This Is The Most Hippie Town In North Carolina And You Need To Visit (2024)

FAQs

This Is The Most Hippie Town In North Carolina And You Need To Visit? ›

In North Carolina, they are naming Asheville as the most hippie town in the state. Think about it, Asheville.

If you've been to Asheville, you get it. Flanked by the mountains and filled with a community of hippies and hipsters, this North Carolina town is all about culture, local food, art, yoga, music, nature, and beer -- the good stuff in life.

In the 1860 U.S. Census a mere 502 residents lived in Asheville. Fast forward a century to 1960, and the population had swelled to 60,000 residents. Now, cue the nationwide hippie movement. It began in San Francisco in the mid 1960s and quickly swept to other parts of the nation, including Asheville.

A hard-working mountain town with great coffee—yes. A hippie town with a serious football problem—absolutely.

In North Carolina, they are naming Asheville as the most hippie town in the state. Think about it, Asheville. I am sure we could have all seen this one coming.

The coldest place in North Carolina is Banner Elk. On average, it can reach an annual low of around 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

The best in U.S.A. – Eugene, Oregon:

Eugene is the most bohemian city in U.S.A. that has been following the hippie culture since its existence.

The US has no shortage of hippie towns, but Eugene, Oregon might just be the hippiest of them all. The town's flower-power vibe is due in large part to a citizen named Ken Kesey, an essayist, novelist and counterculture figure of the 1960s who helped attract like-minded people.

If there's any one state that truly exemplifies the hippie lifestyle, it's gotta be California, where you can find all types: beach bums, commune members, laid-back stoners, mountain dwellers—you name it.

Why is Asheville NC so popular? ›

Most notably, Asheville is famous for its Blue Ridge Mountains and Biltmore Estate. It's also known for its craft beer scene. While visiting, check out the art scene and architecture, and have a relaxing afternoon in Pack Square Park. And what's visiting a historic town without a ghost tour?

Who's homeless in Asheville? In the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, which is an annual census of people experiencing homelessness, we identified 573 people without housing.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest Asheville racial/ethnic groups are White (77.5%) followed by Black (10.9%) and Hispanic (7.0%).

Boone is a smaller town - dominated by the university. Asheville is larger and has more "city" amenities. Both have lovely views, but the mountains around Asheville are a little more gentle. You also have a good airport at Asheville ( is that important?).

Notable artists associated with Boone include the late Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitar player Doc Watson, and the late guitarist Michael Houser, one of the founding members of and the lead guitarist for the band Widespread Panic, as well as Old Crow Medicine Show, The Blue Rags, and Eric Church, all who are Boone ...

The town of Boone is located atop the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. It is known for being the home of Appalachian State University, and for being a beautiful, scenic area for outdoor activities. It is in Watagua County and located off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Princeville, is the only incorporated “all black” town in North Carolina. It is a suburb lying on the east side of the river and most of its inhabitants work in nearby Tarboro.

Haight Ashbury is a thriving San Francisco neighborhood where cultures and eras meld together. Made famous by the hippie movement in the 1960's, Haight Ashbury was once the home to revolutionaries, famous singers (including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin) and cult leaders.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a sweet, funky town in the Ozark Mountains that's commonly known as a Southern hippie town. Eureka Springs holds many festivals, an impressive Pride celebration and the town just has that amazing, free-spirited feel to it.

One city in North Carolina snagged a spot on the list. According to the site, Asheville is among the most beautiful cities in America. Full of eclectic charm, this small town is one of the most popular places in the state to visit and is even a great place to explore for those who have called it home for years.

Where do the rich live in North Carolina? ›

Weddington

Weddington is a lovely city in North Carolina, just south of Charlotte. It has a population of around 6,553 people and is one of the wealthiest places in the state! The median household income here is an impressive $137K, which makes it four times higher than the average North Carolinian's income.

Some of the earliest "hippies" were university students living in California's Bay area. Many lived in an area of San Francisco called Haight-Ashbury, which became famous as one of the main areas for people looking to live the hippie lifestyle.

Young Americans around the country began moving to San Francisco, and by June 1966, around 15,000 hippies had moved into the Haight. The Charlatans, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and the Grateful Dead all moved to San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood during this period.

The San Francisco summer is often remembered best because it was the cultural center of the hippie movement where free love, drug use and communal living became the norm.

Hippies advocated nonviolence and love, a popular phrase being “Make love, not war,” for which they were sometimes called “flower children.” They promoted openness and tolerance as alternatives to the restrictions and regimentation they saw in middle-class society.

So which South Carolina town is considered the "hippiest" in the state? Located just outside of Charleston, Folly Beach is the perfect beachside town that anyone can enjoy, catering to everyone from surfers to early-risers to those enjoying a night under the stars.

There are thousands of contemporary communes — now commonly called "intentional communities" — across the country, from rural Tennessee, Missouri and Oregon to downtown Los Angeles and New York City.

The Modern Day Hippies Nowadays, they are called bohemians or naturalists. You can read more about living a bohemian lifestyle or what it means to be a modern day hippie in these articles. Learn more about the movement in the trends and lifestyle sections here.

Boulder, Colorado in the 1960s was a hub of cultural and political activity. Known as the “hippie capital of the world,” Boulder was a magnet for young people seeking an alternative lifestyle and a place to express their creativity and individuality.

Composed mostly of white teenagers and young adults between 15 and 25 years old, hippies inherited a tradition of cultural dissent from bohemians and beatniks of the Beat Generation in the late 1950s.

What food is Asheville NC known for? ›

Cornbread and beans. Country ham and wild ramps. Apple butter and sorghum. The humble cuisine of the Mountain South offers spoonfuls of heart, soul—and flavor.

Downtown Asheville, like many cities in America, has long contended with homelessness, panhandling, drugs and common crimes like shoplifting.

A multitude of reasons come into play regarding Asheville's relatively high cost of living, the most prominent being the lack of high paying jobs in the area. Unless you move to Asheville with a job already in place, you are going to have to look long and hard for a job.

Asheville is a great town with great people and a great environment. With many things to do like hiking, exploring nature, eating out, or simply having fun, Asheville has it all. The diversity of Asheville is extremely welcoming. People from all over the world come to visit Asheville, and with great reason!

Which cities had the largest homeless populations in 2022? Out of the 48 largest cities in the US, Los Angeles and New York had the largest homeless populations. Both identified over 60,000 homeless people in 2022. In 2022, 44 of the 48 cities identified at least 1,000 homeless individuals.

Introduction. Homelessness continues to be a persistent and widespread issue in every state in America. California has the largest homeless population with 161,548 people, followed by New York with 91,271. Florida and Texas have 27,487 and 27,229 homeless people respectively.

Visit historically Black neighborhoods, including the Shiloh Community, originally located where Biltmore sits today; Burton Street, home to the Burton Street Community Peace Garden; and The Block, famous for its thriving Black businesses and the YMI Cultural Center.

Black or African American: 11.11% Two or more races: 2.98%

While several of the cities ranked in the top half of the list, Raleigh came out on top as the most fun city in North Carolina. The capital even made the Top 25 in the nightlife/parties category.

Is Asheville a hipster city? ›

Asheville, North Carolina

There is always Nashville, New Orleans or Austin, but the inexpensive bluegrass capital of the world has slowly been earning its place as the Southeast's hipster hangout. This town of only 82,000 has been a popular go-to place for performers such as Cat Power, M.

West Asheville: Haywood Corridor

Just across the French Broad River from downtown is Asheville's hippest neighborhood: West Asheville. At its heart is Haywood Road, lined with locally-owned businesses like funky vintage shops, eclectic boutiques, an independent record shop, and unusual eateries.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the top attraction in North Carolina and a must-visit place during your trip. With over 12 million visitors every year, it's the most visited national park in the US. It's located near several major cities, so it's easily accessible.

A recent report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness noted that homelessness is exacerbated by the city's staggering affordable housing crisis, compounded by the impacts of the pandemic. Asheville is more expensive than 98% of other North Carolina cities and is home to the highest rents in the state.

In the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, which is an annual census of people experiencing homelessness, we identified 573 people without housing. Most people (402) were in emergency shelter or transitional housing programs, but 171 were unsheltered, meaning camping, sleeping in cars, or otherwise on the street.

Rolesville

The safest city in North Carolina is Rolesville. The city has a population of 10,050 people and is located in Northeastern Wake County, just outside Raleigh. The crime rate in Rolesville is 451 per 100,000, making the crime rate 83% lower than the North Carolina average.

Biltmore Avenue

This is Asheville's “Main Street” in its very walkable downtown area.

What is the black area of Asheville NC? ›

Following the Civil War, blacks formed their own communities in Asheville, especially in the area known as “The Block,” located in the east end of downtown—on Eagle Street, and Market Street. To this day, The Block continues to be a vibrant place for black-owned businesses and community resources.