The Red House – Highlands, NC
Groceries and Supplies
A local family-run store for groceries and household items. Best place for general supplies, and well-stocked for a mountain town. Also carries beer and wine from recognized names. This is an easy spot to grab some kiln-dried firewood too.
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Bryson's Food Store
103 Highlands PlazaA local family-run store for groceries and household items. Best place for general supplies, and well-stocked for a mountain town. Also carries beer and wine from recognized names. This is an easy spot to grab some kiln-dried firewood too.
A great gourmet grocer! They roast coffee in-house, carry a great small-production wine and craft beer selection, and stock fine cheeses and charcuterie. They also have great prepared meals, as well as a bakery, grill, pizza counter, and coffee bar. Great stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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Mountain Fresh Grocery
521 Main StA great gourmet grocer! They roast coffee in-house, carry a great small-production wine and craft beer selection, and stock fine cheeses and charcuterie. They also have great prepared meals, as well as a bakery, grill, pizza counter, and coffee bar. Great stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Great butcher shop, and freezers stocked with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, main dishes, sides, and desserts.
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Rhodes Superette
493 Dillard RdGreat butcher shop, and freezers stocked with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, main dishes, sides, and desserts.
Liquor is sold only at state-run stores in North Carolina. The Highlands location has a decent selection for a state-run provider. It’s next to Bryson’s Grocery.
Highlands ABC Stores
81 Highlands PlazaLiquor is sold only at state-run stores in North Carolina. The Highlands location has a decent selection for a state-run provider. It’s next to Bryson’s Grocery.
Mentioned mainly because it's a great place to get lump charcoal for the Big Green Egg. Closed Sundays.
ace hardware
275 Main StMentioned mainly because it's a great place to get lump charcoal for the Big Green Egg. Closed Sundays.
Other Attractions
Locally-run small brewery with their own beers plus a handful of others on tap from nearby craft producers. BYO snacks and games and enjoy the patio – even with kids!
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Satulah Mountain Brewing Company
454 Carolina WayLocally-run small brewery with their own beers plus a handful of others on tap from nearby craft producers. BYO snacks and games and enjoy the patio – even with kids!
Local produce and gourmet items, plus a barbeque restaurant next door. A great stop if you’re in the Cashiers area.
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Cashiers Farmers Market
78 US-64Local produce and gourmet items, plus a barbeque restaurant next door. A great stop if you’re in the Cashiers area.
Outfitter with gear, guides, books and knowledgeable staff. Ask them for great hiking recommendations!
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Highland Hiker
47 NC-107Outfitter with gear, guides, books and knowledgeable staff. Ask them for great hiking recommendations!
Massages, facials, and more. Call well in advance – they book up quickly!
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The Spa at Old Edwards Inn
16 Church StMassages, facials, and more. Call well in advance – they book up quickly!
Kid Friendly Activities
Many of the activities listed in other sections are also great for kids, but these spots in particular can help keep the little ones engaged.
Closest playground, with swings, slides, and climbing equipment. There’s also a skate park next to it. Sometimes when no skaters are around, our boys will drive toy trucks up and down the ramps. Great picnic area too!
Highlands Recreation Center
600 North 4th StreetClosest playground, with swings, slides, and climbing equipment. There’s also a skate park next to it. Sometimes when no skaters are around, our boys will drive toy trucks up and down the ramps. Great picnic area too!
The Southern Way
338 Main StSmall local shop with toys, board games, and books for little ones.
Local shop for ice cream and milkshakes. They’re attached to a deli as well. Go for an afternoon treat – they close by 5pm!
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SweeTreats Deli
115 S 4th StLocal shop for ice cream and milkshakes. They’re attached to a deli as well. Go for an afternoon treat – they close by 5pm!
This is a chain often seen in vacation-towns, but they have ice cream, fudge, and other treats. If you miss SweeTreats, they’re open later.
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Kilwins Highlands
341 Main StThis is a chain often seen in vacation-towns, but they have ice cream, fudge, and other treats. If you miss SweeTreats, they’re open later.
Nature Trails
If you want to get outside but aren’t up for a long hike (or have little ones with you), these are a great option for a more relaxed adventure!
Botanical garden, short loop trail around Ravanel Lake, plus indoor exhibits and daily programs in the summer. There’s a second parking area around the back side of Ravanel Lake off Lower Lake Road.
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Highlands Nature Center
930 Horse Cove RdBotanical garden, short loop trail around Ravanel Lake, plus indoor exhibits and daily programs in the summer. There’s a second parking area around the back side of Ravanel Lake off Lower Lake Road.
This small mountain lake is surrounded by a mostly-flat 1mi loop, with some stairs and a bridge at the dam to Skitty Creek. Plenty of picnic areas, and close to Dry Falls. It's a great short hike for kids that's a little more remote than the trails in-town.
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Cliffside Lake Recreation Area
13908 Highlands RoadThis small mountain lake is surrounded by a mostly-flat 1mi loop, with some stairs and a bridge at the dam to Skitty Creek. Plenty of picnic areas, and close to Dry Falls. It's a great short hike for kids that's a little more remote than the trails in-town.
Hiking
The Nantahala National Forest surrounding Highlands has miles upon miles of hiking trails for adventurers of all levels. These are a few easier favorites, but for more guidance the folks at Highland Hiker in town are extremely knowledgeable.
Walk to town! The northern entrance to this trail is just a few steps from the driveway, which leads into town and connects to the Highlands Greenway.
Kelsey Trail Preserve- Highlands Cashiers Land Trust
855 North 5th StreetWalk to town! The northern entrance to this trail is just a few steps from the driveway, which leads into town and connects to the Highlands Greenway.
Less than 1mi hike on a wide trail takes you to an outcropping with great views across the valley. A favorite place to take a blanket and enjoy the sunset! Uphill, but otherwise an easy hike.
Sunset rock trailhead
930 Horse Cove RoadLess than 1mi hike on a wide trail takes you to an outcropping with great views across the valley. A favorite place to take a blanket and enjoy the sunset! Uphill, but otherwise an easy hike.
Cascading tiered falls at the end of a 2.4mi hike. Take Dillard Road south of town to Glen Falls road. Parking and trailhead is marked.
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Glen Falls
Cascading tiered falls at the end of a 2.4mi hike. Take Dillard Road south of town to Glen Falls road. Parking and trailhead is marked.
Moderate 1.6mi hike to the top of a waterfall. Take Main St east of town to Horse Cove Road, then turn right on Walking Stick Road. Part of the drive is unpaved, but the trailhead is marked.
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Secret Falls Trail Head
Big Creek RoadModerate 1.6mi hike to the top of a waterfall. Take Main St east of town to Horse Cove Road, then turn right on Walking Stick Road. Part of the drive is unpaved, but the trailhead is marked.
Waterfalls
Several hikes in the area lead to awe-inspiring waterfalls, but these three can be seen with little to no hiking required.
A 45ft waterfall right off the side of the highway, and you can walk behind it. Also makes for a quick stop on the way to Dry Falls.
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Bridal Veil Falls
A 45ft waterfall right off the side of the highway, and you can walk behind it. Also makes for a quick stop on the way to Dry Falls.
Very short well-developed hike to a spectacular panoramic waterfall. You can walk behind this one too! The path is mostly stairs, so there’s elevation but not much distance. Can be slippery.
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Dry Falls
U.S. 64Very short well-developed hike to a spectacular panoramic waterfall. You can walk behind this one too! The path is mostly stairs, so there’s elevation but not much distance. Can be slippery.
A series of cascading falls just off the highway, and you can slide down the rock if you’re so inclined.
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Bust Your Butt Falls
A series of cascading falls just off the highway, and you can slide down the rock if you’re so inclined.
Biking
Nantahala National Forest also contains many miles of forest service roads and other trails open to bikes. These are for experienced riders, and you’ll want a gravel-specific bike or mountain bike. Here’s two locations to get you started.
Quiet double-track forest service road starting high and leading through the valley. Good for gravel bikes or hardtail MTB. Out-and-back is 19mi, or connect to paved roads and make a loop.
Blue Valley Road
Blue Valley RoadQuiet double-track forest service road starting high and leading through the valley. Good for gravel bikes or hardtail MTB. Out-and-back is 19mi, or connect to paved roads and make a loop.
Great network of hiking trails also open to mountain bikes. Vistas, balds, waterfalls, and rock outcroppings abound.
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Panthertown Valley Trailhead - Public Access
Breedlove RoadGreat network of hiking trails also open to mountain bikes. Vistas, balds, waterfalls, and rock outcroppings abound.