This quaint NC town puts the ‘gem’ in hidden gem, Southern Living says
Tucked in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the small town of Franklin may not get the same attention as nearby Highlands, but that’s part of its charm.
The town of just over 4,000 residents sits about 20 miles away from the more famous destination. And according to Southern Living, it’s one of the Smoky Mountains’ underrated gems, offering scenic views, outdoor adventure and a surprisingly lively downtown.
Franklin is known as the “Gem Capital of the World,” according to Southern Living, thanks to a long history of gem mining, which you can learn about at the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum. For hikers, the town is the first officially recognized Appalachian Trail community, with easy access to scenic routes like Wayah Bald.
Visitors can also explore the outdoors on the Little Tennessee River Greenway, a five-mile paved trail along the river that’s popular with walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers.
Downtown Franklin adds to the appeal with boutiques, bakeries and live music events like the long-running Pickin’ on the Square, a free concert series that occurs every second and fourth Saturday from May through October starting at 6 p.m. Food options range from farm-to-table meals at Gracious Plates on Main to craft beer at Lazy Hiker Brewing Company.
“Franklin may be small, it has a lot going for it,” Southern Living says.
Other top NC travel destinations
Southern Living recently recognized Sunset Beach for its white sand and crystal clear waters, along with Boone as the one place in North Carolina everyone should visit, highlighting it for its outdoor adventures, rich history, walkable downtown, nearby High Country attractions, upgraded lodging and diverse dining scene.’
The magazine also highlighted Calabash this month, a town in the Outer Banks known as the “seafood capital of the world.”
Last year, Oak Island, Hatteras Island, Topsail Beach, Ocracoke, Duck, Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Nags Head and Wrightsville Beach were on Southern Living’s list of 50 best beach towns in the South, The Charlotte Observer reported.
North Carolina swept up several Southern Living’s 2025 South’s Best Awards, including:
- Best Classic Hotels: Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands
- Best Resorts: The Inn on Biltmore Estate and The Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa in Asheville
- Best New Hotels: The Cozy Mountain Retreat in Highlands
- Best Cities: Asheville and Wilmington
You can find the full list of the best beach towns in the South online at southernliving.com.
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
