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 in Highlands and Cashiers
NC is perfect for outdoor activities
and the Nantahala National Forest provides plenty
of opportunities for fishing, hunting, camping, hiking,
and more. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
and the Blue Ridge Parkway also are within easy driving
distance of Highlands.
If you're interested in more cultural
pursuits, summer finds Highlands hosting
an annual music festival and the Highlands Playhouse
has performances all season long. No matter your
taste for pleasure, the villages of Cashiers and
Highlands, in the western North Carolina mountains,
are an ideal choice for a visit--or a lifetime.
