WCU is a short drive from several adjoining states and larger cities.
In North Carolina:
- Charlotte (3-4 hour drive) - the largest city in North Carolina. Charlotte has a major airport, large entertainment venues, and plenty of shopping.
- Winston-Salem (3-4 hour drive) - a charming mid-sized city in NC's Piedmont region.
- Raleigh (4-5 hour drive) - the state capital and second largest city in NC.
In Tennessee:
- Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge (1-2 hour drive) - quintessential tourist traps (including Dollywood) on the other side of the National Park from Cullowhee.
- Knoxville (2-3 hour drive) - one of the largest cities in Appalachia. Home of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the 1982 World's Fair.
- Chattanooga (3-4 hour drive) - famous for its beautiful views and fast internet.
In Georgia:
- Helen (2 hour drive) - not a city, just a fun place to visit.
- Athens (2-3 hour drive) - a college town with a big music scene.
- Atlanta (3-4 hour drive) - home to a major airport and the Coca-Cola Company. Popular with reality TV producers and tree enthusiasts.
In South Carolina:
- Greenville/Spartanburg (2 hour drive) - lots of great restaurants (including the Taco Trail), along with the nearest Amtrak station and Costco.
- Columbia (3-4 hour drive) - the capital of SC.
- Charleston (5 hour drive) - a historic city on the Atlantic coast.
