How Can I Arrange the Ideal Vacation to Brevard, North Carolina?

Destinations in Western North Carolina, such as Asheville, Highlands, Hot Springs, and Waynesville, to mention a few, are comparable in many aspects. Life usually centers on the great outdoors, and there is a true love of cuisine, music, art, and craft beer. And why not, in any case? This area is a lush, green paradise, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and offering breathtaking vistas, incredible hiking opportunities, and an abundance of clean air. All the same, Brevard is just another city, town, or unincorporated hamlet that adds its own personality and viewpoint to the culture of Western North Carolina.

The tiny community, home to just 7,755 people, is situated in Transylvania County, also referred to as the “Land of Waterfalls.” The more than 250 waterfalls in this region, all of which are a few miles apart, draw visitors from all over the globe. In addition, Brevard is home to the famous Brevard Music Center, Brevard College, and a colony of squirrels with distinctive colors. In downtown Brevard, Ursula Wynn, chef and proprietor of Papa L.E.W., said that guests may “be surprised to see that we have white squirrels.” Perhaps even more than the ones that are dark or gray. Indeed, one of the most enduring features of Brevard is its renowned white squirrel population.

Along with the waterfalls and animals, Parker Platt, the owner of Platt Architecture, Platt Construction, and Platt Home, has lived in Brevard his whole life. He revealed a few other characteristics that make his city “an incredibly rich cultural and recreational destination” with Travel + Leisure. He states that what makes Brevard unique from other areas of Western North Carolina is its “amazing local music and art scene, endless hiking and mountain bike trails, [and] miles of trout stream.”

Would you want to arrange a visit to Brevard? See what local experts have to say about where to stay and what to do, eat, and see by reading on.

Aerial view of a street in downtown Brevard, NC

Best Places to Stay in Brevard

Brevard retains its small-town charm despite the lack of many hotels or resorts; instead, travelers may pick among glampsites, cabins, historic motels, and vacation rentals.

Pilot Cove

Consider booking a cabin in Pilot Cove if you’d rather have a whole house to yourself. Every one of the treehouse-style homes has a washing and dryer in addition to a complete kitchen and bathroom. It’s the best of all worlds—you can enjoy all the contemporary conveniences necessary for a pleasant stay even though you’re in the Pisgah National Forest.

DuPont Yurts

Glamping is rapidly gaining popularity as a kind of housing in Brevard and other mountain communities. Depending on the yurt, guests at DuPont Yurts may stay in one of the four beautifully furnished cabins, which can accommodate groups of up to four or six individuals.

Best Things to Do in Brevard

Attend a show at Brevard Music Center.

Platt’s list of must-do activities in Brevard includes “[experiencing] a cool summer evening show at the open-air Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center.” The president and CEO of the center, Jason Posnock, agrees, saying that “music under the stars on [the] picturesque mountain campus is pure magic.” Visit the center’s website to see the schedule of events.

Head out on the French Broad River.

Headwaters Outfitters’ Jessica Whitmire adds, “Of course, I highly recommend everyone explore the French Broad River, the third oldest river in the world.” She recommends trying out water sports like snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, tubing, and kayaking. At Headwaters Outfitters, we’re proud to be associated with Oxbow River Snorkeling because they provide a really unique opportunity to explore under the surface of the water.

Brevard North Carolina mountains near Asheville Fall Colors Blue Ridge Highway sunrise hills ridges.

Go hiking and waterfall spotting.

Wynn advises travelers to factor in time for “a day trip through Pisgah National Forest.” You’ll “see why we’re named the ‘Land of Waterfalls,'” she explains at this point. Among the most well-known are Sliding Rock, a natural waterslide, Moore Cove Falls, Cove Creek Falls, and Looking Glass Falls.

Visit Brevard’s museums.

Whitmire suggests visiting two of the dordle city’s museums when the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor activities. “There are several opportunities to learn about and explore significant periods of our history in downtown Brevard, including the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas and the Transylvania Heritage Museum, which are both within walking distance of one another,” she adds.

Best Shopping in Brevard

The Hub and Pisgah Tavern

Known for three things in particular: beer, outdoor gear, and bikes, The Hub and Pisgah Tavern is a multifaceted bike business. Visit for outdoor necessities (such as hammocks, sleeping bags, and hiking boots) and bike rentals or repairs. After, enjoy a refreshing drink or two on the terrace.

The Underground Salvage Co.

Perusing the assortment of vintage items, salvaged timber, and surprising discoveries at The Underground Salvage Co. may easily occupy hours.There’s a strong chance you’ll find success at this shop, warehouse, and lumber yard, whether you’re seeking for something to speak to you, remodeling your home, or working on an art project.

A man walking down a street in downtown Brevard past shops and galleries

Fourth Friday Gallery Walks

As the name suggests, there’s food, wine, and live music along with an art walk around Brevard’s galleries and studios every fourth Friday of the month. Select the newest piece for your gallery wall while getting to know the artists themselves. Here is the schedule in its entirety.

Best Restaurants in Brevard

Bracken Mountain Bakery

Posnock suggests having a croissant or scone and a cup of coffee at Bracken Mountain Bakery to start your morning. According to Posnock, everything is prepared fresh in-house and is “simply delicious.”

Vescovo

Whitmire writes, “We love to grab a table at Vescovo on King Street for special occasions,” adding that the eatery has “the best scallops and mixed drinks around.” Salads, pastas, steaks, seafood, and more are available on the menu.

185 King Street

“The small bar menu at 185 King Street paired with great beers and seltzers from attached Noblebräu Brewing is hard to beat,” according to Platt, when it comes to more laid-back alternatives. Besides, it’s a music venue: “The food and drink along with the seriously talented local musicians make for a pretty fine evening,” the man adds.

Papa L.E.W

Wynn’s Papa L.E.W. became the first Black-owned company on Brevard Main Street in March 2021. Her crew is still cooking up wings, burgers (try the Mac Attack or the Cowboy), and chef’s specialties that are not to be missed even after two years.

The Square Root

The Square Root, located in a renovated building in Brevard’s downtown, has been serving food to both residents and tourists for many years. In an environment characterized by vibrant murals, exposed brick, and an art deco bar, savor pork pot stickers, fried green tomatoes, and mountain trout from North Carolina.

Best Time To Visit Brevard

“I think October is the ideal season to visit Brevard. According to Wynn, that’s when you can appreciate the beauty of the shifting seasons. Plan your vacation during the summer, nevertheless, if you like music. Every year, from June to mid-August, the Brevard Music Center July Festival takes place. A diverse variety of concerts, including chamber music, opera, and bluegrass, are scheduled for this event.In September, the Mountain Song Festival features a diverse range of exceptionally skilled artists.

How to Get There

The nearest airport to Brevard is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL); it takes around 25 to 30 minutes to go the 18 miles there. You can almost always count on a scenic trip, regardless of your mode of transportation or point of departure. “You can go from Atlanta and Greenville to Knoxville, Charleston, and Charlotte along picturesque backroads. The Blue Ridge Parkway may also be reached by traveling on Highways 215 or 276. Whitmire notes that while there is the obvious route from Asheville to Brevard via the highway and Highway 280, the journeys themselves are absolutely breathtaking.