Travel Guide: the North Carolina Mountains
Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire Valley, North Carolina. At elevations between 3,500 and 4,000+ feet, many agree it’s the Height of Happiness.
Trails, hikes, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and mountain adventures…. there’s truly something for everyone.
The area’s hotels, resorts and vacation home rentals provide wonderful places to stay, as I discussed with Half-Mile Farm’s General Manager, Jack Austin on Today’s Paige the Podcast. Half-Mile Farm and one of it’s sister properties, Old Edwards Inn & Spa, earned the #5 and #6 spots on Travel + Leisure’s Best Resorts in the South list for 2022.
Eleven Events founding partner Casey Reid also joins the podcast to discuss Highlands Food & Wine and Bear Shadow Music Festivals, two of the Southeast’s most celebrated occasions!
I grew up vacationing in the Carolina mountains and recently had the opportunity to introduce my children to the area. We found the last of the snow there in March and we enjoyed the bright green summer leaves last June.
The Highlands Plateau of Western North Carolina is the perfect year-round family destination. It is also the perfect place for romantic getaways or individuals looking for a little solitude mixed with fun, food and cocktails, of course.
Here’s a look at our recent NC mountain adventures and below, check out my travel guide…. see you on the trails!
WHERE TO STAY:
Old Edwards Inn & Spa: Located in the heart of downtown Highlands, this is a luxury mountain resort with rooms, suites, cottages and vacation homes, premium amenities, farm-fed restaurants and a world-class spa (Old Edwards Inn & Spa as seen in top row of photos above, courtesy of Old Edwards Hospitality Group)
Half-Mile Farm: There’s nothing like this luxury comfort inn, also part of the Old Edwards Hospitality Group and just outside of downtown Highlands. Enjoy a cocktail by the lake, hike on area trails and relax in modern farmhouse guest rooms and rustic-luxe cabins (Half-Mile Farm as seen in bottom row of photos above, courtesy of Old Edwards Hospitality Group)
200 Main: Another Old Edwards Hospitality Group property, also located near Main Street in downtown Highlands. Near shops, restaurants and galleries and pet-friendly
High Hampton Inn: one-stop shop legendary, upscale yet charming Inn and club. High Hampton is located in Cashiers and was recently renovated. It is a wonderful mountain retreat for families and great for events too. Lake, golf, spa and more.
Vacation Home Rentals: There are so many to choose from… some lakeside, some mountainside, some downtown… Here’s one of the cabins I’ve stayed in that is very kid-friendly and a short drive to downtown Highlands: airbnb
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK:
Madison’s and The Wine Garden (Highlands): all of the Old Edwards Hospitality Group restaurants are great, try these downtown!
Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro (Highlands)
The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands, NC): your local joint, great for the whole family
Bistro on Main (Highlands)
Buck’s Coffee (Cashiers)
SweeTreats Craft Ice Cream & Highlands Deli: this place STILL holds the award in my book for world’s best ice cream (my mom and I used to grab a cone - or two! - while shopping Highlands!)
Highlands Wine Shoppe: Owner and award-winning sommelier, Stephanie Miskew and her team make this a perfect place to stop in, taste, shop, sip and stay! Indoor and outdoor seating.
Canyon Kitchen (Cashiers): amazing views and delicious food
The Library (Sapphire)
WHAT TO DO:
Hike: High Falls Trail (tough for kids but doable for older ones), Bridal Veil Falls, Whiteside Mountain Trail, Foothills Trail, Fairfield Lake Trail, Gorges State Park, Dry Falls, Chattanooga Loop Trail, Sunset Rock…click here for more.
Swim: Sliding Rock (US 276, Brevard), Cashiers Sliding Rock, Secret Falls, Fairfield Lake, Lake Glenville, Lake Toxaway
Highlands Food & Wine Festival (late fall/early winter) and Bear Shadow Music Festival (spring)
Trout + Fly Fishing: Brookings Anglers
Golf: Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire Valley and Lake Toxaway have an array of gorgeous golf courses and country clubs. I’m working on my game first and will have to get back to you later on my recs for this category!
Nantahala River: raft, kayak, whitewater raft: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Ski! Can’t compare N.C. skiing to Colorado however, there are some slopes to get those legs going. There are several area mountains in the winter including Sapphire Valley Ski Area and Cataloochee Ski Area. Be sure to check their snow conditions and dates before booking a trip.
Horseback Ride: Whitewater Equestrian Center or Arrowmount Stables & Cabins
Gem Mining: my kiddos enjoyed gem mining at Whitewater Equestrian Center and at the Sapphire Valley Rec Center (*Back in my day, we had creeks where we actually looked for treasures. Now…the centers provide buckets of dirt with pretty stones that the kids sift through. Not the same….but great fun for the kids!)
Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center (Many Sapphire area rentals include access to the community center)
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center (took the kids tubing at the end of the winter season here!): year-round tubing, mountain coaster, gem mining and more!
Canyon Spa (Sapphire)
The Bascom: A Center of the Visual Arts (Highlands)
The Village Green (Cashiers): great playground & paths
WHERE TO SHOP:
ACP Home Interiors: Beautiful home furnishing and gift store in Highlands. Love this shop! Love the owners!
Edgewood Antiques (Cashiers)
The Toy Store of Highlands
Highlands Wine Shoppe: Cheers!
