Mountain Time - Suggestions for a Highlands-area getaway
Mountain Time - Suggestions for a Highlands-area getaway
The Old Edwards Inn & Spa on Main Street
Stay
Skyline Lodge: Updated mid-century retreat with 40 rooms, spacious patios, courtyards, and mountaintop views; 24-hour-staffed lobby with cool drinks (beer and wine, too), fresh pastries, and snacks; dogs welcome with a fee. 470 Skyline Lodge Rd., skyline-lodge.com
Old Edwards Inn & Spa: Elegant in-town mountain resort and European-style spa; pools, cafes, and Madison’s Restaurant; member of Relais & Châteaux. 445 Main St., oldedwardsinn.com
(Left to right) Pizza and salad at Mountain Fresh Grocery; Inside the Highland Hiker.
Explore
The Bascom: Contemporary art, pottery, and a stream-side trail and picnic shelter on the visual arts center’s six-acre campus. 323 Franklin Rd., thebascom.org
Highland Hiker: Outfitter for outdoor gear and clothing in a historic log cabin downtown; guidebooks, local info about trails; fireplace to cozy up to in cool weather. 601 Main St.,
highlandhiker.com
Highlands Botanical Garden: Nearly 500 species of plants, shrubs, and trees native to the southern Appalachians grow on twelve in-town acres; woodland trails and boardwalks open to the public year-round. 265 N. 6th St.; highlandsbiological.org
Kelsey Trail Preserve: One-mile section of an oxcart trail that linked downtown Highlands to Whiteside Mountain in a forest of hemlock and oak trees. The trailhead is located at the end of N. 5th Street. hicashlt.org/hiking-trails.html
Whiteside Mountain Trail: A two-mile loop overlooking 750-foot cliffs in the Nantahala National Forest; the trailhead access is off Hwy. 64, 5.5 miles east of Highlands. highlandhiker.com/whiteside-mountain-trail
(Left to right) An outbuilding at The Bascom; A nonalcoholic cocktail at Oak Steakhouse.
Eat & Drink
Highlands Smokehouse: Smoked pork, beef, and poultry; indoor and patio dining; full bar. 595 Franklin Rd.; highlandssmokehouse.com
Mountain Fresh Grocery & Wine Market: Downtown gathering spot for grab-and-go daily dinner specials, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, coffee, beer, and wine. 521 E. Main St.; mfgro.com
Oak Steakhouse Highlands: Steaks, seafood, venison Wellington, and other locally sourced sides and entrees in a vaulted dining room and lounge flanked with granite fireplaces; classic cocktails, wine cellar selections, and regional craft beers. Skyline Lodge, 470 Skyline Lodge Rd.; oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
Ugly Dog Public House: Burgers, nachos, po’ boys, and other pub fare; draft beer, cocktails, live music. 294 S. 4th St., theuglydogpub.com