Location: Highlands
Top Things to do in Highlands
What to do and see in Highlands, United States: The Best Places and Tips
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
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Following paved walkways from the parking area, you can walk directly underneath the tumbling 75-foot waterfall.
Reviewed By funreviewing - Asheville, North Carolina
Stopped by for our second time on a beautiful Easter Day. The trail to the fall is extremely easy and the falls are beautiful. Best part is you can walk underneath the falls. You get a little misty but if felt good. Well worth the stop.
2. The Bascom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
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 elizabethmT769ZJ
The Bascom is a beautiful facility with a sprawling campus within walking distance of the charming mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina. Located in Westernmost North Carolina, Highlands is a tiny two-stop-light town with a burgeoning food and wine scene and great mountain scenery. The Bascom offers year-round education (take a pottery class with resident pottery master Frank Vickey) including painting, pottery, and classes for children. There is a decent exhibition space with a rotating schedule of renowned and emerging artists, as well as a regular schedule of receptions, openings, barn dances and an annual fundraising event that focuses on food & wine called Collective Spirits. If in Highlands for a visit, by all means, make time to check out what The Bascom has to offer. It's a hidden gem!
3. Cullasaja River Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Sandtom - Florida
This was a pleasant easy up-hill hike and the falls were beautiful. If one wanted more of a challenge, you could go left along the mountain ridge 180 degrees to the falls themselves, or right and down a set of newly constructed stairs to viewpoint of the lower falls as well. Afterward, we had a picnic at the base of the trail where there are 6 or 7 tables nestled at the edge of the woods.
4. Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
This nature center serves up a palette of nature attractions including a botanical garden replete with 450 species of trees, ferns and flowers.
Reviewed By scothernite - Lincoln, United Kingdom
The gardens have obviously seen better days and are now slowly being taken over by nature. There is a nature centre which will help to keep children amused.
5. Glen Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By TripMember06172016 - Franklin, Tennessee
This a was nice place to hike. The pathway down was moderate with help of wooden steps added every now and then, but a few tree roots were there also. There are a few view areas where you can view the Falls on the way down. There are 3 levels to these Falls. The hike back up to the parking lot is tough, but if you take it slow it is definitely doable.
6. Sunset Rock and Ravenel Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Vanda B - Sarasota, Florida
Sunset rock is actually a series of rock slabs protruding front the side of the mountain overlooking Highlands and surrounding area. There is parking at the base, across from a small, kid friendly nature center. The walk up is gravel and moderate...a 6 year old should be able to walk the whole way, maybe whining just a bit For those who just can't hike up, they can drive..but walk if you can as driving takes away from the feeling of accomplishment when you get to the top, come out of the woods, and have that "aha" moment. It is a nice place to picnic...as long as you take everything with you when finished. Be aware though that kids should be supervise at all times...there are no railings and no restrooms or water.
7. Highlands Playhouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 63 reviews
A centerpiece for the performing arts in Highlands, the Playhouse is features annual live productions for the summer crowds as well as first-run movies year 'round. Conveniently located one street North of Main Street, adjacent to the Highlands Police Department and Town Hall.
Reviewed By laniappe - Georgia
My husband and I, and one of our adult daughters, saw a delightful French farce, "Don't Dress for Dinner", with remarkable actors and actresses. The comedy had everyone laughing throughout the convoluted plot line. The acoustics were great and it is an intimate setting. It lived up to its reputation.
8. Cullasaja Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Eric B - Nashville, North Carolina
Taking hwy 64 is an adventure in itself. It gets even better when a big waterfall pops up and you need an easy pull off zone. There are 2 pull off zones to stop. View from the hwy is amazing. We had lots of rain the night before so it was rushing heavily. There are no paths I could see to walk or good parking. Having a sign warning of the falls would be nice. It may even avoid an accident.
9. Jackson Hole Gem Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
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 ShibaShadow - Winter Springs, Florida
My family and I were on the way to the falls. We happened to stop here for a break and find where Cullasaja fall was because this was where our GPS said the fall was. We weren't planning to do Gem Mine but we decided to try it. Everyone here was very friendly and genuine. Hey, their dogs were big bonus too. All of us had such a blast. I wish I could stay there much longer.
10. Bridal Veil Falls
Overall Ratings
4 based on 580 reviews
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 LeslieinTN - Johnson City, Tennessee
If you are driving down highway 64 doing the waterfall byway tour then take the five minutes (or less) it takes to stop off to see this waterfall. Depending on the weather it may not have a whole lot coming over but it's still a beautiful little area with the rock formations (and ice if it's cold weather). No hiking involved! ;)
Taken from the NC Waterfall Byway brochure: "The 60-ft. waterfall in Nantahala National Forest doesn't have a large volume of water (unless it's right after a big rain), making it safe and fun to stand behind. It's located right along US Highway 64 (Mountain Waters Scenic Byway & NC Waterfall Byway), 2.5 miles west of Highlands in the Cullasaja River Gorge. There's roadside parking and very accessible to all (including wheelchairs, scooters and strollers)."
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