Highlands … a mountain watering hole

Just a ways into the mountains of North Carolina, northeast of the red soils of Georgia lays the Nantahala National Forest. This is a mid-size mountain range with many streams, rivers and quite a few beautiful waterfalls. Highlands is a fairly trendy town that is blessed with being located in a relatively unspoiled natural setting. It is close enough to Atlanta, Florida and the coastal regions of both Carolinas to be frequented by people seeking a relief of the summer’s heat and the colors of fall foliage.

One of the benefits of a town being devoted to recreation and tourism is that there are many choices of where to stay and many choices of where to have dinner. The town is very quaint and pleasant to walk through with, of course, many shops waiting to accept your credit cards. On the downside, it is a bit expensive and there are many people waiting to accept your credit card. Your NotAMall reviewer is not the slightest bit interested in seeing a chain store when traveling. Hell, I can go to any mall for that kind of shopping experience. On the plus of the downside, Highlands has a number of unique shops and as of the last time I was there in 2003, no malls. On that occasion, holiday presents for everyone on our list were purchased (in September) at The Stone Lantern just because we found so many interesting things in one place. It is nice to have a cute town to prowl through especially because it can be a bit rainy in the mountains but the best reason for being in the Highlands area is to be outdoors without any pavement in sight.

There are many trails through the woods, along the streams and up the mountains with a variety of difficulty and durations to choose from. You really do need a car to be able to get around though, and being America, you really need the car just to get there in the first place. A day’s drive from Highlands will find many beautiful spots to get out and walk around or find a long trail for a good hike. Many waterfalls can be easily located along the mountain roads and much time can be passed walking along or in the streams. If you would rather be on the water than in or beside it, there are many navigable waterways for everything from kayak and canoe to some great whitewater rafting.

If you get sore from all the outdoor exploration, there are quite a few gemstone “mines” where you can pan for semi-precious stones. Once and a while a really nice stone is found but it is just plain fun to peck and poke looking for a nice sapphire amongst the worthless gravel in a bucketful of dirt you buy. In fact, there are a number of legitimate places in the region where gemstones such as garnet, emerald, sapphire and rubies have been mined for many years but some of the places do provide you with material from other locations. If you are unlucky in your prospecting, they have cut and polished stones for sale at the various stone mining. If you do strike it rich all of the “mines” will be happy to cut and polish your finds too.

Highlands and the surrounding region are a great choice for spending time with friends or family while enjoying outdoor activities and having other options available as well. Many of the lodges and inns also provide access to tennis courts and golf courses as well.

Options for accommodations abound in Highlands. From Lodges and Inns to B&Bs and rental cabins, not to mention camping. You won’t find a shortage of choices and your decision will likely rest upon the kind of visit to the region you are seeking. There are some advantages to staying in town and some advantages to staying just outside of town and closer to the mountains. All things considered, you need a car in Highlands regardless. Staying outside of town doesn’t limit you’re ability to drive in for a stroll through the town and dinner while still enjoying the peace and panorama views from a more remote setting.

A romantic get-a-way is best enhanced by a quiet and comfortable room with a great view and possibly a porch or balcony for private relaxing. The room at left is at The Skyline Lodge. A good restaurant where you stay is a definite advantage when you just want to keep it simple and relaxing. Even if the day’s preferred activities include ambitious hiking, white water rafting, a round of golf or a few sets of tennis, a pleasant evening setting (and access to a hot tub) could be a very important consideration.

Planning a great family vacation needs some consideration of the available facilities at your destination to make sure that kids can stay active and entertained. A swimming pool (or lake access) in the summer months and a spacious area surrounding the lodge that allows kids to run off some energy can be important. Even when a family’s daily activities are well planned and very busy, such features can be most appreciated when the adults want to relax a bit but the kids are still going strong. A game room is very useful for kids staying at a lodge especially if a day of rainy weather is encountered.

One place we recommend that can accommodate a wide range of interests with most of the features mentioned above is The Skyline Lodge. This lodge and restaurant is located about five miles outside of town with a considerable amount of private land surrounding the facilities. The lodge was built in a wonderful Frank Lloyd Wright style and many rooms have private balconies. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool, and an exercise room available to guests along with a large outdoor hot tub. There are also a number of rooms specifically available to guests traveling with their pets which is a very special accommodation!

Private cabins are also available which have been built to high standards with large covered porches, hot tubs, and many other comforts.

We are most pleased to note that The Skyline Lodge and Restaurant is a web development client of NotAMall’s developers, NightShade Media, Inc. We have stayed at the lodge on several occasions, always departing reluctantly with very fond memories of a pleasant visit and beautiful surroundings. As with all NotAMall suggestions, the above comes from our personal experience.