A huge thanks to Garden & Gun for asking us to be a part and to Old Edwards Inn for being the most incredible host over the weekend.
Upon arriving in Highlands, NC for the first time, we immediately felt at home. The town was very quaint. Even though it was our first time visiting, it felt familiar. Most everything was within walking distance and there were no major chains. We prefer shopping and eating locally so that was something we loved about the town.
Our first stop was Four65 for lunch. What a way to start the weekend for two foodies. We both loved the atmosphere with elaborate chandeliers and giant trees in the middle of the rooms. I highly recommend the Wood Oven Caesar Salad. It was a very impressive and flavorful take on the traditional salad.
After lunch, we wandered around the town stopping in all the local shops and getting some sweet treats from Kilwins. We still had a few hours until check-in, so we drove a short twelve-minute drive to Dry Falls and Bridal Veils Falls to soak up some natural beauty. Dry Falls was a must-see and a short walk. You can actually walk behind the falls and you get a stunning view of the mountains from the walkway.
After heading back downtown, we checked into Old Edwards Inn. We were both shocked when we realized how expansive the Inn actually was. Every area was lovely with artwork and rugs that made me swoon. We stayed in the Satulah Suite actually above Four65 which had a lovely view of the downtown area with a view of the mountains behind it. The decor and layout of the suite were pure luxury and you could tell every detail had been thought through to make the stay a peaceful and relaxing one. Between heated floors, fireplaces, and lots of natural light it was the perfect place to find sanctuary.
We came back from dinner that night to find the suite had been set to the perfect mood to end the day with rose petals on the bed, handwritten cards from the staff, and the fireplaces turned on. The hospitality and service were outstanding. Even though I have a dairy allergy, my Ian enjoyed the complimentary Dove Chocolate Ice cream bars they had 24/7. I mean, he REALLY enjoyed them, haha.
The next day started with breakfast at Madison's. I highly recommend the Chicken Biscuits which have a sweet/spicy tang to them and are perfectly flaky and fried. We actually liked them so much that we ordered them two days in a row. We even requested our waitress Victoria for that evening as well because she went above and beyond to prepare items that fit my dietary restriction and that I would still enjoy.
We had a short time between breakfast and our spa appointment so we spent some time in the Hickory Flat hot tub and walking around the grounds.
We had the most relaxing time utilizing the spa amenities and reading books by the fire and in the outdoor sunroom. Following my Sweet Metamorphosis Signature Service, we had a serene lunch both having a delicious Chicken Salad Sandwich on a crescent. The spa dining overlooked the wine garden and lovely stone walkway and it was honestly one of the most perfect views for a post-massage meal. We could have stayed there for hours, but finally retreated to our hotel room to clean up and explore.
We hit up Bascom Art Gallery which is a short drive or walk from the Inn. Then we shopped around a bit before heading back to Hummingbirds for drinks. For supper, we went back to Madison's for a delicious dinner. We loved the vegan chocolate bar and also enjoyed the filet with potatoes and veggies. It was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary/birthday together.
We loved Old Edwards Inn so much that we are already talking about when we can come back to experience it in another season and with the kids. It seems like the kind of place that has a unique and charming feeling for each season.
Other notable mentions include Mountain Fresh Grocery for picnic food, local goods or snacks for your hikes, Calder’s Coffee while you stroll downtown, and Sunset Rock Trail to enjoy your picnic food while watching the sunset. The ice skating rink was unfortunately closed the weekend we went, but we walked by it and it looked like the most fun and romantic place to hit the rink with friends or a loved one.
Overall it's one of the best places to have a relaxing weekend while still having plenty to do and see. Whether you are the adventurous traveler, the lounge and relax traveler, or somewhere in between, it felt like the perfect place to experience all of it.
