Dillsboro, NC Artsy Village

The charming village of Dillsboro (population 237) is our top small town for local art, craft, and unique museums. Within its few blocks, find works from hundreds of artists. This longtime artisan community is located in Jackson County on the banks of the Tuckasegee River. Dillsboro has been a tourist destination since the late 1800s. Then, many visitors arrived by train, and they still do today on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad via an excursion from Bryson City. It's just 1.5 miles from downtown Sylva.

Shopping in Dillsboro
Dogwood Crafters (90 Webster Street) should be your first stop! This craft cooperative features 100+ mountain artists with an amazing array of items packed into their log store. Friendly volunteers will help you navigate the many rooms. It's been here since 1976. Another top stop nearby is Tunnel Mountain Crafts (94 Front Street).

Dillsboro's walkable downtown brims with handcrafted treasures. The Fox's Burrow offers American-made goods and wildlife art curated by former National Park Rangers. Nancy Tut's Christmas Shop keeps the holiday spirit alive year-round with ornaments and festive collectibles.

Breweries
Innovation Station (40 Depot St, Dillsboro) opened in 2018 with a wrap-around covered patio and creek-side seating. The brewery has 32 taps that include non-alcoholic Ginger Ale, three local ciders, three wines, and 25 hand-crafted beers. Read more about the Jackson County Ale Trail with additional nearby breweries.

Restaurants
Local restaurants include Haywood Smokehouse (403 Haywood Road), voted top BBQ joint in NC, Boots Steakhouse (64 Front St), and Foragers Canteen (42 Depot Street). Don't miss the Chocolate Factory's homemade fudge and chocolate liquer shooter (28 Church Street). Pair their special set of to-go chocolates with a specially made beer flight at Innovation Station.

Green Energy Park
Just a mile from shops in the village is the fascinating Jackson County Green Energy Park that uses renewable energy resources to create art. The glass studio, kiln, and blacksmithing metals shop are among the few studios in the world utilizing landfill methane gas as a fuel. Watch artists at work, shop for a souvenir, or take a class. Read more.

History and Museums
Dillsboro is home to the Appalachian Women's Museum at the restored Monteith Farmstead. It is a rare find! Here you'll discover the stories of women from of a wide range of personalities, education, employment, races, and ethnicities. This small museum with a significant mission gathers, preserves, and shares the lives of whose identities were shaped by and woven into the mountains, streams, and forests around them. Open Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM, April through October, at the Monteith Farmstead Park, 100 W. Hometown Place. Visit their website to learn about events including the annual Airing of the Quilts in April. 

Dillsboro is also home to a completely different rare find: the American Museum of the House Cat, five miles south of Dillsboro, packs 10,000+ cat curiosities into this quirky roadside gem. The gift shop offers feline-themed treasures and vintage memorabilia for animal lovers. Entry fees and purchases support a local cat rescue organization. Read more.

Outdoor Adventures
Raft, kayak, or tube down the scenic Tuckasegee River from town at the Dillsboro River Company or Smoky Mountain River Adventures during the summer months - gentle enough for small children. Read about river trips on the Tuck.

Festivals
Even their street festivals are art-focused! See dates below. During the Front Street Arts & Crafts Show in June, interact with more than 40 of the region's best artisans. There's also a Dillsboro Glass Arts Festival, and an Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Hat Parade. See the Festivals section below for more!

Holidays
Dillsboro is one of our Top 12 Christmas Towns in the mountains. With festive decorations, Lights and Luminaries is held during the first two weekends in December, and plenty of one-of-a-kind gifts, you'll definitely get in the holiday spirit! 

Read more about Jackson County things to do. See more of our Coolest NC Mountain Small Towns. Western Carolina University is seven miles down the road in Cullowhee.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-40 West to exit 27 and follow US Highway 74 towards Waynesville. Go 26 miles to exit 81 (US Highway 23/441) to Dillsboro. 52 miles from Asheville, 1-hour drive.