POSTCARD from: a breezy weekend in Highlands NC
a guide to exploring this design-centric hamlet in Appalachia
Parenthood is the epitome of both/and.
It’s both incredible and exhausting. Freeing and limiting. The best thing that’s ever happened to me, and the most challenging. I miss my daughter when I’m not with her, but also understand that it’s necessary and healthy to have time apart.
My husband and I try to get away just us about twice a year. We love traveling with November, but taking a few “adult” trips a year allows us to fully focus on each other for a few days, and to have dinner (a little 😴) later than 6pm. My parents were able to come watch Nov for the weekend, so we scooted off to Highlands, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Visiting Highlands, and staying at the Highlander Mountain House specifically, had been on my travel list for several years. I had seen the property on Instagram, and in a few design publications, such as Sarah Sherman Samuel’s blog. The original settlers of Highlands were English and Scottish, so this area holds a lot of design influence from the English Cotswolds. We loved exploring the area for a few days!
where to stay //
The Highlander Mountain House is such a unique a cozy place. Centrally located on the main street of Highlands, the boutique hotel feels frozen in time. The house, circa 1885, has been lovingly and painstakingly restored into an 18-room inn by historic preservationist turned hotelier Jason Reeves. Every guest room boasts stunning wallpapers and textiles, paired with works by Cherokee artists and Josef Albers. Each guest room is a delightful lesson in pattern mixing, feeling like a whimsical English country house where you just want to drink tea and eat banana bread by the fire (which we did, in the gorgeous HMH lounge, with banana bread made by the kitchen staff). The only other place I’ve seen pattern-on-pattern done with such craft is at Kelly Wearstler’s stunning Proper Hotels.
While I adored the HMH, I met the host of Gilmer Lodge in a short-term rental seminar at the beginning of the year. It’s a stunning and meticulously appointed AirBNB in Highlands that has really created a unique guest experience.
where to eat //
lunch ///
I devoured a burger and fries at Ugly Dog, a super casual pub in town. Highlands Burrito, Blue Bicycle Cafe, and Highlands Pizza Place were also great! All super casual and walkable to each other.
drinks ///
We loved Highlands Wine! It’s a great wine shop that offers tastings, and also has a great outdoor space to have a glass. The HMH where we stayed also has an all-day bar and lovely patio with music. Loved our spicy margs there. There’s also a lounge at the Old Edwards Inn hotel, but it felt a little stuffy and fancy to us! Highlands Tavern was VERY unassuming — like, handwritten sign and painters tape on the door — but had amazing food and super creative cocktails.
dinner ///
The Ruffed Grouse, which is the restaurant at HMH, was gorgeous, and we loved the live music. It felt so cozy and romantic in there. Other dinner spots to check out are The Oak, Madison’s, and Highlands Tavern.
what to pack //
The vibe in Highlands is casual, airy, and effortlessly stylish. We walked everywhere, so good shoes and comfy clothes are a must (as always). I’ve been loving the unique shape of barrel and horseshoe jeans. They seem to make every outfit look a bit more interesting. While pricey, I’ve been loving the quality and sustainability of Citizens of Humanity jeans. A large tote is also a must to store anything you pick up while visiting all the adorable shops.
You’ll probably (hopefully!!) have plenty of time to relax on patios or by the fire with drink and book in hand. These two novels would make for amazing mountain reads — The Dutch House is set within an art-filled country estate that I like to imagine being situated in a place like Highlands. I can’t wait to read Among Friends when it comes out in a few weeks. It follows a group of friends and family gathered on an autumn weekend at a New York country house. Let me know what you think if you’ve read either!
xx Mae
Ok woooow, saving Glimer Lodge for my next trip to Highlands!