Highlands
is tucked away in the western North Carolina mountains along US Highway 64, not far from where North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina meet. It sits atop a mountain plateau at 4,118 feet, making it the highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi. Along with the neighboring town of Cashiers, Highlands has long been a summer retreat for those wishing to escape the heat of the lowlands and the noise of the cities. This modern resort community is known for its shopping and excellent dining. You can find gourmet foods, fashionable clothing, unique jewelry, antiques and high quality arts and crafts of all kinds. Be sure to visit Scudder’s Galleries and ask about their nightly auctions. You’ll also find plenty of romantic accommodations in Highlands, many on beautiful grounds with their own gorgeous views, hiking trails, swimming pools and tennis courts. Explore the countryside, which has some of North Carolina’s most gorgeous falls, including Bridal Veil, Dry Falls and Cullasaja Falls. The Cullasaja River Gorge is narrow and deep and the river rushes and drops through a series of cascades and waterfalls to the Tennessee River near Franklin. The highway, which connect Highlands to Cashiers, clings to the north bank of the river, and the road is narrow and curves frequently, but it’s a spectacular drive to take.
Surrounding areas: Cashiers, North Carolina (6.8 mi), Lake Glenville, North Carolina (10.2 mi), Sapphire, North Carolina (11.6 mi), Franklin, North Carolina (13.7 mi), Lake Toxaway, North Carolina (15.9 mi), Cullowhee, North Carolina (18.1 mi), Dillsboro, North Carolina (22.1 mi)
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Highlands Vacation Rentals
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Highlands Weather & Climate
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The westernnmost mountain region of North Carolina is the smallest of the three main divisions of the state; the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont and the Mountains. However, its%u2019 range of elevation is the greatest; it stretches upward from around 1,500 feet along the eastern boundary to 6,684 feet at the summit of Mt. Mitchell. The climate is definitely effected by elevation. Overall, spring is unpredictable, summer is warm with moderate humidity, autumn is crisp and cool and winters are cold - but moderate. More extreme winter conditions can be expected at the mountain peaks. Showers and thunderstorms are common in spring and summer. Expect temperatures to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops than in the lower elevations. Although snow in winter is likely, most ski resorts rely on snowmaking equipment because daytime highs can often hover in the 40-degree range.
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| Month |
High Temp |
Low Temp |
Rainfall |
Ocean Temp |
| January |
41°F |
23°F |
8.06 in. |
- |
| February |
46°F |
25°F |
7.05 in. |
- |
| March |
54°F |
31°F |
8.98 in. |
- |
| April |
62°F |
37°F |
6.47 in. |
- |
| May |
69°F |
46°F |
7.90 in. |
- |
| June |
75°F |
52°F |
7.12 in. |
- |
| July |
78°F |
57°F |
6.61 in. |
- |
| August |
76°F |
56°F |
6.59 in. |
- |
| September |
70°F |
50°F |
6.76 in. |
- |
| October |
61°F |
39°F |
6.05 in. |
- |
| November |
52°F |
31°F |
8.24 in. |
- |
| December |
44°F |
26°F |
7.74 in. |
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Highlands Map & Transportation
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| Click each thumbnail image to enlarge. |
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The closest airports in the area are the Asheville Regional airport (AVL) located about 45 miles northeast of Highlands in Asheville, North Carolina, the Donaldson Center airport (GYH) located approximately 50 miles southeast of Highlands in Greenville, South Carolina, the Greenville Spartanburg International airport (GSP) located roughly 56 miles east of Highlands in Greer, South Carolina, and finally the Mc Ghee Tyson airport (TYS) located around 69 miles northwest of Highlands in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Highlands Attractions
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| | | Amusement and Theme Parks |
| Cherokee Fun Park | Cherokee | NC | 29.9 mi. | | | Santa's Land | Cherokee | NC | 29.9 mi. | | | Ghost Town in the Sky | Maggie Valley | NC | 32.7 mi. | | | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge | TN | 54.7 mi. | | | Rockin' Raceway | Pigeon Forge | TN | 54.7 mi. | | | NASCAR SpeedPark | Sevierville | TN | 60.0 mi. | |
| | | Water Parks |
| Lake Lanier Island Beach & Water Park | Lake Lanier Island | GA | 76.9 mi. | | | White Water Park | Marietta | GA | 108.3 mi. | |
| | | Golf Courses |
| Highlands Cove | Highlands | NC | | | | Trillium Links & Lake Club | Cashiers | NC | 6.9 mi. | | | Franklin Golf Course | Franklin | NC | 13.7 mi. | | | Mill Creek Country Club | Franklin | NC | 13.7 mi. | | | Rabun Country Golf Club | Clayton | GA | 17.1 mi. | | | Blue Ridge Golf Center | Walhalla | SC | 21.7 mi. | | | Falcons Lair Golf Course | Walhalla | SC | 21.7 mi. | | | Oconee Country Club | Seneca | SC | 27.3 mi. | | | Smoky Mountain Country Club | Whittier | NC | 27.7 mi. | | | Chickasaw Point Country Club | Westminster | SC | 27.8 mi. | | | Foxwood Hills Country Club | Westminster | SC | 27.8 mi. | | | Connestee Falls Golf Course | Brevard | NC | 29.5 mi. | | | Glen Cannon Country Club | Brevard | NC | 29.5 mi. | | | Sherwood Forest Golf Club | Brevard | NC | 29.5 mi. | |
| | | Ski Areas |
| Scaly Mountain | Scaly Mountain | NC | 7.3 mi. | | | Cataloochee | Maggie Valley | NC | 32.7 mi. | | | Ski Wolf Laurel | Mars Hill | NC | 64.8 mi. | | | Ski Beech | Banner Elk | NC | 107.0 mi. | | | Sugar Mountain Ski Area | Banner Elk | NC | 107.0 mi. | | | Hawksnest Golf & Ski Resort | Seven Devils | NC | 108.2 mi. | |
| | | State Parks |
| Oconee State Park | | SC | 14.4 mi. | | | Black Rock Mountain State Park | | GA | 16.0 mi. | | | Keowee Toxaway State Park | | SC | 20.2 mi. | | | Moccasin Creek State Park | | GA | 26.2 mi. | | | Table Rock State Park | | SC | 28.2 mi. | | | Caesars Head State Park | | SC | 33.4 mi. | | | Chatuge State Park | | GA | 35.3 mi. | | | Unicoi State Park | | GA | 37.5 mi. | | | Tugaloo State Park | | GA | 39.7 mi. | |
| | | Museums |
| South Carolina Gold Museum | Pickens | SC | 30.1 mi. | (Miscellaneous) | | Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery | Greenville | SC | 47.6 mi. | (Art) |
| | | Zoos and Aquariums |
| Greenville Zoo | Greenville | SC | 47.6 mi. | | | Western North Carolina Nature Center | Asheville | NC | 52.5 mi. | | | Knoxville Zoological Gardens | Knoxville | TN | 74.9 mi. | | | Zoo Atlanta | Atlanta | GA | 112.9 mi. | | | Tennessee Aquarium | Chattanooga | TN | 119.6 mi. | | | Warner Park Zoo | Chattanooga | TN | 119.6 mi. | |
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Disclaimer: We recommend you conduct your own research regarding all accomodations and attractions found on this website. The distances shown on this website are straight-line distances as the crow flies. The road distance may be considerably longer. You assume all liability for use of any information found on this website. No information is confirmed or warranted in any way. By using our services you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer.
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