Your online resource for the Smoky Mountains
“Four Seasons of Fun”
Perched on a high-elevation mountain plateau in the southern region of Western North Carolina, Highlands is a premier resort destination celebrated for its cool summer breezes, rich cultural arts scene, world-class dining, and laid-back mountain elegance. Surrounded by the lush expanse of the Nantahala National Forest, Highlands offers an idyllic retreat for weekend getaways and weeklong mountain vacations alike.
Highlands was founded in 1875 by two developers, Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson. Legend has it that they drew lines on a map connecting Chicago to Savannah and New York to New Orleans; where those two trade routes intersected high in the Blue Ridge Mountains became the site for the town.
In the 1930s, Highlands cemented its status as a luxury haven when legendary golfer Bobby Jones and a group of Atlanta investors established the historic Highlands Country Club. Over the decades, the town evolved into a world-renowned destination while maintaining its warm, small-town hospitality and pristine natural beauty.
Explore some of the premier highlights and destinations in and around Highlands: