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Cute Little Towns: Sylva, NC

January 10, 2012 By Rhoda 58 Comments

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Don’t you just love cute little towns on those backroads of the U.S.?

Yep, me too!  I grew up going up to NC so many times during my childhood and last weekend, I got the chance to go back to visit Angela’s beautiful Waynesville Cottage.  A girl’s weekend.  I took 2 of my single girlfriends and we meandered our way up to Waynesville on Friday afternoon.  Took our time about getting there and stopped by Sylva on the way and boy, is it a cute little town.

We lazed in the hot tub that night, bubbling under the stars and talked and talked.  It’s so fun to have girlfriends to talk to and get away with.

Long shot Sylva court house

Come with me to the pretty little NC mountain town of Sylva.  The courthouse immediately caught my eye as we drove into town.  Just like Mayberry, Sylva has that cozy and quaint small town feel that we all love.

tree framing court house

Stately sitting up on the hill.

Sylva court house

Jackson County Courthouse

Sylva, NC court house

Christmas decorations were still up and how about all those trees on the lawn with red bows?  CUTE!

Christmas Tree

Another pretty decorated tree at the bottom of the steps.

It was a beautiful blue sky day in Sylva and we walked down the sidewalks, peeking in the shops.

Church Steeple Sylva

This pretty church steeple rose high above the trees nearby.

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We checked out Vance Hardware in  hopes of maybe finding one of those pretty HUGE Ball jars that Marc told me he found in Sylva.  It was not meant to be and she told me they didn’t carry any, that maybe one of the hardware stores that had gone out of business did at one time.   Oh well.

Crocks in Hardware store

They did have this pretty crockery in the window.

Lodge iron skillets

Lodge iron skillets and cooking pots were plentiful at the hardware store. All good Southern staples in the kitchen.

Shopping Sylva

B & B gifts and Interiors.

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I just loved this shot of the chairs sitting outside the Sylva Barber shop.  Can you see Andy, Floyd and Barney hanging out here trading stories?  I know!!

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Jackson’s General store was cute and quaint too.

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With quilts and clothing.

Deerhead Sylva store

Deer Head on the wall

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Vera Bradley

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Just like an old general store.

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Complete with worn pine floors.

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And lots of Southern-isms to be found.

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We Southerners are proud of OUR South!

Tervis tumblers

Don’t forget the Tervis tumblers.  Do y’all have any Tervis in your cabinets?  We love them down here!   My sister and mom have plenty of them.

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A used book store caught our attention too.

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We browsed in there and picked up a few 25 cent magazines.

Lulus Cafe

Finally, we stopped by Lulu’s Cafe for lunch.

Lunch Lulus

I had a delish salmon salad that was really tasty.

There’s nothing like driving through the winding mountain roads in NC and taking your time getting to a destination.  I love browsing and enjoying a small town so much, do you?  I think growing up in a small town would be fun, but not sure that I could do it all the time.  I like activities and action too much.

How about you?  Did you grow up in a small town and if so, are you glad you did? 

I know there must be plenty of positives about small town living. 

I’ve got plenty more to share from our weekend in Waynesville.  We hit Asheville on an all-day excursion and shopped several antiques and thriftstores along the way, so I’ll have lots more to show you.

My 2 friends found some slamming bargains at 2 of the thriftstores that I can’t wait to show you.  We pondered all the way home how they could get back up there with a truck to get them hauled back to Atlanta.  I have to find out if they figured it out this week.  

Note:  If you go on a girl’s weekend antiquing and thrifting, be sure and take a truck!

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Filed Under: Travel 58 Comments

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Comments

  1. Shari@Rain into Rainbows says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:19 am

    Rhoda, if you like small towns like we do, you have to check out http://www.smalltowngems.com. They have a great formula for finding true small towns (i.e., the real thing and not just put there for tourists).

    I checked, and Sylva is indeed on their list. We use them every time that we travel so that we can find fun little out of the way places to stop instead of boring chains right off the interstate.

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Twice Remembered says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:12 am

    I once lived near Sylva in a little town called Cashiers… Loved both towns – very sweet and quaint. 😉

    Reply
  3. dottie brunette says

    January 13, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Thank you so much for the beautiful feature on Sylva. Did you know that the Courthouse on the hill is part of the Jackson County Public Library complex. The historic courthouse houses a museum, the Jackson County Genealogical Socity, the Jackson County Arts Council, meeting and conference spaces. Across the Atrium is the new 20,000 square foot Jackson County Public Library which opened in June 2011. It is nearly 4 times larger than the old 1970’s vintage library and is decorated in a 1914 style which is when the Courthouse was constructed. BTW: regular county admistration and courts are house in the Jackson County Justice Center, in case you were wondering. Please come visit us again and I would love to give you a tour of our building including its orginial locally created art.

    Reply
  4. angela | the painted house says

    January 13, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    So glad you spent some extra time in charming Sylva! I love Lulu’s–now you have me craving their tofu salad!

    Reply
  5. paula says

    January 15, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    I love Sylva and Dillsboro. My Dad’s family has lived there since before the civil war. So it’s a special place. The courthouse is amazing.The real focal point of the town.
    I live in a town much smaller than Sylva (under 1500 souls) in WA state. Can’t beat small towns.

    Reply
  6. Jamie Lynn says

    January 16, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Hey! My husband I were just up there. We went to Cherokee to see snow (there was none) and decided to go into Sylvia. Unfortunately, LuLu’s was not open. We wanted to go in there because that is the name of our yorkie. Waynesville is also a nice little town that I believe is very close. Next time you are in the area let me know I would love to meet up and do some good shopping together.
    Jamie Lynn

    Reply
  7. Hannah says

    January 24, 2012 at 7:49 am

    LOVE THIS blog entry! I go to school right near Sylva and forgot how beautiful it could be! The pictures are great! It is especially beautiful around Christmas with the decorations up and the courthouse is so pretty!

    Reply
  8. Lea says

    February 4, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    So glad you have enjoyed our new “home town”. Please visit often.

    Reply
  9. Sue says

    August 1, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    We have lived in Sylva since 1980 and feel so fortunate to call it home! Great little town.

    Reply
  10. DiAnne Crisp says

    August 1, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    I live in Sylva and love this little town sooo much! When you come back to Sylva bring a truck and check out Finders Keepers and The Nichols House Antiques downtown. Check out Finders Keepers on Facebook. You can go to the photos and see all the fabulous things in this store. love your blog.

    Reply
  11. Tonita says

    December 29, 2013 at 5:54 am

    Hi, I just found your fab blog while searching for info on the town of Sylva, NC. I live in WA state and am moving to the South. I am shopping for a property online after taking a brief (just one hr and 45 min) trip to Bryson City near Sylva to view a small home for sale just 2 months ago. It didn’t work out, so now I am searching Franklin, Sylva and surrounding areas. But, I was really happy to have found your great blog. I love to decorate and find free things to re purpose or up cycle. I have a tiny house that is 8 ‘ wide x 24’ long , and I am forever changing it up and fluffing it. I will definitely be back on your blog for more inspiration for future décor ideas. Thanks, for such a quality blog.
    Tonita – Shabby Chic Tiny Retreat.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      December 29, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      HI, Tonita, thanks for stopping by, nice to meet you! I hope you find your house in NC, it’s a great state.

  12. Vance says

    January 1, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Thank you so much for including us on your blog. Sylva really is a wonderful little town, and it’s nice to see other people appreciate it as much as we do.

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

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