Highlands is not only a great place to visit–it’s also a great place to retire. In 1879, developers Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson thought Highlands NC would be the ideal location for a vacation Time has proven that Kelsey and Hutchinson were right. And all the things that make it a wonderful place to vacation make Highlands, and nearby Cashiers, the perfect place to retire. Highlands NC and sister village Cashiers are located at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at a point where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet. The towns offer a pleasing climate, plenty of clean air, some fantastic shopping and the natural beauty of the mountains and numerous waterfalls. The Highlands Country Club features a world-famous Donald Ross resort golf course, which has been played by many of golf’s big names. The course record is held by Bobby Jones, who maintained a summer home at the club. Highlands NC has a permanent population of approximately 2,000, but in summer that number easily jumps to over 25,000.(For Cashiers NC, these numbers are 1,200 and 9,500, respectively. During summer vacation, travelers can appreciate the cooler temperatures. In July, the average low is about 56 degrees; the high about 76. Residents and vistors who stick around for winter can expect an average low of 25 and an average high of 42 in the month January. Cashiers NC, a one-stoplight town, is home to the High Hampton Inn and Country Club. The rustic retreat also features cabins covered with shaggy chestnut bark,water sports on Lake Hampton, mountain climbing, horseback riding, and gold. The moderate weather found...
Anytime is a good time to visit Gatlinburg TN—each season has its own special characteristics, but spring could be the best. Envision the new bright green foliage, the splash of bright colors found in spring wildflowers, the water up in whitewater streams, exuberantly happy waterfalls, and wildlife emerging from winter dens. American Black bears emerge from hibernation and whitetail fawns spring forth. Gatlinburg TN locals prepare for arrival of the year’s new Tennessee travelers. Their desire to impress the visitor is reflected by hundreds of fresh flower arrangements along the main parkway and city sidewalks. Summer is also a favorite time because the youth are out of school and it’s time for the traditional summer vacation. Flora and fauna are at their peak. The mountain temperatures are a bit cooler and the pleasures of the Smoky Mountains await the traveler. Moreover, summer and spring are favorite times for a Smoky Mountain wedding. Over thirty wedding chapels wait to serve brides and grooms planning their wedding day. Honeymoon in a Gatlinburg TN cabin. Fall season brings the burst of color that attracts visitors who appreciate Mother Nature’s brilliant colors that remain after cooler temperatures remove the leaves’ chlorophyll. Nothing compares with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when it offers the crisp, cool air of Fall in Cades Cove. It’s a pleasant surprise to some that winter is also a great time to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains. Things are quieter and more peaceful–the strident pace of summer is replaced by a slower pace. Mountain vistas are improved because the foliage is off the trees; the air...
