We are Moving to Highlands!
And it’s a Great Tourist Destination, in Case You’re Interested.
Tucked away in the Southwest corner of the state and just north of the border with Georgia, you’ll find Highlands, North Carolina. Well, you and the thousands of visitors who stay there every year enjoying all its beauty and amenities.
LeighAnn and I knew of this quaint town as visitors, but soon we’ll be part of the community. You see, our sons will be attending a nearby school that we believe will give them the education and social life they need in the incredible Highlands environment. But don’t think we’re sacrificing our lifestyle just for the school. Highlands would be at the top of our list of places to live no matter what.
The area has everything you’d need for physical, spiritual, and intellectual fulfillment: Culture, dining, arts, nature, and so much more. It may not be all bright lights and big city, but it’s a place you could never be bored with.
What’s Highlands like?
Highlands is natural beauty. Located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains, it rests within the Nantahala National Forest. It is nestled between ancient granite mountains and shadowed hollows. Green and fertile, its abundant rainfall makes it technically a rain forest. It has a subtropical highland climate, with cool winters and warm summers. At an altitude of 4,100 feet, it is relatively cooler than the rest of the Southern U.S. in the summer.
With a permanent population of just under 1,000, tourism is its biggest industry. With everything Highlands has going for it, and with tourists flocking to the area, I believe that in the next 10 or 15 years this area will be known as the Aspen of the East.
Culture and the Arts
Named one of America’s 12 Small Town Arts Places, the Highlands Plateau nurtures a longstanding love of the creative spirit. Here are a few examples:
thebascom.org
The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts creates visual art experiences that have inspired individuals and communities over the last 30 years. The Bascom has been a vital cultural resource to the Western North Carolina region. What began in 1983 as a small exhibition space in one room of the Hudson Library now occupies a 6-acre former horse farm near downtown.
highlandsperformingarts.com
The Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center is a prominent venue in Highlands, featuring independent theater and local musical acts. When the building, which was formerly the Community Bible Church, went up for sale in 1999, the founding director of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival started a fundraising campaign to buy the property. Since then, the Performing Arts Center has brought more than 255 performances to the southeastern Macon County area.
mountaintheatre.com
The Highlands Playhouse is one of the country’s oldest professional summer stock theatres. The first troupe, all amateurs, began using the Highlands School auditorium in the mid-1930s. They formally organized in the late 1930s as the Highlands Little Theatre, which was ultimately renamed Highlands Playhouse.
Where to Stay
oldedwardshospitality.com
The Old Edwards Inn and Spa was named the Top Hotel in the U.S. in 2015. It sits atop the scenic southwest plateau of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, offering abundant opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and adventure. The European-style resort cascades along several blocks filled with amenities, music, dining venues and individually appointed guestrooms, suites, and cottages.
skyline-lodge.com
The Skyline Lodge opened July 2021 following an extensive renovation of the beloved, historic 1930s-era property. Tucked away in the bucolic Blue Ridge Mountains, the property boasts mid-century modern design and distinct architecture, which was originally conceptualized by architect Arthur J. Kelsey, a longtime student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Featuring clean lines, reclaimed wood interiors, and thoughtful details that pay homage to the surrounding nature, the lodge offers 39 guest rooms and one suite - all nestled along winding exterior corridors.
highhampton.com
The High Hampton Resort is nestled high in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Tall hemlocks and mountain laurel accent the mixed hardwoods of this 1,400-acre resort. Majestic mountains, a private thirty-five-acre lake, and gardens surround this historic country inn. The Inn is a favorite gathering place and is only a few steps from the golf course, tennis courts, lake, children's play area, and some of the most beautiful scenic walking trails anywhere.
“Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Resorts of 2023.”
Where to Eat
oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
The Oak Steakhouse, a contemporary steakhouse featuring the finest cuts of Certified Angus beef and locally-sourced produce from area farms, is located in the Skyline Lodge. The first and only steakhouse in Highlands, Oak partners with area purveyors and neighboring farms to bring the flavors of Appalachia right to the table.
wolfgangs.net
Wolfgang's Restaurant and Wine Bistro offers a full menu of New Orleans specialties, including steaks, seafood, veal, venison, and other delights for the discerning palate. The extensive wine list has received the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for several years running. Located in a historic 1890s home, Wolfgang's has been featured in both Southern Living and Southern Accents magazines.
ontheverandah.com
On the Verandah is a fusion gourmet restaurant. It overlooks beautiful Lake Sequoyah and is celebrating almost 30 years in Highlands. Chefs use locally grown produce and herbs from their garden to ensure the freshest flavors. Menu items always include chicken, seafood, fresh fish, and filet mignon with their signature flavorful sauces and spices.
Recreation Opportunities
Hike out to any of the many waterfalls in the area. Highlands’ abundant rainfall has made the area a national waterfall destination. You’ll find natural beauty at Bridal Veil Falls, Bust Your Butt Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Glen Falls, Secret Falls, and others.
One of the most relaxing pastimes that will also connect you with nature is mountain fly fishing. Highlands is a fly-fishing paradise, where you can cast into the Chattooga River, Cullasaja River, Whitewater River, or go to Reg’s, where wild trout can be caught in a stocked waterway.
discoverylandco.com
As a golfer, I’d like to recommend two country clubs. First there’s The Club at High Hampton, although it’s located in Cashiers, just a short distance from Highlands. High Hampton has much to offer. There’s a new 18-hole golf course reimagined by legendary course architect Tom Fazio. Gourmet dining can be found in The Club’s Halsted House and The Range House. If you like walking or hiking there’s the historic dahlia garden and miles of paths and trails. Then check out the lakeside area, with docks, pool, spa, and Mitch’s casual bar and restaurant.
And the other is the Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club. This private mountain retreat is located at the heart of the historic Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and features stunning natural beauty and one-of-a-kind amenities. Real estate at Mountaintop consists of 240 estate lots and 75 luxurious cabins spread across 731 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain landscape.
Finally, Shopping!
Stroll the beautiful streets by the historic buildings and shop the many unique shops and galleries. The area features 200+ locally owned stores and shops, more than 30 galleries that feature local and international art and crafts, and several unique antique shops.
Of course, this is just a short list of things to do and enjoy in Highlands. There are excursions available, horseback riding, tennis – well, whatever you enjoy, I’m sure Highlands will accommodate!