Waynesville, NC, is more than just a charming mountain town—it’s our home. Located next to the Smoky Mountains, Waynesville offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, mountain culture, local shops, delicious food, and outdoor adventures. Whether you're visiting for a short or extended stay, there's no lack of things to see and explore.
As locals who live right here in Waynesville, we've spent the past 20+ years enjoying all that this town offers.
In this guide, we're sharing our personal list of the best things to do—from popular attractions to hidden gems that visitors often miss. Whether you're into hiking, history, unique shopping, or just relaxing with scenic views, you'll find something to love.
Let’s jump into our personal picks for the best things to do in our hometown of Waynesville, NC.
Visit Historic Downtown
Historic Downtown includes brick sidewalks and restored historic buildings. When visiting, you'll feel as if you've literally stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting.
Access to downtown is free, and there is plenty of free parking all around Main Street.
As you browse through the shops and storefronts of downtown, you'll be surrounded by small town sounds and people, with tremendous views of the surrounding mountains. You'll find unique art, antiques, furniture, food, gifts, craft beer, and even a dog friendly bar and bakery!
Places you'll want to be sure to visit include:
"Locals Know" Insider Tip: Be sure to visit Wall Street in downtown as well. It's the next street over from Main Street. Many don't realize it, but there are some really cool shops there, including a great bookstore called Wall Street Books. You'll find some cool alleys leading down from Main Street to Wall Street between some of the Main Street buildings.
Visit Frog Level
Hurricane Helene Update: Unfortunately, one of the hardest hit areas of Waynesville was Frog Level. Floodwaters submerged much of Frog Level, ruining many shops and stores. The flooding left tons of mud as well. Despite the cleanup, most merchants closed or moved their businesses. The bridge coming into Frog Level remains closed.
They named this historic Waynesville area Frog Level because its low elevation relative to downtown Waynesville caused frequent flooding.
Frog Level is the location that the railroad passes through, and once had passenger and freight stations. Frog Level was a key area of Waynesville for passenger service, tourism, and supplies coming from the railroad. The Blue Ridge Railroad still runs through the area today.
Today, Frog Level still has active train tracks, but the amount of rail service has slowed down significantly. The old train station is now gone as well. Instead, you'll find an award-winning brewery, Frog Level Brewing, and one of the best coffee shops in Western NC and Panacea Coffee House.
"Locals Know" Insider Tips:
- Be sure to check out the life-sized bronze statue at the corner of Commerce Street and Depot Street. A local Tuscola High School art teacher made the statue called "Chasing Tadpoles."
- The old wooden building across Depot Street from the statue was the original Ford Dealership.
- There are also two notable murals in Frog Level, one of a large frog with a Welcome message, and a classic Coca-Cola Mural as well.
Enjoy Local Breweries
Frog Level Brewing's outdoor seating area
Waynesville has become a top spot for craft breweries in Western NC, with multiple highly successful breweries here, including:
These breweries not only offer excellent and award-winning craft beers, but great places to hang out and enjoy not only their craft beer, but live music, creek views, and great food.
Worth mentioning, while not breweries, they are great places to enjoy some local craft beer and have some fun at the same time:
- Assembly on Main - Delivers drinks, food and games (ax throwing, virtual games, and more)
- Mad Anthony's Taproom - 50 different beers and ciders on tap, with outstanding pizza, board and card games, and more.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip: Both Boojum and Frog Level feature seasonal beers, as well as special holiday beer selections as well. When visiting, you can often find something new to try.
Get Outdoors
Because of its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, many people call Waynesville the gateway to the Smokies. The town is also just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest.
As a result, hundreds of outdoor hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic drives, and historic and scenic areas are just minutes away when visiting Waynesville.
Popular outdoor activities include:
For more options, see our 20+ Best Hikes Near Waynesville NC
"Locals Know" Insider Tip: Waynesville has a really nice Recreation Center and Park system right within the city. The Recreation Center and nearby Parks offer walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, a skate park, and more. As part of this, there is a large greenway that follows along Richland Creek with a nice loop trail.
The park and greenway are a work in progress, but the improvements made over the past few years make this a really nice and safe option for those wanting to be outdoors, but stay within the city.
See the Elk in Cataloochee Valley - Currently Closed
CURRENTLY CLOSED - Because of the significant impact of Hurricane Helene, Cataloochee Valley is currently closed. The National Park Service is currently working to re-open it.
Extinct for hundreds of years, Elk were reintroduced into Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in 2001. Since then, they have flourished and have become one of the top area attractions.
The rustic mountain drive into Cataloochee Valley will take you back in time, to a settlement that existed before the Park. There you will find a beautiful valley, full of historic structures, and Elk. You'll also find a very nice campground, hiking trails, creeks, streams and waterfalls.
You definitely won't want to miss visiting Cataloochee Valley and seeing the majestic and beautiful elk.
"Locals Know" Insider Tips:
- Most people see "Big Cataloochee", where the Elk are and several historic structures. It's the main area of Cataloochee you can drive to. But there is also a Little Cataloochee that you can hike too, with more historic structures and an old baptist church.
- The barn across from Caldwell house (Caldwell Barn) has two floors. There is a set of stairs inside the barn. The second floor makes for a cool location for photos and viewing the Elk.
- Just after crossing the bridge and going into Cataloochee Valley, there is a gravel road to the right. Follow this down to see Palmer House and Palmer Barn. A little further down is an old bridge that you can cross for neat views of the creek. This area is off the beaten path, and a nice way to avoid the crowds, and see some additional elk. The buildings across from Palmer's house were fishing cabins the Palmers rented out.
Attend the Fall Apple Festival
People also well know Waynesville for its annual Fall Apple Harvest Festival. The Apple festival has been a tradition for over 34 years. The event is fun and family-friendly!
The Apple Harvest Festival takes place in downtown Waynesville, NC, and the streets fill with over 200 arts and crafts booths, food, music, clogging, and more.
Local apple growers set-up on the street as well, and sell delicious mountain grown apples, and lots of apple goods as well, such as cider, pies, fritters, and more. The Apple Harvest Festival is one you will not want to miss!
"Locals Know" Insider Tip: Parking can be challenging, but Waynesville has a multi-floor garage behind the courthouse that is open to the public. Located off Branner Ave, the garage is open to the public and free.
Christopher Farms
If you're looking for a true local gem in Waynesville, make sure Christopher Farms is on your list.
Located just a few minutes from downtown, this small family-owned farm stand is one of our favorite spots to grab fresh produce, local honey, jams, baked goods, ice cream, and many other locally sourced products.
Christopher Farms has been around for years, and while it might not be on every tourist's radar, locals know it's the place to go for quality, homegrown goodness. During the warmer months, the produce is straight from their fields—think juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, and green beans. They also offer beautiful locally grown flowers and plants in the spring and summer that make great souvenirs or gifts.
What we love most is the down-home, friendly vibe. There’s nothing flashy here—just simple, high-quality local goods and the kind of charm you only find in small-town mountain communities.
If you’re visiting Waynesville and want to experience something truly local, stop by Christopher Farms at 2266 Crymes Cove Road, Waynesville, NC.
The Ten Acre Garden - Pizza and Produce
The Ten Acre Garden is a sustainable farm in nearby Canton, NC.
The farm grows blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, peaches, plums, cherries, asparagus, garlic, and other organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. A small herd of grass-fed cattle and a flock of free-range chickens supply fresh eggs on the farm.
Ten Acre Farm also includes a farm stand where visitors can buy the farm's fresh products and they offer u-pick as well.
Besides their locally grown produce, a key attraction for the farm in recent years is their pizza and special events. The farm has several special events throughout the year, notably their Fall Festival, which has food and live entertainment.
On a typical summer Saturday evening, you'll find lots of families and friends hanging out, enjoying some pizza over a bottle of wine, while the kids play in the fields, and with the farm dogs. There is often live entertainment, but even when there isn't, spontaneous jam sessions often break out in the evening around the fires.
Pizza and a farm - It's the perfect combination for a mountain summer evening. Be sure to visit The Ten Acre Garden. It's just one of many hidden gems near Waynesville, NC.
Apples and More at Barber Orchards Fruit Stand
Barber Orchards Fruit Stand is a family-owned business here in Waynesville, and has been growing and selling apples for generations.
Their orchards and fruit stand are in a beautiful location just outside of Waynesville and surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. They are open seasonally from April through November.
The orchard specializes in a variety of apples, including Honeycrisp, Rome, Golden Delicious, and Gala. They also offer other fruits such as peaches, nectarines, plums, strawberries, and blackberries, depending on the season. The orchard grows and hand-picks all its fruits locally.
Besides apples and other fruits, the orchard also offers a wide range of homemade baked goods, such as apple pies, turnovers, fried apple pies, apple donuts, and apple fritters. They also sell homemade jams, jellies, preserves and, of course, apple cider.
The apple donuts are just beyond delicious.
Be sure to pay them a visit, pick up some fresh apples and fruit, and a few baked goods as well.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - The real treat at Barber Orchards are their many baked goods. They make amazing pies, donuts, cakes, and more. While everything is fantastic, including the popular cider donuts, the Apple Fritters are a real hidden gem and our personal favorite out of everything they offer.
Waynesville Soda Jerks – Handcrafted Sodas with a Taste of the Mountains
Waynesville Soda Jerks is one of those local businesses that really captures the spirit of the mountains—creative, community-focused, and proudly handcrafted. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, their small-batch sodas offer a refreshing taste of Western North Carolina.
Made with pure cane sugar and real, locally sourced ingredients—like Henderson County apples, farm-fresh blueberries, and homegrown herbs—these sodas are bursting with flavor and mountain charm. Popular flavors are Strawberry Rhubarb, Concord Grape, Blueberry Basil, and Peach. Our personal favorites are Peach and Blueberry Basil, but they are all delicious.
While we try to eat healthy and avoid sugary drinks, we’ll absolutely treat ourselves to a "Jerks" soda now and then—especially when dining out at one of the many local restaurants that serve them. You’ll spot their bottles all around town, from burger joints to upscale eateries. It’s a fun, flavorful way to support local and try something distinctly “Waynesville.” Plus, they just taste amazing.
Whether you're pairing one with a meal, grabbing a bottle to go, or bringing some home as a souvenir, Waynesville Soda Jerks is a great way to sip and savor the creativity of our mountain community.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip: Their production center is only a minute from downtown Waynesville, and they have a lovely gift shop full of wearables, locally sourced small gift items, and of course you can buy their soda as well. So stop by and meet "the jerks" as they call themselves and do a little shopping as well. Their address is 35 Bridges St
Waynesville, North Carolina 28786.
Visit the Highest Point on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway is located just outside of Waynesville, at MP431. The overlook is Richland Balsam, which is at an elevation of 6,053 feet.
The area around Richland Balsam is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its biodiversity and natural beauty. The summit offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This is a popular destination for visitors both for the views, and for capturing their photo taken at the sign.
Visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway can reach Richland Balsam by car, as the parkway runs directly through the area and there is a parking area and overlook. There is also a hiking trail that leads to the summit, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness and enjoy the natural beauty of the area up close.
The nature trail is further down the parkway (going towards Asheville) at the next overlook. You'll see the sign for the trailhead.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - While a really neat place to visit and great for a photo opportunity, the views here are not the best in this area of the parkway. Travel a little further down towards Asheville to MP430, Cowee Mountain Overlook. This overlook offers tremendous long distance mountain views and is probably one of the top sunset locations on this section of the parkway.
Travel Waynesville's Quilt Trail
The Haywood County Quilt Trail is a North Carolina public art project in Haywood County. The project started in 2009 with placing 12 quilt blocks in Waynesville. Since then, the route has expanded to span over 60 blocks in five counties: Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde.
Artists paint quilt blocks, ranging from two to eight feet, onto pre-built wooden squares. They are used for decorating barns, outbuildings, community buildings, and other locations. Each block shows a distinct quilt pattern, and many blocks tell a story about the quilt pattern or its location.
The Haywood County Quilt Trail is a lesser known attraction that also serves to honor the county's quilting legacy. Quilting has been a part of Haywood County culture for decades, and the quilt trail is an opportunity for visitors and people alike to learn about it and tour the countryside as they look for the quilt squares.
The quilt path is an enjoyable and educational way to discover Waynesville and Haywood County. The trail helps you learn about the county's history, culture, and quilting tradition and they can additionally appreciate the natural splendor of the county's rural countryside and mountains.
You'll want to begin your journey by visiting the Haywood County Quilt Trail website, which has a map and details on each of the locations, including GPS coordinates. View the quilt blocks only from public areas, as most are located on private land.
Explore Lake Junaluska
Lake Junaluska is a popular resort and conference center located just outside of Waynesville, NC. The lake itself is a man-made body of water surrounded by scenic mountains, and it is a popular destination for walking, running, boating, and fishing.
Besides its natural beauty, Lake Junaluska offers a range of recreational opportunities, walking trails, a golf course, tennis courts, a fitness center and public pool for swimming.
The resort also features a variety of accommodations, including lodges, cottages, and conference centers, making it a popular destination for conferences, retreats, and family vacations. You'll also find restaurants and shops as well.
The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center is a major attraction of the area, hosting a wide range of events throughout the year, including religious retreats, educational programs, and cultural festivals. The center also features a bookstore, a museum, and a performance venue.
For those visiting the area, we encourage you to drive over, park, and talk a walk around the paved walking trail around the lake, where you can enjoy the beautiful views, wildlife, and all the things Lake Junaluska offers.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - One of the best views is above the Cross at Inspiration Point. Just past the cross is a road going up to the Lambuth Inn. Park in one of the parking spots on the side of the entryway, and walk up to the Inn, then go left into the gardens to the end. You will see an incredible view of the cross, lake, and surrounding mountains (photo above taken from there).
Arts and Crafts at Shelton House
Waynesville has a cultural center and museum called the Shelton House - Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts that focuses on conserving and promoting regional crafts and arts. The museum showcases the creations of regional artists and crafters through a variety of exhibits, displays, and educational events.
The museum's exhibitions include a range of crafts, including carpentry, quilting, weaving, pottery, and more.
The museum offers lectures and workshops that give visitors the chance to practice ancient skills and techniques while being taught by local artisans.
The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts offers visitors a gift store where they may buy one-of-a-kind products manufactured by regional artists besides its exhibits and programs.
The goal of the museum is to inform visitors about the rich creative legacy of North Carolina and to support and promote the work of regional traditional craftspeople.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - Right next door is the HART Theatre, a semi-professional community theatre using local actors and talent. If you have time, catch a show!
Hang out with Alpacas at Winchester Creek Alpaca Farm
Winchester Creek Farm is a 20-acre family-owned farm in Waynesville. The farm is home to a variety of miniature animals, including alpacas, horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and more. The farm offers educational tours, field trips, private group tours, and even beautiful vacation rentals.
The farm is near the Blue Ridge Parkway, just outside of Waynesville, NC. The farm has rolling green pastures that are nestled between the beautiful surrounding mountains.
The farm offers a variety of educational tours. Knowledgeable and friendly guides that and teach visitors about the farm, its history, and the different animals on the farm lead the tours. The tours are a great way to learn about the alpacas, miniature horses, and other farm animals.
Winchester Creek Farm is a great place to visit for both adults and families with children to learn about farm life and animals. The farm is a fun activity for the kids; the animals are super friendly, and the scenery is hard to beat.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - Visit early in the morning. The lighting is better for photos, temperatures are cooler, the animals are more active, and the tours are less crowded and booked.
Discover Soco Falls - Currently Closed
Soco Falls is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, close to Waynesville and Maggie Valley, and just inside the Cherokee Nation boundary.
Access to this stunning dual waterfall is currently being updated and moved to a new location. The new trail will be safer, offer more viewing options, and provide a larger parking area. We'll update this section with new information once Soco Falls reopens in the late spring of 2025.
Go Back in Time at Mast General Store and Downtown Waynesville
The original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis NC opened in 1883 to serve the local area. The store grew, and the company opened additional stores in various mountain towns, including Waynesville, NC in 1991.
Mast General Store occupies a carefully preserved and restored 1930s department store in downtown Waynesville, creating a charming and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era.
Mast General stores are renowned for their selection of traditional clothing, outdoor gear, and household goods, as well as its old-fashioned candy counter, which offers a variety of classic sweets and treats. The old barrels even contain them, just like in the old "five and dime" stores.
While visiting the store, be sure to explore the rest of historic downtown and all the wonderful and locally owned shops. It will leave you feeling as if you've traveled back in time to a Norman Rockwell painting.
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - While the main entrance is on Main Street, if you park off Main street on Montgomery or Haywood Street, it's easier to use the rear entrance of Mast General Store near the corner of Miller Street and Montgomery. This will bring you into the store on the lower level. You can browse the store, then head out the main entrance to Main Street.
Tour Waynesville's Historic Farmers Market
The Haywood County Historic Farmers Market is a weekly farmers market in Waynesville and located in the Hart Theater Parking lot. The market is open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Wednesdays from mid-April through December.
The market features over 40 different vendors selling a variety of local produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, crafts, plants, and more. The market is a great place to find fresh, seasonal food and products, and to support local farmers and artisans. You'll even find food and drinks available.
The Farmer's Market is wheelchair accessible, pet-friendly, and there is free parking right next to the market itself.
You can visit the Waynesville's Farmer's Market at at 250 Pigeon St. Waynesville, NC
"Locals Know" Insider Tip - We recommend arriving early for all the best items. Try to be there when they open. You can skip breakfast and enjoy coffee and breakfast at the market. There are food trucks there serving coffee and breakfast items, and you can also enjoy baked goods from the vendors.
Stand in Awe at Waterrock Knob
Well-known to locals and visitors, Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just outside of Waynesville NC is the perfect location for those looking for stunning panoramic and high elevation views of the surrounding Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains. Waterock Knob provides a wide view, making it the perfect spot to watch both sunrises and sunsets.
Waterrock Knob is accessible via a short access road directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway between Waynesville and Maggie Valley NC at MP451.2. The access road will take you up to the main parking area, where you will find the incredible views, bathrooms, a visitor center and gift shop, picnic tables, and access to the hiking trail to the top of the knob.
Waterrock Knob is a great for the entire family to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. Kids can play in the fields, and the picnic tables make for a great picnic destination. For those more adventurous families, you can hike up the .5 mile trail to the top of Waterrock Knob. It's a great hike, but very steep. In fact, we doubt you'll find a more steep .5 trail anywhere.
"Locals Know" Insider Tips:
- If you hike up after the first observation area made of stone, you'll continue your ascent. Watch for a trail heading to the left. This is the Mountains to Sea Trail. Follow it out for a short distance to a bench that offers stunning views of the mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Once at the top, fog will often keep you from seeing the best views. Just hang out and be patient. The fog will often blow or burn away, and you'll see amazing views.
