Spring is almost here and Highlands, NC has plenty to do

Highlands Up on the plateau the outdoors mix with the upscale.

A Western North Carolina Resort Town

Highlands is on the west side of a mountain plateau that drops abruptly down on both sides and is surrounded by national forest land. The area has evolved as a high-end resort community, home to upscale boutiques, spas, wine tastings, fine art galleries, professional theater troupes, a summer chamber music series, numerous country clubs and golf courses, and an endless selection of fine dining.

From Photo Gallery Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Lake Glenville North Carolina

At 4,100 feet in elevation, Highlands is actually in a temperate rainforest and receives about 90 inches of rain a year. The town straddles the Eastern Continental Divide — water falling on one side flows to the Atlantic, on the other to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. The elevation also contributes to the town’s extremely seasonal residency, as once the leaves fall so does the population.

It is said that the town of Highlands was conceived in the late 1890s by two developers, Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson. Kelsey and Hutchinson drew two lines on a map, one from New York to New Orleans, the other from Chicago to Savannah. The intersection, they thought, would be ideal for a resort. They thought right.

In the late 1920s, construction of Highlands Country Club put the town on the map. Golfing great Bobby Jones had a summer home at the club, and he still holds the course record.

Attractions
• The Bascom — An independent non-profit art center, this gallery offers a host of workshops, lectures and exhibits for adults and kids, which vary in length. Located at 554 Main Street in Highlands. 828.526.4949.

• Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center — The Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center brings the performing arts to the Highlands. 828.526.2742.

• Highlands Nature Center and Botanical Garden — On the campus of the Highlands Biological Station, a research and educational facility of the University of North Carolina founded in 1927. The WPA-built Nature Center features exhibits, daily programs and weekly summer camps for children, a Thursday evening lecture series exploring environmental topics, and special programs for all ages throughout the summer. The Botanical Garden offers 12 acres of native plants in a diversity of natural habitats, from upland woods to cove forest and wetland. Special features include a native azalea garden, Plants of the Cherokee, a butterfly garden, and the Station’s own self-guided Bartram Trail consisting of 30 native plants associated with 17th century naturalist William Bartram.

Garden tours are given weekly. The Nature Center is open 10 am - 5 pm Mon - Sat mid-May through October, and is available for school groups by appointment the remainder of the year. The Botanical Garden is open year round, dawn to dusk. Admission to the Nature Center and Botanical Garden is free, though some special programs and camps have a small fee. Call 828.526.2623 or see www.wcu.edu/hbs for detail.

• The Highlands Playhouse — Professional theater on the plateau. Season runs July-October. Call 828.526.2695 for shows, times and prices.

• Waterfalls — Driving 64 West will take you past Lower and Upper Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, some of the area’s most popular waterfalls.

• Whiteside Mountain — Perhaps the most famous site on the Plateau. The rocky face of the mountain is familiar to all who visit the region. The mountain is between Highland and Cashiers and is accessible by a two-mile loop trail that begins off Whiteside Mountain Road.

Dining & Nightlife

• Bistro at Wolfgang’s — Opening at 3 p.m. for small plates and wine in a cozy, relaxed setting. Outdoor seating available. 474 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.3807.

• Buck’s Coffee Café — Coffee drinks and more with live music on weekends. 384 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.0020.

• Cyprus Restaurant — Sophisticated international cuisine in a vibrant open kitchen environment. Generous hours, full wine bar. Live entertainment every Friday night. 490 Dillard Rd. 828.526.4429.

• Fressers Eatery at Helen’s Barn — A full service restaurant in Historic Helen”s Barn serving lunch and dinner. Sandwiches, salads, homemade soups as well as fresh seafood and decadent desserts. Complete wine list. 151 Helen’s Barn Ave. 828.526.4188.

• Highlands House of Coffee — Coffee and more. 310 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.5578.

• Highlands Wine and Cheese — Entertainment on the weekends. 561 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.5210.

• Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden — Located in the historic Old Edwards Inn and Spa, the 92 seat fine dining restaurant features Carolina High Country cuisine with an exceptional wine list. Winner. Alfresco dining in the wine garden. Menu changes weekly. 445 Main Street. 828.526.5477.

• On The Veranda — American Fusion overlooking Lake Sequoyah. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1987 and Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction. Serving dinner 7 nights a week with a wine bar and entertainment nightly. 1536 Franklin Rd. in Highlands. 828.526.2338.

• Peregrine Restaurant — The menu is classic continental American and is entirely handmade. Full service bar overlooking the golf course at Highlands Cove. Reservations suggested. Highlands Cove Drive. 828.787.2465.

• Ristorante Paoletti — Italian dining since 1953. Specializing in veal, chops, pasta and seafood. 1,000 selection wine cellar. 440 Main St. 828.526.4906.

• Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro — New Orleans specialties, house aged steaks, fresh seafood, veal and venison. Featuring daily specials. Wine Spectator Award Winning Wine List. Reservations recommended. 474 Main St. 828.526.3807.



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Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands NC

Dear Friends,

If you plan on visiting the Cashiers, Highlands N.C. area and want to include looking for your luxury mountain retreat, rustic log cabin or perfect mountain view lot to build your dream home, then we have a special promotion for you!

A hallmark of service and hospitality, the Old Edwards Inn & Spa has been welcoming visitors to the Highlands area for more than a century. And now, we would like to help welcome you to Highlands, NC by hosting our clients in a warm, friendly environment of relaxed elegance during your stay.

From Photo Gallery Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Lake Glenville North Carolina

With our referral, The Old Edwards Inn will offer our clients a 30% discount off our Rack Rates during the months of November through April, and a 20% discount throughout the rest of the year, along with a special welcome amenity.

You will stay in their luxury guestrooms, and may choose to dine in the award winning
Madison ’s restaurant, unwind to live music in Hummingbirds Piano Bar and Lounge or enjoy cocktails and alfresco dining in the Wine Garden. Enjoy the convenience of a full-service onsite salon and choose to indulge in the world-class European Spa.

All guests are treated to the Old Edwards tradition of a Champagne arrival, gourmet House Breakfast each morning, evening turndown service, access to the Fitness Center and Spa Amenities Building , a 24-hour Butler's Pantry and the attentive service of our gracious staff.
Room bookings are subject to availability, and the offer is valid until April 30, 2010.

For more information, and to request a tour of our beautiful mountain community in Western North Carolina, please call us at 828.226-8837 or email: rae@carolinapg.com

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History repeats at High Hampton Inn Golf Country Club-Cashiers, NC

I found a great news article on the High Hampton Inn Resort in Cashiers, North Carolina that I wanted to share with you. Having been there myself several times I can tell you that the writer portrays what the lifestyle is really like in Cashiers. The same applies not just being here for vacation but living here as well. Cashiers has been described as one of the BEST kept secrets in Western North Carolina............when you visit you'll know why!

Enjoy the article!

Cashiers, N.C.: Much more than a getaway
By Christine Tibbetts
October 18, 2008 10:27 pm—

Looking through your grandmother’s favorite hotel window, breathing North Carolina mountain air and watching birds swoop in front of a mountain where she picnicked years ago changes a vacation from getaway to connection. Big difference.

Trips can be escapes from everyday routines, or they can be ways to enjoy the ones you call family and friends in new and comfy ways. Enjoying each other is easy to see people doing in Cashiers, N.C., at the 86-year-old High Hampton Inn & Country Club that I explored for three days just as the autumn leaves began to change colors. Some of them are the grandmother, and some are vacationing with their grandparents, and their children too, all together, upholding generations of family tradition.

Many are readily identified by hotel staff as families coming to this Inn for five generations. Same room too, some of the longest time returnees. Forty-four years seems to be the record — same couple booking the same room for the same calendar week. They vie for the honor with another couple choosing their same room for 42 years, but that couple stays three weeks each time. The rooms have changed over the years but not the spectacular views; a $4 million renovation has just been completed involving the 117 rooms in the lodge, cottages and cabins.

Photo from The Cashiers Real Estate Insider-View of Lake at High Hampton Inn Resort

Rock Mountain rises beyond the expansive lawns no doubt looking like it has for centuries.We saw babies in baskets, toddlers in flower gardens, schoolchildren pitching footballs with their dads, parents and children on the tennis courts and golf course and, had it been summer, surely all ages on the sandy beach of the 35-acre lake. A table in the dining room for some families required a dozen or more chairs, plus floor space for the baby carriers. The parents of those babies came here as children themselves and their immense pleasure throughout my three days on the grounds set the tone of the whole place. People know each other, and like one another.

There’s a gentle, pleasant mood in the grand lobby with the huge stone fireplace and lots of wing-chair-and-sofa places to sit and visit. They must be just as happy in their rooms, or cottages with several bedrooms and living room gathering places too because no televisions exist there. Find one in the tavern if you must, but the view of the mountains is more compelling.The lobby is Wi Fi, and a computer is provided, but I saw more people taking tea and cookies in the late afternoon, playing board games or simply chatting than I did folks with noses in their laptops. Not much cell phone reception either which limited intrusive sounds. Nice change from the other places I go.

The front desk and dining room staff acted like they knew me after my first few hours on site, as if I was one of those multi-generation returning people, so I felt special all weekend. It’s good to be noticed, and High Hampton models some of the kindest hospitality I’ve encountered during a decade of frequent travel.Buffet is the style for all three meals, big buffet with many choices. Stay all week and the entrees and veggies differ each day. I loved the beets and Brussels sprouts day, but traveling partner G. W. Tibbetts preferred the abundant salads and green beans. Fried chicken is the Sunday specialty and mountain trout appears mid-week. We agreed that the freshness and array of berries, melons, bananas, apples and kiwi was extraordinary. Since tradition is the 86-year-old value here, gentlemen need a jacket and tie for dinner. General Manager Clifford Meads says they polled guests during the hottest days of summer to see if that style should change and even the men voted a resounding “No.”

Trendy things happen here too. G. W. signed up for an Ashiatsu massage in the High Hampton spa and he didn’t even know what that was. Now he’s an advocate and willing to start a tradition for himself. Long, deep massage strokes propelled him to a place of immense relaxation, he said, delivered by therapist Theresa Branham with her feet and legs. Supporting herself on ceiling bars, Branham worked his arms and legs, and his long back into a supple state, drawing on centuries-old techniques from India. Only 350 therapists are trained in the Ashiatsu style in America, Branham said, but for her even that distinction isn’t enough. “I always have to go to the source to learn from the masters where ancient forms of healing are passed on from ancestors to new healers.” That’s why Branham studied Thai massage — almost a dance between practitioner and receiver — at Chiang Mai in Thailand last year, and why she’s going to Kerala, India this winter to study Ashiatsu where its roots began.“The deep flowing strokes we can achieve with our feet soothe muscles, open energy patterns, release toxins, improve postural alignment and circulation,” Branham says. Don’t worry about missing a treatment opportunity while Branham’s in India; another High Hampton tradition is closing after the big Thanksgiving House party and returning in the spring.

It gets cold in Cashiers and for 86 years the guests have said they prefer to come when it’s not winter. Even the tuberous roots in the two- acre dahlia garden are dug up for protection from the cold and replanted each spring. Year-round the waterfalls still flow and there are plenty of them near Cashiers; Whitewater is the tallest in the eastern U.S. with a drop of 411 feet—244 feet more than the famous Niagara. Walks and hikes open up all over the High Hampton grounds too---easy ones with picnic tables along the way and a big-deal one up to Chimney Top at elevation 4,618. Round trip took me three hours and lots of energy but I got two rewards: the 360 degree view from to top and sassafras twigs along the way for a jolt of natural root beer to refresh.

Nearby Highlands, N.C. is open year-round too with a downtown main street that was bustling when we drove through, anxious to start our High Hampton adventure but intrigued by the galleries and fine craft shops we spotted en route.

That’s why returning places is good; I guess those five generations of families and three generations of High Hampton staff are on to something.

If you are planing a trip to Western North Carolina for the upcoming Holiday Season and would like to look at our quaint log cabins, timber frame homes, or thinking of future investment in land please let us know. We'll be happy to offer you the same southern hospitality and show you around our gorgeous mountain community. mailto:info@carolinapg.com or call 828-226-8837

From CASHIERS, NC REAL ESTATE INSIDER

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Best Places to visit near Cashiers, Highlands NC for leaf season

The Great Smoky Mountains features on MSN Travel Destinations for fall folliage

Adventures in Autumn

The southern Appalachian region, once an ancient home to the prehistoric Paleo Indians, hosts some 100 species of deciduous native trees. From this diversity a show-stopping foliage spectacle emerges each fall. read full story

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