Ready for some pre- (or post) holiday repose? You’re ready to discover Haywood County, North Carolina — one of this beautiful state’s most tranquil and charming corners. Home to the mountain towns of Canton, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley and Waynesville, Haywood County also holds claim to parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest and Cataloochee Valley.

When you go, be sure to make time to visit these locations:

Waypoint Apothecary

Located on Main Street in Waynesville, Waypoint Apothecary offers traditional, handcrafted herbal remedies, teas, small-batch tinctures and tonics that approach health, balance and wellbeing from a natural perspective. It’s also stocked with candles, bath and beauty concoctions, books, salves, oils, teas, and spices, plus a range of thoughtful gifts. Best of all, the shop provides ongoing educational opportunities including hands-on classes and workshops, along with virtual classes in wildcrafting, tea blending, syrup making, and how to create healing tinctures and salves.

Crown & Thistle Tea Room

Owned by sisters Rebecca Bradley and Melissa Roop, this delightful shop is a beloved local haven. Stop in for a classic afternoon tea, or book a table for a special celebratory occasion. The vast selection of black, green, white, Pu-erh and chai teas includes localized choices such as Low Country, Passage and Great Smoky Mountains. Lovers of herbal tisanes can enjoy Ruby Moon, Evening in the Garden, Magical Butterfly Pea Flower and other blends. Nibble on scones, cakes and finger sandwiches, then peruse the selection of bespoke fascinators and hats from Fascinators by Monica.

Mast General Store

There should be a word describing the scent and sensation of walking into an old-timey general store that has a little bit of everything, plus a whole lot of atmosphere. At Mast General Store on Waynesville’s Main Street, shoppers can select from shelves packed with outdoor gear, dood, knives, shoes, tools, toys, games, puzzles and home goods from Mr. Bird, Lodge and Clay in Motion. Popular clothing brands, including Marmot, Patagonia, Carhartt, Columbia and L.L. Bean, are available, and there’s even a selection of candy options such as Dutch Valley Foods Australian Style Black Licorice, Old School Cinnabutter Puffs and Claeys Sassafras Drops Hard Candy.

Winchester Creek Farm

Set upon 20 acres of green pastures backdropped by the Smoky Mountains, this family-owned farm offers tours and educational opportunities allowing for interactions with animal residents like alpacas, llamas, donkeys, miniature goats, sheep, horses and cows. Take a yoga class with an alpaca, embark on a field trip, or shop for alpaca wear at the on-site shop. The farm is located about 35 minutes from Asheville.

Museum of North Carolina Craft and History at Shelton House and Barn

For a sense of place, take a tour of this historic property and its curated collections illustrating North Carolina traditions of basketry, pottery, woodworking and fiber art. Completed in 1878 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the grounds include beautifully maintained gardens. Open seasonally, the museum also offers a selection of workshops and classes.

HART Theatre

Situated on an 8-acre National Historic Site owned by Shelton House and Barn Museum beneath Cold Mountain, this much-adored performance venue provides an ongoing selection of live theater, musical performances, concerts and other entertainment. You may be lucky enough to catch a hot local act such as Upstream Rebellion, a group of bluegrass musicians who infuse the spirit of Appalachian heritage into every song and performance.

And, if you’re combining pleasure with business — or scouting out places for your next corporate retreat — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center’s tranquil waterside setting is hard to beat. Lodging choices include a historic inn, lakeside hotel and vacation rentals. On-site venues for meetings, conferences and events in a range of sizes include the Amphitheater, Welcome Center, Colonnade, Harrell Center, Kern Center, historic Shackford Hall and Stuart Auditorium. Attendees can recharge and relax while walking the well-maintained footpath encircling the lake, or while boating across its calm surface.