Need a serene mountain getaway with upscale charm? Head to Highlands! Nestled high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Highlands offers cool mountain air, beautiful waterfalls, boutique shopping, and luxurious dining. Whether you love outdoor adventure, art galleries, or cozy inns, Highlands is the perfect blend of nature and sophistication.

Highlands, NC Highlights:

  • Main Street Highlands: Browse upscale boutiques, art galleries, and gourmet restaurants in the charming downtown.
  • Dry Falls: Walk behind a stunning 75-foot waterfall just minutes from town.
  • Highlands Botanical Garden: Explore lush trails, rare native plants, and peaceful garden spaces at this hidden gem.
  • Whiteside Mountain: Hike to panoramic views from one of the oldest mountains on Earth.
  • Highlands Playhouse: Enjoy live theater performances, indie films, and cultural events year-round.

Best Time to Visit Highlands, NC

The best time to visit Highlands is from late spring through fall (May through October). Warm days and cool nights are ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the town’s vibrant arts and dining scenes. Fall foliage season (October) is especially spectacular.

How to Get to Highlands, NC

  • If you are traveling by car: Highlands is located along U.S. Highway 64, about 1.5 hours from Asheville, NC, and 2.5 hours from Atlanta, GA.
  • By Air: The closest major airports are Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP).
  • By Shuttle or Car Service: Private shuttles and car rentals are available from nearby airports to Highlands.

Where to Stay in Highlands, NC

  • Old Edwards Inn and Spa – Luxury resort with elegant rooms, spa treatments, fine dining, and a central location on Main Street.
  • Highlands Inn – Historic boutique inn dating back to 1880, steps away from downtown shops and restaurants.
  • 200 Main by Old Edwards – Chic and relaxed hotel with an outdoor heated mineral pool, fire pits, and stylish mountain decor.

Best Things to Do in Highlands, NC

Feel the Power Up Close at Dry Falls

Feel the Power Up Close at Dry Falls

© jonbilous/stock.adobe.com

Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a cascading waterfall with an 80-foot drop, 40 feet of which is freefalling water that flows on the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest.

Located less than a mile from Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls is easily accessible on an easy, paved pathway from the parking lot that leads inside the recessed ledge of the waterfall behind the roaring waters.

The falls are situated about three miles north of Highlands, North Carolina, and a parking area on the side of the road offers parking for people visiting the falls.

US 64/28 W, Highlands, NC 28741, Phone: 828-526-2112

Hike to Cascading Beauty at Glen Falls

Hike to Cascading Beauty at Glen Falls

© Craig Zerbe/stock.adobe.com

Glen Falls is a spectacular set of waterfalls that consist of three separate cascades that plunge through a rocky forest filled with rhododendron bushes and towering hardwoods. The waterfalls flow on the East Fork Overflow Creek, which drops 600 feet in elevation and are accessed by a fantastic hike that is relatively short in length and surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty. Two trailheads lead to the falls – the Chinquapin Mountain Trail and the Glen Falls Trail, and about a quarter of a mile into the hike the waterfalls can be seen through the shrubs.

Glen Falls Road, Highlands, NC 28741

If you are a photographer, don't miss:

If You Love Dramatic Landscapes, Explore Cullasaja River Gorge

If You Love Dramatic Landscapes, Explore Cullasaja River Gorge

© lightphoto2/stock.adobe.com

The Cullasaja River Gorge is an area of spectacular beauty along the Waterfall Byway between the towns of Franklin and Highlands. The gorge is bisected by the fast-moving Cullasaja River, which features three significant waterfalls that wind through the Nantahala National Forest, including the 120-foot Bridal Veil Falls, the roaring water at Dry Falls and the towering 250-foot high Cullasaja Falls. Part of the trail followed by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in 1540, Cullasaja (meaning ‘honey locust place’) Gorge channels the river to the Gulf of Mexico.

Highlands, NC 28741

Drive Behind the Mist at Bridal Veil Falls

Drive Behind the Mist at Bridal Veil Falls

© Bruce/stock.adobe.com

Bridal Veil Falls is a picturesque cascade that flows on a tributary of the Cullasaja River in the Nantahala National Forest.


The falls cascade over an overhanging bluff and drop 60 feet over a section of the US Highway 64 (Mountain Waters Scenic Byway & NC Waterfall Byway), and due to small volumes of water, people can walk beneath it. The stream tends to dry up during periods of drought and has a moderate or high flow of water during the wet season.

US 64/28 W, Highlands, NC 28741, Phone: 828-526-5841

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Discover Native Plants and Wildlife at Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center, and Botanical Gardens

Discover Native Plants and Wildlife at Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center, and Botanical Gardens

© Sandy Sarsfield/stock.adobe.com

The Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center, and Botanical Gardens is a public garden and nature sanctuary that showcases the diverse flora of the southern Appalachians. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset and free of charge, the garden was founded in 1962 as a demonstration garden and has grown into a leading botanical sanctuary with more than 500 species of ferns, shrubs, mosses, wildflowers, shrubs, wetlands, forests, and old-growth plant communities. The garden can be explored on a series of boardwalks and trails that wind through the garden, which also features display collections of Mosses and Liverworts, Plants of the Cherokee, Native Azaleas, Wildflower Meadow, and Butterfly-pollinated species. The garden offers guided tours, and visitors can enjoy picnics in beautiful spots around the garden.

265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC 28741, Phone: 828-526-2623

Experience Creative Inspiration at The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts

Experience Creative Inspiration at The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts

© The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts

The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts provides an array of stimulating experiences in the visual arts for visitors of all ages. Located on a former horse farm in Highland, the indoor-outdoor visual arts center was established by artists Watson and Louise Bascom in 1983 and features rotating exhibitions of art, ceramics, and sculpture. The dynamic 30,000 square foot three-building center is based on a six-acre property and offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children and art experiences that focus on the synergy of art and nature. The Bunzl Gallery is based on the main floor of the center and features a gift shop, while the Joel Gallery and Loft Gallery occupy the second floor, and an Education Gallery and classrooms can be found on the lower level of the center.

323 Franklin Rd, Highlands, NC 28741, Phone: 828-526-4949

If You Crave Sweeping Views, Climb Whiteside Mountain

If You Crave Sweeping Views, Climb Whiteside Mountain

© steheap/stock.adobe.com

Whiteside Mountain is a large mountain in Jackson County that boasts the highest cliffs in Eastern North America. The mountain also features the Devil's Courthouse, a rugged mesa overlooking the Pisgah National Forest that offers spectacular panoramic views from its peak that can be reached by a moderately strenuous half-mile hiking trail. The Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail is a 1.9-mile loop trail that is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding. Accessible year-round, the trail features beautiful wildflowers, and dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash.

Highlands, NC 28741

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Wander Wooded Trails on the Highlands Plateau Greenway

Wander Wooded Trails on the Highlands Plateau Greenway

© shidzuochan/stock.adobe.com

The Highlands Plateau Greenway is a five-mile network of walking trails that connect pristine natural areas and historical sites in and around Highlands. The Greenway straddles the Eastern Continental Divide and is comprised of a temperate rain forest that is home to the highest diversity of fauna and flora in North America. The greenway is surrounded by forests of firs, hickories, pines, and oaks, along with old-growth rhododendron and mountain laurel, and offers a wealth of recreational opportunities ranging from hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding to geocaching, backpacking and bird and wildlife watching.

Highlands, NC 28741, Phone: 828-526-2385

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Kilwins Highlands

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Kilwins Highlands

© Kilwins Highlands

Kilwins Highlands is an old-fashioned confectionery chain that specializes in handmade chocolates, sweets, and ice-cream, along with delectable gift baskets for every occasion. Opened in 1995 by Ashley Clark, the confectionary store has grown into a popular franchise chain that offers sweet treats for every taste. Located on Main Street in Town Square, the bright and airy shop is filled with mouthwatering goodies of all kinds from chocolate, toffee and caramel, to Mackinac Island fudge, caramel corn, and brittle, and old-fashioned toffee apples. Customized gift baskets can be ordered for special occasions, and the store is open seven days a week.

341 Main St, Highlands, NC 28741, Phone: 828-526-3788

Where to Eat in Highlands, NC

  • Madison's Restaurant & Wine Garden – Elegant farm-to-table dining featuring Southern flavors and an extensive wine list.
  • Wild Thyme Gourmet – Creative American cuisine with cozy indoor seating and a charming patio.
  • Mountain Fresh Grocery – Local favorite for artisan sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and gourmet market goods.

If you are interested in local events:

  • Highlands Food and Wine Festival (November) – Celebrate fine dining, craft beverages, and live music in a stunning mountain setting.
  • Highlands Motoring Festival (June) – A must for car enthusiasts with classic car shows, scenic drives, and charity events.
  • Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival (July–August) – Enjoy world-class classical performances in intimate mountain venues.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Highlands, North Carolina:

  • Cashiers (15–20 min) – Charming village with boutique shopping, farm-to-table dining, and scenic hikes like Silver Run Falls.
  • Glen Falls (15 min) – Hike a beautiful trail to view multiple cascading waterfalls deep in the forest.
  • Lake Glenville (25–30 min) – Swim, kayak, or boat in one of the highest lakes east of the Mississippi.
  • Panthertown Valley (30 min) – Known as the "Yosemite of the East," this area features breathtaking waterfalls and rugged trails.
  • Scaly Mountain (20–25 min) – Enjoy snow tubing in winter or trout fishing and ziplining in warmer months.
  • Bridal Veil Falls (10–15 min) – Drive behind a beautiful roadside waterfall for a fun and easy stop.
  • Nantahala National Forest (Immediate area) – Hike, picnic, or simply admire one of the largest national forests in the eastern U.S.
  • Whiteside Cove Road (20–25 min) – Scenic mountain drive with sweeping vistas and access to secluded hikes and waterfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Where is Highlands, North Carolina located?
    • Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and just two hours north of Atlanta, the quaint town of Highlands in North Carolina is a charming little metropolis with a variety of things to see and do all year round.
  • What is the elevation of Highlands?
    • Resting at an elevation of 4,118 feet, the aptly named town and its surroundings are a haven for outdoor lovers.
  • What waterfalls can be found in Highlands?
    • There are several spectacular waterfalls, including Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, and the cascading 411-foot Whitewater Falls.
  • What outdoor activities are available in Highlands?
    • There are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails and scenic drives to explore.
  • Are there good dining options in Highlands?
    • The town has a few great restaurants that serve both local and global cuisine.

At a Glance:


Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming landscapes. Old Edwards Inn & Spa – A luxurious and charming retreat in the mountains. Visit Dry Falls – A stunning waterfall you can walk behind for a unique experience.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather, perfect for outdoor activities. Highlands Inn – A historic and centrally located hotel. Hike Whiteside Mountain – Enjoy breathtaking views from the summit.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and stunning autumn foliage. 200 Main by Old Edwards – A cozy and stylish stay in downtown Highlands. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway – Experience one of the most scenic fall foliage routes in the country.

Plan Your Trip