Top 12 Things To Do in Cashiers, Highlands, and Glenville

Top 12 Things To Do in Cashiers, Highlands, and Glenville

There’s no shortage of exciting things to do in Cashiers and Highlands, NC, for visitors, but it helps to have local experts like the team at Caliber Fine Properties on hand for recommendations and guidance. 

Throughout the years, adventurers, explorers, and nature lovers have been drawn to the charming towns and magical landscapes of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. And after seeing the Nantahala Yellow Mountain Trail or returning from an invigorating hike near Cashiers, NC, many visitors are reluctant to leave. We don’t blame them! 

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or ready to purchase a mountain getaway of your very own, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of our favorite things to see and to do in Cashiers, NC, and beyond — from Panthertown Valley to Lake Glenville. So once you fall in love and are ready to set your sights on a mountain dream home, we can help with that too!

Things to Do in Cashiers, NC

If you’re looking for things to do in Cashiers while you’re in the area, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve collected a few of our favorite destinations for fun and adventure in and around town.

1. Support the Cashiers Historical Society at the Cashiers Designer Showhouse

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Cashiers Designer Showhouse brings together designers and builders from across the Southeast to celebrate the joy of mountain living. 

This year, the new Fieldstone neighborhood in High Hampton is the site of a custom-built, stunning mountain retreat designed by the highly acclaimed team at Dillard-Jones. Music, markets, and lectures will take place throughout the week-long event, with plenty of fun opportunities for the whole family. Proceeds from the events and celebrations support the Cashiers Historical Society. 

2. Hit the Links at High Hampton and Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club

In Cashiers, NC, golf is a serious draw. It’s a great way to take in the scenery when you’re visiting. Courses like High Hampton and Mountaintop Golf — designed by North Carolina-native and acclaimed course designer Tom Fazio — take advantage of the natural terrain to give golfers an exciting challenge while highlighting the dramatic landscape and beauty of the area.

The Fazio-designed courses at High Hampton and Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club are nothing to sneeze at for any golfer. An epic landscape, breathtaking contours, and compelling natural character mark these classic mountain courses. 

High Hampton’s exhilarating course offers stunning mountain views and a challenging yet fun test of golf for the entire family. With five different sets of tees, players with any skill level can find an enjoyable round out here. High Hampton is a members-only club but offers select amenity options for resort guests!

Other activities range from tennis to hikes and strolls through the trails and gardens. From a sunrise yoga class to a sunset canoe ride, this is the place to be and the time of year to do it! Let’s not forget a wide array of culinary options from fine dining to casual eats that perfectly complement your trip. 

Just a short drive away, Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club awaits its private members to enjoy a full-scale of amenities, including world-class golf. This course provides the perfect combination of beauty from its sweeping vistas and unparalleled terrain. This is a true test of golf created by Fazio’s charming design.

Golf isn’t the only fantastic thing about Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club. With several outdoor options like pickleball and croquet to its private lake club on Lake Glenville, members get a refined taste of Western North Carolina. Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club is an exclusive, members-only club. Contact us to learn more about membership!

No matter how you slice it (no pun intended), golfers at High Hampton and Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club are in for a round they won’t soon forget.

3. Raise a Glass at Whiteside Brewing Company

Western North Carolina has been a leader in the craft brewery scene for a long time, and sampling some local brews is high on our list of things to do when you’re in town. Established in 2018, the Whiteside Brewing Company has served great food and the finest selection of local craft beer in Cashiers. 

Brought to you by The Wells Family — the same folks behind the highly acclaimed Wells Hotel — Whiteside Brewing company has quickly become a can’t-miss celebration of Western North Carolina’s beer scene.

Swing by for traditional American cuisine, house-brewed beers, and live music every weekend. Enjoy the spacious and relaxed park-like environment. You’ll be glad you did!

4. Shop Local at the Cashiers Farmers Market

Family-owned and operated, the Cashiers Farmers Market was established in 1995. This specialty grocery and produce market offers fresh produce and dahlia flower arrangements sourced from local growers. You’ll also love their fresh-baked treats and the finest meat and cheese selection on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Bring home some locally sourced fruits and veggies to experience authentic Appalachian flavors during your stay. Try the BBQ and antique-engine-churned ice cream when you stop in for lunch and tell the Golden Retrievers we say hello!

5. Hikes Near Cashiers, NC

Take a hike! There are plenty of hikes near Cashiers and Highlands, NC, but you don’t need to leave town to find this one. 

The Cashiers Greenway Ramble is a great way to explore the town itself. It is a series of connected trails, sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly roads meandering through in-town parks, community buildings, and the commercial district. Parents definitely want to check out StoryWalk, an interactive trail combining a fun hike with family storytime.

You don’t want to miss the whole Greenway Ramble! If you’re pressed for time, the highlight has to be the sections that take ramblers through the Cashiers Village Green. Located right in the heart of Cashiers, the Village Green is an enchanting place to spend an afternoon, shop for farm-fresh produce, or catch live music at one of the dozens of annual events.  

6. The Community at GlenCove by Old Edwards

If you want to call Cashiers home – or second home – check out this incredible private club community to get the most out of the area.

The GlenCove By Old Edwards is home to some of the area’s most pristine landscapes and natural beauty. A love of Cashiers and Highlands, NC unites members to connect and enjoy the idyllic countryside. The impressive amenities package is icing on the cake!  

Members of this community enjoy unbeatable amenities but share in a lifestyle built by the area’s first settlers. Brought into the new generation by Old Edwards, you won’t be disappointed. Walk amongst the organic garden area where you enjoy the neighborhood’s beauty or get out on the water at Copper Lake and soak in North Carolina’s stunning views. 

This community also has upscale offerings! The brand-new Entertainment Barn features The Saddle – a lighted 12-hole par-3 course designed for all generations. You’ll appreciate the cuisine from the pavilion food truck while lounging by the pool. Plus, you’ll share good times at the arcade and hitting the lanes in the bowling alley.

GlenCove By Old Edwards truly has so much to offer its members! 

Things to Do in Highlands, NC

Cashiers doesn’t get to have all the fun. There are plenty of things to do in Highlands, NC, too! If you’re staying in Highlands — or anywhere else on the Plateau — you’ll want to check out our collection of fun activities in the area. From golf and gardens to horses and hikes near Highlands, NC, these are our favorite things to do while in town.

7. The Best Highlands, NC, Golf Courses – Old Edwards Club

There’s a lot to enjoy for golfers in Highlands, NC. A chance to play the prestigious and exclusive course at Old Edwards Club draws golfers from across the country! You’ll need an invitation or a membership to play the golf course. 

Of course, there’s the acclaimed Old Edwards Club. Eighteen majestic holes span from the front’s mountainous “Highlands Course” and the back 9’s “Cove Course,” flowing through a gentle valley. Elevated tees and thoughtful layouts allow for maximum appreciation of the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Golfing at Old Edwards is open to members and Old Edwards Inn & Spa guests.

Old Edwards Club amenity facilities far surpass those at any other club on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau! Although Old Edwards Club is for members-only, it offers options for vacation renters within the Old Edwards Club community.

8. Highlands Botanical Garden

Forget about stopping to smell the roses—stop and smell hundreds of native plant species at the Highlands Botanical Garden. The garden is just part of Western North Carolina’s multi-campus Highlands Biological Station, the research and teaching center dedicated to celebrating the “biological crown of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.”

Open year-round, the garden is a showcase of Appalachian wildlife and a refuge for relocated and rare plants. 

Spend the day exploring woodland trails, enjoying lunch al fresco in the picnic area, or venturing on a guided tour through the garden led by the horticulturalists. Pets on leashes are also welcome to enjoy the garden.

9. Take A Stroll Through Highlands, NC, for Shopping Excellence

Shopping in Highlands, NC is always a good time. A charming downtown full of locally owned, thoughtfully curated stores offers a unique shopping experience! This is why it’s one of our favorite things to recommend to visitors. 

We can’t say enough good things about the shops in Highlands, NC. Strolling through the streets of downtown Highlands, shoppers have plenty of choices. From boutique clothing stores to outdoor outfitters, you can gear up for your next hike at Highland Hiker or dress to impress at Rosenthal’s and Vivace. 

Things to Do in Glenville, NC

Lake Glenville and its namesake town are just 8 minutes outside Cashiers (and only 30 minutes from Highlands). Lake visitors love exploring the beaches and splashing around in the cool mountain water of the reservoir. But a swim in Lake Glenville is just one of the things to do in Glenville, NC, we recommend. 

10. Dine at Happ’s Place in Glenville, NC

No trip to Glenville is complete without a stop at Ol Happ’s Place! That’s why the current proprietors renovated this Glenville establishment. 

Newly reopened and recapturing the magic of its namesake, the restaurant now operates as Happ’s Place Barn and Grill. Seated on the original site of the 1960’s era restaurant, it now has a larger footprint with outdoor dining. Happ’s Place serves up new and old mountain favorites while hosting live music. 

11. Go Hiking in Panthertown Valley

Both a Blue Ridge National Heritage Area for unique character and beauty and a North Carolina Mountain Treasure as designated by The Wilderness Society, Panthertown Valley is a fun and varied haven for hiking near Highlands, NC. 

Also known as “the Yosemite of the East,” Panthertown Valley boasts a 30-mile trail system with dozens of hikes to explore. Carlton’s Way, named for Carlton McNeill, the late trail-forger and caretaker, connects the valley with the ridgeline. Carlton’s Way is one of the most popular trails and a great place to start exploring. Alternatively, Schoolhouse Falls, the most famous waterfall in the Valley, is just over a mile’s hike via the Cold Mountain Gap Trailhead.  

12. Splash in Lake Glenville

Folks around here say Lake Glenville is Western North Carolina’s best-kept secret. At just shy of 3,500 ft. in elevation, it’s also the highest elevation lake East of the Mississippi. Fed by five mountain streams and home to three waterfalls, 26 miles of shoreline, and a healthy smattering of tiny islands, Lake Glenville is a popular destination for fishing, boating, swimming, and water sports of all varieties. 

If we’re being honest, that’s just scratching the surface of things to do in Cashiers, NC, and its mountain neighbors. The call to explore calls us back outdoors and rewards us with extraordinary new experiences. At Caliber Fine Properties, our mission is to help you answer that call too!

If you’ve decided to join the lucky ones on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, the team at Caliber can help you find the home of your dreams to start making mountain memories. Browse all of our listings now — and see you up here on the Plateau.