Highlands, NC
So many of you have asked about my recent trip to Highlands, NC, that I’ve put little a post together for you! We’ve only been there twice, but it has quickly stolen a piece of our hearts, so I highly recommend adding this little gem to your bucket list.
Highlands is such a special place for a lot of reasons, but I think I most appreciate how versatile it is. It’s outdoorsy & posh all wrapped up together, & it caters to a variety of travelers no matter where they fall on the vacation spectrum. This mountain escape most recently served as the epitome of romance for our lovers getaway, & yet we’ve also taken the kids there for a fun filled family weekend in the past. I don’t know that I’ve ever been somewhere that checks as many boxes as Highlands & the surrounding small towns, so quaintly nestled around it.
With an immense assortment of local eateries offering five star cuisine, award-winning spas, precious boutiques, glorious parks & oh so much more, Highlands holds its own in the travel world. I’ve provided you a quick guide on where to stay, what to eat, & where to hike to burn all those delicious meals off. All you need to do is pack your bag & start making memories!
WHERE TO STAY:
For the lovers or a low key girls weekend:
We love a good Airbnb, & there is no shortage of them around the area, but I just don’t think there’s a better way to do the Highlands than staying at Half Mile Farm. Think fancy hotel meets charming bed & breakfast, & you’ve arrived at the picturesque, sprawling 14 acre sanctuary that is, Half Mile Farm. Read more about this charming inn in my Half Mile Farm blog post here.
For Families:
You can’t beat High Hampton Resort. It’s currently under a major renovation, but should be open again soon! In the meantime I would recommend going the Airbnb route, but when this magical place opens it doors again, you & your kids will want to be the first ones in the reservation book!
WHERE TO EAT: Restaurant links in bold & underlined 😉
Madison’s: This is a Highlands staple for dinner, & I don’t think you can beat dining in the Wine Garden. Inside is nice, but you definitely want to sit outside at this place. Surrounded by the beauty of the garden & sound of the brook running alongside the dining tables, you’ll enjoy farm-fresh fare, crafted & plated with elegance. They even have blankets draped over the chairs in case you get chilly. Service is top notch & the food never disappoints. This is always our one special night, so we go big with the apps & drinks, along with two entrees that we share. I highly recommend the quail appetizer, duck, & short rib entrees. Make a reservation or you won’t get a table, which would be heartbreaking, since it’s dining perfection.
Mountain Fresh Grocery: We love this little spot for lunch or snacks. It’s basically a cutesy grocery store with a two tiny restaurants inside where you can order food, hang out, & eat. Perfect stop to load up on goodies before a hike or stock your hotel/cabin. They have a vast selection of alcohol, local cheeses & other yummies. Also, the little bakery inside makes some killer pumpkin bread if you’re there in the Fall. Mountain Fresh Pizza is also inside, so there’s something for everyone in the family all at one stop.
On the Verandah: Ahhhhmazing! Best meal we had the entire trip. While Madison’s takes 1st place for atmosphere, On the Verandah takes 1st for cuisine. Everything from apps to dessert was incredible, & the service was the absolute best. Ask for a table on the back patio overlooking the lake, & order the Pomegranate Lamb Ribs for a starter 😋 I also recommend the Maple Vinaigrette spinach salad, trout, & the filet mignon.
Highlands Wine Shoppe: This adorable, little wine shop is located right across the street from Park on Main. They have a great selection of wine. You can go in & grab a bottle to-go, or sit on the front lawn & drink a glass right there. They do tastings & offer charcuterie boards to enjoy with your wine too! Or you can pick food up from one of the local spots & eat outside or by the fire pit with your wine. Y’all know how I am about my Scout & Cellar, but this place is too cute not to pop in & make an exception.
How sweet is this? It sits right by the checkout in the wine shop
Canyon Kitchen: Absolute must! The view is incredible & the food is fantastic. Go for lunch & enjoy a picnic at the foot of this stunning, granite masterpiece, or catch an early dinner to watch the sunset. The short drive into Cashiers is more than worth it! Leave early to walk around the town, & definitely stop in
The Market Basket: No website, which tells you how old school & adorable this place is is. Well worth the stop for a snack. It’s the cutest little farm shop you ever did see with a good selection of local cheeses, fruits & other goodies.
Bistro On Main: We love sitting outside on the patio at Bistro on Main. Their pimento cheese fritters are ridiculous! They have great salads & the shrimp-stuffed salmon is incredible. Go on a weekend & you’ll be able to enjoy live music with your meal.
Ugly Dog Pub: Such an adorable pub! A great place to catch a game & get a good meal. They’ve got a wide selection of regional beers & uniquely crafted cocktails.
THINGS TO DO:
HIKE: There are several hikes & waterfalls surrounding Highlands.
Bridal Veil Falls is located on US 64 west just 2 1/2 miles from downtown Highlands. You can park & stroll behind the gentle, little cascade. Good for the less adventurous.
Dry Falls – (a mile past Bridal Veil) & you can walk behind this 75-foot deluge while remaining mostly dry (hence the name!). It’s a good bit of steps, but my 5yr old managed fine, & Matt I took turns carrying the baby without issue. The kids loved the loud noise & mist from behind the waterfall.
High Falls: is our favorite & a must see/do if you ask me. High Falls (or Cullowhee Falls) is located just below the dam for Lake Glenville on the West Fork Tuckasegee River near Cashiers. Well worth the hike down to see the magnificent sight, swim in the pools (FYI they are COLD, but also refreshing, so just do it), & explore all around. Campers tip: if you’re walking/climbing across rocks that are underwater- take your shoes off, but leave your socks on to keep you from slipping. The rocks are slippery, & weirdly, but seriously, it’s easier in socks than sneakers or bare feet 😉 The hike back up is fairly strenuous, but most people & older children can definitely do it. It also becomes the most powerful waterfall in the North Carolina mountains for several days each year when extra water is released from the dam for whitewater kayakers. We haven’t done it, but plan to next year.
2020 Release Days-To see the big water, visit on these prescribed recreation flow days (West Fork Tuckasegee River Bypass Releases), 10 AM-4 PM: April 25-26, June 6, July 11, July 25, August 8 & 22.
Get your clean crafted wine in the Scout Sampler pack here
Sunset Rock is another good one – it’s an easy 1.2 mile round trip hike & offers breathtaking views of the sunset over Highlands.
Window Shop: The town itself is absolutely precious to walk around. Filled with boutiques, antique shops, & a charming church straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting on every corner. Grab a coffee & take a stroll perusing all the bargains or just enjoy window shopping. We have a tradition of buying a Christmas ornament everywhere we travel, so the Christmas Tree On The Hill was a favorite of ours. It’s not always easy hunting down Christmas ornaments in spring & summer when we vacation, so an old timey Christmas shop is always a happy sight.
Of course I would buy wine bags. Seriously though, how adorable are these?
Appalachian Harvest has the absolute sweetest owners on the planet! This sweet little old couple makes everything themselves & are a pleasure to chat with. They even insisted on giving Kylie a blueberry scone on the house, which btw was ahhhmazing!
Hudson’s Library if you have kids:
This is the cutest library ever! They have scavenger hunt lists at the front desk, & the kids get a prize when they finish. Tons of activities & books in the kids place, this was an awesome little indoor stop for the little ones.
The Spa At Old Edward’s: Rated Condé Nast’s Top Hotel Spa in North America, the Spa at Old Edwards Inn sounds like a dream. Matt & I haven’t experienced it ourselves, but it’s reputation precedes itself. It definitely seems worth the price, & we hope to check it out on our next trip back. If you do make book it, I recommend checking in an hour early to get the most out of your spa day.
The Bascom: Such a lovely way to spend an afternoon. A good variety of styles & artists throughout the exhibits, tons of workshops inside the museum & pottery barn. Take a class & create your own souvenir from your trip. Not a stuffy museum, so everyone will enjoy it from kids on up. Open year around, seven days a week & no charge to get in (you do pay for classes though). Take the trail around the grounds & enjoy a walk through nature & art.
Lakeshore Marina: in the Highlands you want to spend as much time as possible outdoors, & Lake Life really is life here. There’s no better way to spend a day then out on the fresh water of Lake Glenville, swimming, cruising, & watching the sun settle behind the mountains before heading back in. Lakeshore has a variety boats, kayaks, paddle boards, tubing gear, & more to get you on the water for a price well worth a day full of fun. I recommend going with a pontoon & of course grab the tube 😉
Happy Travels, friends! And don’t forget to order your vacation wine from yours truly, before you head out ;) Get it here because no one can afford a hangover on vacation, & with all the eating you’ll be doing at those top notch restaurants, you’ll want your wine to be half the calories & carbs.
