My husband and I recently spent a weekend in the North Carolina mountains with some friends, and it was the best time! We explored Western NC—specifically, the Asheville and Highlands areas—over two and a half days. If you’re planning a trip to the NC mountains and need some travel inspiration, I’ve got you covered.
Weekend in the North Carolina Mountains Itinerary
Day 0.5
(Since we didn’t arrive at our Airbnb until late afternoon on Friday, I’m only counting it as a half day.)
We stayed at a beautiful lakefront property in Tuckasegee, and it was the perfect spot for our group of five. Between the hot tub, private dock, fire pit, and lake views, the house had everything we needed for a long weekend. I highly recommend staying here if you want to unplug and relax for a few days! After picking up some supplies in the nearby town of Sylva, we spent Friday night grilling, making s’mores over the fire, and relaxing in the hot tub.
Day 1
Saturday began nice and slow with coffee and a breakfast spread of cinnamon rolls, bacon, sausage, and eggs. Is there anything better? After getting ready, we made the 1-hour drive to Asheville Mall to do some shopping.
After grabbing what we needed (and few things we didn’t need, like Girl Scout cookies), it was time to refuel at Dripolator Coffeehouse. I opted for one of their seasonal Valentine’s Day drinks, the Red Flag—essentially, a London fog with cherry cold foam. Yum! We also swung by REI, where I picked up some snacks and a cute travel patch to add to my collection.
We felt like going for a scenic drive, but the Blue Ridge Parkway was unfortunately closed for the season. Instead, we checked out Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest. Located about 45 minutes from Asheville, the waterfall was a lovely detour that’s really easy to find. You can’t visit Western NC without exploring the great outdoors, and this was a super convenient option with minimal walking.
After our (not so) strenuous adventure, it was time for dinner at Itto Ramen. They have a few locations, and we visited the one in Arden. I won’t lie: the menu here can be a bit overwhelming at first.
In addition to ramen, Itto also specializes in Japanese tapas, so there are many small bites to choose from. We ended up sharing an assortment of shishito peppers, edamame, and crab rangoons, and everything was fabulous. I got vegetable ramen for my entree, which was also delicious. For dessert, I tried the green tea mochi ice cream—it was the only item I wouldn’t reorder. While the ice cream itself was tasty, the mochi texture was a bit off. Still, it was a delicious meal overall!
Day 2
Our last full day in Western NC was set to be pretty stormy, so we had another slow morning at our Airbnb (complete with a hearty breakfast from Bojangle’s). Later in the afternoon, we hit the road for Highlands, a town none of us had visited before. The drive there followed back roads and was absolutely stunning! First up on our itinerary was chasing waterfalls in Nantahala National Forest.
We stumbled across Cullasaja Falls on the side of the road and had to pull off to admire the views. My husband and another friend hiked the short trail down to the falls while the rest of us stayed at the top. Even in the rain and clouds, it was incredibly beautiful.
Just a few minutes up the road was our next destination: Dry Falls. This waterfall is pretty famous in Western NC because you can walk behind it at certain times of year. Unfortunately, the trail behind the falls was closed due to ice, but it was still really cool (literally!) to see.
Next, we swung by Bridal Veil Falls—another waterfall you can walk, and even drive, behind! Again, the road was closed to vehicles due to ice, but we were still able to walk behind the falls. I’d love to return in spring or summer and check them out in warmer weather, since they were quite small when we visited.
After our little waterfall sightseeing tour, we swung by Outpost Inn to grab some drinks at their coffee shop. I absolutely adored the bohemian, Wes Anderson-inspired decor! It was very cozy inside, and my lavender latte was delicious. I’d love to return and stay here next time I visit Highlands.
For dinner, we settled on Highlands Tavern in the heart of downtown. This intimate, upscale eatery serves a variety of elevated pub fare, ranging from shareable plates to sandwiches and salads. We ordered the tandoori hummus for an appetizer, which was a tasty and unique twist on the traditional dip.
I got the Aydelotte sandwich for my main (prosciutto, onion marmalade, brie, cranberries, and arugula on ciabatta), and street corn salad as my side. Everything was really yummy, but the street corn salad portion was laughably small—especially given the price point.
With that, it was time to call it a night and head back to the cabin and wrap up our fun-filled weekend in the North Carolina mountains!
Hopefully, you’re feeling inspired to visit Western NC and check out all the fun things to do in Asheville and Highlands.
Check out my other North Carolina travel guides:
Moore’s Wall Loop Trail in Hanging Rock State Park, North Carolina + KÜHL Hiking Pants Review
Little Creek Loop Trail – Raven Rock State Park, North Carolina
North Carolina Fall Bucket List | Fall Things to Do in North Carolina
Wandering the Gap 