Downtown Highlands NC
We start driving early morning from Atlanta, and we always head East on the Southern Highroads Trail. I’m not sure why we do this, but this is what we’ve always done and it kind of stuck.
I know largely it has to do with being able to stop by Highlands, North Carolina on a late Saturday afternoon. Every time we seem to go it’s pretty quiet. Maybe everyone is tired from shopping or recreational, or they’re all getting ready for dinner and we’re just early birds.
Many restaurants in Highlands have received noticeable attention from magazines and even TV shows. There are playhouses, creative arts center, antique shopping, and just a wonderful area for a casual stroll through a quaint downtown area.
I feel that the waterfalls are the main attraction. They have: Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, Quarry Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls
We get to stay in Franklin, NC at a beautiful timber frame home and the morning drive to get back on the road is awesome. It really is one of the most beautiful scenic drives you’ll ever take. No matter what season… it’s breathtaking. The waterfalls, the cliffs, the turns, and the scenery.
We enjoy Franklin for it’s annual Gemboree Gem and Jewelry show because Franklin is “the gem capital of the world” and there’s a lot of family fun to be had in gem mining. Their downtown area is also nice to walk around in.
Scenic Drive through Franklin NC
You can stay on the Southern Highroads and land right in Highlands and Franklin, there are no extra turns you have to make. When you do drive through there, GO SLOW! There are many photo opportunities and if you’re going too fast, you’ll miss it and there’s nowhere to really turn around.
I highly suggest getting a good digital camera or video camera and mounting it to your dashboard while you drive. After you watch the footage, it does get a litte nauseating, but it’s something you will watch over and over again.
We do.
