In many ways, Dillsboro has changed very little over the past century. Dillsboro proper is still a walking town — just two blocks long — sprinkled with pristine white houses, rustic old shops, galleries, restaurants and quaint country inns. Even the general store is still here, complete with the original hardwood floors, ceiling fans and soda fountain.

A creative community. Drawn by our town’s old-fashioned charm and gracious hospitality, a growing number of artisans and craftspeople now make Dillsboro their home. Many of our gift shops and galleries focus on local artisans; and some are working artisan's studios where visitors can watch work in progress and talk to the artisans.

A Smoky Mountain vacation destination. In 1886, the railroad began bringing tourists to “the land in the sky”. And they’ve never stopped coming. With so much to see and do, it’s little wonder that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited of all the national parks. And Dillsboro is in the middle of it all, just minutes from such attractions as:

• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Cherokee Indian Reservation with the Oconoluftee Indian Village, "Unto These Hills" Outdoor Drama, and Harrah's Cherokee Casino.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Oconaluftee Historic Farmstead and Village
• Western Carolina University
• Plenty of whitewater rafting, canoeing, tubing and fishing as well as gem mining, horseback riding and just pretty country roads for great scenic drives.

Dillsboro is less than an hour from the Biltmore Estate in Asheville; and it's an easy drive to visit the Cradle of Forestry in America, Flat Rock or Cashiers and Highlands.

However long your visit, be it a few hours or a few days, you'll take home fond memories of a charming time in Dillsboro.

Lights & Lumenaries

December 7, 8, 14, & 15
5 pm to 9 pm

Learn more

Explore Dillsboro —
The HERITAGE WALK self-guided map and tour guide identifies more than two dozen structures dating from the late 19th and early 20th century. The free Guides are available from Dillsboro businesses and a PDF (3.7 MB) can be downloaded here.