Sylva NC Insider's Guide

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Sylva is a very fun and picturesque small town (population 2,500) in Jackson County at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. Stroll its "all American" Main Street, packed with local restaurants, friendly stores, galleries, bookshops and breweries. Visit for many events during the year, including the big Greening Up the Mountain street festival to welcome spring, and Concerts on the Creek summer weekly concerts. During December, Sylva offers a tree-light ceremony, holiday, parade, and three consecutive Saturdays full of holiday spirit called the Shop and Stroll. Enjoy late-night shopping, seasonal cheer, and festive activities downtown.

Shopping in SylvaDowntown Sylva offers year-round charm with City Lights Bookstore, In Your Ear Music, and Wild Kitchen Supply alongside trendy boutiques, outdoor outfitters, and more. The mix of local shops, cozy cafés, and restaurants makes it especially perfect for gift hunting. Sylva is one of our top Christmas Towns in western NC.

Holiday EventsSylva celebrates the season with the Christmas Tree Lighting at the courthouse on the first Friday in December, followed by the Sylva Christmas Parade filling Main Street with floats, music, and community spirit on the first Sunday in December.

Sylva Christmas Courthouse

The historic Jackson County Courthouse on Main Street was built in 1914 (decorated for Christmas in the pic above). Considered to be the "most photographed courthouse" in North Carolina, the courthouse can be reached by climbing 107 steps from Main Street—look back for a nice view of downtown and the mountains (pic below). To get plenty of ideas of things to do, stop at the Visitor Center (773 West Main St).

Sylva, NC

RestaurantsTop local restaurants include Lulu's (678 West Main). For downhome cooking, head to The Coffee Shop (385 West Main Street), a local's favorite since 1926. Did I mention their homemade pies? And for the sweet tooth, stop at Baxley's Chocolates (628 West Main Street).

Cafes, Cocktails, and Craft BreweriesSylva’s Main Street is home to multiple coffee houses beloved for their coffee and entertainment, unique bars, and breweries. The Cut Cocktail Lounge stands out for offering crafted drinks and bites, including daily specials, in a "whimsical southern gothic atmosphere". Here are four of Sylva's popular breweries:

Innovation Brewing (414 West Main Street): With 32 brews on tap, homemade ginger ale, and three ciders, this seven-barrel brewhouse has a handful of mainstay traditional ales as well as several IPAs and experimental beers.
Balsam Falls Brewing (506 West Main St) has 16-20 beers on tap including a rotating selection of IPAs, pale ales, and sours, along with six staple beers.
Lazy Hiker Brewing - Sylva Taproom (617 W Main Street) is home to a wide selection of brews, with accompanying Mad Batter Kitchen bites.
Nantahala Brewing Company Sylva Outpost (5 Grindstaff Cove Road) has over 40 taps, award-winning beers, and family-friendly fun.

Three Billboards in Ebbing Sylva

Movie LocationsThe Sylva area has hosted the filming of several movies lately, including transforming downtown for the 2018 Oscar-nominated movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing (read more)!

Outdoor ActivitiesOutdoor lovers will be overwhelmed with the options for hiking, waterfalls, fishing, biking, and more in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains - including Nantahala National Forest. In fact, the town owns Pinnacle Park with a 7-mile round-trip trek to a 5,000-foot peak with great views. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just 11 miles from downtown via US 23 North / US 74 East.

Sylva is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail ®️, attracting anglers from around the world. The Tuckasegee River is known for its whitewater and trout populations.

Nearby TownsArtsy Dillsboro is just a few miles west with studios, shops, and galleries, along with some great art festivals. Read more about Jackson County things to do.