Franklin, NC: Southern Living's Hidden Gem

0:00It's March 5, in Durham, let's get into the news. Southern Living just gave a shout-out to Franklin, a cozy mountain town in western North Carolina. Tucked away from bigger spots like Highlands, it draws folks with its gym mining at places like Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine, plus outdoor fun on. The five-mile little Tennessee River Greenway, for walking, biking, and bird-watching. Downtown Franklin keeps things lively with cute boutiques, fresh bakeries, and food from farm-to-table spots to crap breweries. Don't miss the free-picking on the square concerts every second and fourth Saturday from May through October, kicking off at 6 p.m. Travelers love how these hidden gyms boost North Carolina's appeal. The magazine also praised Sunset Beach for its white sands and clear waters, boon for outdoor adventures in walkable downtown vibes, and Calabash-as, the seafood capital of the world. Last year, Southern Living named several North Carolina beaches among the South's top 50, including Oak Island, Hotteris Island, Top Sail Beach, Acrocoke, Duck, Beaufort, Emerald

1:05Isle, Nags Head, and Ritesville Beach. North Carolina dominated the 2025 South's Best Awards too, snagging winds for classic hotels like Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands. Resorts such as the Inn on Billmore Estate and Omni Grove Park, Inn and Asheville, plus Best Cities, Asheville and Wilmington, check SouthernLiving.com for the full lists. This story is made possible by our sponsor, see the episode description. Headphones in a pillow, simple idea, surprisingly addictive, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com