Waynesville, North Carolina

BY CAROLYN MUSE GRANT

Sometimes it’s hard to think about or really get into places where we grew up. I grew up in this awesome small town, Waynesville, North Carolina, and lived there until I was about 18 years old. From that time forward, I lived in a lot of other places around the country and would go to visit my family there at least once a year. We don’t often know what is going to happen in our lives … sometimes you make your own plans … and sometimes you adjust to those close to you.

In February of this year, I went back to Waynesville to take care of my mother. I wasn’t sure how that would work out, but after about five months, the decision was made for me to move there permanently. So, in June of this year, I went back to Las Vegas and closed up my house and moved to Waynesville. It’s worked out great, and I love being there with my mother. And I’ve totally fallen in love with the town. As I said, I grew up here, but it’s changed so much, and it has been so good for me. It’s a wonderful place and a delight to be there. We don’t get out a lot, but it’s so fun to take Mother for rides, and in the morning, I have been able to walk at the lake. All very good, although as a consequence, I’m not as involved in our magazine even though I am still “involved.”

When I grew up here, it was a very small town where everybody knew everybody. In the summer we would have tourists come to town, and over the years it has changed so very much. It is the county seat of Haywood County, the largest town in Haywood County, and sits between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains… and very close to these parkways. The current population is somewhere around 11,000, and there are tons of people who come here for the summer. There are so many beautiful summer neighborhoods and, of course, beautiful ones throughout the town. There are literally hundreds of people who have second homes here and come every summer.

Some of the highlights include the Blue Ridge Parkway, the beautiful Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley filled with wonderful stores and restaurants, and Cataloochee, which has awesome ski slopes and multiple fun events. The Parkway in our area has beautiful views of Maggie and Waynesville, and you can see all the way to the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Cherokee is the proud home of Harrah’s Hotel and Casino around 20 miles from our downtown. If you’re from Las Vegas, you would recognize that one for sure. There are also three beautiful golf courses in or near Waynesville—the Waynesville Country Club, Laurel Ridge, and Maggie Golf Course.

Our main street has totally changed now and consists of wonderful gift, art, and clothing stores, and furniture showrooms. There are great restaurants and unique places to visit, as well.

As I said, when I grew up here, I hadn’t paid much attention to “things,” but now I am so impressed and excited about all that this part of the state of North Carolina has to offer. If you are ever in the area or would like to visit this amazing place, check it out online. I-40 is our major highway, which goes across the country actually, and close airports that I have flown into are in Asheville, North Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Greenville, South Carolina.

Come see us! You will love it!

waynesvillenc.gov
maggievalley.org
cataloochee.com
lakejunaluska.com

Carolyn Muse Grant in Waynesville, North Carolina