Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Highlands, North Carolina (NC)

December 28, 2021 Jana Sager

Highlands is an incorporated town in Macon County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains, within the Nantahala National Forest, it lies mostly in southeastern Macon County and slightly in southwestern Jackson County, in the Highlands and Cashiers Townships, respectively. The permanent population was 924 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Highlands

1. Dry Falls

Highlands, NC http://www.hdcarolina.com/episode/dry-falls
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,566 reviews

Dry Falls

Following paved walkways from the parking area, you can walk directly underneath the tumbling 75-foot waterfall.

Reviewed By dontchange - Tampa, United States

This is one of the best falls in the area and the walk to get to the falls is a short one that requires very little effort. This is a 65 ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest that flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry. You will get a nice mist from the falls when you stand behind them and the rocks do get wet so it can be slippery. They do have an overlook just steps away from the parking lot if you’re unable to manage steps that offers a pretty great view of the falls. The parking is limited and fills up pretty quickly. If the lot is full go to the Bridal Veil Falls up the road about a mile or so. The parking was $2 or $3 if I recall and they do have an outhouse type bathroom.

2. Whiteside Mountain

Highlands, NC
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Whiteside Mountain

Reviewed By TrailBlazer780224

Excellent views and lots of fun. The hike is a medium difficulty level. If you are afraid of heights it may not be for you.

3. Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC 28741-8473 +1 828-526-2602 http://highlandsbiological.org/
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 137 reviews

Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

This nature center serves up a palette of nature attractions including a botanical garden replete with 450 species of trees, ferns and flowers.

4. Jackson Hole Gem Mine

9770 Highlands Rd, Highlands, NC 28741-8821 +1 828-524-5850 [email protected] http://www.jacksonholegemmine.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 128 reviews

Jackson Hole Gem Mine

Jackson Hole Gem Mine has been a family owned business since it was built in 1952. We are located exactly 9 miles from beautiful downtown Highlands, and 9 miles from downtown Franklin. We are 1/3 of a mile from the breathtaking Cullasaja Falls (means "sweetwater" in Cherokee). Also, 5 miles from Dry Falls (seen in The Last of the Mohicans). Our guests can browse our huge rock shop and gift store, or eat hot boiled peanuts on our front porch overlooking the beautiful Cullasaja River. Our gem mine is all weather fun for the whole family. Macon County is considered the "Gem Capital of the World" for a reason! Come and buy a bucket to sift! Small Buckets are $10 each, and one per person. Ultimate Buckets are $30 each or 2 for $50. These buckets are big and can be shared! We also have a $100 Bucket Club. This bucket is great for families. With this, you receive a $45 free cut of a gemstone that you find! Chuck is a master lapidary and we can help you choose what would be the best thing in your find to cut! We are handicapped accessible and very kid/pet friendly.

Reviewed By estella241

My family and I spent a morning gem mining at Jackson Hole Gem Mine last fall. I read previous reviews and knew not to waste our time with a cheaper bucket. We got the $100 bucket, which was enough for kids to enjoy with help from their parents. The gentleman helping us was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed talking to him about how the rocks/soil are sourced. Obviously, the staff at Jackson Hole are not going out into their backyard and putting a shovel full of dirt into a bucket. The soil/rocks are purchased from vendors. This does not make it any less fun! We found smoky quartz, aventurine, aquamarines, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, in addition to a few others that I can't remember the names of. The gentleman helping us showed us how the shape of the rocks gives you a clue to what treasures you might have fount. After sifting your bucket, you take your trays inside, and the staff confirms what you've found. They will encourage you to get stones cut and set by them - that's how they make their money! And it's not cheap, by any means. So you could take your treasures home, uncut, and save yourself some cash, but if you want to make them into jewelry, this is the time to decide. It's harder to find a lapidary on your own if you change your mind later. We had a few large stones, but decided to cut two. The smoky quartz was pretty cheap to cut, but the large ruby was expensive (talking hundreds of dollars here). Rubies are rare, and the staff member thought it might even be a star ruby. Due to the rarity, cutting is more expensive. The staff will also encourage you to let them set your stones, but we chose not to do that. We wanted to see the uncut stones first and think about the appropriate settings for them. We paid for the cutting and left our contact information and stones at Jackson Hole. About 1 month later our stones arrived in the mail. We were very pleased with the quality of the cutting. The smoky quartz was faceted and very sparkly. The ruby was cut into two smaller cabochons, one of which had a semi-visible star. Later, we worked with a local jeweler to create a necklace and ring out of the rubies. Several months and a ring and a necklace later, we are pleased with our experience at Jackson Hole. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, the staff is a little pushy trying to upsell you. But overall, we feel we got what we paid for. A wonderful family experience, education about the geology of the area, education about the lapidary and gem-setting business, and both uncut and cut stones that we can enjoy for years to come. When I wear my rubies, I now have a wonderful story to tell people when they ask about them. As far as cost is concerned, I had the ruby jewelry appraised, and it is valued at several thousand more than what we paid for the entire experience and creation of the jewelry pieces.

5. The Bascom

323 Franklin Rd, Highlands, NC 28741-8551 +1 828-526-4949 http://www.thebascom.org/
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 126 reviews

The Bascom

High on a mountain plateau, The Bascom art center provides audiences of all ages with stimulating, diverse exhibitions, studio art instruction and other cultural experiences. Join us at our six-building, six-acre campus in Highlands, North Carolina. The Bascom offers you and your family and friends a community gathering-place amid art and nature, along with many program offerings. Free Admission!

Reviewed By profmom1 - Douglasville, United States

This was a great place to visit on a rainy day. The place is quite big, so it was easy to practice social distancing. We saw 2 excellent exhibits. The gift shop has beautiful jewelry in it.

6. Cliffside Lake Recreation Area

US 64, Nantahala National Forest, Highlands, NC +1 828-862-5962 http://www.highlandsinfo.com/hiking/cliffside.htm
Excellent
45%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area

7. Glen Falls

Hwy 106, Highlands, NC http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/glen1.htm
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 226 reviews

Glen Falls

Reviewed By Parkshorebeach

Glen Falls is my ultimate waterfall hike! The hike is moderate with tree roots and some elevation change going down to the falls and then hiking back up to the parking area. The beauty all along the way is fantastic!

8. Cullasaja River Gorge

28 US Highway 64/State Road, Highlands, NC 28741 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/null/recarea/
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 127 reviews

Cullasaja River Gorge

Reviewed By HappyGirl1145 - Asheville, United States

Staying in Franklin so I took the scenic highway (64E/NC28) over to Sylva. There are four waterfalls visible from the roadside along this narrow winding road. Road is in great condition. A really beautiful part of the country.

9. Sunset Rock and Ravenel Park

Ravenel Park Road, Highlands, NC +1 828-526-1111 http://www.hicashlt.org/
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

Sunset Rock and Ravenel Park

Reviewed By 103debbiec - Charlotte, United States

Go on a clear day to take advantage of the gorgeous views. Takes about 20 min to hike to the sunset rock. Easy hike.

10. Bridal Veil Falls

Highlands, NC +1 828-524-6441 http://www.alleneasler.com/bridal.html
Excellent
33%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
7%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 726 reviews

Bridal Veil Falls

Visible from the highway, this 120-foot waterfall sometimes displays a rainbow in the afternoon light and has been known to freeze up during the winter.

Reviewed By slopater

A small waterfall on the side of the road...some parking. A low volume waterfall, but very cool to visit.

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