk and Beech Mountain offer relaxing destinations.
- From stunning waterfalls to outdoor activities like hiking and biking, these mountain towns offer the perfect summer getaway.
As summer heatwaves continue to ravage many places across the U.S., tourists are avoiding destinations that offer some summer respite, like the coldest cities in the U.S. However, those seeking the tranquility of small towns can take a weekend trip to North Carolina, where there are stunning mountain towns that offer a refreshing escape from the relentless heat.
From North Carolina mountain towns similar to Asheville to lesser-known cities, these places have cooler temperatures that are ideal for relaxation and adventure. This article highlights seven cool North Carolina mountain towns that make for a relaxing weekend getaway.
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7 cashier
Highest average summer temperature: 78°F
Cashiers is a small town in southern Jackson County in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This town is one of the best weekend destinations in North Carolina due to its cooler summer temperatures, small-town charm, and mountain scenery.
Cashiers also has beautiful natural sites to visit in the summer, such as Silver Run Falls in Nantahala National Forest. Adventurers can reach this spectacular waterfall via one of the best hikes in North Carolina to escape the summer heat, and luckily the hike is short and easy. At the waterfall, admire its beauty and cool off in the swimming hole if it’s safe and there’s plenty of water. Travelers can also visit family-friendly Sliding Rock, where you can picnic, sunbathe or take a dip in the cool water after sliding down a natural rock.
6 West Jefferson
Highest average summer temperature: 78°F
West Jefferson is a lively resort town that charms travelers with its rich history, beautiful scenery, and charming Main Street. This Ashe County town also attracts vacationers with cool mountain breezes in the summer months.
In town, travelers can explore nature, as idyllic temperatures rarely rise above 25 degrees. One of West Jefferson’s most visited attractions is Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, featuring the peak of Mount Jefferson. The park is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, with scenic forest trails like the Summit Trail and Luther Rock via Mountain Ridge Trail waiting to be explored. This moderately difficult trail passes through diverse forest landscapes and offers wildlife-watching opportunities, as hikers can spot everything from squirrels to deer and the occasional black bear.
5 Highland
Highest average summer temperature: 78°F
Because of its idyllic weather, Highlands is one of North Carolina’s cool mountain towns to escape the summer heat for a weekend. Travelers can enjoy warm summers with average temperatures between 75 and 79 degrees and explore beautiful sights like Dry Falls, accessible via a short trail in the vast Nantahala National Forest. Adventurers can view the falls from an accessible overlook or walk under the water on a summer afternoon for a misty and refreshing experience.
The Glen Falls Trail is another must-do for waterfall hunters looking for stunning views and shade, as it leads to various overlooks within the Overflow Wilderness Study Area.
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4 Blowing Stone
Highest average summer temperature: 78°F
Blowing Rock is a small, beautiful mountain town located off the famous Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga and Caldwell Counties in North Carolina. This town attracts avid travelers with its small-town charm, diverse attractions, and stunning natural beauty that is worth exploring year-round. In the summer, this town is an ideal weekend getaway for those looking to escape the summer heat, as temperatures are relatively cool during the day and night, ranging between 18 and 24 degrees.
Travelers can discover the famous Blowing Rock, a quaint downtown area and the 4,200-acre Julian Price Memorial Park. The park is a popular destination in the summer for fishing, kayaking, hiking and camping under the stars in cool, shaded campsites. Visitors also enjoy picnicking while admiring scenic views of the lake against a backdrop of lush forests and distant mountains.
3 Boone
Highest average summer temperature: 78°F
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone is a scenic alternative to Asheville. It is known for its rich history, artistic flair, and numerous recreational opportunities. Although this city is worth visiting year-round, its cooler temperatures make it a perfect weekend getaway in the summer.
One of the best summer destinations in Boone’s area is Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, with its scenic biking and hiking trails that wind through its lush 185 acres. The trails offer scenic views and shade from the sun in the warmer months. After biking and hiking, visitors can rest at the spacious picnic area while the kids play at a nearby playground.
Boone’s proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway also puts hikers just minutes from trails like the Goshen River Trail, which stretches along a river through dense forest.
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2 Banner Moose
Highest average summer temperature: 75°F
Banner Elk is a small town of around 1,234 residents located between Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk is one of the coolest mountain towns for an unforgettable summer weekend getaway.
Travelers here can explore the sprawling Grandfather Mountain State Park, which lies between the majestic Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It offers incredible ecological diversity, best explored on 13 miles of hiking trails, including the shaded Nuwati Trail. This trail begins near the Boone Fork Overlook and follows an old logging road lined with aspen trees. Along the way, hikers must cross streams and navigate challenging rocky terrain, making it an ideal workout with stunning views from Storyteller’s Rock.
1 Buchenberg
Highest average summer temperature: 75°F
At an elevation of over 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is one of the highest cities in North Carolina. Due to its high elevation, the city has a pleasant climate, with temperatures rarely rising above 80 degrees in the summer.
Vacationers therefore enjoy exploring nature at Buckeye Lake Recreation Center, which has beautiful hiking and biking trails. These trails include a scenic loop that leads through a lush forest to the photogenic Buckeye Creek Falls.
While hikers explore the waterfall, visitors can relax in the picnic areas or canoe and kayak on the recreation area’s tranquil 10-acre lake.
Travelers with children should check out Beech Mountain Club, which offers summer day camps for ages 5 to 12. The club also has an outdoor pool and state-of-the-art golf, tennis and pickleball courts for even more summer fun.
