WEEKENDER: Highlands, North Carolina
When the holiday hustle is a bit too much, Highlands—a charming town nestled in the western North Carolina mountains—is a sweet escape. It has an untouched, local feel with plenty of upscale lodging options, restaurants, and activities. Parents can drop their shoulders and kids can return to their senses, thanks to the biting air, steamy hot chocolate, and meandering nature trails. Here’s how to have a proper weekend getaway in Highlands this holiday season.
STAY
The Outpost Inn is a 9-room inn that combines the whimsy of Laurel Canyon, the earthiness of Woodstock, and the groundedness of Appalachia. As you navigate the winding roads and approach this charming outpost at the 3,855-foot elevation, the views get increasingly grand. Enjoy complimentary bubbles and fresh-baked banana bread in Outpost’s lobby when you arrive. The central lobby feels like an eclectic living room with vintage vinyl, a scattering of nature books, and a coffee bar that brews Methodical Coffee. Kids can lounge on the plush leather chairs by the indoor fire pit, while parents can write, read, and work-from-home at the wooden tables. For families with older kids, there’s a separate hostel-inspired bunk room and several Queen and King rooms for parents. The Double Grand room is a spacious option for the whole family. Outside, firepits and saunas glamp up the property.
The Outpost Inn
The Outpost Inn
EAT
Grab a slice of banana bread at the coffee bar (consider this your breakfast teaser), then head to Blue Bike Cafe, a downhome diner that serves mammoth cinnamon roll pancakes. Other casual breakfast joints include The Black Bear Diner and Mountain Fresh Grocery. For lunch, head to Highlands Smokehouse, a modern, roadside barbecue joint with a screened-in, fireplace-lit outdoor patio and absurdly good Cheerwine burnt ends. Highlands is also studded with snacks and sips to satisfy you between meals. Kilwin’s Ice Cream shop proves ice cream in December is more than permissible. Grab some hot cocoa (or caffeine) at Calder’s Coffee Cafe, or stop by Highlands Wine Shoppe to browse a collection of curated labels or savor a glass near the outdoor firepits. For Sunday Supper or a holiday feast, book a table at The Ruffed Grouse Tavern, tucked inside Highlander Mountain House. Kids will feel like they’ve been dropped into an English cottage and the parents can enjoy a negroni and hyper-seasonal menu. Other standout dinner options include white tablecloth Italian restaurant, Ristorante Paoletti, and Lakeside Restaurant. Remember to leave room for dessert, because campfire s’mores await at Outpost Inn. Each room has a goodie bag of the s’mores ingredients, ready to be roasted around the bonfires.
Highlands Smokehouse
PLAY
Pack your jackets, scarves, and boots because Highlands is an ideal place to ditch the devices and get outside. Whiteside Mountain Trail or Dry Falls are two moderate hikes with sweeping mountain views and towering waterfalls. Families can also use Outpost Inn’s complimentary bikes to explore the neighborhood. For some holiday fun, take a day trip to Ski Sapphire Valley and partake in some winter sports. At Kelsey-Hutchinson Park in Highlands, skate at the outdoor rink for $8 throughout December. When you need a break from the chill, take the kids to Jackson Hole Gem Mine.
Dry Falls
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
Kick off the season at the Olde Mountain Christmas Parade on December 7 or cut your own Christmas tree at Chimney Pond Farm or Grandy Mountain Christmas Tree Farm. For some retail therapy, visit The Bascom’s Holiday Market for local shopping, a Santa letter writing station, and ornament making each Tuesday through Saturday in December. Mountain Theatre Company’s Home for the Holidays puts on festive performances from December 6 through 22, and singer-songwriter Mike Kinnebrew’s Fireside at The Farm is December 12. Foodies can explore several food-focused community events, like a barbecue lunch and breakfast with Santa. Whether you’re a shopper or an outdoor enthusiast, the twinkling lights on Highlands’ main street are always calling.
KAYLEIGH RULLER is a Charlotte-based writer whose work has appeared in Food & Wine, The Charlotte Observer, Eater, and Thrillist. Follow her on Instagram at @kayleighruller.
