Top Things to Do in Highlands, North Carolina
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you.
I grew up in western North Carolina, spending summers exploring the mountain towns within easy driving distance of Asheville. Now, as a travel advisor, I'm helping my clients do the same. I'm currently based in Greenville, SC, and my husband and I treat Highlands as one of our favorite summer escapes — the higher elevation here offers noticeably cooler temps than the Upstate heat. And, a stretch working for the concessionaire that operates Cliffside Lake, a few years ago, also had me in and around Highlands regularly, usually grabbing lunch downtown and getting to know the lakeside loop trail and swimming area well.
About Highlands, NC
Highlands is a small mountain town in western North Carolina, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains along the western North Carolina/South Carolina border. On a recent visit, I saw a billboard advertising "mountain chic," and honestly, that's exactly how I'd describe it. Around every turn you'll find dense forests and dramatic natural scenery paired with a dose of subtle luxury in the town's dining, shopping, and accommodations — the perfect balance for anyone who wants a small mountain town escape without sacrificing comfort.
Whether you're planning a short trip for the weekend or a longer stay, this guide covers the best things to do in Highlands, from waterfalls and hiking trails to where to eat, shop, and sleep.
Outdoor Adventures
Waterfalls
Dry Falls — a roadside waterfall you can walk behind, making it an easy stop for a weekend or day trip to Highlands. This is a busy spot, but with such a short walk, parking turns over quickly. There is a $3 per vehicle, per day fee, which can be paid online or at the on-site fee station.
Bridal Veil Falls — another accessible, drive-up waterfall just outside downtown Highlands. You can no longer drive behind the falls, but there's a small pull-off nearby that lets you get up close and walk behind them if you choose.
Glen Falls — a true hidden gem and a triple waterfall reached via a roughly 2-mile round-trip hike. About half a mile from the parking area, you'll reach the first observation deck for the upper section, which drops about 70 feet. Continue another third of a mile to the middle falls, dropping around 60 feet, and a little further down you'll find the third, smallest section, descending about 15 feet. It's mostly downhill on the way in, so save some energy for the climb back up.
To enjoy the beauty of our waterfalls safely, please keep these tips in mind:
View waterfalls from a safe distance.
Follow posted signs and stay on established trails.
Avoid shortcuts, wet rocks, and closed areas.
Never climb on or around waterfalls.
Stay behind guardrails and fences.
Do not wade or play in water above or near a waterfall.
Keep children and pets close at all times.
Hikes
Highlands has no shortage of hiking trails and scenic trails for every skill level, from easy loop trails to longer treks with sweeping mountain views.
Sunset Rock
One of the most scenic trails in the area. This 1.5-mile out-and-back trail leads to a granite outcrop with views of the town below and the surrounding peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains — a favorite for a quick scenic drive-and-hike combo or an easy sunset outing.
AllTrails Rating: Easy
Est. Time: Less than 1 hour
Whiteside Mountain
A 2-mile loop trail, Whiteside Mountain is a notable landmark along the eastern continental divide, sitting at 4,930 feet. The trail leads to a viewpoint atop a 750-foot cliff with views to the east, south, and west — on clear days, you can see for miles. There is a $3 per vehicle, per day fee, which can be paid online or at the on-site fee station.
AllTrails Rating: Moderate
Est. Time: 1–2 hours
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
This recreation area, part of Nantahala National Forest, has two trails — I've only hiked the lakeside nature trail myself, and it was a lovely, easy walk (just over half a mile, mostly flat). The lake has a small sandy beach and a designated swimming area, and fishing is also available. There is a $5 per vehicle, per day fee, which can be paid online or at the on-site fee station (cash only).
AllTrails Rating: Not listed, but I'd rate it easy
Est. Time: Less than 1 hour
Note: There is little to no cell service in this area, so plan your route and let someone know where you're headed before you go.
As always, abide by the principles of Leave No Trace anytime you head into the forest — that means packing out everything you bring in, including pet waste bags and banana peels.
Cliffside Lake
Outdoor Attractions
Highlands Biological Station
Home to the Highlands Botanical Gardens and the Highlands Nature Center. The nature center offers exhibits and year-round educational programming focused on the biodiversity of the southern Appalachian region. The botanical gardens feature six main trails and two connecting trails, offering a peaceful, immersive way to experience the region's native habitats.
Highlands Outpost
Technically located in Scaly Mountain, just southwest of Highlands, this spot offers something for thrill seekers — including a mountain coaster and extreme tubing.
Highlands Aerial Park
Ziplines, a treetop adventure course, and UTV adventures for those who want a higher-adrenaline day out.
Gem Mining
Jackson Hole Gem Mining is located about 20 minutes outside of Highlands. This indoor gem mine teaches you the proper mining techniques and gives you all the tools to find your own gemstones — a perfect activity for a rainy day in Highlands.
Shopping
Downtown Highlands has a quaint main street lined with local boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants — easy to explore on foot in an afternoon.
In 2023, Highlands was named a winner in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice travel awards for "Best Small Town for Shopping," with the publication calling out Main Street's mix of sportswear, gifts, antiques, home decor, fine art, and kitchenware as a shopper's paradise.
Antique Shops — several worth browsing along Main Street
The Bascom, A Center for the Visual Arts — Highlands' anchor art institution and well worth the stop even if you're not usually a gallery person. Set on a six-acre former horse farm just off downtown, The Bascom is free to visit and includes a historic covered-bridge entrance, several exhibition galleries showing local, regional, and national artists, a working pottery studio, and an outdoor sculpture trail.
Art Galleries — beyond The Bascom, downtown Highlands has numerous smaller galleries, including Art Highlands Gallery, Dead Artists Gallery and Jeanie Edwards Fine Art, showcasing local and regional artists, contributing to a vibrant arts scene.
Additional parking can be found on Spring Street, Fourth Street, and Carolina Way.
Dining
Ristorante Paoletti
A Highlands institution and consistently ranked the top restaurant in town. This family-run Italian restaurant has been serving Highlands since 1984, with recipes the Paoletti family has been perfecting for decades. It's known for a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, a daily-changing selection of fresh seafood and homemade pastas, and dishes like ricotta gnocchi and osso buco that regulars order again and again. Reservations are essential, especially on weekends.
Calder's Coffee Cafe
Highlands' go-to coffee shop on Main Street, serving organic, fair-trade coffee alongside New York-style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries. It's a great first stop before a morning hike.
Highlands Wine Shoppe
Part wine shop, part wine lounge, just off Main Street. You can buy a bottle to take with you, or settle in and enjoy a glass in this cozy spot — which includes a fireplace room and an outdoor wine garden often accompanied by live music.
Whiteside Brewing Company
Technically located about 15–20 minutes away in Cashiers, NC, but worth the short drive if you're craving a local craft beer. It's a lodge-style brewpub with a big outdoor field, scratch-made pub food, and live local music many weekends — a family- and dog-friendly stop if you're exploring beyond Highlands proper.
Mountain Fresh Grocery
A grocery store with a vast wine selection, a deli with prepared foods, and gourmet snacks — plus a pizzeria and grill serving excellent sandwiches. A great stop if you want to build a picnic for one of the nearby trails. I went with the turkey, cranberry, havarti sandwich on my last visit and it did not disappoint.
Blue Bike Cafe
Serves an elevated, diner-style breakfast and lunch. The line can get long, so plan to arrive early. On our last visit, we shared the Bonuts (yummy!) and I went with the B.E.L.T.A. sandwich. I love that they also have a small dog-friendly patio area, along with a dog-specific menu.
Ugly Dog Pub
A casual, family-owned pub on Main Street known for craft beer, hot dogs and burgers (the pimento-cheese-and-bacon "Shame Dog" is a menu favorite) and lively weekly events like live bluegrass, karaoke and music bingo. It's a good pick if you want a laid-back meal with some local energy rather than a formal dinner.
Golf
I'm not a golfer, so I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on these offerings, but what I do know is that if a round of golf is on your getaway to-do list, this area is known for incredible courses. There are a couple of public courses available. Private courses like Old Edwards Club and High Hampton may be an option if you're staying at their accommodations. A friend of mine (who happens to be a physical trainer for pro golfers) had great things to say about Old Edwards Club.
Visit Highlands and Discover Jackson Co. are both great resources for learning about nearby courses.
Where to Stay
Generally, we typically treat Highlands as a day trip from Greenville, SC, so our experience with overnight stays is limited. These are some of the more recognized and well-reviewed accommodations in the area.
The heart of Highlands, literally — this Relais & Châteaux resort anchors Main Street and is Highlands' best-known hotel. Expect European-style rooms, suites, and cottages, a 25,000-square-foot spa with a heated outdoor mineral pool, farm-to-table dining, and access to the private Old Edwards Club golf course. It's the pick for a splurge-worthy, walk-everywhere stay right in the middle of town.
Trailborn Highlands (dog-friendly)
A 63-room boutique hotel just a short walk from Main Street, renovated and reopened in 2024. Highlights include an outdoor Nordic-style sauna and cold-plunge setup, a central lounge with a fireplace and complimentary morning coffee, guided local experiences (fly fishing, hiking), and the on-site Highlands Supper Club, housed in a historic 1930s log cabin. It leans toward a modern, "outdoorsy boutique" vibe rather than traditional Southern-inn style.
Highlander Mountain House (dog-friendly)
Housed in a charming 19th-century building right on Main Street, in downtown Highlands, this boutique inn is a short walk from The Bascom and the Highlands Nature Center — a good choice if you want to be centrally located without booking a full resort.
Skyline Lodge (dog-friendly)
A mid-century-modern mountaintop retreat about five miles (roughly a 10-minute drive) outside downtown, sitting at 3,700 feet with views toward the Smoky Mountains on a clear day. Originally built in 1930 by an architect connected to Frank Lloyd Wright, it was reimagined in 2021 and now includes a pool, hot tub, fire pit, and the on-site Oak Steakhouse — a good option if you want a quieter, away-from-Main-Street setting with resort amenities.
FAQs
Where is Highlands, NC?
Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, Highlands is just a short drive from larger metros like Atlanta, Charlotte, Greenville, and Asheville — making it the perfect place for a weekend escape.
Greenville, SC: approx. 2 hours
Asheville, NC: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes
Atlanta, GA: approx. 2.5 hours
Charlotte, NC: approx. 3.5 hours
What is the best time to visit Highlands, NC?
Highlands is a year-round destination, but the "best" time depends on what you're after. Fall (early October through early November) is the most popular season thanks to peak leaf-peeping color across the surrounding mountains — but expect the biggest crowds, and book lodging well in advance. Late spring through summer (May–August) offers the most comfortable weather for hiking and waterfalls, with average highs staying in the 70s even at the height of summer, since the elevation keeps temperatures noticeably cooler than the lowlands. Spring also means fuller, more dramatic waterfalls thanks to seasonal rain. Winter is quietest and slowest-paced, with some businesses on reduced hours, but it's a peaceful time to visit if you don't mind cooler weather and don't need every shop or trail fully open.
Is Highlands, NC close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Highlands makes a reasonable base for a Smokies day trip, though it's not right at the park's doorstep. The drive to the nearest park entrance area, near Cherokee, NC, is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your exact route and stops along the way. If the Great Smoky Mountains are a must-see on your trip, plan for a full day out and back, or consider splitting your stay between Highlands and a town closer to the park, like Bryson City or Cherokee.
Hi, I’m Jess
I’m here to help you plan epic adventures. If you’re looking for authentic travel guides that mix luxe lodging and incredible dining with out of this world hikes and adventures, you’re in the right place.
Your guide to the best time to visit Highlands, NC