.jpg)
Neighborhood Spotlight: Downtown Black Mountain, North Carolina
Black Mountain, which inherited its name after the coloration of the mountain range that borders the quaint town, was originally known as “Grey Eagle” to the Cherokee and Catawba people who lived and hunted in the region. Today, it is affectionately referred to as the “Front Porch of Western North Carolina” and the “Little Town that Rocks” which evokes the feeling of small-town charm and immeasurable hospitality. You’ll spot the iconic red rocking chairs throughout this treasured small town that stand as your reminder to slow down, pull up a chair, and relax.
Like our neighboring Asheville, Black Mountain is known for its beautiful scenery, local festivals (Sourwood Festival in August & Holly Jolly in December are two crowd favorites), and many outdoor adventures. During the peak summer months of June and July as well as leaf season in late September and October, downtown is abuzz and brimming with locals and visitors alike.
The town of Black Mountain is home to GreyBeard Realty’s “flagship” location which serves as the company’s headquarters for all vacation and long-term rental operations in addition to Black Mountain real estate agents who are available to help clients interested in buying or selling land or properties in the area.
Eat + Drink
Asheville’s innovative gastronomic identity mirrors the culinary scene in Black Mountain. The town has a growing number of artisan restaurants, cafes, and breweries that proudly utilize the abundant ingredients available in our region and offer up unique and gourmet twists on classic dishes and beverages. One aspect of dining that many will notice when visiting the area is the merging of a dining experience with a beautiful outdoor setting.
For example, Foothills Grange Restaurant + Bar is a spacious and almost entirely open-air facility in downtown Black Mountain with various outdoor covered seating areas (though they do have a small indoor dining area). In addition to their delicious burgers, locally-raised meat.jpg)
entrees, and regional brews, the setting is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for your entire group.
Children of all ages will especially enjoy the large corner of the facility devoted to a “dirt pit” with construction vehicle toys for the kids to be entertained for hours. Nearby, you’ll find The Railyard (which also serves burgers, pub food, and a variety of drinks) which has spacious open-air seating for sunny days and games of corn hole to inspire a little friendly competition.
Also in the downtown sector are more local favorites that include Cousin’s Cuban Cafe, offering an assortment of breakfast and lunch options, pressed sandwiches, Cubano bowls, and more, and Taco Billy on Cherry Street, a staff favorite that offers an amazing assortment of breakfast, lunch, and dinner tacos in a laid back atmosphere. It’s also a great watering hole if you're in the mood for chips and queso and a cold margarita.
For fine dining, we recommend spots like Pure and Proper, located in the completely restored Pure Oil Station in the heart of downtown that offers tasty brunch, small plate options, colorful entrees, and craft cocktails. For fine cuisine with a tendency towards seafood, Que Sera is a great choice. Their fresh East Coast oysters are a must with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Asheville is among the top lineup of cities with the most breweries per capita and has previously held the title of Beer City USA, which has unsurprisingly become a large part of the culture in our area and in smaller towns outside the city center like Black Mountain. In addition to the local bars and pubs like Trailhead and Town Pump, Black Mountain is home to Lookout Brewing, Pisgah Brewing, and Black Mountain Brewing which are popular spots for visitors and locals alike.
Shopping
Black Mountain may be small, but its excellent shopping options loom large. Kids and bibliophiles will be in their version of paradise at Sassafras on Sutton, a bookstore located in a renovated historic building that is stocked with two floors of books, toys, gifts, and a cafe that serves up coffee and espresso. The picturesque Town Hardware + General Store with its adorable seasonal window displays and friendly staff will take you back in time with classic toys for the kids, in addition to a variety of tools and almost any provision you are looking for.
Other shopping locations that are great for quirky and locally-curated gifts include Bramblewood, C.W. Moose Trading Company, The Curiosity Shop, Seven Sisters Gallery, Black Mountain Yarn Shop, Common Housefly, Enchanted Oak, Take a Hike Outfitters, Sarah Sunshine Pottery, Chifferobe Home and Garden, Shirtmandude Company, and The Dancing Dragonfly.
Outdoor Activities + Things to Do
Directly downtown, we recommend visits to the Swannanoa Valley History Museum and the Black Mountain Center for the Arts to get acquainted with Black Mountain’s history and local arts scene. The SVM mounts at least one major temporary exhibit annually in its first-floor gallery and continually enhances its permanent exhibit on the second floor which explores the broad history of the Swannanoa Valley.
The Swannanoa Valley Museum also hosts hikes year-round that provide an experiential way to learn about the social, cultural, and natural history of the Valley while making new friends. The BMCA offers public exhibits, concerts, theatre performances, and a myriad of classes for all ages. Their upper-floor gallery offers diverse exhibits from regional artists and those who have some connection to the area and are free to the public throughout the week.
For Leisurely walks around town, the Black Mountain Greenway may be an obvious choice as it meanders along Flat Creek which flows into town from the pristine wilderness of Montreat. The Black Mountain Veteran’s Park and In the Oaks Trail are also popular choices and are located just outside of the downtown area. The park includes playground equipment, ball fields, a disc golf course, and over 27 acres of walking and running trails. Lake Tomahawk Park is another scenic lake close to downtown that has an accessible elliptical trail around the lake, a pool that is open during the summer months, a picnic pavilion area, a playground with equipment for the kids, and courts for both tennis and pickleball.
While the views surrounding Black Mountain are stunning, wilderness hiking trails are best accessed from the neighboring Town of Montreat, including Greybeard Trail (GreyBeard Realty’s namesake and the tallest of the Seven Sister mountain range) and Lookout Mountain.
The epic 4.8-mile Graybeard Trail offers incredible views that are especially popular in the fall when the color-changing foliage is at its peak. Lookout Mountain Trail is just under a mile long (approximately 1.4 miles roundtrip) and requires a steep climb with some rock scrambling at the top before reaching the summit with its stunning panoramic views.
Since these trails are within Montreat College’s campus and the Montreat Conference Center grounds, keep in mind that they are particularly busy during the summer conference season and in the fall when students return from summer break. To the east of Black Mountain, Kitsuma is a popular option for mountain bikers looking for a challenging trek. The trail starts in the Ridgecrest area and winds down to the town of Old Fort before connecting with the Point Lookout greenway which loops back up to the Ridgecrest area.
Another popular trail nearby is Catawba Falls in Old Fort. While it’s currently closed for maintenance until Spring 2024, this moderate 2.5-mile roundtrip hike is dog-friendly and kid-friendly and brings you to a 100’ tall waterfall blanketed in moss and made up of numerous smaller cascades. There’s also an upper falls area that is half a mile long, but it is strongly recommended for seasoned hikers looking for a more strenuous adventure.
Among its many accolades, including TripAdvisor’s “Prettiest Small Town in America,” Southern Living’s “Best Mountain Towns,” Livability’s “Best Places to Get a Fresh Start,” and OnlyInYourState’s “10 Safest And Most Peaceful Places To Live In North Carolina,” Black Mountain combines delightful hospitality with unparalleled charm to create an idyllic mountain town that draws people in and invites them to stay.
Interested in learning more about Black Mountain, NC? Contact GreyBeard Realty and Rentals