Between 2020 and 2022, Cooleemee, North Carolina, had a population increase of nearly 21%, and why not? Mayor Jessica Almond advertises that she gives personal tours to those interested in moving here. She touts the dogwood and myrtle tree-lined streets, slower pace, and overall quality life as selling points for her city. Take a day trip here, and you may decide to stay.

In 2014, the Cooleemee Mill Town Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the largest historic districts in the area, with 440 structures. Prevalent architecture styles include Colonial and Gothic Revival and American Craftsman. The city's origin as a mill town is reflected in the Cooleemee Cotton Mill Company property, which is at the heart of the district. Some of the other structures are the Friendship Baptist Church, Cooleemee Recreation Center Bathhouse, and the Church of the Good Shepherd.

You can get a hands-on feel for the town's growth through the centuries at the Mill House Museum. Take a tour of the property and look into the daily life of a millhand. Many artifacts from the period include handmade toys, iron beds, and chamber pots. Make sure to be here in September for the Textile Heritage Festival. Just a few feet from the museum, you can see the original Cooleemee Fire House, which is North Carolina's smallest museum. 

Perhaps the best attraction here is the RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls. Locals call it The Bullhole and enjoy the beach, fishing, swimming, and riding the rapids. There is an amazing stone dam and wooded trails, and the area is dog-friendly. The scenic park has a protected area that is available for large events.

The kids love coming to the Cognition Interactive Museum & Makerspace. The museum's mission is to have a place where the community can learn through investigative learning, stimulative play, and innovation. Market lane, agriculture avenue, healthy food street, and the food truck exhibit have been designed to create an interest in STEAM concepts (Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math). Not only do the programs teach and build confidence, but they are an investment in the community's future and workforce. Field trips, birthday parties, and memberships are also available.

When the kids get hungry, they can experience a custom meal like no other. Maw Maw's Kitchen considers the menu a suggestion of what to eat. They pride themselves on making what the customer wants to the best of their ability, whether on the menu or not, as your Maw Maw would. The menu includes Southern staples like the country breakfast, biscuits and gravy, liver mush, and more.

One staple that residents of Cooleemee would rather not have are pests. From the destructive termites, rats, and mice to the shiver-producing bed bugs and spiders, At Ease Pest Solutions is the area's best pest control service. We are veteran owned and operated and proud to serve the area with highly trained technicians, cutting-edge technology, and world-class customer service. Contact us today for an estimate or more information about our recurring pest control services.