A Step Back in Time: Black Mountain, NC

Here at Vintage Ladies’ Guide, we’re always looking for travel destinations that allow us to experience a vintage feel–away from the hyper-stimulation of modern living, and towards something simpler and less artificial. Today, we’re featuring Black Mountain, North Carolina, a charming town that offers a variety of activities for visitors. The town is known for its art scene, with galleries, shops, and the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking trails, Lake Tomahawk Park, and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Food lovers can indulge in a diverse food scene: Cuban cuisine at Cousins Cuban Cafe, creative New American dishes at Pure & Proper, and South African fare at Bush Farmhouse. The town also boasts craft breweries, music venues like White Horse Black Mountain, and unique accommodations like the Monte Vista Hotel and the Red Rocker Inn. While Hurricane Helene has caused damage, the town is recovering and welcoming visitors.

Southern Living provides a detailed profile, along with recommendations for food and lodging.

Nestled beneath the majestic Black Mountain range, the town of Black Mountain was founded in 1893. Towns like this one recall a simpler time, where the pace is a little slower and people are less isolated. Here is how Southern Living describes it:

Patrons crisscross between rows of vendors, who are peddling everything from locally foraged mushrooms to handmade pottery to almond croissants. Children situated around pint-size tables are hard at work on a construction paper craft, and a band is passionately strumming a folk version of Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love.” Thirty minutes later, we leave with a bag of pears, a watercolor landscape painting, and an invitation to a comedy show happening later that night.