Guest Author - Jessica Hoffmann
Highlands, North Carolina is well known amongst Atlanta residents as a great mountain retreat from city traffic and summer humidity. Less than three hours from Atlanta, Highlands offers cool temperatures throughout the dog days of summer thanks to an elevation of 3832 feet.
The influx from Atlanta gives this small town an unusually hip array of stores and restaurants. The Old Edwards Inn and Spa offers luxury accommodations and a rustic, European panache. Their wine garden patio overlooks downtown Highlands while Madison�s serves elegant dishes like Pancetta Wrapped Palmetto Quail and Poached Sunburst Trout, which feature local and organic ingredients.
Mountain Fresh Grocery has recently added sandwiches and grilled dishes to their upscale grocery and butcher shop, yet Buck�s Coffee remains the local favorite place to sip coffee and devour fresh pastries. Local art adorns the brick walls and small town charm abounds from the staff at Buck�s.
For international flavor and local music, Cypress is a lively place for a late Saturday dinner. Each night, the ever-changing menu focuses on the cuisine of a geographic region, like South America or the Caribbean. Their banana leaf enveloped snapper was delightful, on a recent Latin American night.
Meander along the 87 foot long covered bridge and visit The Bascom, a visual arts center that opened in 2008, solidifying the legacy of Appalachian art in Highlands. The campus itself is a visual treat, with remarkable architectural care given to green construction and re-purposing of building materials from historic buildings.
The area surrounding Highlands is perfect for waterfall tours and dayhikes in amazing areas like Panthertown Valley. Explore Bust Your Butt Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Glen Falls for a day bursting with natural splendor. Flyfishing enthusiasts flock to the Cullasaja River for trout. Closer to town, walk along the streets flanking Mirror Lake for a picturesque tour of one of Highlands� signature neighborhoods, known for dense Mountain Laurels and rustic vacation cottages.
Prepare yourself to fall in love with Highlands as the charming blend of sophisticated small town amenities, Appalachian charm, and cool mountain air can be intoxicating.
