A Blue Ridge Mountains getaway to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains is packed with picture-perfect scenery: bubbling streams slicing through serene woodlands, sparkling waterfalls tumbling into glass pools, and multiple stunning vistas from lofty summits.

The area also contains two small towns, Highlands and Cashiers, whose diverse dining scenes, high-end shopping, and luxe accommodations combine with the abundant natural beauty (and the outdoor activities it holds) to create an inviting mountain escape.

Exploring the boutiques and art galleries in Highlands and Cashiers is a must, but reserve the bulk of your time for fresh-air fun. Visit Dry Falls (pictured above), where torrents of white water plunge over an undercut rock ledge, allowing you to stroll behind the cascade without getting wet (hence the name).

Get a bird’s-eye view of the area’s scenic splendor with a zip-line ride at Highlands Aerial Park (top photo).

Or, if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, take a hike. The energy exerted on the 2-mile loop of Whiteside Mountain comes with a big payoff: long-range views of surrounding peaks and lush valleys.

In Highlands, get your wheels turning early with Blue Bike Café’s banana bread French toast topped with crunchy pecans and smothered in sticky-sweet praline sauce (pictured above). Don’t fret if you sleep in—Blue Bike serves breakfast until 3 p.m.

Come time for lunch (or dinner), dig into Wild Thyme Gourmet’s menu of American-Asian fusion or indulge in classic fine-dining fare (buttery escargot and silky braised beef short ribs) at Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro.

In Cashiers, snag some local craft beer and a slice of The Duke pizza (a meaty mouthful piled with sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and creamy ricotta) at Slab Town. Or stop by On the Side Barbeque for some tender pulled pork doused in a pungent mustard-based sauce.

Reopened in April, Cashiers’ High Hampton Resort is a revitalization of the beloved High Hampton, which has welcomed guests since 1922. The renovation brought updated rooms and a refreshed golf course and dining program, while keeping the landmark property’s laid-back charm intact. Rates start at $745.

In Highlands, another old gem recently got a polish. Built in the late 1920s, Skyline Lodge (pictured above) reopened in July and now boasts a fresh take on 1960s and ’70s decor, plus an on-site restaurant, Oak Steakhouse, where smoked trout rillettes warm you up for juicy filet mignon and truffle fries. Rates start at $259.

You’ll always find top-notch hospitality, sophisticated digs, and an award-winning spa at the historic Old Edwards Inn and Spa fronting Highlands’ Main Street. Rates start at $270.