Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the elevation of Highlands?
A. 4,118 feet

2. What is the average temperature?
A. The average maximum summer temperature is 76 degrees while the average minimum wintertemperature is 35 degrees.

3. What is the population of Highlands?
A. The year round population of the Highlands Plateau is 3,200 which grows to over 18,000 in the summer.

4. What is the driving time from Atlanta to Highlands?
A. Depending on the time of day and traffic, the average will be about 3 hours.

5. What two route numbers bring you from Dillard, Ga. to Highlands?
A.You turn onto Ga. 246 which changes to NC 106.

6. What is the average rainfall?
A. Highlands is one of two rainforestsin North America, averaging 80 inches per year.

7. What accommodations are pet friendly?
A. Mountain High Lodge, Whiteside Cove Cottages, Highlands Inn, Skyline Lodge, and Old Creek Lodge.

8. Where are the waterfalls?
A. Bridal Veil, Dry Falls, Bust Your Butt, and Cullasaja are loacted on Hwy. 64 between Highlands and Franklin. Glen Falls is located on Hwy 106 toward Dillard.

9. What time do the shops close in the evening?
A. Most close at 5 p.m. but some stay open later.

10. Is there a museum in Highlands?
A. We have the Museum of American Cut and Engraved Glass as well as the Highlands Historic Village.

11. What is there to do at night?
A. We have a broad range of cultural arts including three theater groups and chamber music. There is also the nightly antique and art auction at Scudder"s Galleries.

12. What kind of dining is available?
A. Highlands has a wide range from sandwiches to fine dining including five Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Restaurants.

13. Can you rent an accommodation for a week or more at a time?
A. Yes, we have several companies that specialize in seasonal residential rentals.

14. What type of accommodations do you have?
A. Highlands has an accommodation suitable for every need including historic inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels, lodges, and the residential rentals.

15. What activities can we expect?
A. We offer golf, tennis, hiking, swimming, fly fishing, rafting, mountain biking, gem mining, canoeing and kayaking, ATV adventures, tubing, segway tours, and horseback riding to mention a few.

16. What kind of shopping is available?
A. We have several blocks of boutique shopping including antiques, art, men and women?s apparel, books, crafts and gifts, toys, household furnishings, furniture, wine and gourmet items, and jewelry stores to name but a few.

17. Where is the nearest airport?
A. We are in the middle of three. Asheville is 1 1/2 hours, Greenville Spartanburg is 2 hours, and Atlanta is 3 hours away.

18. What is there to do for my children?
A. Depending on their age, they may be able to take part in many of the outdoor adventures. Several offer day camps such as The Fine Art Center, The Nature Center, the Highlands Recreation Park, and Instant Theater. There is also the Fun Factory in Franklin for that "rainy day" as well as the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Dillsboro featuring at specific times The Little Engine That Could, Thomas the Tank Engine, and The Polar Express.

19. What churches are in Highlands?
A. Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Unitarian.

20. When is the season?
A. Our busiest times are from May through October. We are busy for weekends and holidays during November, December, And the winter and early spring months.

21. Where I can download area map with waterfalls
A. You can download map from our website MAP