Fall Trip to Highlands, NC - Suggestions?
 

My hubby and I were thinking of heading to Highlands, NC for a special anniversary weekend in mid October. We'll be flying into Atlanta to see family and then driving up. I'm really unfamiliar with the area and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. We'll have about three days to do our exploring. A friend that we had weekended with in Charleston, SC thought Highlands might be a good location for us. They recommended the Main Street Inn as well. I'm not sure if availability will be a problem. If so, are there other small inns that are in the same caliber? Is there a leaf season in NC? And are there any places worth a stop on the drive up?

Oh...and we're in our early 30's, like good food, nice shops, antiquing, museums, scenery, and some light outdoor activities to see beautiful things. Price isn't a huge concern since it is a short trip.

Thanks - Pam

My husband and I stayed at Fire Mountain in Highlands a few of years ago and loved it. One thing, at that time the road leading to the resort was not paved. We had a Honda Civic, and did fine but thought an SUV might have been a good idea. Restaurants were good in Highlands, and the scenery in the surrounding areas wonderful.

I think you'll really enjoy highlands.
Try to get to the waterfalls in Cashiers, a neighboring town, if you get the chance.

You will enjoy Highlands. The posh inn there is Old Edwards Inn. We stay at Old Creek Lodge wich has an indoor lap pool and really good breakfasts. Wolfgangs is a nice place for dinner as well as OEI. There is a nice hike to take just on the outside of Highlands--I think it is called White Mountain. On the drive up you can stop by Tallulah Gorge. The fall foliage should be nice.

Any recommended restaurants? Anything to see in Asheville?

I don't know of any - in either place.

My favorite restaurant in Highlands WAS Nick's - I say was because when my husband and I were there in July it had burned down! We are heading back next week and would love some recommendations for good restaurants. Last time we ate at the Highlands Inn restaurant (I think that was the name?) It was okay. Thanks.

I've had a place 17 miles from Highlands for 9 years - and I've not heard of a place that was a "wow" in Highlands. Believe me, if we had, we'd be there. There's a pizza place about a block off the square that's pretty good. The ice cream at the ice cream/ candy store is GREAT.

I can't imagine Main Street taking long to browse. I've taken guests up there because they've heard of Highlands and they've never spent more than an hour or two there. I usually browse Reeves Hardware while they window-shop. Not as good as the one in Clayton that takes up a city block - but there's alway something I need. The pet store is cute.

My friends/associates who have places near Highlands/Cashiers usually hole up and cook. Think Big Chill kind of parties. I had a customer that had a condo in town - but mostly went up there to read and relax.

Hopefully, Highlands fans will weigh in with some good suggestions. I LOVE the area around Highlands and the town IS a quaint drive-through. Just not a lot there.

The drive from Highlands to Franklin is beautiful. Winding, twisty, slow driving, but beautiful. The "drive-under" waterfall is no longer drive-under. The ledge fell.

If you want a "wow" meal, try one of the gourmet meals at Beechwood Inn in Clayton. An Asheville friend (via Atlanta) drives down to stay at the Beechwood. I may see if they have availability for non-guests for the French dinner. Each course is matched with wine. Pricey, but incredible feedback from those who have gone.

The name is Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream. Highly recommended.

Highlands is a good base if you like to hike or mountain bike. There is a ranger's office on main street and they can direct you to paths. It is a relaxing place. The shops are little boutiques.

There are a few good places to eat, but you may want to pack a picnic hamper for the trail and enjoy your food by the river five miles east of town.

If you want more nightlife or shopping, Ashevile might be the place for you.

There certainly is a leaf season in NC and you're going in the middle of it. Make reservations now if you can.

The hike near Highlands is Whiteside Mountain. It is about a 2-mile round trip, not very strenuous, and absolutely gorgeous views during leaf season...as long as there isn't fog that day! Well worth the trek.

Great suggestions! Are there any neighboring towns that we should also check out? It seems like a lot of suggestions for nature treks. What about historic homes, antiques, etc. What about the drive through Georgia? Any towns or sights worth a quick stop?

Thanks - Pam

Where are you driving through Ga?

#1 historic town to stop to see - Madison GA - others, depending on your route

If you are driving out of Atlanta, you could head east for less than an hour to see Madison. Drive around, stop and shop for a while, then head up 441 through Athens (places to stop there too) on the way up 441 toward Tallulah Falls, Clayton, Mountain City, Dillard, and the turnoff to Highlands. It's a bit longer than going straight up to Highlands, but would be a nice drive. It would be a very nice drive actually.

One idea would be to stay at a B&B in Madison for the first night and then drive up toward the mountains.

If you want a GREAT treat for a special anniversay in mid-Oct., see if the Beechwood Inn has room available for rooms and their gourmet meals. Outstanding.

http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/finediningwinecellar.html

If you are there in Oct. ask if there are any locals dining. I have a place up there - and hope to be there for one of their October special events if they have room for non-guests. Dang! We need Fodors pins :-)

We didn't really plan a route out of Atlanta and to Highlands. We don't mind if the route is a little longer if there are things to see on the way. The Beechwood Inn is available. Star, would you recommend that for the entire trip or staying there for a night and moving on?

I would book two nights at the Beechwood Inn in a heartbeat. Are you going to be there on a weekend they do their gourmet meals with wine? I'd book that for sure. My preference would be to use it as a base and "do" things around the NE corner of GA and a day trip (not more than 30 minutes) to Highlands.

I would only move on if you are heading to Asheveille for the second night.

I second Starr's comment about Asheville. If you have never been to Asheville, you should definitely go. Highlands is an interesting change of pace, but the downtown can be seen and shopped in an hour.

I like Paoletti's Italian restaurant in Highlands. It's not NY by any means, but it's better than most southern (US) Italian restaurants.

See the myriad posts about Asheville. If price is no object, stay at the Grove Park Inn...but mid-October is almost peak leaf season, so it may be booked already, and prices will be high. Asheville has 50x the shopping/dining opportunity as Highlands.

The entire area, from Lake Hiawassee in N. Georgia, through Highlands, Cashiers, Brevard, to Asheville is full of amazing scenery, waterfalls, vistas, hiking/biking trails, etc.

You will be in the heart of waterfall country. Go and seek out as many as possible.

Enjoy your trip.

Hubby and I visited Dahlonega, Ga., for the first time this year and wished we'd had more time to spend. It's the site of the first gold rush in the US, belive it or not. You might want to check it out.