Best Things to Do in the Highlands, N.C.

A glimpse of this glittering waterfall is just a short downhill trek away, but if you’re feeling energetic, continue on the trail to the bottom where you’re rewarded with a view of the rushing, tumbling waterfall in its full glory. But just remember, what goes down must hike back up.

Right off the side of Highway 64, Dry Falls is simple to see and experience. It thunders over an extended rock ledge, allowing you to stroll behind the milky curtain without getting wet (hence the name).

Near Cashiers, this gently sloping waterfall lets you immerse yourself in the action. The multileveled swath of cold, crystal stream rolling across wide, moss-covered rocks creates a natural waterslide that — in summer — begs you to take a ride.

On the opposite end of the scale, this magnificent waterfall is a can’t-miss. It plunges 411 feet, making it the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. A relatively flat paved walkway leads to a good lookout, but a trip down steep wooden stairs will let you marvel at its size from a more humbling perspective.

Total distance: 2.1 miles

Rating: Moderate to hard

Whiteside Mountain is a massive hunk of granite sitting between Highlands and Cashiers that some geologists say is the oldest mountain in the world. On one side, it exposes a sheer rock cliff (one of the highest in the Eastern United States) that gave it its name. A two-mile loop hike to its peak at almost 5,000 feet requires a little huffing and puffing but promises a big payoff: jaw-dropping, long-range views of surrounding mountains and lush valleys. Your time at the top is made only more tranquil if you score a sighting of the endangered peregrine falcons that nest there floating just feet above you.

Total distance: 1.4 miles

Rating: Easy

Take the easy, short walk up to Sunset Rock, a stony outcrop that rewards you with an  unobstructed view of downtown Highlands that would be worth a harder hike. Plan your trek for late afternoon/early evening; the panoramic vista is at its best when the sun starts sinking below the horizon.

Whiz through a bird’s-eye view of the area on a zipline here, where experienced guides lead over and through old-growth forest and slices of open sky and between mountain peaks. The 1,550-foot Screaming Mare zip earns its name with a thrilling combo of height and speed that will leave you speechless (except for your shrieks).

Fuel up for outdoor excursions with a hefty pressed sandwich on house-made bread at this casual joint in Highlands. The shop stocks basics plus a huge wine selection, an espresso bar, a deli, wood-fired pizza ovens and a bakery.

Grab a picnic table outside at this hoppin’ brewery and eatery in Cashiers. Dig into pub grub like smash burgers and flash-fried Brussel sprouts dunked in chile sauce anchored by the brewery’s dark stout, and wash it all down with a cold Whiteside Moon Unit Hazy IPA.

This is the place for pizza in these mountains. Start with a laugh and some Shrute Farms beet salad before several meat-heavy slices of the Duke. 

Want more meat? This barbecue bastion will provide the fix with pork ribs, tender pulled pork and beef brisket cooked low and slow in an underground pit. Homey sides like silky collards, gooey mac ‘n’ cheese and slightly sweet baked beans are standouts here too.

If you’re feeling fancy, make a dinner reservation at this local favorite for heaping helpings of romantic, candlelit atmosphere and Northern Italian cuisine, like Bolognese-smothered crepes stuffed with roasted veal, spinach and ricotta or North Carolina rainbow trout sauteed with lemon and butter. Pair your pick with a bottle pulled from the wall of wine. 

This four-star, historic property never disappoints with its top-notch hospitality, sophisticated (yet cozy) rooms plus an award-winning spa. The original art and antiques in every room are nice, but the staff members’ dedication to elevating every guest’s experience is what earns it consistent rave reviews. Its prime location fronting Highlands’ Main Street is a bonus.

The rustic-meets-refined boutique hotel is also right on Highlands’ main drag. Its 18 rooms are tucked into an 1885 clapboard farmhouse that’s been outfitted in “English countryside” style, complete with deep blues and hunter greens and bold floral wallpaper. Snag a seat on the front patio with a cocktail from prime people-watching.  

Out from town, this option delivers midcentury-modern style plus an on-site restaurant, Oak Steakhouse, that rivals the other good eats in the area. Its different take on the traditional lodge look makes it a standout. So too does its mountain view. See our full overview here.

In Cashiers, this beloved resort, which first began welcoming guests a century ago, was recently refreshed and reimagined. The team behind the luxury Blackberry Farm resort in Tennessee oversaw the overhaul, and the result is upscale. But they also took great care to preserve the property’s homey, family-friendly charm.