Rave Reviews: Why Black Mountain, NC is the darling of travel experts
Fall is such a beautiful time of year in Black Mountain, NC. The colors of nature. The rich talents of our artists and musicians. Our cozy settings. The delicious flavors of fall. But you don't have to take it from us! Travel magazines like Southern Living continue to rave about Black Mountain, especially this time of year.
“You’ll fall in love”
Southern Living returns to Black Mountain again and again, and for so many great reasons. The South’s travel authority promises that You'll Fall In Love With This Tiny Version Of Asheville From The First Moment You Visit. Our downtown district is completely recovered from Hurricane Helene (2024), so our artisans, musicians, restauranteurs, mixologists, brewmasters, shop owners, and hoteliers are ready to serve you up a hearty dose of hospitality.
What does Black Mountain hospitality look like? Here’s an excerpt from the September 2025 Southern Living article:
It’s a typical fall Saturday in the western North Carolina hamlet of Black Mountain, which means a large percentage of the 8,400 residents will mosey their way to the farmer’s market then spend the rest of the day hiking in the surrounding mountains or hanging around downtown. Other activities on the to-do list may include shopping and sitting down to a nice dinner before seeking out live music. The best part? You can do all that—and more—without leaving the town’s 7 square miles.
…Black Mountain is picking up steam as a great vacation alternative, offering many of the same draws, plus lower prices and fewer crowds. The chamber of commerce estimates that the town hosts around 2 million visitors per year, and that number is projected to grow…
all photos by Peter Frank Edwards for Southern Living
In recent years, Southern Living and its readers have named Black Mountain one of The South’s Best Mountain Towns, hailed us as one of the “15 Most Adorable Small Towns for a Summer Getaway” in the South, declared Black Mountain one of the “10 Best Places For A Multigenerational Vacation,” and in 2024, toured “22 Best Things To Do In Black Mountain, North Carolina.”
“Replete with Small-Town Charm”
Garden & Gun also recently visited Black Mountain and offered A Weekend Guide to Black Mountain, a Resilient Beauty in Western North Carolina, which includes this reflection:
Black Mountain is replete with small-town charm… downtown Black Mountain is delightfully walkable, and you just might stumble into your new favorite antique store or art boutique. One sure bet for finding regional art: Mountain Nest Gallery. For some mountain music, dip into White Horse Black Mountain, a venue that hosts “pay what you can” shows.
For something slightly more strenuous, the newly reopened Lookout Trail rewards hikers with panoramic views of the Seven Sisters, a gorgeous section of the Appalachian Mountains. Lake Susan and Montreat Trails have been restored thanks to the teamwork of the Montreat Conference Center and volunteers, and the Lake Susan loop is an easy rise-and-shine stroll for those who like to hike with a coffee in hand.
More Rave Reviews
Business View Magazine describes Black Mountain as “a place to visit, and a place to call home” with “scenic views that meet a historic downtown full of charm.”
Em for Marvelous blogger Emily and her family raved about their weekend getaway to Black Mountain.
In 2024, AFAR Media named Black Mountain the most charming small town in North Carolina for its “whimsical galleries, live music, and layer-cake mountain views… It feels a world apart, with a population of only around 8,500 and ample opportunities for exploring the mountainous environment, viewing work from local artists and plenty more.”
What do you love about Black Mountain, North Carolina? We’d love to hear from you!
About the Author
This blog story was written by Amy J. Schultz, an award-winning author, brand/marketing strategist, and overall creative type. She, her husband Brian, and their giant dog Bentley love their downtown Black Mountain neighborhood.
