Highlands Town, Appalachian Mountains
Located in a plateau within the Jackson and Macon counties in the town of Highlands. Founded in 1885 by Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson, it is particularly situated in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The land has been a favorite place for golfers in the 1930s after Bobby Jones of Atlanta established the Highlands Country Club which is currently one of the seven most successful residential country club communities. As it is situated in an official elevation of 4,118 feet, the town of Highlands has one of the highest altitudes of all towns in the southern United States and such factors make it one of the coldest places in the area as well as a tourist attraction. Tourists are abundant in the area from March to November.
Highlands is home to Episcopal Church of the Incarnation which is included in the National Register of Historic Places. This Late Gothic Revival parish designed by W.B. McGuire was built in 1896 and was added in the Registry a century later, in May 1996. Its current rector is Rev. Brian C. Sullivan. The majority of the attractions in Highlands are nature-oriented. One of which is the Adventure Depot in Yellow Mountain Road where visitors can rent mountain bikes, canoes and kayak to explore the natural wonders of the town. It also includes supervised horseback riding, rappelling, rock climbing, and hiking tours. Arrowmont Stables and Cabins boast itself for offering one of the best trail programs in the country as it also includes the best vacation cabins that feature the best view of the place. A lodge in the area is also preferable for weddings, receptions and other gatherings.
Take a visit to any of the waterfalls in Highlands: the Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, Quarry Falls, Glen Falls, Silver Run Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Upper Whitewater Falls. Aside from nature-tripping, tourists will also enjoy dealing with the other treasures of the land, including auction houses, antique dealers, restaurants and specialty shops. Antique shops in Highlands include Acorn’s, Brier Patch, Chintz and Company. CK Swan, Mirror Lake Antiques, Peak Experience and Scudder’s. Four theaters are situated in Highlands: the Highlands Playhouse, the Instant Theatre Company, Highland Community Players and the Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center. Experiencing culture at other places such as concerts in Highland Cashiers Music, the workshops in the American Museum of Cut and Engraved Glass and classes at the Center for Life Enrichment is definitely worth the visit.