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Welcome Center

91 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
(828) 944-0761
Monday – Saturday, 9AM – 5PM
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    Things to Do
    • Attractions
    • Outdoors
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    • Farm & Food Experiences
    • Family Fun
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  • Eat & Drink
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    Eat & Drink
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    Places to Stay
    • Bed & Breakfasts
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    • Resorts
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  • Events
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    Events
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    • Submit an Event
  • National Parks
    • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    • Blue Ridge Parkway
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    National Parks
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  • Mountain Towns
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© 2026 Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

Waynesville in summer

YOUR WAYNESVILLE NC TRAVEL GUIDE

The historic gateway to the Smokies

How to Make the Most of Your Weekend in Waynesville
How to Make the Most of Your Weekend in WaynesvilleRead More
  1. Home
  2. Mountain Towns
  3. Waynesville

Small town, surprising soul

In downtown Waynesville, NC, wander art-filled streets and pause to browse hand-thrown mugs fresh from the kiln. In this little mountain town, you’ll discover a community warmth that welcomes strangers like old friends.

Things to Do in Waynesville
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TOP WAYNESVILLE ATTRACTIONS

Add to your Waynesville bucket list

Attractions in Waynesville
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Blue Ridge Parkway
Outdoors
Outdoors
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Haywood's Historic Farmers Market
Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
Waynesville
Waynesville
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Pisgah National Forest
Waynesville
Waynesville

Find joy in the little things

A family in front of a campfire with a cabin in the background

Things to Do

Activities from friendly farms to live theater

Fill your Waynesville itinerary with fun for the whole crew—from laugh-out-loud performances and up-close animal encounters to unique outdoor adventures.

Things to Do in Waynesville
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Hart Theatre
Hart Theatre
Waynesville
Waynesville
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Raccoon Creek Bike Park
Sharpen your skills on two wheels
Waynesville
Waynesville
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Winchester Creek Farm
Take an educational farm tour & feed the alpacas
Waynesville
Waynesville
A delicious burger with fries in Haywood

Eat & Drink

Restaurants you’ll rave about

Park yourself at a cozy restaurant in Waynesville, NC and enjoy a farm-to-table feast, from pizza to hand-patted burgers. It’s guaranteed that the chef knows the farmer’s name, and the freshness echoes that.

Restaurants in Waynesville
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Singletree Heritage Kitchen
Indulge in farm-to-table dining
Restaurants
Restaurants
The Sweet Onion Restaurant
Ben's Backdraft Barbecue
Dig in to texas-inspired bbq with an NC Twist
Restaurants
Restaurants
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Boojum Brewery Taproom
Choose from a selection of 16 locally-brewed beers on tap
Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits
A couple outside their lodging at Elk & Embers

Places to Stay

Nights to look forward to

Find places to stay in Waynesville that sing with the comforts of Appalachia. Get comfortable in log cabins with mood lighting, board games, and blankets so cozy, the risk of not going back outside is real.

Places to Stay in Waynesville
The Tiny Escape at Chestnut Valley
The Tiny Escape at Chestnut Valley
WaynesvilleCabins, Cottages & Vacation Rentals
Waynesville
Smoky Mountain Glamping
Smoky Mountain Glamping
Camp creekside in a luxury canvas tent
GlampingCabins, Cottages & Vacation Rentals
Glamping
Love Lane Bed And Breakfast
Love Lane Bed & Breakfast
Wake to continental breakfast in a historic home
Bed & Breakfasts
Bed & Breakfasts
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Shopping

Bring home a piece of Appalachia

Waynesville’s shopping scene will have you intrigued by trinkets and treasures. There’s always something to discover in Main Street.

Shopping in Waynesville
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Mast General Store
Experience nostalgia at this historic mountain mercantile
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Soul Sisters Depot
Find the perfect bohemian fit
WaynesvilleShopping
Waynesville
Blue Ridge Books
Blue Ridge Books
Attend a book signing or peruse new novels
WaynesvilleShopping
Waynesville
Map of Haywood County, North Carolina

Explore more mountain towns

Once you’ve explored Waynesville, Haywood’s largest town, venture beyond and discover four more Appalachian gems, each with its own rhythm, stories, and mountain charm.

How to Get Here
Map of North Carolina
Upcoming Events
  • Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles - Art Exhibit
    Aug 26 → Aug 31
    Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles - Art Exhibit
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    Haywood Handmade Gallery's "Don't Be Square" exhibit invites artists and viewers alike to think outside the box—literally! This exhibit celebrates creativity on canvas with a twist: not a single right angle in sight. From curves and circles to wild, unexpected edges, each piece challenges the traditional square or rectangular frame. Discover how artists bend, shape, and reshape the boundaries of canvas art in this joyful exploration of form and imagination. Pictured work is by Randy Rayl.

    Get details
  • The Savannah Sipping Society - Live in Theatre
    Aug 27 → Aug 30
    The Savannah Sipping Society - Live in Theatre
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    Pull up a chair, pour a drink, and spend an evening on the porch with 'The Savannah Sipping Society,' HART Theatre's latest production. Set on a picturesque veranda in Savannah, Georgia, this warm and witty comedy follows four Southern women who meet at their lives' inflection points. 'The Savannah Sipping Society bends sharp Southern humor with a heartfelt look a friendship, resilience, and starting over. Book your seat today at the linked page!

    Get details
  • Haywood Historic Farmers Market
    Aug 29 → Dec 5
    Haywood Historic Farmers Market
    WaynesvilleLive Music
    Waynesville

    Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market invites everyone to experience local flavors and crafts every Saturday, April through December, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This producer-only market showcases a variety of products sourced from Haywood and nearby counties, including fresh produce, meats, fish, eggs, honey, dairy, flowers, nursery plants, baked goods, preserves, and heritage crafts. Leashed dogs are welcome. Come enjoy a top-notch community gathering to support local producers and stock up on the finest items Haywood has to offer!

    Get details
  • Indoor Flea Market
    Sep 1 → Dec 1
    Indoor Flea Market
    WaynesvilleShopping & Markets
    Waynesville

    Join us for our monthly indoor flea market from 7am to 1pm on the first Saturday of every month! With over 120 vendors showcasing a vast range of crafts, artwork, jewelry, and more, there's something to be found for everyone. Tuck into food from the Apple Orchard Cafe while shopping amid a lively community atmosphere. Come out to support local businesses and find unique treasures all under one roof!

    Get details
  • Go With the Flow: Art Exhibit
    Sep 2 → Nov 2
    Go With the Flow: Art Exhibit
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    Haywood Handmade Gallery's "Go with the Flow" exhibit celebrates the beauty, power, and importance of Haywood County’s waterways. In partnership with Haywood Waterways, this exhibition invites artists to create works inspired by rivers, streams, and other bodies of water—both literally and metaphorically. From flowing currents to reflections on life’s journeys, the show highlights how waterways inspire creativity while raising awareness of the need to protect and conserve our local watershed. Pictured work is by Peter Brown.

    Get details

WAYNESVILLE NC EVENTS

Never far from the action

Experience festivals, live music, craft traditions, and seasonal celebrations that showcase real Appalachian mountain culture.

Discover Upcoming Events

VISIT HAYWOOD BLOG

Find hidden gems near Waynesville

See All Blog Posts
Ultimate Guide to the Ice Block Party in Downtown Waynesville
Arts & CultureUltimate Guide to the Ice Block Party in Downtown Waynesville
A Visit Haywood Ice Fest Weekend Guide: 4 Days of Winter Fun in the Smoky Mountains
Seasonal EventsA Visit Haywood Ice Fest Weekend Guide: 4 Days of Winter Fun in the Smoky Mountains
Start the New Year Right with Outdoor Adventures & Wellness in the NC Mountains
OutdoorsStart the New Year Right with Outdoor Adventures & Wellness in the NC Mountains

Plan your NC mountains adventure

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Places to Stay in Waynesville
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Things to Do Near Waynesville NC
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Things to Do in Haywood

FAQs in case you’re wandering

  • Its proximity to popular hiking trails and waterfalls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway make it a perfect vacation destination for those looking to explore the great outdoors.

  • Yes. Downtown Waynesville is centered around Main Street, where shops, restaurants, galleries, and breweries are all within easy walking distance.

  • Waynesville is great to visit year-round. In summer there are festivals and hiking, fall has vibrant foliage, and winter offers a quieter mountain escape.

  • Waynesville is about 30 minutes west of Asheville, making it an easy day trip or a quieter home base for exploring the NC mountains.