Everything You Need for a Visit to Waynesville, NC
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Expression at its peak
Waynesville, North Carolina, is the largest town in Western North Carolina and is a short drive from Asheville. Downtown Waynesville has a quaint, urban charm, perfect for walkable shopping in local boutiques and gift shops for artisan goods. For visitors interested in enjoying a unique, flavorful Appalachian experience, Waynesville offers a vibrant farm-to-table restaurant and craft beer scene. Its proximity to popular hiking trails and waterfalls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway make it a perfect vacation destination for those looking to explore the great outdoors. Once you experience Waynesville, you’ll never want to leave!
CENTRALLY LOCATED TO ALL WESTERN NC HAS TO OFFER
Waynesville, North Carolina, is located 26 miles west of Asheville, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Downtown Waynesville offers plenty of restaurants, specialty shops, and even a Mast General Store within easy walking distance. But, if you do decide to venture out, its central location makes an ideal homebase for experiencing all Western North Carolina has to offer.
It’s just a short drive to other Haywood County towns including Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde. Visitors wanting a day trip adventure can take a drive on America’s original scenic highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or travel to Asheville or the Pisgah National Forest.
Explore Our Region
- 7 Minutes → Lake Junaluska
- 10 Minutes → Maggie Valley
- 30 Minutes → Asheville
- 30 Minutes → Pisgah National Forest
Waynesville, NC History
Waynesville was officially founded in 1810 by Colonel Robert Love, an American Revolutionary War soldier, and named after the Colonel’s former commander, General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. On May 6, 1865, the last shot of the Civil War was fired just east of Waynesville in White Sulphur Springs, NC.
During what has become known as the Battle of Waynesville, Union soldiers who retreated to Waynesville from White Sulphur Springs were able to intimidate Confederate forces into surrendering on May 9, 1865. Waynesville officially incorporated in 1871 and is today comprised of six distinct neighborhoods: Downtown, Frog Level, Hazelwood, Laurel Ridge, Russ Avenue, and West Waynesville.