We loved seeing this recent article in Travel + Leisure magazine about “America’s Best Small Mountain Town.” We agree that the Highlands/Cashiers plateau area of North Carolina is one of the most stunning mountain towns in the country, with terrific restaurants, great shopping, wonderful weather, and a laid back vibe that keeps us coming back for more.

America’s Best Small Mountain Town Has Beautiful Waterfalls, Stunning Fall Foliage, and Some of the Best Resorts in the South

Highlands, North Carolina, is everything a mountain town should be — read on to discover why.

By Lydia Mansel

Published on August 22, 2023

According to legend, Highlands, North Carolina, was formed in 1875 after developers in Kansas pulled out a map and drew two lines, one from New Orleans to New York and another from Chicago to Savannah. These routes, they believed, would soon become critical for trade, and the spot where they intersected would serve as a hub for commercial activity. Highlands never became a bustling city center, but the original predictions weren’t too far off — Atlanta is a little over two hours away. 

Located within the Nantahala National Forest at the highest crest of the Western North Carolina plateau, the area now known as Highlands was a hunting ground for the Cherokee that was settled by people from around the U.S. in the late 1800s. Driving distance from major cities in the Southeast — including Charleston, Nashville, and Charlotte — modern-day Highlands is a summer retreat for those looking to escape the humidity, and it's a year-round haven for hiking, waterfall spotting, art, music, and top-tier dining and hospitality experiences.

Recently, the 1,088-person town was featured three times in the 2023 World's Best Awards with Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Half-Mile Farm, and Skyline Lodge each earning a spot on the list of the best resorts in the South. The team behind Highlander Mountain House, which opened its doors in late 2020, is also making moves in the area’s hotel scene, with plans to complete a full transformation of The Wells Hotel in the next couple of months. In early October, the property will emerge as The Outpost Inn, a 14-room motel that owner Jason Reeves calls an “immersive, peaceful experience” and a “basecamp to the outdoors.”

Highlands embraces all of the typical mountain town characteristics — a slower pace, access to natural beauty and outdoor activities, and a charming Main Street lined with local shops and restaurants — but it’s also in a category all its own. The Western North Carolina destination is simultaneously elevated and welcoming. Its location is remote yet still accessible, and its residents excel in mixing avant-garde ideas with nostalgia and a strong sense of place. Read on to discover what makes Highlands, North Carolina Travel + Leisure’s best small mountain town of 2023.

The Best Times to Visit  

Fall here is breathtaking, with every color leaf you can imagine.

— VIVIAN LITTLEJOHN, HALF-MILE FARM

Given its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Highlands is a prime spot for catching fall foliage at its finest.  “Fall here is breathtaking, with every color leaf you can imagine,” says Vivian Littlejohn, who manages guest services at Half-Mile Farm. Summer is also a lovely time to visit Highlands, as the weather is near-perfect.  “It is lush and green, but we also enjoy lower summer high temperatures and humidity than the rest of the South,” says Littlejohn. This time of the year also signals the annual Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival and the town’s outdoor concert series that takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings from May through October.

Things to Do  

Breathe in the mountain air on a hike.

“There are so many hikes, for every level, in and around Highlands,” says Maggie Braucher, a wedding photographer based in the Southeast who grew up spending summers in Highlands and frequently returns with her family. “One of Highlands' most popular hikes is Whiteside Mountain because of its accessibility and great views — you'll find many other families and groups doing the same thing.” For a trek that’s “a bit more off the beaten path,” she suggests Chinquapin Mountain Trail. “You can stop by the Highland Hiker on Main Street to get recommendations and pick up a hiking guide (and maybe a few other supplies you may need),” she adds. If you’d prefer to hike with a guide, Highland Excursion offers private hikes and tours throughout the area. 

Travelers who would prefer to stay in town — and still get their steps in — can take advantage of the Highlands Plateau Greenway, a loop of trails that connects various historic, cultural, and natural sites in Highlands. 

Spend a day chasing waterfalls.

Highlands is technically in a temperate rainforest, one of two in the United States. Along with an annual rainfall of around 80 inches, the granite mountains and hollows have created an amazing place with an abundance of waterfalls, which Littlejohn recommends seeing while in town. There are seven waterfalls within immediate proximity to Highlands, with Bridal Veil Falls, Glen Falls, and Dry Falls being three of the most popular to visit.

Attend Highlands Food & Wine Festival. 

Now in its seventh year, Highlands Food & Wine Festival is a four-day event “dedicated to the celebration of food, wine, music, and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains.” This year’s intimate and thoughtfully curated festival will take place Nov. 9 through 12, with a lineup of events featuring award-winning chefs, wine and spirits tastings, and live music performances; in 2023, End of the Line, Grace Potter, and The War & Treaty will serve as the festival’s headliners. In addition to the celebrations, a portion of the ticket proceeds are donated to local preservation and conservation groups and support the Louis Osteen Legacy Scholarship for students from the region pursuing culinary arts careers. 

Visit The Bascom.

Braucher recommends a stop by The Bascom, which is described as a “center for the Visual Arts.” You’ll enter the campus through an 87-foot-long covered bridge, built in the early 19th century. From there, visitors can tour current exhibitions, listen to lectures, or take classes and workshops — pottery, painting, garden design, and more are on the 2023 schedule. 

Brush up on your fly fishing skills.

Fly fishing is on both Braucher and Littlejohn’s to-do list when in Highlands. If it’s your first time throwing a line (or you want to fish with the best), book a trip with Brookings Anglers, whose guides bring guests on half-day and full-day adventures in the area.