Helen's Highlands, NC Guidebook
Restaurant Recommendations
These are some of my favorite places to eat in Highlands.
Make reservations way in advance. Lunch is easier to get reservations as dinner often goes to guest staying at Old Edwards Inn. Cozy, romantic and delicious.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Madison's Restaurant
445 Main StMake reservations way in advance. Lunch is easier to get reservations as dinner often goes to guest staying at Old Edwards Inn. Cozy, romantic and delicious.
Ristorante Paoletti
440 Main StOne of my favorite Italian spots:)
Love going here for lunch and sitting outside. I recommend the Salmon BLT
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wild Thyme Gourmet
343-D Main StLove going here for lunch and sitting outside. I recommend the Salmon BLT
Delicious Barbeque. Dine in or Pick up lunch or dinner here on the way to the house.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Highlands Smokehouse
595 Franklin RdDelicious Barbeque. Dine in or Pick up lunch or dinner here on the way to the house.
This is a must during summer and fall months. Get here early to have a drink outside and take in the scenery. Food is amazing and view is even better. Make reservations very far in advance.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Canyon Kitchen
150 Lonesome Valley RdThis is a must during summer and fall months. Get here early to have a drink outside and take in the scenery. Food is amazing and view is even better. Make reservations very far in advance.
Order Breakfast, Lunch, or pick up a premade dinner. This is where I take every first time visitor. You can also pick up pizza to go here. There baked goods are incredible!
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mountain Fresh Grocery
521 Main StOrder Breakfast, Lunch, or pick up a premade dinner. This is where I take every first time visitor. You can also pick up pizza to go here. There baked goods are incredible!
Lakeside Restaurant
531 Smallwood AveA Hidden gem in highlands. Food is amazing!
Grocery
Grocery Store- Very high end and can not get everything that you would need. Great wine selection
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mountain Fresh Grocery
521 Main StGrocery Store- Very high end and can not get everything that you would need. Great wine selection
Biggest Grocery store in the area. I would only recommend going here if you are shopping around in Cashiers.
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ingles
U.S. 64Biggest Grocery store in the area. I would only recommend going here if you are shopping around in Cashiers.
I get most of my groceries here as it is the closet to the house and most affordable.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bryson's Food Store
103 Highlands PlazaI get most of my groceries here as it is the closet to the house and most affordable.
Dustys Rhodettes Meat Market!!! It is a local must! Amazing meat selection and local baked goods, casseroles, and Beignets if you get there early some morning! Dont judge a book by its cover:)
493 Dillard Rd
493 Dillard RoadDustys Rhodettes Meat Market!!! It is a local must! Amazing meat selection and local baked goods, casseroles, and Beignets if you get there early some morning! Dont judge a book by its cover:)
What To Do
Brookings Anglers - Highlands
273 Spring StreetGreat Place to schedule fly fishing guided trips.
Great Place for the family during Summer or Winter/Snow Tubing or Regular Tubing during the summer, ride the Scaly Screamer, and Ice Skate during the winter. If you are traveling with kids its a must!
73 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center
7420 Dillard RdGreat Place for the family during Summer or Winter/Snow Tubing or Regular Tubing during the summer, ride the Scaly Screamer, and Ice Skate during the winter. If you are traveling with kids its a must!
Highlands Aerial Park
9625 Dillard RdMany great activities for families!
This is a guided whitewater trip. It is probably 30-40 minutes from our house so please make sure to take note of that before planning this excursion.
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Southeastern Expeditions
7350 US-76This is a guided whitewater trip. It is probably 30-40 minutes from our house so please make sure to take note of that before planning this excursion.
This does not have the steam room, sauna, or hot tub but is half the price of Old Edwards and one of the best massages I have ever had. If you have a group of 3 or more you can have the the whole sitting room indoor and outdoor area to yourselves. Make sure to call ahead.
Canyon Spa at Lonesome Valley
121 Lonesome Valley RdThis does not have the steam room, sauna, or hot tub but is half the price of Old Edwards and one of the best massages I have ever had. If you have a group of 3 or more you can have the the whole sitting room indoor and outdoor area to yourselves. Make sure to call ahead.
Very Difficult to get a reservation here but an amazing experience if you can! They often wont let you make a reservation until two weeks out but make sure to try!
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old Edwards Inn and Spa
445 Main StVery Difficult to get a reservation here but an amazing experience if you can! They often wont let you make a reservation until two weeks out but make sure to try!
Great course to play golf on that is open to the public
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sky Valley Country Club
568 Sky Valley WayGreat course to play golf on that is open to the public
Where to Drink
Great place to grabs drinks anytime during the day or night.
98 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Ugly Dog Public House- Highlands
294 S 4th StGreat place to grabs drinks anytime during the day or night.
Amazing place to get a drink and watch the sunset. There is a bear that comes by every night that you will see while watching the sunset.
Skyline Lodge Road
Skyline Lodge RoadAmazing place to get a drink and watch the sunset. There is a bear that comes by every night that you will see while watching the sunset.
Found in Old Edward Inn and Spa on main street. Fancy cocktails in an old school library feel living room with a warm fire to cozy up to.
Hummingbird Lounge
455 Main StFound in Old Edward Inn and Spa on main street. Fancy cocktails in an old school library feel living room with a warm fire to cozy up to.
Whiteside Brewing Company
128 NC-107Great Beer and outdoor seating!
Great bear and so close to the house!
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Satulah Mountain Brewing Company
454 Carolina WayGreat bear and so close to the house!
Very well decorated in the interior and drinks are great! Nice large tables to get drinks with a large group
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tug's Proper
310 Main StVery well decorated in the interior and drinks are great! Nice large tables to get drinks with a large group
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
Hiking Recommendations
If you are traveling to Highlands during peak season, make sure to get to the trailhead early in the morning or late afternoon.
o Whiteside Mountain: great views, relatively easy and quick. Can tend to get crowded
o Satulah Mountain
o Chinquapin Mountain Trail
o Glen Falls
o Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park
o Yellow Mountain (much longer and more strenuous)
o Dry Falls (short and kid friendly)
o Sunset Rock Trail (shorter and not as scenic, but great view of town from the top)