Hidden gems: How many WNC towns are among an 'underappreciated' 10 in North Carolina?

WorldAtlas has released a list of 10 underappreciated North Carolina towns, with several of their favorite hidden gems located in Western North Carolina.

WorldAtlas, founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife Chris Woolwine-Moen, publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel.

In this article, writers chose 10 cities that visitors to N.C. might miss when planning a trip to the state. The article also promises towns that offer visitors a "slower pace of life away from the state's larger cities." Read about the WNC cities that made the list below.

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Underappreciated NC towns

WorldAtlas cites these 10 choices on their list:

1. Blowing Rock

2. Brevard

3. Hillsborough

4. Elkin

5. Morganton

6. Southport

7. Black Mountain

8. Washington

9. Sylva

10. Mount Airy

Blowing Rock, Brevard, Morganton, Black Mountain and Sylva, a full half of the list, are the WNC towns included. WorldAtlas writers explained their reasoning behind including each, suggestions for what to do in each and what exactly makes them so special.

Best things to do in Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock was praised for cool mountain air and scenic beauty — plus the town's namesake natural rock formation and its stunning views. Here are the WorldAtlas suggestions for what to check out while visiting:

• Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, a historic estate with over 25 miles of carriage trails, a manor house and a craft center showcasing local artisans.

• Price Lake for canoeing, fishing and hiking trails around the lake.

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Best things to do in Brevard

Unsurprisingly, Brevard was praised first and foremost for its title: "Land of Waterfalls." Proximity to Pisgah National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway and more earned it a spot on the list as an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. WorldAtlas also suggested:

• Looking Glass Falls, easily accessible from town and offering views throughout the year.

• Sliding Rock, WNC's natural rock slide ending in a plunge pool, is perfect for a cold dip on a hot day.

• DuPont State Recreational Forest, which houses multiple waterfalls including Triple Falls and High Falls, plus plenty of hiking trails that showcase the area's natural beauty.

Best things to do in Morganton

Morganton was another town praised by WorldAtlas for its natural beauty and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The list also mentioned its rich history including the establishment of the N.C. School for the Deaf in the late 19th century. List suggestions included:

• South Mountains State Park, with several waterfalls, numerous hiking trails and diverse N.C. wildlife.

• Historic Burke County Courthouse for its architectural significance and historical exhibits, where visitors can learn about the history of Burke County and its role in N.C.'s development.

• Catawba River Greenway, a trail running along the Catawba River that features scenic walking and biking paths.

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Best things to do in Black Mountain

WorldAtlas described Black Mountain's historical significance next, namely the town's growth around its railway and eventual role as a summer retreat earned by its cool mountain climate. Their suggestions for what not to miss in Black Mountain included:

• Lookout Mountain, particularly its hiking trails offering views of Black Mountain and surrounding landscape.

• Catawba Falls, a series of waterfalls accessible via a moderate hiking trail, which travels through forested areas to the picturesque falls.

• Andrews Geyser, a "unique attraction" according to WorldAtlas, is a historic man-made geyser surrounded by N.C. nature plus picnic areas for visitors.

Best things to do in Sylva

Sylva earned its spot for more than just the natural beauty of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are some specific attractions from Sylva that WorldAtlas writers appreciated:

• Waterrock Knob's scenic overlook and hiking trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with views of surrounding mountains. WorldAtlas suggested planning to view sunrises and sunsets from the area.

• Tuckasegee River for fishing, kayaking and tubing. The writers praised its gentle flow, calling it "suitable for both beginners and experienced water enthusiasts."

• Jackson County Green Energy Park, a facility that uses landfill gas for glassblowing and metalworking. Tours of the facility which inform visitors on innovative use of renewable energy and showcase artists at work are available.

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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WorldAtlas names 10 underappreciated NC towns: Brevard, Black Mountain