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The 13 Best Cities in North Carolina (A Local’s Picks)

Updated June 5, 2024
Lea Rose Allbaugh
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View of the cars driving along the lined fall foliage trees with the skyline of Raleigh

I’m a North Carolina local with first-hand insights into the best cities in North Carolina. This guide overviews what makes each city unique and who it’s best suited for — whether you’re a tourist seeking places to visit or planning to relocate. I also cover several regions, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks. Plus, I share helpful resources so you can learn more about these exciting destinations! 

13 Best North Carolina Cities Asheville A quirky and artsy mountain city with outdoor attractions galore. Downtown Asheville 🏠 Population: 95,056 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | Where to Stay in Asheville Asheville is one of the most unique cities in North Carolina, despite being a smaller city overall. It’s the only “major” city ...

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Lea Rose Allbaugh is Travel Lemming's managing editor and writer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She’s currently based in Chicago (except for when she’s on a traveling stint), and is obsessed with all things travel. She caught the travel bug back in 2015 during an exchange to the Netherlands, and has been traveling ever since. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire others to get up and go experience the world. Aside from travel, she loves reading, writing, and anything creative. She writes on her website Written World.