Discover Highlands

Attractions, Art and More in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Situated in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Highlands, NC, is an incredible destination for adventure and relaxation. The small town offers a vibrant arts scene, many interesting cultural attractions, unique boutiques and outfitters, a lively culinary scene of fine restaurants and casual eateries, live music venues, and outdoor summer concerts. See local, regional, and international art exhibits, take an art or cooking class, enjoy special events, and walk along the outdoor sculpture and nature trail at The Bascom: A Center for Visual Arts. Hit the links at the Old Edwards Club or discover historical landmarks on a Highlands Heritage Trail walking tour. Your North Carolina mountain adventures begin at our mountain-chic Highlands motel—it's up to you where to go from here!

Golf at GlenCove or Old Edwards Club

Hotel guests and members have exclusive access to the private golf courses at both GlenCove adventure wellness community and Old Edwards Club. Named for the view of the terrain between two mountain ridges, “The Saddle” at GlenCove is a family-friendly 12-hole, par-three walking course for all ages and skill levels. Schedule your tee time while booking your stay.

GlenCove | 2502 Norton Road, Cashiers, NC 28717
Old Edwards Club | 688 Highlands Cove Drive, Cashiers, NC 28717

828.526.1783

Hit the Green

The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts

Explore galleries filled with world-class art, wander the sculpture and nature trail and enjoy hands-on arts programming.

323 Franklin Road, Highlands, North Carolina 28741

828.526.4949

Visual Arts

Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center

From live music and opera productions to family performances and dinner theater, this cultural center offers something for everyone.

507 Chestnut Street, Highlands, North Carolina 28741

828.526.9047

On Stage

Highlands Wine Shoppe

Stroll just two doors down from 200 Main to discover the Highlands Wine Shoppe--with over 650 wines (16 of which are on tap to taste at any time via Wine Station tasting machines!), a wine bar, lite bites, outside fire pit, and educational, entertaining classes.

269 Oak Street, Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.4080

Tastings & More

Live Music

In addition to the Orchard Sessions, hosted at the Farm at Old Edwards, the town of Highlands has created a series of free, outdoor concerts on weekends from May until October. Friday nights showcase traditional mountain music while Saturday nights feature a wide variety of popular genres.

Listen Live

Highlands Aerial Park

Experience a heart-racing thrill as you whisk through the canopy of over 95 acres of woodland forest. Take the full tour and you'll traverse over a quarter of a mile from peak-to-peak and find yourself over 250 feet in the air. Not up for that kind of adventure? The Park has other offerings including tree-top only tours, UTV rides, The Brave Indian challenge course, a giant swing and more!

9625 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775

828.526.8773

Zipline & More

Biological Station and Nature Center

Highlands Nature Center was founded as the museum of the Highlands Biological Station in 1927. Explore the featured exhibits, special events and year-round school education programming that focuses on the spectacular biodiversity of the southern Appalachian region. The HBS Gardens and grounds are open year-round, dawn to dusk, free of charge. Take a walk and enjoy the wildflowers along the woodland trails, lake, and creek, have a picnic lunch, or take a tours.

930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.2623

Experience Nature

Founders Park

The Founders Park is one block off of Main Street --on the corner of 5th and Pine Streets--and serves as a great picnic spot on weekdays as well as hosts events such as concerts, arts and crafts festivals, market days, community gatherings and the annual Highland Motoring Festivals. In winter, the promenade transforms into a Rockwellian ice rink where you can take to the ice with your favorite person.

Local Parks

Fly-Fishing

Western North Carolina is known for its fabulous rainbow trout population. Interested in floating a fly yourself? Contact Brookings Outfitters at 828.482.9444 or the Highland Hiker at 828.526.5298 and get set up to hit the water. The Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers await.

Catch Trout

A House That Has A Sign On The Side Of A Building

Highlands Playhouse

Take in a play by local theater group in season or a movie.

362 Oak Street, Highlands, North Carolina 28741

828.526.2695

Local Theater

Highland Excursions

Adventure Awaits! Unique, back-country tours bring you to spectacular rivers, lakes, waterfalls and mountain vistas on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Custom Tours and Group Discounts Available! They pick you up from the hotel.

214 Half Mile Dr., Highlands, North Carolina 28741

864.373.4022

Local Tours