A small town between the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains
Mountain peaks, an appreciation for the outdoors and a creative spirit define Waynesville. Known as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, this small Haywood County enclave is the largest town west of Asheville. The Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains hug this community of roughly 10,000 people, and these ranges remain a big draw for new residents and tourists. “All my family in Raleigh and Durham want to visit Waynesville to get away from the city and experience something different,” says Amie Newsome, the social media and content manager for Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, who adds that the historic and quirky downtown strip is the town’s beating heart. “In downtown Waynesville, you can look up and have the mountains surrounding you. It’s the best place for shopping and dining and has a really strong art scene.”
Established in 1809 and named after Revolutionary War general “Mad” Anthony Wayne, Waynesville grew as a railroad town, running on tourism and agriculture. “October is our busiest month of the year. I believe 40 cents of every dollar is spent by a tourist,” Newsome says. Giles Chemical, a major producer of Epsom salt, is the big in-town employer, while Haywood Regional Medical Center offers healthcare jobs in neighboring Clyde. “A lot of people work at Western Carolina University, one of the bigger universities nearby. We also have Haywood Community College and some local schools that people are employed at.” She adds that some commute to Asheville, about 30 miles away.
The sun sets behind the Smoky Mountains to the West of Waynesville.
Waynesville is called the "Gateway to the Smoky Mountains".
Waynesville is brightly lit downtown for the holiday season to encourage visitors.
Waynesville is close to the Haywood Medical complex offering employment.
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Mountain adventures nearby, Waynesville Recreation Park in town
A town between the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge, Waynesville is surrounded by natural beauty and is often a hub for those looking to hike, mountain bike, ski and take winding drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway. “A lot of people think of the Smoky Mountains as Tennessee and Gatlinburg, but there are quieter sides to the Smokies in North Carolina,” Newsome says. “My favorite place is Cataloochee Valley. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Helene, they’re in rebuilding and recovery mode up there, but that’s where you can go see elk and other wildlife and go on different hikes.”
Several parks are in town, including Waynesville Recreation Park. Among typical public park amenities, it features a skate park and a dog park spread across 12 acres. The Waynesville Greenway connects the park to Waynesville Recreation Center, where residents enjoy an indoor pool and gym. Lake Junaluska is a short drive away. Six golf courses dot Haywood County, including private clubs such as Waynesville Inn and Golf Club and public greens like the 18-hole course at Springdale Resort.
Waynesville sits about 30 mins to the East of the Smoky Mountains.
Closed to drivers due to hurricane damage Waynesville hikers still visit the Blue Ridge Pky.
Waynesville Recreation Park has 2 playgrounds in the southern side.
Waynesville has a skate park for all ages to play in.
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Pets are welcome in the Main Street Historic District
Red brick sidewalks wrap around buildings from the early 1900s in downtown Waynesville, the town’s lively center. “Historic Main Street Waynesville is the place to be,” says Newsome. “There are lots of cool art galleries, shopping and dining.” This historic district is where the town’s pet-friendly atmosphere truly shines, with many businesses offering dog treats for four-legged customers. “The breweries are dog friendly. There’s a dog bakery and dog bar where pups can get roast beef ice cream, and you can enjoy a beer,” Newsome says. Waynesville restaurants often specialize in farm-to-table Appalachian meals, a regional cuisine style marrying locally grown ingredients with Southern-style flavors. “We have lots of acres of farms in Haywood County, so our restaurants rely heavily on our farmers to get their produce, and they incorporate it into their menus,” Newsome says. Residents stock up on Haywood-grown goods at the county’s Historic Farmers Market, held April through December in the Haywood Arts Regional Theater parking lot, less than a mile from downtown Waynesville.
Galleries and local artist are one of the major attractions to Waynesville.
Even the oldest establishments in Waynesville offer pet friendly accomodations.
Gift items and local merchandise are available in most of the downtown stores in Waynesville
Dogs can get treats and hang out with owners in Waynesville's downtown area.
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An art scene celebrating Appalachian heritage and culture
Home to artisans, thespians and musicians, Waynesville has a big passion for the arts. “Every first Friday of the month, there’s Art After Dark, where businesses and art galleries will stay open late. You can venture in and get some wine and beer and meet the town’s different artists. It’s very interactive,” Newsome says. Family-friendly plays and musicals take center stage at Haywood Arts Regional Theater, built in the 1990s in a barn style reminiscent of summer stock theater of the early 20th century. Locally made music often features Bluegrass melodies created with banjos, mandolins and fiddles. These tunes brighten annual events, such as the Appalachian Heritage Festival and the Apple Harvest Festival, which bring in tourists from around the country looking to sample the region’s live music, crafts and eats. Folkmoot USA is one of the town’s biggest events. As North Carolina’s official international folk festival, it brings hundreds of international groups to Waynesville each summer to share and celebrate cultures from around the world.
Local artist Teresa Pennington has a long standing gallery in Waynesville.
828 Market offers eclectic local goods and art on Main St in Waynesville.
The Shelton house is a historic location for heritage and crafts in Waynesville.
The Hart Center is a barn style building hosting arts performances in Waynesville.
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A range of home styles that often come with mountain views
Home prices in Waynesville are steadily rising, up 16% from 2023 to 2024. The median price for a home sits around $425,000. However, expansive Craftsman estates with scenic mountain views can reach nearly $2 million.
Cottages, bungalows and ranch-style homes line the wide, curving streets outside downtown Waynesville, and newly-built Modern Transitional homes are filling out new developments like Valleywood Farms. Farther out, custom luxury homes rest on steep lots overlooking Laurel Ridge Country Club.
Million dollar homes on the golf course can be found close to Waynesville.
Smaller cottages are a popular style for Waynesville homes.
Many established Waynesville streets feature ranch homes and brick construction.
New construction near Waynesville brings transitional homes for new buyers.
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Haywood County Schools partners with Haywood Community College
Haywood County Schools serves Waynesville and earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. With roughly 6,500 students in its 16 schools, HCS is the largest school district west of Buncombe County. It features the A-minus-rated Haywood Early College in nearby Clyde, in which students graduate with an associate's degree from Haywood Community College along with their high school diploma. Waynesville is home to Haywood Christian Academy, a private school offering prekindergarten through 12th grade. Receiving a B-plus rating from Niche, it’s one of the top private schools in the Asheville area. Western Carolina University, included in the University of North Carolina System, is about 25 miles away. It employs nearly 1,600 people and is popular for its business, marketing and health programs.
Haywood County schools have a great rating for Waynesville students.
Haywood Christian School sits near Waynesville.
Waynesville is the home of Haywood Community College and many students attend from town.
Waynesville is about 30 minutes from Western Carolina University.
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Commutes and crime in Haywood County
Without public transportation, a private vehicle is needed to get around Waynesville. U.S. Route 74, known as the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, carves through the town’s northwestern side, connecting residents to Interstate 40 nearby. “With I-40, you can go east to Asheville or go all the way to the Raleigh-Durham area. It’s about 3 ½ hours away. We’re also an hour and a half from the Greenville-Spartanburg area to the south,” says Newsome, who adds that residents like to take scenic drives down State Highway 215 in nearby Canton to catch views of waterfalls. Waynesville is about 35 miles from Asheville Regional Airport, which offers nonstop flights to 27 destinations, including Washington, D.C. and Boston.
Crime data specific to Waynesville is not readily available. However, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Haywood County saw a nearly 24% increase in the rate of violent crime and a less than 1% decrease in the rate of property crime between 2022 and 2023. The county’s property crime rates are higher than national figures.
A community recovering from Hurricane Helene
Waynesville experiences all four seasons, with snowfall throughout cold winters. Even though it’s a mountain town far from the North Carolina coast, tropical weather can still impact the town. Like many communities in this region, Waynesville is recovering from Hurricane Helene, which hit September 2024. Among the damage, businesses along Allen’s Creek and in lower-lying Hazelwood were flooded. Funds are being raised through “Give the Gift of Haywood,” a holiday shopping initiative where people can buy Haywood Strong ornaments and merchandise. The proceeds go to the Haywood County Small Business Recovery Grant Fund.
Waynesville's Frog level historic district suffered flooding leaving damages from Helene.
Many of the businesses in the Frog Level are still closed to storm damage in Waynesville.
Many Waynesville businesses have had to move to other locations in town after Helene.
Helene damaged the bridge connecting Depot Street to Waynesville.
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Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
William Neary
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
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