Carolina Day Trips: Insider’s Guide for Visiting Cashiers, NC

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Carolina Day Trips: Insider’s Guide for Visiting Cashiers, NC

xpect a first-class chillout when you visit Cashiers, a delightful tiny town in one of the most beautiful areas of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains.

Many families have getaways hidden amongst the hills and valleys of this western hamlet that’s just 76 miles from Greenville, SC and 140 miles from Atlanta. If you’ve not visited, here are some tips from those who’ve already blazed a trail.

First, your mode of transportation. If you don’t already own one, consider renting a convertible for your mountain adventure. There’s nothing like the mountain air as you zip around curves and up and down hills. You’ll feel the thermostat dropping as you approach the town.


e’ve got two suggestions for accommodations, although there are many mountain cabins for rent, as well as hotels from well-known chains. The High Hampton Inn is a veritable icon in Cashiers. Super-fancy it’s not, but some of the Carolina’s most aristocratic families have had a multi-generational love affair with its rustic rooms and family activities. Take time to rock on the front porch. You’ll meet new friends and lower your blood pressure. You can also play golf, tennis, hike through wooded trails, or enjoy a body polish or warm stone massage in the spa center. One recent visitor described it as the location to create lasting family memories seared into your heart against a breathtaking scenic backdrop. Another great possibility is Laurelwood Mountain Inn, a top favorite with visitors from everywhere. It’s in the middle of Cashiers, within walking distance of downtown. The grounds have ponds and gazebos and the requisite rocking chairs for sitting and enjoying the view, while breathing the crisp fresh mountain air. The playground will enchant little ones, while the wooded trails seem to beckon all ages to adventure. Food is fresh and seasonal, and the homemade breads are scrumptious. When you’re settled, it’s time to play the day away, in town, or in the surrounding area. What about hiking, or better yet, hiking to see waterfalls? You’ve got plenty to choose from, including Horsepasture River, Little Green Mountain, Salt Rock, Scaly Mountain and Whiteside Mountain (the area’s most popular hike, according to folks in the know). The waterfalls are glorious examples of Mother Nature’s beauty – and force – and the hikes take you past wildflowers, towering trees and beside overlooks. And then there’s fishing. The Chattooga River headwaters are near old-growth hemlock woods, and fishing is great in Spring and Fall. (The weather’s pretty wonderful, too.) Whitewater River is another great fishing river, especially for brown trout. If you’re a catch-and-release fan, consider the Tuckaseigee River. It’s large and receives stockings quite often. But watch out when the water is pumping. Or, you may want to try fishing in the Davidson River, touted as North Carolina’s premier fishing river by many. If you’re planning a trip in August and want to fish, talk with the experts at Davidson Outfitters. They give you straight talk about the quality of fishing in summer, and the time of day to head out. Regardless of your chosen pursuits (and we haven’t even mentioned golf and tennis, also available), you’ll have to eat and we suggest sooner rather than later. Cornucopia Restaurant is friendly to children and vegetarians, and the curried chicken salad is a perennial favorite. There’s no website, but there is buttermilk pie, as well as fried chicken salad – two more reasons to give it a try. Really high ceilings and great service add to the friendly, cool atmosphere. You may want to wander back to your hotel for a nap, but if you’re still in exploration mode, the antique shopping can’t be beat. We know folks who’ve bought every stick of furniture and accessories in town to decorate their mountain getaways. There’s plenty to choose from. One Cashiers artist, Steve Daniels, has beautiful paintings of waterfalls, as well as pen and ink sketches. He’s also a musician and author, with adorable and inspiring children’s books including Do Turtles Have Talent? and Follow Your Dream. Check out his work. If you’re shopping for little ones, the Corner Store has fun, educational toys. Is grown-up décor more your style? The Catbird Seat is fun and eclectic (and pets are welcome). It’s a fact that certain types of creative folks gravitate toward mountains – for the views, the air, or the seasons. You may even run into resident Winston Groom, author of Forest Gump. For your evening dining, High Hampton Inn is one excellent choice, as is the Gamekeeper’s Tavern, where the Grilled Ceasar Salad garners rave reviews, and the emphasis is on fresh. Menu items include bison, elk, and mountain trout, plus fresh fish, “killer” crab cakes and so much more. The wine list is extensive and the sauces sublime. Home to sleep, perhaps with the windows open. Mountain air requires a light blanket most nights, and mountain sounds beat a sleep machine anywhere. Up early and ready for more adventure! Start with breakfast, possible at Buck’s Coffee Café, which, in addition to excellent wake-up beverages, serves a great breakfast and lunch. You’ll see locals and visitors and if you want to check email, free WIFI is a plus. (If you’re sans technology for the trip, that’s ok too. The folks at Buck’s won’t mind.) If pampering is the order of the day, The Spa at Old Edwards Inn, in nearby Highlands, is worth a short drive. Voted #1 Hotel Spa in North America by Condé Nast Traveler's readers in 2010, The Spa at Old Edwards received the first ever perfect score in the 20-year history of the competition. Up for a morning swim instead? Sliding Rock is a popular and beautiful swimming hole. It can get crowded in the summer, and it really does have a great, smooth rock to slide down and plunge into the pool. Wear an old bathing suit, and better yet, sew a washcloth on the bottom. Less adventurous will enjoy wading in the cool waters. Another waterfall hike may be next, or perhaps a visit to the Cashiers Farmers Market (in season). Artesian breads, pastries and cookies will be just the thing to replenish your energy level. (The Barbecue available there is yummy, too.) Open from around Easter until after Thanksgiving, the store is a delectable slice of mountain goodness. If you go, look around for Copper, the Golden Retriever, and Biscuit, one adorable pig. If you can’t stay forever, at least you can take a bit of the mountains home. One thing’s for sure. It’s an area that never disappoints and will surely draw you back, with or without that convertible. Tip: Cashiers is in a dry county. That means you’ll want to take a supply of your favorite adult beverages. Many places allow brown bagging, and as you’ve seen, a number of restaurants serve spirits as well. Related Reading Cashiers Day Trips Directory



About the Author Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor, printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business and management.