Waynesville, North Carolina Travel Guide
Introducing Waynesville, North Carolina! Waynesville is a mountain town in western North Carolina. Around 10,000 people call Waynesville home, and it is a popular day trip from nearby Ashville. Other nearby cities include Knoxville, TN (1hr 33min, 96 miles), Charlotte, NC (2hr 24min, 146 miles), and Atlanta, GA (2hr 50min, 169 miles). The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through town, gaining easy access to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Visitors can enjoy Waynesville year-round, hiking in the spring and summer months, beautiful foliage in the fall, and skiing in the winter. Whatever you are coming for, Waynesville will have something to impress you!
As mentioned, being a mountain town gives visitors a great chance to spend time outdoors. Waynesville is located close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a leisure highway of 469 miles designed to show off the beauty of Appalachia. The parkway links Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Waynesville is a 45-minute drive on the parkway to the national park. A destination closer to town includes Sunburst Falls, which requires zero hiking to view! The nearby Pisgah National Forest is a great location for hiking and camping. Enjoy several popular trails such as Moore Cove Falls Trail, Looking Glass Rock Trail, and John Rock Trail Loop. Are you hitting the slopes? Head to Cataloochee Ski Area for some powder.
Downtown Waynesville is a hot spot for shopping. Head to Wall Street Books for your next read, The Haywood Farmers Market for local produce and goods, or check out one of several antique stores. Mast General is a local favorite stop. This downtown store has been around since the 1930s and sells clothing, footwear, knickknacks, and most importantly, a basement full of candy! While downtown, step over to Haywood Arts Regional Theatre for a show. Explore outside of town with one of several local farms. Swing by Christopher Farms for cheese, Ten Acre Garden for U-Pick produce and brick-oven pizza, and Winchester Creek Farm for their miniature animals and alpaca yoga!
Ready to eat everything Waynesville has to offer? Head to a local favorite, can’t miss stop Haywood Smokehouse for their Texas-style BBQ, strawberry chipotle sauce, and burnt ends baked beans. Other great stops in town include Church Street Depot for a burger, The Sweet Onion for Southern Cuisine, and Chef’s Table for some handmade pasta. Figuratively head across the pond to the local favorite The Scotsman for British, Scottish, and Irish food. Get your afternoon pick-me-up coffee and treat from Panacea Coffee House or Orchard Coffee. Relax and enjoy a cold one at Boojum Brewery Taproom or Frog Level Brewing. For the wine folks, check out Classic Wineseller and explore their 14,000 bottles! Up for something new? Skip the alcohol and head to Waynesville Soda Jerks to try some of their unique soda blends including strawberry rhubarb, blueberry basil, and lavender lemon!
With so much to explore, you may need more than one day to experience Waynesville. There are some chain hotels nearby including Best Western, Days Inn, and Ramada. This area of the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to many Bed and Breakfasts. Consider staying at Brookside Mountain Mist Bed and Breakfast, The Yellow House on Plott Creek, or Love Lane Bed and Breakfast. There is nothing like camping in the blue ridges. Try pitching a tent at Moonshine Creek Campground to sleep under the stars. Want the privacy of your own rental? Consider staying in a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: Downtown Storefront for 4, Luxury Cabin for 14, and Mountain Cottage for 4.
Waynesville is a great stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway to experience Smoky Mountain life and culture. Love Waynesville, but not sure when to visit? Book a trip during one of their many festivals! Celebrate international dance at Folkmoot, appreciate the arts at the Church Street Arts & Crafts Show, or enjoy everything apple at the Apple Harvest Festival. Whatever you’re into, Waynesville, North Carolina has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gave you a glimpse into life in Waynesville that can inspire a future visit.
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide
