Our first trip to Highlands, N.C., last fall was just what we needed.
We were able to marvel at the mountains in their fall glory.
We exercised by hiking steep mountain paths to scenic waterfalls.
We ate well.
And, most of all, we relaxed, which was the main purpose of our October weekend getaway.
Others likely will want to see more and do more than we did, but that’s one of the charms of the small mountain town just 2½ hours from downtown Atlanta.
You can do as much or as little as you like in Highlands.
There’s plenty of nature and shopping, and so many restaurants within the downtown area that it’s often difficult to choose where to go for your next meal.
And there are plenty of picturesque mountain views — a perfect setting for much-needed downtime and afternoon naps.
Get back to nature
You won’t expend much energy gawking at the multi-colored hues of the changing autumn leaves covering the mountains during your drive to Highlands, so plan to rev your heart rate when you arrive.
If you came for the reds, yellows and browns of fall, take a hike on one of the many trails around the area.
Close to town, head to the trail that takes you to Sunset Rocks. Drive Main Street east from downtown and go about 0.3 miles. The parking area for the trail will be on the right, across from the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road. 828-526-2623, highlandsbiological.org).
The trail is about 1.2 miles round-trip and provides an encompassing view of downtown Highlands and Horse Cove Valley.
For more grandiose scenery, and a more strenuous trek, hike up Whiteside Mountain, which reaches 4,900 feet and is recognizable by its sheer rock cliffs. The 2.5-mile round trail is described as moderate and provides an excellent look at the cliffs.
To reach Whiteside Mountain, take U.S. 64 East for 5.4 miles and turn right onto Whiteside Mountain Road. Go about 1 mile to a parking area on the left.
If you’re more interested in waterfalls, you can combine hiking and cascading water by visiting Glen Falls, which is a series of falls that drop about 700 feet. The falls are about 2 miles south of Highlands, and about 1 mile off N.C. 106.
Be warned: The trail is steep in places and can be muddy if there’s been a recent downpour.
Northwest of town, you can walk behind Dry Falls, which drops 75 feet.
If you don’t want to expend energy, drive to Bridal Veil Falls, a 45-foot waterfall that you can view from your car. A road was built under the overhanging ledge, which allows visitors to view the falls from the back side. It’s the only falls like that in North Carolina, according to the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.
They’re in the same area, so many folks drive under Bridal Veil Falls and then continue on U.S. 64 another half mile to Dry Falls.
Fill your stomachs
Your kids might be disappointed when they can’t spot their favorite fast-food places, but the local restaurants won’t disappoint the adults.
Highlands offers a variety of eating establishments, everything from biscuits and coffee in the morning to midday Mexican food and fine dining at night.
Don't be fooled by the name at Mountain Fresh Grocery (521 E. Main St. 828-526-2400, mfgro.com). It's much more than a market. You can grab the essentials to stock your rented cabin, but if you don't want to cook, stop in for a meal, especially breakfast.
Get there when it opens at 7 a.m. (8 on Sundays) to beat the crowds. The biscuits are hot, fluffy perfection and pair well with the usual proteins and the house-made sawmill gravy.
Mountain Fresh also makes burgers and sandwiches throughout the day; features a bakery, an espresso bar and a wine market; and prepares to-go dinners at night, including a shrimp and lobster boil for two.
The Ugly Dog Public House (294 S. 4th St. 828-526-8364, theuglydogpub.com) has plenty of TVs, so you can catch your favorite teams, but it's more than a sports bar. It offers a large variety of beers in addition to excellent burgers, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and salads at family-friendly prices.
If you need a quick burrito fix, head to Pescado's (226 S. 4th St. 828-526-9313, pescados-highlands.us), where you can choose your favorite ingredients when you order at the counter. Pescado's also offers tacos, quesadillas and taco salads.
For supper, plan ahead and make reservations at Wolfgang's Restaurant & Wine Bistro (474 Main St. 828-526-3807, wolfgangs.net), which has been on Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence list for the past 11 years. Wolfgang's offers more than 1,000 wines, and the highly regarded menu includes braised beef short ribs, steaks and signature dishes.
The service is impeccable at On the Verandah (1536 Franklin Road. 828-526-2338, ontheverandah.com), which is about 2 miles west of Highlands and features views of Lake Sequoyah. The menu at the restaurant, which has been around since 1981, includes a variety of dishes featuring chicken, seafood and steaks.
Hang in town
If getting back to nature isn't for you, browse the shops along Main Street or just chill while you spend the day at Old Edwards Inn and Spa (445 Main St. 866-526-8008, oldedwardsinn.com), voted the second best hotel in the South and ninth best hotel in the U.S. in Travel and Leisure magazine's 2016 World's Best Awards.
The inn’s main building is a converted boarding house that was built in 1878, but the upscale property now dominates the corner of Main and 4th streets and also features Madison’s Restaurant, the Hummingbird Lounge and guest cottages on nearby Church Street.
The spa (16 Church St. 828-526-9887) offers a variety of services and pampering packages for both men and women. Free up time in your schedule to stretch out for a while on a chaise in the solarium or in front of the fire in the lounge.
Spa time might come in handy if you’ve missed a few putts or lost several balls at the Old Edwards Club (705 Highlands Cove Drive. 828-526-1783), an 18-hole golf course with spectacular mountain views.
If you're ready to escape electronic devices and enjoy a book with your view, pick up one or two from the packed shelves at Shakespeare and Co. Bookseller (204 N. 5th St. 828-526-3777, facebook.com/ShakespeareAndCompanyBookseller).
If you need a new outfit for dinner, or hiking garb, there are several clothing stores in Highlands. You'll find designer brands at Rosenthal's, which doubled its size this summer when it moved down the street on Highlands' main drag (375 Main St. 828-526-2100, rosenthalsboutique.com).
Look the part with outdoorsy apparel and gear at Bear Mountain Outfitters (302 Main St. 828-526-5784, facebook.com/bmo97) and browse for woodsy home decor and antiques at Cabin Couture (468 Carolina Way. 828-526-3909, cabincouturehighlands.com).
Bring home unusual plants, garden prints and botanical room sprays from Oakleaf Flower & Garden (133 S. 4th St. 828-526-8000, oakleafhighlands.com), just across the street from Old Edwards Inn and Spa. If it sounds familiar, there's a location in Atlanta.
