Last Updated on November 5, 2024
Located in Nantahala National Forest, there’s no denying that Highlands, NC is an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise, boasting plentiful mountain trails, waterfalls, and rivers. Pair that with year-round events and scenery, a picturesque downtown, and five-star culinary experiences, and Highlands is truly breathtaking.
There’s enough to do in Highlands to fill a lifetime! But if you are just here for a brief visit, we encourage you to make the most of your time. Here’s how we’d spend a “perfect day out” in Highlands, NC.
Start strong with freshly brewed coffee
For a relatively small town, Highlands offers a variety of coffeehouse experiences—something for every taste! Calder’s Coffee Cafe promises the perfect cup of coffee with your bagel, breakfast sandwich, or pastry. Thanks to their commitment to ethically sourced organic, specialty-grade, fair-trade coffee, it’s easy for them to deliver on that promise. Blue Bike Cafe is more than just a spot to stop through before you hit the trails. They offer a full breakfast and lunch menu, including a few items for your doggie. But for a truly indulgent start to your day, you can’t miss Edelweiss Highlands, an upscale patisserie founded by an internationally trained artist. The coffee is great, and any pastry you order is guaranteed to be a work of art!
Hit the trail!
For nature lovers, the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is an outdoor paradise. The area is known for its rich fall color, thanks to the ample rainfall it receives each year—the second highest amount in the continental U.S.! Whiteside Mountain is a must-see, with its stunning cliffs and vistas of the Blue Ridge. The hike to Dry Falls is another favorite, offering a short trail that leads you behind a 75-foot waterfall. And Glen Falls provides a moderate hike to a cascading waterfall surrounded by rich flora. Sunset Rock is a local gem, as well, where a brief hike rewards visitors with panoramic views of the town of Highlands, especially breathtaking at dusk.
Stroll Main Street
Shopping in Highlands offers just as many stunning colors, with unique boutiques and specialty stores along Main Street. In 2023, Highlands was again named a winner in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for “Best Small Town for Shopping.” Among its many benefits, the town’s “park and walk” size makes it easy to enjoy the vibrant downtown. Stroll along Main Street for a variety of shops dedicated to jewelry, clothing, home decor, and local arts. The town is known for Acorns Boutique at the Old Edwards Inn, where high-end fashion meets mountain style.
Parking and additional retailers can easily be found perpendicularly to Main Street on Spring Street, Fourth Street, and Carolina Way. Nearby Cashiers also offers a charming selection of shops, including the Cashiers Farmers Market, where locals and visitors alike enjoy fresh produce, artisanal foods, and even a range of locally made goods.
Be inspired by local artists
Did you know that Highlands has been named one of America’s 12 Small Town Arts Places? The town is home to a variety of artists, craftsmen, studios, galleries, and art leagues. There is always new art to see and be inspired by. As you stroll Main Street, don’t miss your chance to see local art and meet local creatives in downtown shops.
The Bascom’s visual arts center has created experiences that “inspire and empower individuals and communities through seeing, thinking, and doing” for more than 30 years. What began as a small exhibition space in one room of the Hudson Library now occupies a six-acre former horse farm near downtown. The Bascom’s 28,000-square-foot main building houses exhibition and event spaces, classrooms, offices, and a retail outlet. The center offers more than 60 classes and workshops between June and October, some led by the 14 artists-in-residence.
Enjoy an unforgettable meal
The dining scene in Highlands is exceptional, blending mountain charm with gourmet offerings. In fact, five of the restaurants have been awarded the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Explore mountain color as you dine al fresco at one of the area’s many unique culinary delights. For a relaxed vibe, check out the ever popular Mountain Fresh Grocery, which offers a full menu of wood-fired pizzas. Or hang out at Ristorante Paoletti on Main Street, an acclaimed Italian eatery perfect for special occasions. The Paoletti family has been sharing their recipes and family traditions for nearly 70 years!
If your day lends itself to a more upscale experience, you will want to find yourself at Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden. Located at the popular Old Edwards Inn and Spa in the middle of town, Madison’s offers deceptively lush farm-to-table lunches and dinners using ingredients grown in their garden or provisioned from regional farms. Another local favorite is Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro. German-born Chef Wolfgang Green has been serving his internationally influenced perspective on American cuisine for more than 25 years. Named by Southern Living as a “Best Place for Dinner in Highlands,” Wolfgang’s offers both a menu and experience to remember.
Wind down with a craft beer
Be sure to save room after dinner for a beer as fresh as the local streams. Just up the road in Cashiers, Whiteside Brewing Company serves mountain life in a glass. Master Brewer Dieter Kuhn (formerly of Heinzelmännchen Brewery) leads Whiteside’s production of quality, hearty, Bavarian-style ales. Visit them to try their year-round taps and rotating seasonal styles. Along with unique craft beers, Whiteside also offers a carefully curated food menu, designed to complement the beer selection. You’ll find the brewery adjacent to the popular Laurelwood Inn.
See a live performance!
In addition to the many options throughout the region, Highlands itself is home to a very active venue for performing arts. Highlands Performing Arts Center (PAC), located downtown, offers an array of programs throughout the year from nationally recognized performers. The PAC screens live performances of the Metropolitan Opera and Britain’s National Theatre. And they also stage productions of the Highlands-Cashiers Players and performances of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival.
As of 2023, Mountain Theatre Company (MTC), one of North Carolina’s oldest theater companies, is also calling the PAC its home. As the resident professional theater company at the PAC, Mountain Theatre Company presents Broadway-style musical productions in an annual season running from June–December. Check the PAC’s calendar to see what fabulous show will be available on your perfect day in Highlands.
Find your perfect home in Highlands, NC
You can have the perfect day, every day, in Highlands, North Carolina!
At an elevation of 4,118 feet above sea level, Highlands is the ultimate destination for those seeking a quiet mountain getaway. Dubbed “the height of happiness,” this mountain town is home to properties including small cabins on Mirror Lake, large estate properties, and homes with amazing mountain views. If a neighborhood feel nestled in a quiet mountain town is what you’re after, Highlands also has homes available in gated and non-gated communities. Avid golfers will feel right at home here, as Highlands boasts not one, but five private golf developments. Whether you’re searching for a second home in the mountains or the perfect spot to retire, Highlands, NC is a great place to call home.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find homes for sale in Highlands, NC!
