Brevard
Around BrevardIllustration made for Popchat
Town and around · North Carolina · 34k people
Brevard
“Land of Waterfalls”
Where the mountains sing.
Deep Forest GreenWaterfall BlueAutumn Terracotta
Welcome to Brevard, where the waterfalls are plentiful and the music never stops. Whether you're here for a hike or a concert, you'll find a friendly town that loves its white squirrels and mountain air. Take a stroll down Main Street and you'll feel at home in no time.
Clubs for Brevard
No clubs for Brevard yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Brevard. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Brevard. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Looking Glass Falls Iconic 60-foot waterfall along US-276 in Pisgah National Forest.
- Sliding Rock Natural rock water slide, a popular summer swimming spot.
- Brevard Music Center Summer music campus with concerts and a renowned orchestra.
- DuPont State Recreational Forest Thousands of acres of forest with waterfalls and trails.
- Pisgah National Forest Vast forest with hiking, waterfalls, and scenic drives.
- Cradle of Forestry Historic site marking the birthplace of American forestry.
- Outdoors Hike to Looking Glass Rock
- Outdoors Swim at Sliding Rock
- With kids Hike to Looking Glass Falls
- With kids Slide at Sliding Rock
- Evenings Live music at downtown venues
- Evenings Brewery taprooms
- Locals love Waterfalls
- Locals love Hiking Trails
Through the year
- Brevard Music Center Summer Festival June-August Classical and pops concerts all summer at the outdoor amphitheater.
- White Squirrel Festival May Downtown celebration of the town's albino squirrels with music, vendors, and a parade.
- Transylvania County Fair September Traditional county fair with rides, livestock, and local crafts.
- Mountain Song Festival September Folk and roots music lineup on the Brevard Music Center grounds.
- Brevard 4th of July Celebration July Fireworks over the town, plus a parade and live music.
Brevard has a mountain climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are mild, winters can be cold with occasional snow, and the best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for hiking and outdoor events.
Talk like a local
- “Land of Waterfalls”
- Nickname for Transylvania County, referencing the many waterfalls.
- “White squirrel”
- The town's famous albino squirrels, a local mascot.
- “Pisgah”
- Short for Pisgah National Forest, often used as a destination.
- “The Music Center”
- Refers to the Brevard Music Center and its summer season.
Getaways
- Asheville Mountain city with a vibrant food and arts scene.
- Waynesville Quaint downtown and access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Greenville Upstate South Carolina with a lively downtown and Falls Park.
- Seneca Gateway to Lake Hartwell and Clemson University.
Local flavour
Rooting for Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), Asheville Tourists (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- Mountain Trout Fresh trout from local streams, often pan-fried or grilled.
- Pimento Cheese A Southern staple, often served on burgers or as a dip.
- Craft Beer Local breweries in Brevard and nearby Asheville are part of the Appalachian beer scene.
- Biscuits and Gravy Classic Appalachian breakfast comfort food.
- Ramps Wild leeks foraged in spring, celebrated at local festivals.
Where people go
- Waterfalls Hundreds of cascades in the county, like Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock.
- Hiking Trails Trails through Pisgah National Forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Music Venues Brevard Music Center and local bluegrass halls.
- Craft Breweries A growing number of local breweries in the area.
- Small Town Main Street A walkable downtown with local shops and cafes.
Heritage and traditions
Brevard is proud of its mountain music heritage, its famous white squirrels, and its nickname as the 'Land of Waterfalls'.
This time of year in Brevard
- Leaf peeping Fall Autumn foliage drives and hikes.
- Transylvania County Fair Fall Annual fair with rides, food, and local exhibits.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Landmarks with a story
- Cradle of Forestry Birthplace of forestry education in America, founded in 1898.
- Silvermont 1917 estate now a park and event venue.
- Historic Downtown Brevard Charming Main Street with early 20th-century architecture.
- Transylvania County Courthouse Built in 1911, a centerpiece of the town.
Food traditions
- Ramp dinners In spring, locals forage for ramps (wild leeks) and hold communal dinners celebrating the mountain delicacy.
- Trout fishing and frying Catching mountain trout from local streams and frying them fresh is a cherished custom.
- Pimento cheese sandwiches A Southern staple perfect for picnics at waterfalls and trailheads.
- Craft beer from local breweries Breweries craft beers inspired by the mountain setting, a point of local pride.
- Biscuits and gravy A hearty weekend breakfast tradition, especially after outdoor adventures.
Music and arts
- Classical music at the Brevard Music Center One of the largest summer music festivals in the Southeast, attracting students and audiences.
- Bluegrass and old-time music Local venues and festivals feature traditional mountain music.
- Mountain crafts Pottery, weaving, and woodworking are practiced by local artisans.
A little history
- 1861 Brevard founded and named after Revolutionary War surgeon Ephraim Brevard.
- 1898 Dr. Carl Schenck established the Biltmore Forest School at the Cradle of Forestry, the first forestry school in the U.S.
- Early 1900s Logging and railroad expansion shaped the mountain economy.
- 1917 Silvermont mansion built, now a local landmark.
- 1960s White squirrel population became a local icon, now celebrated annually.
Rivalries
- Brevard vs. Rosman High School football Friendly local rivalry between the two county schools.
- Game day Mountain biking on Pisgah trails
- Game day Trout fishing in local streams
- Outdoors Hike to Looking Glass Rock
- Outdoors Swim at Sliding Rock
- With kids See the white squirrels
- With kids Visit the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery
Locals speak with a Southern Appalachian accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The word 'creek' is often pronounced 'crick'.
Only here
- White squirrels are a unique population found in Brevard.
- The Cradle of Forestry is the birthplace of forestry education in the U.S.
- The Brevard Music Center hosts one of the largest classical music festivals in the country.
- The area is known as the 'Land of Waterfalls' with over 250 waterfalls.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the mountain weather: summers are mild, winters can bring snow and ice.
- Learn to say 'Brevard' with a short 'e' (BREV-erd).
- Traffic can be heavy during leaf season (October) and summer weekends.
- Try the local craft beer and visit the breweries.
- Wave to neighbors; it's a friendly small town.
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Every areaBrevard, NC. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.