Last Updated on January 6, 2026
Located about halfway between West Asheville and Waynesville, just off Interstate 40, Canton is a modern snapshot of a classic mill town. The downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And many of the unique and beautiful bungalows and buildings around town, once built for mill workers and managers, are still intact. But the growing town is also full of a number of culinary delights, attractions, and outdoor adventures that are attracting new home buyers each year.
Whether you’re vacationing or stay-cationing, Canton offers many engaging opportunities to residents and visitors alike. Here’s a quick itinerary for a charming weekend in historic Canton, NC.
Friday evening in Canton, NC
Check in to your mountain cabin
Enjoy an authentic Western North Carolina weekend excursion by staying in a riverside mountain cabin when you visit Canton, NC. There are many cabin rental options around Canton. Head south into the Nantahala National Forest for a number of cabins along the Pigeon River and near Lake Logan.
There are also a number of campgrounds south of town in hiking distance to famed Cold Mountain. If you’re looking to make friends, Riverside Campground is a family-friendly, 55+ RV/mobile home campground. The “extended family” in this community loves to enjoy pot luck dinners, group lunch trips to various restaurants, and game nights.
Build your own burger
We can personally vouch for the juiciness of J-RO’s Burgers’ (pronounced JAY-rows) signature sandwich. And so can all the locals who have enjoyed this Main Street staple since 2017—along with all the Waynesville locals who’ve loved the owners’ first location, Smoky Mountain Sub Shop, since 1993! Choose from the house-ground ribeye or local beef patty, made from responsibly raised beef from Leatherwood Family Farms in Haywood County. Vegetarians can swap for a delicious and spicy black bean patty. Pick your toppings and they’ll sandwich it all between a toasted, buttered pretzel bun for a soft, sweet twist (pun intended).
Saturday in Canton, NC
Grab a cup o’ joe
Wake up with a great cup of coffee and a side of history. Papertown Coffee is located in a building that, since 1910, has been the Canton Enterprise newspaper, a barber shop, a jeweler, a life insurance company, and the Red Cross. Today, the coffee shop brings a love of coffee and the ritual of its artful preparation to the space. Enjoy an extensive menu of hot and iced drinks crafted with house-made syrups. They also offer a rotating selection of sweet and savory food items from nearby restaurants and bakeries.
Head out to the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway bisects Haywood County and makes for an adventurous drive. High-elevation hiking abounds, as the county is home to 13 peaks above 6,000 feet—including the famous Cold Mountain, just minutes from downtown Canton. All of the county’s rivers and creeks originate within its boundaries, making it also a great location for waterfalls and wildlife. View elk from nearby Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or zipline through the Pigeon River area.
Hit the trail
The newest hit destination for those who visit Canton, NC is the Chestnut Mountain Nature Park. A partnership between Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, the Town of Canton, and other funders, the park’s lands and waters are permanently protected by conservation easements, with areas open for people to enjoy, explore, and learn about nature. Eight miles of hiking trails snake through the park, along with nine miles of mountain biking trails. Among these, “the Berm Park Skills Course consists of over a mile of bike trails for riders to boost their skills in a safe environment.” Enjoy everything from beginner routes to double-diamond expert trails.
Support local businesses
If there’s any region that loves to support its local small businesses, it’s Western North Carolina! This is especially true in Canton, whose small business scene has flourished in recent years. Start your shopping at Blue Moon Books on Main Street and find your next favorite riverside read. From there, it’s just a short walk to Willow Hill Soap Company. This family business creates small-batch, ethically-minded, natural skincare and candles. It’s the perfect treat for a friend—or yourself! Wrap up your shopping day at Clementine’s Boutique. They carry a line of Magnolia Pearl in house—one of very few stores to do so.
Make dinner an experience to remember
Photo by John Cayton Photography
The beautifully restored Imperial Hotel officially predates the town of Canton. Built in 1876, this Queen Anne building began its life as a private home, transformed into “one of the state’s best two-dollar hotels,” served as low-income apartments, and now operates as The Southern Porch restaurant. Enjoy quality service and diverse Southern fare, from griddled cornbread to shrimp and grits. Much of the menu rotates each season depending on what ingredients are fresh and available from local farms. In the main taproom, you can browse a large selection of local and regional craft beers, or you can simply sit and immerse yourself in the friendly space.
Sunday in Canton, NC
Grab lunch to go with your craft brew
Experience what happens when passion collides with creativity, a love for beer making, and the best ingredients. BearWaters Brewery is located a quick walk from the heart of downtown along the Pigeon River. Grab some grub to enjoy by the banks with your brew. We recommend an 11–12″ Neapolitan-style pizza. (The Mill Town is a great choice, topped with homemade red sauce, matchstick pepperoni and salami, prosciutto, chunks of mozzarella, and fresh basil.) Hang out on the patio overlooking the water, and stay for trivia, live music, or other events.
Acquaint yourself with Canton’s history
Photo from the Mountaineer
The Canton Area Historical Museum tells the tale of Canton from its roots as a “boom town” upon the opening of the Champion Paper and Fiber Company to today. Scholars, students, and visitors alike enjoy the museum as a community educational resource for preserving and interpreting the unique history of Canton and its surrounding communities. Among the artifacts in the collection are uniforms of local veterans of World War I and World War II and two cannonballs from the Civil War.
Fancy a stroll?
Wrap up your weekend (at whatever pace you prefer) by taking a walk around town. Historic murals dot the downtown landscape, offering interesting viewing on Main Street. Or take the paved trails of Sorrells Park, which also include a splash pad during the summer months. If you have Fido with you, take him to Canton Dog Park. This off-leash park is nestled between the basketball courts and the Pigeon River and features large and small dog areas.
Plan your next visit to Canton, NC
Canton has more treats than can be experienced in one weekend. Plan your next trip for Labor Day weekend when Canton residents come together for the Canton Labor Day Festival, the oldest festival of its kind in the Southeast!
Stop back through during the holidays for the Canton Festival of Lights. You’ll be awed by the glow of thousands of holiday lights in celebration of the season!
Spend every weekend in Canton, NC
Canton is a snapshot of a classic mill town, with many of the unique bungalows and beautiful buildings once built for mill workers and managers still intact. Historic murals add an artistic touch to the downtown district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s easy to stroll down Main Street, enjoy a meal or shop at the street’s small businesses, and be received as a local. Quality of life truly is key in Canton, NC.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find homes for sale in Canton, NC!
