Highlands NC is a stupendous mountain city that the founders on the time thought could be a really perfect junction for Midwest and Northeast practice journey. Little did they understand that their mountain paradise village was nestled in mountains that have been troublesome to blast by, and thus the railroad crossing was by no means profitable. Nevertheless, their dream of an opulent mountain retreat nonetheless prevails. Should you’re in search of a luxurious mountain retreat, discover what you have to do on this Highlands NC journey information.
Immediately Highlands NC is house to a picturesque city sq. surrounded by vintage outlets, world-class resorts, breathtaking hikes and wonderful eating places. In my 5 years of touring right here, I’ve seen all of it, accomplished it twice, and put collectively the very best Highlands NC journey information to make use of in your subsequent weekend retreat. Should you’re planning to go to, be sure to additionally take a look at our Cashier NC journey information.
What to do:
purchasing
Downtown Highlands has quite a lot of nice outlets, you actually cannot go fallacious with any of them. The overwhelming majority of the Highlands NC downtown space is walkable so park someplace on both finish and put on comfy footwear to entry a few of my favorites.
CK Swan is a stupendous retailer for homewares and equipment. I really like popping in right here for brand spanking new cocktail napkins or their enjoyable collection of homewares.
Dutchman Designs is an eclectic store that may fill your own home with homewares, antiques and new gadgets. It has two flooring of delightfully crafted house furnishings and residential equipment.
Mirror Lake Antiques is ready simply over the hill from Ugly Canine and is a pleasant little store stuffed with enjoyable vintage curios. It is fairly good worth for almost all of their gadgets.
Mountain Findings Thrift Retailer is definitely probably the most superb thrift store I have been to in years. It is solely open on Fridays and Saturdays and is all the time crowded so get in line early. You’ll find unimaginable issues there just like the bentwood desk and chairs I scored for $40. It’s a rolling inventory.
Honorable Mentions for Procuring: Restoration (enjoyable to go searching however expensive $$$$$), Oakleaf Flowers and Gardens, J. McLaughlin, Millie’s, TJ Bailey for males, Rosenthal (for fur and luxurious gadgets), and actually any excessive avenue retailer.
climbing
There are many fantastic hikes close by in Highlands NC. Sundown Rock is kind of easy and family-friendly. Whiteside Mountain could be very in style and will get crowded early. I like to recommend doing this very early or be ready to attend for parking Dry Falls is simply exterior of city and has a pleasant paved footpath to stroll right down to see the falls. Glen Falls is a stupendous shaded path that culminates in a stunning waterfall. There are many different trails within the space, however these are the closest to city with out truly leaving city.
golf
A Highlands NC journey information will refuse to say golf first! Though I am not a lot of a participant, I’ve seen some stunning programs in my day however none evaluate to the gorgeous mountain surroundings of the Highlands. Due to this, I am completely superb with enjoying at a slower tempo on the course. Whereas most golf equipment are usually personal, there are a couple of semi-public programs that fans can go to That is the hyperlink.
leafing
In mid-October, early November town is taken over by leaves- and I’m one among them! Leafing is described as driving to mountain cities to see the altering leaves, and a leaf is somebody who participates in leaf harvesting. I really like driving round trying on the altering leaves. Hikes are extra spectacular with the altering foliage and it is a good time to take a seat exterior with a picnic of produce from a grocery retailer on the town.
place to eat
Paoletti’s is definitely probably the most iconic spot on the town. It’s a white-tablecloth Italian restaurant with world-class service. Reservations are likely to e-book properly upfront so if you realize whenever you’re going, make a reservation as quickly as attainable.
Madison belongs to the Outdated Edwards Inn and is as fabulous as you may count on. The outside patio is spacious and an ideal place to seize a spritz and a sandwich for lunch. You will most likely want a reservation in excessive season as a result of tables refill in a short time on a pleasant day.
The Ruffed Grouse opened contained in the Highlander Mountain Home and it could not be a extra good setting for this mountain city. The meals is great and the atmosphere is great. We look ahead to going again sooner or later for dinner.
The Ugly Canine Pub is a must-see within the Highlands. They often have dwell music enjoying on weekends and are an epitome of the city’s informal mountain spirit.
Four65 Woodfired Bistro is what everyone seems to be speaking about proper now. They do pizza they usually do it properly. Get a pizza to eat at a close-by park for a real mountain expertise.
Dusty Roads Grocery store If there is a lengthy anticipate wherever on the town, you possibly can all the time go to Dusty Roads to seize some freezer meals and a fast sandwich, pie or cheese plate. It is extremely inexpensive and the place else would I am going to as a substitute of Mountain Contemporary on the town.
The terrace is a pleasant place for dinner. The complete restaurant is situated going through the lake with its full view from each route. The meals was recent and scrumptious. It’s undoubtedly a hillbilly establishment.
Calder’s Espresso is the primary espresso store on the town. It undoubtedly will get crowded on weekends so be ready to attend. They’ve tons of breakfast pastries to select from and nearly any specialty espresso drink you need. We often prefer to cease right here on our method out of city for an iced espresso earlier than heading down the hill.
Honorable Point out: Highlands Burrito for a fast-casual Tex Mex expertise. Mountain Contemporary Grocery has nice cinnamon sugar donuts. I discovered the service to be fairly sluggish for advanced menu gadgets. The bridge has stunning views of the downtown space and a pleasant bar. Wolfgang’s Bistro, if you cannot get into Paoletti, is a pleasant place to have a meal! Blue Bike Cafe is an efficient choice for breakfast on the town.
Highlands Wine Store can also be a pleasant place to select up a pleasant bottle of wine. They even sometimes host wine tastings so you will wish to decide up that information from them after they do.
keep place
With a ton of nice locations to remain, hospitality is ideal on this metropolis.
Outdated Edwards Inn is principally why the entire city has the enchantment that it does. The world-class lodge has an award-winning spa, an beautiful piano bar and two eating places to select from. Should you’re in search of a very luxurious place to remain within the metropolis, that is the place I might go.
Half-Mile Farm is simply down the street from its farm-themed cousin, the Outdated Edwards Inn. The property is completely gorgeous and has its personal restaurant, bar, personal lake for canoeing, firepit, tons of cabins and cottages for hire, and the very best half is it is adults solely. Excellent for a distant retreat for {couples}.
Highlander Mountain Home has simply undergone a whole renovation and is probably the most gorgeous boutique lodge on the block. This charming lodge has stunning English countryside-inspired rooms and is within the good location on the town to stroll to the whole lot you wish to do.
Flat Mountain Farm is the brand new child on the town and already making an enormous splash! Positioned simply down the street from the sq., this stunning farm and Airbnb presently has one signature cabin, the Kingfisher, out there with two extra on the best way. The property is extremely stunning and has its personal waterfall. Be sure to observe them on Instagram to see how their progress is coming alongside for the remainder of the property.
Males’s Park is the dog-friendly lodge on the block. If you wish to journey with pets, that is the best choice for you.
Wells Resort is simply off the primary street as you head in direction of the cashiers. This upscale boutique lodge is a brief stroll from city and has its personal espresso store on the premises.
Skyline Lodge (coming quickly July 11, 2021) is present process a serious renovation this summer time and would be the new trendy mountain retreat for these in search of a getaway with a view. Oak Steakhouse is open for dinner and drinks on the premises.
Between Cashier NC and these Highlands NC journey guides, you will by no means run out of issues to do on the weekend. Don’t be concerned, this mountain city not often modifications so come again quickly and do what you missed the primary time round! It is an ideal place to go to and hope you get pleasure from your time right here.
