This Resilient North Carolina Mountain Town Is Small, Scenic, And Well Worth The Drive

Hurricane Helene did not spare the small town of Canton, North Carolina. The September 2024 storm swept through this part of Haywood County, and Canton, like other communities in Western North Carolina, experienced unimaginable flooding. Some of the homes and businesses along the Pigeon River, which flows through the downtown area, were destroyed or severely damaged.

Canton, as well as the neighboring towns of Maggie Valley and Waynesville, did reopen in the months following, and responsible tourism is one of the best ways to support the area. Whether you’re taking a day trip from Asheville—about a 30-minute drive away—or spending a long weekend in the area, a visit to this historic mill town will leave you enthralled with its charm and beauty.

Explore the well-stocked shelves at Blue Moon Books, pick up some baked goods at Grateful Table Cafe & Provisions, and hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Or, you can align your trip with the longest-running Labor Day celebration in the South, Canton’s largest annual event.Interested in planning a trip this year? Here are our picks for the best things to do in Canton.

What to Do

Peruse an Independent Bookstore

One of the marks of a great Southern small town is a bookstore. While walking around downtown Canton, you’ll spot Blue Moon Books, a used bookstore with not only a great selection of reads, but book signings, cozy corners, and fun merch you can take home as a Canton souvenir.

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facebook.com/bluemoonbookswnc; 109 Main St, Canton, NC 28716

Celebrate Labor Day

The Canton Labor Day Festival has been an annual affair since 1906. With a parade, live music, a handcraft expo, and food trucks, the two-day event is your chance to see Canton at its liveliest. This year, the festival lineup of musical acts includes headliner Craig Morgan, Outlaw Whiskey, and Balsam Range, and attendees will also get to experience the car cruise-in, dock jumping, and a dedicated kid zone with face painting and a splash pad.

cantonlaborday.com

Pick Your Own Fruit and Veggies

A visit to The Ten Acre Garden is something the whole family will enjoy. Depending on the season, visitors are welcome to pick their own sunflowers, blackberries, strawberries, and a selection of veggies growing in the garden. On select dates, the farm also offers hay wagon farm tours, goat yoga, and outdoor painting in the garden.

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thetenacregarden.com, 148 Chambers Farm Ln, Canton, NC 28716

Go Waterfall Chasing

Waterfalls are one of Western North Carolina’s most stunning natural features, so you’ll likely encounter a few on your trip. To combine a waterfall sighting with a short hike, venture to Moore Cove Waterfall. Located in the Pisgah National Forest, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the waterfall is a short drive from Canton, and the hike is less than a mile (or around 1.5 miles round-trip).

nps.gov/places/moore-cove-falls.htm

Spend an Afternoon on the Lake

Although Lake Logan was greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene, it has since reopened to guests and visitors, and day passes as well as annual passes are available for purchase. With a $20 day pass ($10 for kids ages 12 to 17 and free for those 11 and under), you can access the hiking trails, picnic areas, lake, boats, paddles, and life jackets. Fishing passes are $30 per adult.

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lakelogan.org; 25 Wormy Chestnut Lane, Canton, NC, 28716

Where to Eat and Drink

Start Your Morning at Papertown Coffee

No matter what your ideal day in Canton includes, it’s a good idea to kick things off with a caffeinated beverage from Papertown Coffee. The independent coffee shop’s drink menu features all the classics—cold brew, a matcha latte, and an iced Americano—and you can pair your drink with a breakfast burrito, bagel, or croissant.

papertown.coffee; 457 Main St, Canton, NC 28716

Have Lunch at Grateful Table Cafe & Provisions

After working up an appetite hiking or paddling around Lake Logan, head to Grateful Table Cafe & Provisions. As its name implies, the Main Street staple is both somewhere to dine and a place you can pick up a variety of essentials—everything from pantry goods to produce. Food is served from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the menu features items like a taco salad, toasted sandwiches, and a curried chicken salad.

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facebook.com/gratefulcanton; 473 Main St, Canton, NC 28716

Fill Up on Southern Delicacies for Dinner

Downtown Canton is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and there’s nowhere better to get a glimpse of the town’s past than Southern Porch. Located inside the Imperial Hotel building, which dates back to 1876, the restaurant has indoor seating and a porch and patio. Choose from the likes of barbeque, hushpuppies, and shrimp and grits, or go for the Carolina cheesesteak or the ramp bacon jam burger.

southern-porch.com; 449 Main St, Canton, NC 28716

Where to Stay

Unwind at a Mountain Resort

If you’re searching for peace and quiet, book one of the 15 guest units at Springdale Resort. Formerly a country club, the resort has an 18-hole golf course, a heated pool, nature trails, a fitness center, and two different dining venues for guests to enjoy. Those traveling with a larger family can reserve one of the spacious villas, while smaller groups will enjoy the cozier Sycamore Cottage.

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springdaleresortnc.com; 200 Golfwatch Rd, Canton, NC 28716

Rent a Cabin

Renting a standalone cabin is another popular option in the Canton area. This family-friendly cabin sleeps up to eight guests and has a hot tub overlooking the creek (not to mention, amazing mountain views). Or, go completely off-grid at this sustainable treehouse that sits on 23 acres shared by a herd of Highland cows.

Read the original article on Southern Living