Enjoy a meal at one of our many wonderful restaurants throughout downtown.
Find out how you can explore and enjoy North Wilkesboro!
Unique gifts, clothes, antiques, and handcrafted items can be found throughout downtown.
Find out about upcoming events and other happenings around town.
Explore North Wilkesboro
Discover North Wilkesboro, a charming North Carolina town nestled at the confluence of the Yadkin and Reddies rivers. Known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and outdoor adventures, North Wilkesboro offers something for everyone. Explore our historic downtown district, lined with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries, bike or walk our scenic greenways, visit historic sites and learn about our heritage, and immerse yourself in the vibrant artsand music scene. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures or a peaceful getaway, North Wilkesboro is the perfect destination.
Town History
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Wilkesboro was founded in 1891 when Norfolk Southern established its railroad depot by the Yadkin River. The depot still stands in the heart of downtown, and we have been the Key City to Western North Carolina ever since.
Our history is remarkably unique - textiles and furniture factories fueled our early growth while bootlegging laid the groundwork for the start of modern-day racing. An industrious heritage built the foundation of the values we still hold today - hardworking and fiercely independent, with a focus on family, faith, and resourcefulness that binds us together.
Great ideas were born here, like stock-car racing that led to the first NASCAR track or the founding of Lowe’s; North Wilkesboro has made an imprint on our entire Nation with brand names enjoyed worldwide. More importantly, that same entrepreneurial spirit is still on display in our quaint little mountain town. We are building a hub for the Arts in North Wilkesboro, and our creative spirit is inspired by the mountains that surround us. Our relationship to nature is constant - to our mountains and two rivers. The rivers are part of who we are. The foundation of the unrivaled Great Outdoor offerings that are enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
We have a laid-back rural lifestyle where we are closely connected by our heritage, love of the outdoors, creative energy, and ingenuity. North Wilkesboro is where you can “start your engines” or “start your dreams.” We are a gathering place where people are drawn to our community to experience life and start their next chapter.
Read more about North Wilkesboro's history here.
Parking
Downtown North Wilkesboro is home to 9 Public Parking lots, with a total of 495 spaces. Look for our purple parking signs along the CBD Loop, D Street, and C Street to direct you to clean, convenient, free, all-day parking spaces. On-street parking spaces time limits vary. Look for 2-hour parking signs to determine if those spaces are monitored and time limits enforced by NWPD.
Downtown Social District
Our Downtown Social District allows citizens to enjoy alcoholic beverages throughout our downtown area. See how it works here.
Accommodations
Find out where to stay in Wilkes here.
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Things to Do
Yadkin Valley Greenway
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Main to Main Trail
North Wilkesboro is part of the statewide, NC Main to Main Trail.
The trail is a unique way to experience North Carolina communities.
Since 1980, the State of North Carolina has been selecting cities and
towns of all sizes to carry the distinction as designated North Carolina
Main Street communities. The NC Main to Main Trail leads you through
the state’s designated Main Street communities, highlighting each town’s
best downtown and outdoor experiences.
Learn more: NC Main to Main Trail
About our NC Main to Main Trail Region - Western
This 13-county region cradles some of the coolest cities and towns in the state, and not just in temperature. The Great Smoky Mountains and the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains serve as the backdrop to this region, where local breweries, chocolatiers, apples, and agritourism are abundant.
The downtown districts pride themselves on offering creative economies with authentic shops and galleries, live bluegrass music, locally sourced fine and casual dining options, and lots of opportunities to explore such as:
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Explore some of the state’s best apple orchards
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Follow the NC Beer Guys Map, the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, or the Trail of Tears
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Mountain bike or hike to the highest peaks in the mountains or down to the waterfalls
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Whitewater raft or kayak down the icy-cold mountain rivers.
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Try your hand at a little fly fishing, or maybe just order North Carolina trout for dinner.
The Western region of North Carolina has a lot to do and is waiting for you!
Learn more: Western Region | NC Main Street | Main to Main Trail
