Just 10 minutes west of Black Mountain, Swannanoa makes an easy day trip. Hurricane Helene hit this small mountain town hard in 2024, and neighbors have pulled together to bring it back. The old mill neighborhood, Beacon Village, is filling up with new local shops and places to eat.

Soft pretzels and pretzel knots in baskets with mustard and dip at Blunt Pretzels in Swannanoa

Start with coffee roasted in-house at Short Sleeves Coffee, stop by the new Town Hardware Swannanoa, then grab hand-made Bavarian pretzels at Blunt Pretzels. And keep an eye on Beacon Park, a big new community park with a bike park, walking loop and concert lawn on the old Beacon mill site.

We put together a full plan for the day on our Swannanoa site, with stops for breakfast, lunch, shopping and summer music.

Read the full Swannanoa day trip →

Looking for more nearby? See our day trips from Black Mountain.

Judi Melton

Judi Melton is a curator and contributing writer for Visit Black Mountain, where she shares stories that celebrate the people, places, culture, and experiences that make Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley unique. With a passion for community connection and authentic storytelling, Judi highlights local businesses, artists, events, outdoor adventures, and hidden gems throughout the area.