Brevard
Less than 15 miles down the mountain, the City of Brevard is known for both its environmental and cultural resources. Located near the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, Brevard is called the “Land of the Waterfalls” for good reason: the county is home to more than 250 waterfalls. With an extensive local music and arts community, Brevard is home to Brevard College, a four-year liberal arts institution with nationally recognized programs in music and environmental studies, and the Brevard Music Center, one of the nation’s preeminent summer music teaching and performance institutions. Learn more.
Cashiers
About 15 miles west of Lake Toxaway is Cashiers (pronounced CASH-ers), a popular vacation spot where the year-round population of less than 200 people swells to nearly 20,000 during the summer months. Situated at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 64 and N.C. 107, the village offers shopping, dining, festivals, and concerts. Cashiers is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and is near several natural areas that have been protected by the National Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. Learn more.
Asheville
Known for its vibrant arts scene (with 30-plus art galleries in downtown alone) and live music (with numerous performance venues and outdoor festivals), Asheville has been named as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Places in America” by Good Morning America and “America’s Top 25 Arts Destinations” by AmericanStyle, as well as one of the “Best Places to Reinvent Your Life” by AARP Magazine. About an hour’s drive from Lake Toxaway, Asheville’s downtown has one of the most impressive, comprehensive collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States. Learn more.
