A Winter Escape to Highlands

Who needs a little getaway to start 2021? My hubby and I felt the need to head to the mountains just before Christmas. The 2020 Holidays were weird (what wasn’t in 2020?) so we gifted ourselves a mountain escape to our favorite town — Highlands, NC.

This is totally unlike us to escape like this but I am so glad we did! Hubs and I were chatting one night about when and how we would be able to see our families this season. I checked email during that time and had received something from Old Edwards and 200 Main publicizing their winter rates. Some of their best rates were on days we would be available. So we booked a two night stay at 200 Main!

200 Main is owned by Old Edwards and are lovely accommodations! It’s motel style (enter your room from outside) but doesn’t feel anything like a motel! It’s been completely remodeled in recent years; heated tile floors in the bathroom, multiple shower heads and jets, fireplaces, and balconies. We loved our room overlooking Main Street and the pretty landscape. The fireplace was such a cozy bonus during the extremely cold days. I’ll upload walk through videos to Instagram!

The hotel also has as great outdoor lounge area with a fire pit and just beside that is a game room. Chris and I enjoyed playing the vintage video and arcade games and gave the shuffleboard a few tries. I’ll share more videos of this space on my Instagram stories. It’s definitely a cool hangout if you’ve got family or a group of friends.

Now let’s get into all that we did during this quick trip. We ate delicious food and went in the shops that were open. And we seriously enjoyed some down time. We have said it before and I’ll say it over and over again, vacations where we veg out are our favorite. Chill and do nothing.

Here are my recommendations for dining. I would suggest calling and making reservations or at least verifying the restaurant is still open. Many were open but there are several that close for the season.

Mountain Fresh Grocery — y’all, I adore this market! I wish I had an adorable grocery store like this around the corner from me. It has all the essential groceries, but you can also eat there, too. They’ve got a deli for sandwiches and salads, a pizza area, an amazing bakery (I suggest getting some dessert and taking it back to your room for after dinner), and they even have a coffee and espresso bar that turns into a beer and wine bar at the appropriate hour. On the way up, we had plans to eat at a restaurant in Sapphire Valley, but my hubs said he just wanted to get to Highlands so he could eat and hang out at the grocery. There’s an area with a little fireplace and plenty of seating. We love hanging on a picnic table in the summer outside and people watching. During this time, they had tables spaced out for COVID reasons!

If you’re looking for a luxurious dinner, I highly recommend Restaurante Paoletti. Oh, I just want to go back already! This is the best fine dining. We had a spot at the bar that overlooked Main Street and was also fun to see everyone dressed up in their Christmas best for a special dinner out with family or friends. They even had gluten free pasta! It was absolutely delicious!

For other fancy dining, I would suggest Madison’s at Old Edwards. We didn’t have the opportunity to eat there this time because, well, my hubs wasn’t up for another fancy outing, haha! I’ve been before and I love their booths made up of luxe settees. It’s cozy and luxurious and super fresh. I guess my mom and I will just have to take another trip so we can have a fancy lunch! She and I ate in their wine garden during the summer a few years back and had a wonderful lunch with cocktails and dessert. Oh to dine out like that again!

On this trip, we tried another restaurant by Old Edwards — Four 65. Y’all, I think it’s the best gluten free pizza I have ever had. And it’s definitely the most amazing Caesar salad; I will be trying to recreate that! It had kale and blistered cherry tomatoes and was drizzled with balsamic. Their pizzas are wood fired and I love that slight char and crunch on the end of a fresh crust.

My other dining suggestions are Wild Thyme Gourmet (lunch or dinner) and Ugly Dog Pub (bar food and fun atmosphere). I’ve heard Blue Bike Cafe is a great spot for hearty breakfast and lunch. It’s on my list to try next time!

Now as for things to do, there’s plenty of hiking around Highlands but I know my audience here and I bet ya’ll want the details on shopping. You absolutely have to go to Dutchman’s. It’s a wonderful home decor store with something for everybody. They carry so much: anything from luxurious bed linens, to amazing candles, fabulous tableware, furniture and designer lighting, pillows, and more.

Wits End is my favorite clothing boutique! They carry brands like Sail to Sable, Tyler Boe, Vera Bradley and other upscale clothing. I also enjoy going in AnnaWear–they have a great jean selection and really cheap sale room upstairs! Don’t forget to check out C. Orrico and TJ Bailey’s.

I also enjoy visiting Dry Sink. It’s a kitchen shop but they have so many kitchen gadgets (you know how I feel about a gadget!) and wonderfully fraganced hand soaps and lotions and candles, even some luxurious hand towels and a great assortment of paper goods and wrapping paper.

Bardo is another cool store. I would describe it as a modern mountain home decor store. Some MCM elements but also some cool raw wood styles, too.

CK Swan has beautiful home furnishings; I love looking at their art! They were closed the days we were in town but I’ve stopped many times and always admire their tiems.

I also got to treat myself to the Spa at Old Edwards. It is heavenly! I don’t have any photos because phones and electronics aren’t allowed; that right there should clue you in to how peaceful this place is! I arrived early so that I could read a magazine and sip a glass of wine in the solarium. It’s this wonderful space with fireplaces and a waterfountain with large windows and chaise lounges for your to enjoy. I wish I could sit there all day!

I had a few of you message me that y’all are going to Highlands soon and I hope this blog post is helpful! I’d also love to learn new areas or places you check out. I’m very interested in the new Highlander Mountain House. I’ve followed on instagram and when I saw it in person, it looks adorable! I’m also dying to visit High Hampton when it reopens. I used to meet my grandparents there for Sunday lunch when I was in Clemson and I’d love to see how the place has been redesigned.