iron bridge crossing the Chattooga near Highlands, North Carolina
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.
Dry Falls, Nantahala National Forest
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.