Need a reason to visit Highlands, N.C.?

Here are five fun places and events you might not know about. For more information about the town, call the Visitors Center at 828-526-2112 or visit www.highlandschamber.org.

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Museum of American Cut and Engraved Glass. This off-the-beaten-path museum displays more than 400 pieces of antique cut and engraved glass from the American Brilliant Period (1876-1916). Open 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 472 Chestnut St. 828-526-3415.

The Instant Theatre Company. The year-round theater workshop and performing arts company produces plays and conducts acting classes at the Peggy Crosby Community Service Center on Fifth Street. The next production is "Cotton Patch Gospel," a musical directed by Collin Wilcox Paxton and Scott R. Paxton, Sept. 30-Oct. 10, at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center. 828-342-9197, www.instanttheatre.org.

Highlands Nature Center and Highlands Botanical Garden. Nature Center displays include mounts of many native animal species as well as live animals and a working beehive. A special exhibit focuses on the biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians. The center is open 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through October. The 11-acre Garden on Lindenwood Lake showcases more than 500 species of flora flourishing in natural forest, bog, and wetland plant communities. Trails and boardwalks lead to display gardens. Natural areas include the Coker Rhododendron Trail and an old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset. 930 Horse Cove Road. 828-526-2623, www.wcu.edu/hbs/naturecenter.htm (nature center); 828-526-2602, www.wcu.edu/hbs/garden.htm (garden).

Highlands Wine and Cheese Shop. Townsfolk gather for wine "happy hour" 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Complimentary wine tastings are 1-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. Upcoming wine tasting events include Bordeaux and Beyond, Thursday-Saturday; and Plentiful Pinot, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. 561 E. Main St. at the Falls on Main, east of Fifth Street. 828-526-5210.

White Elephant Yard and Bake Sale. You never know what rare finds and treasures you'll come across at the Satulah Club's annual benefit on Saturday. The sale, which will be held at the gazebo across from Macon Bank on Pine Street (off Main Street), begins at 9 a.m. and will wrap up around 2 p.m. If it rains, the event will be Oct. 2. 828-526-3163.

— Compiled by

Paula Crouch Thrasher