Spend a Weekend in Highlands, NC.

Crisp leaves. Billowing shop signs. Crackling embers. 10/10 weekend.

Absolutely — here’s a polished version that keeps your voice, pacing, and details intact, while tightening flow, clarity, and tone. I did not change the integrity or intent of the piece, just refined it for readability and cohesion.

Arriving on a crisp October day, Kaleb and I made our way to Highlands, North Carolina. Just a short drive from our hometown of TR, about an hour, depending on your comfort level with winding mountain turns, Highlands felt like the perfect fall escape. With the town blowing up on TikTok, we were eager to see how much we could pack into our three-day trip. Fueled by fresh mountain air and the first true chill of the season, we were off to our first stop.

Stop #1 was checking in at The Highlander Mountain House. Nestled right in the heart of town, the Mountain House’s exterior looked straight out of a fairytale. The deep blue-green façade made my interior-designer heart swoon. Layered with cobblestone steps and pathways, the grounds were filled with glowing fire pits, crushed leaves, and swaying greenery. The Main House is also home to the Ruffed Grouse Tavern, a space rich with nods to European pub heritage. Think sheepskins, cracked leather, mismatched textiles, and ancestral oil paintings.

Somehow, Kaleb and I managed to snag a room in the Bunk House during the town’s busiest season. Situated just behind the Main House, our room featured original hardwood floors and a front porch balcony. Whoever designed these rooms deserves endless praise. From the red-and-cream pinstripe curtains to the Native American historical paintings and vintage record player, it felt like staying in a friend’s home rather than a hotel.

Once we had settled in and freshened up, we headed back to the Main House for drinks and a couple rounds of cards before making our way down the road to the Highland Supper Club. If you take anything from this article, consider this your PSA to visit this restaurant. We were seated on the back screened-in porch with the main fireplace glowing in view. We started with the high country oysters, grilled with pimento cheese and red chile butter. As self-proclaimed oyster connoisseurs, Kaleb and I were blown away. Kaleb ordered the elk tenderloin, while I chose the Duroc pork chop. Served alongside sweet potato bacon hash and apple fennel slaw, it was the kind of meal you can still taste months later. We ended the night with a perfectly cooked peach cobbler and two cups of coffee.

The next morning, we started bright and early with breakfast at Blue Bike Café, which immediately reminded me of the Original Stax back home, a place where seeing my grandparents nursing a cup of coffee wouldn’t surprise me at all. We passed the town’s old jail, stopped for a cheeky photo, then hopped in the car to chase waterfalls. My favorite stop was Dry Falls. As you descend the rocky terrain, you feel the mist before you ever see the water. The sight itself is stunning—streams crashing into the river below, glistening as sunbeams give the waterfall its own spotlight. The best part? You can actually walk behind the falls through a small cave-like trail to the other side, where the views are just as magical.

Back at the hotel, we changed and headed out to stroll Main Street. We popped into more stores than we could count—a mix of waterfowl and hunting retailers, upscale clothing boutiques, unique interior décor shops, and a few general store–esque spots. I left with a lightweight cashmere cardigan, a clay bear Christmas ornament, and a flame Le Creuset pie dish that had been missing from my collection. In between shops, we refueled with a few slices of meat lovers pizza at Highlands Pizza Place—perfect shopping fuel.

While I promise we did more than just eat, after an afternoon nap and some football watching, we were back out the door for our nightly drinks and card game at the Main House before heading to On The Verandah. From the moment you walk in, you know this place boasts a strong wine list and crisp white tablecloths. While it isn’t necessarily Kaleb and my usual vibe, we leaned in—ordering two promising glasses of white wine and the Thai shrimp appetizer. We shared the pan-seared duck and NC trout, and once again appreciated how thoughtfully each dish was prepared, highlighting fresh local ingredients and seasonal flavors.

On our last morning, we stopped by BlackBear for breakfast before hitting the road. The menu blended classic Southern breakfast staples with Hispanic-inspired dishes—something you don’t see every day. Kaleb and I shared the Huevos a la Mexicana: scrambled eggs with jalapeño, onion, and tomato, served with Mexican rice and beans. While it wasn’t the breakfast I expected, it was delicious nonetheless.

Though we didn’t hit every viral spot in Highlands, our time there felt just right. I’ll happily book another stay at The Highlander Mountain House, return to the Highland Supper Club, and work through the rest of our bucket list next time.

Thanks for reading!

Blue Skies,
Grace