One of the most popular pastimes of residents here on the plateau is playing tennis. As a visitor, you might wonder where can I play tennis in Highlands, NC? We have many visitors and residents on the plateau who take part in the sport of tennis; for leisure and participating on competitive teams! Although most tennis courts in the area are offered through club memberships, through certain vacation rentals, these club amenities may apply to you as well!
Tennis is considered one of the oldest sports as early forms of the game were played in Europe during the 1100s. Tennis is even mentioned in the literature of William Shakespeare as “tennis balles” in Henry V dating back to 1599. Although, of course, rules of the sport have developed and changed over time, they have been consistent since the first Wimbledon tennis tournament in 1877. With such consistency throughout the sport, it makes it rather easy to pick up the rules of the game. Today, the modern game of tennis is played by millions of people in clubs and on public courts throughout the world.
Some may wonder why tennis in Highlands, NC is so popular. There are many reasons why tennis is so popular. One main reason is that it’s a sport for all ages! Children, teens, parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents play the sport. Tennis is considered a lifetime sport due to it being low impact, while also being a non-contact sport. The sport also provides many health benefits as well, like improving endurance, muscular fitness, flexibility, and reactivity. Successful tennis players vary in all different sizes and shapes. While many tennis players are great athletes, it is not necessary to be a certain height, or weight, and you also don’t have to be the fastest or strongest.
Tennis can be played as an individual sport or as a team sport. You can always play singles or doubles. Doubles can consist of a mens or womens team, but can also be mixed, where everyone plays together! This makes tennis a social game, giving you a great opportunity to meet others with similar interests while also having fun out on the court.
Tennis only requires a few pieces of equipment, a tennis racket, tennis ball, tennis shoes, and comfortable clothing! The goal of tennis is to hit the ball back and forth across the net until a point is scored. To score a point, your opponent must miss the ball, hit it out of bounds, or hit the net. It is important to remember you are waiting for your opponent to make a mistake, so you must focus and concentrate on hitting over the net.
One of the most intimidating things to learn about the sport is the scoring system. Each point adds up to a game, and games add up to set, and winning sets lead to winning the match! Points go like this: zero: love, first point :15, second point: 30, third point: 40, fourth point: game. Additional scoring terms include: tied score, except when you have a deuce, deuce: score 40-40, ad in: server needs one more point to win, ad out: receiver needs one more point to win. In order to win a game, you must be two points up. In order to win a game, you must win at least six games and be ahead by two in order to claim a set. Once two sets have been won, then you have won the match!
There are many additional terms and skills to learn about tennis beyond the basics, and some clubs instruct tennis in Highlands, NC. They teach the way of the game, rules, and help with developing helpful skills on the court.
Mountain Laurel Tennis Cub – The Mountain Laurel Tennis Club is a private club in Highlands, NC. This facility is open year-round with 24-hour access for members. They host activities that include weekly tennis round robins, and private and group tennis lessons in Highlands, NC.
Highlands Falls Country Club – Highlands Falls has an immensely active tennis program, along with interactive programs for every level of player. Their tennis center consists of three outdoor Har-Tru courts and offers a wide variety of clinics Monday through Saturday. They host interclub activity along with ladder play, members enjoy parties held on the tennis deck throughout the season as well as fine cuisine prepared for the events.
Highlands Country Club – In 2014 Highlands Country Club completed their major renovation of their Life Enhancement Center. The LEC provides an abundance of features, one of them is their Har-Tru tennis courts!
Cullasaja Club – Cullasaja’s tennis center features four Har-Tru courts, and two popular observation decks for spectators. Matches can be arranged at any time by contacting a tennis professional. They offer private and group instructions as well as clinics that teach basic elements of the game. Cullasaja offers a full-service tennis shop within their facility with the latest gear such as rackets, balls, tennis attire, and they also provide regripping and restringing.
Wildcat Cliffs Country Club – Wildcat Cliffs members and their guests enjoy tennis on two carefully maintained clay courts. Ladies tennis is weekly on Monday and Friday, while mens tennis takes place on Tuesdays.
Town of Highlands Recreation Center – The Highlands Recreation Park offers two public tennis courts for a small fee of $2.00 an hour per player, or $60 for a season pass.
Landmark Vacation Rentals offers a wide variety of rentals within the plateau area, and many give you the opportunity to play tennis in Highlands, NC. When looking for something to do within the plateau, use some free time to check out the local pastimes such as tennis! Through vacationing with some select vacation rentals, club amenities may apply to you! Check out our selection online to see which rental and its amenities stand out to you!
Highlands, NC is such a beautiful and fun place to visit. Whether it’s going shopping downtown, exploring one of the many hiking trails, seeing one of the beautiful waterfalls the area has to offer, or witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat. With it being fall, the leaves are changing, animals are preparing for winter, and the weather is nice and cool; definitely things worth seeing. However, as you’re journeying through Highlands, you will need to gather groceries to continue your adventure during your stay. It is very important to make sure you are prepared for any adventure that awaits you by having plenty of snacks, meals, drinks, and other essentials you might require whether you are spending the day walking around town or hiking in one of our many wooded areas. Highlands does not have too many grocery stores to offer, but the ones that are offered are definitely worth your business.
Mountain Fresh Grocery, located on 521 East Main Street, is not just a grocery store where you purchase specialty food and wine, it is also a restaurant. This is one of the Highlands grocery stores that is a regular go to for several locals and the staff is very warm and welcoming. The owners, Steve and Jennifer Snead-Smith, are not the original owners of Mountain Fresh but have definitely made it their own. Three of their children have even joined them in running this wonderful business. Mountain Fresh for a long time has not just been a store, but a gathering place for the community, and the Snead-Smiths have helped maintain that.
Here, everyone can acquire something they want. They have wood-fired pizza, baked goods, artisan cheeses, coffee that is roasted in-house with beans from all over the world, grilled products such as burgers and sandwiches, a deli, as well as seasonal items. On Friday nights, they have a steak night that a lot of regulars come to every Friday night. While enjoying that steak, you can eat outside where they have a wood-burning fireplace that can keep you warm if it’s cold outside. At the bar, there is a great selection of beer, some are local, and a great selection of wine as well. The bar also apparently has a great mimosa as well! If you want to order to go there is an app you can download to order your food! They also have a delivery van that can bring you whatever you need from the store as well. This is definitely a treasure to the locals and all who visit Highlands and it gives everything that a person might want while they are in Highlands.
Bryson’s Food Store is one of Highlands grocery stores that has been around for a while. They first opened in 1977 by Jim Bryson, 26 years old at that time, and his brothers who started this business. Located at 103 Highlands Plaza, it is a great choice for all of your grocery needs as well as excellent customer service.
This local gem has a grocery and dairy department, fresh produce, gourmet wine and craft beer, a deli, and a meat and seafood department. The grocery and dairy department contains an ample selection of gourmet, organic and other important items. When it comes to their fresh produce, this department is filled with their fresh produce for the season with a lot of organic and local choices. As far as their gourmet wine and craft beer section, they have many options to choose from! The options include foreign and domestic beers and wines as well as customer service who can assist you with the options presented and special orders. Their deli has Boar’s Head meats and cheeses as well as a large variety of sandwiches (pre-made or made-to-order), daily breakfast specials, daily lunch specials, and pre-cooked meals. The meat and seafood department has multiple options of USDA Prime and choice meats, as well as organic choices and seafood that is fresh. This is one of Highlands grocery stores that is worth your business.
Dusty Rhode’s Superette is another one of Highland’s grocery stores that is a family run business (second generation) that is a wonderful place to get your everyday grocery needs. Located on 493 Dillard Road and open since the early 1950’s, it is nostalgic of a more uncomplicated time and was once the area’s only grocery store! It is well known for its fantastic butcher shop and crisp meats as well as deli specialty foods and bakery. If you’re looking for a place that is reasonably priced, Dusty’s should be your go to. Dusty’s is treasured by the locals and is a great grab and go for tourists.
On The Plateau, this is where the majority of the locals and visitors do the majority of their shopping. People drive from Lake Toxaway and the other side of Highlands to reach this grocery store on Highway 64 East in Cashiers. This may not be one of Highlands’ grocery stores and Highlands contains a select few wonderful local grocery stores, however Ingles seems to have endless options that will complete anyone’s grocery list. From the large area in the store where you can get a meal to go, the deli, seafood counter, large selection of grocery products, produce, dairy, wine/beer selection, home goods, HBA products, and pet care; it’s hard to compete with the variety of items at this store. Also to begin your grocery shopping, there is a Starbucks up front that serves some of the best coffee in the area. Some locals just come in on their way to work to pick up their daily coffee from there. The customer service is top notch and will assist you in whatever you need help with. You can even find the owner out stocking the shelves and helping customers! They really care about the store as well as their customers and it shows.
Whether you’re planning your vacation around going shopping, or you’re wanting to go explore nature, there are a few great places to get your grocery shopping done while you’re here visiting. Landmark Vacation Rentals has amazing properties to rent throughout the plateau, so you can come and experience our way of life and find everything you need to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Stay in a lakeside cabin or single-family home and enjoy the view and the area’s breathtaking landscape. Right now is a wonderful time to come visit the Plateau. With the leaves changing, the area take on a whole different level of beauty. People from all over the world come to visit the area just to see the leaves change and experience our wonderful fall weather. While you’re here, relax and take a break from your everyday life, roast marshmallows on an open fire, go explore our wilderness with plenty of snacks and drinks, grab a cup of coffee before shopping, enjoy a nice meal with your family outside in the fall weather, create memories that you will always cherish, breathe in that crisp fall air and most importantly have a wonderful time on the Plateau.
Highlands, NC is known for its culinary flair. When you are visiting Highlands, there is no shortage of amazing places to eat for every meal and dessert afterwards. Here is our list of the top Highlands, NC restaurants.
Blue Bike Cafe – A very casual cafe on North Fourth Street, you can stop by for breakfast or lunch, but breakfast here is pretty special, and keeps visitors coming back for more. While sipping coffee from their quirky mugs, you’ll love The Blue Bike’s creamy grits, thick and tasty gravy, and we can’t forget the banana bread French toast.
Calder’s Coffee – Calder’s Coffee is right in the heart of Highlands Main Street and fairly easy to find. Though it’s mostly coffee and lattes, Calder’s has a selection of breakfast bagels and sandwiches if you are looking for a quick pick-me-up in the morning before your day exploring Highlands. While you can definitely sit down and eat your breakfast and enjoy a cup of coffee, this is more of a place for a quick breakfast rather than a full scale brunch. If that’s what you’re looking for, make sure you check this place out on Main Street.
Brunch HQ – Breakfast at Brunch HQ makes our mouth water every time! With one look at their menu, you’ll feel the same way. Try something light like the avocado toast, or start your day off with a full breakfast bowl that will give you energy for the big hike you have later. Wherever your day in Highlands is taking you, you’ll be glad you stopped by Brunch HQ.
Kelsey’s Place (In Highlands Inn) – Here is a little known fact: Kelsey’s place is located within Highlands Inn, and their breakfast is open to guests and the public. Having breakfast in this historic dining room in Highlands is a great way to get closer to the history of Highlands, NC. You’ll find classic breakfast meals that everyone in the family will enjoy and it will give you a dining experience that is the essence of Highlands.
Sweet Treats – This place is pretty easy to spot if you are in downtown Highlands. Look for the bright orange doors across the street from Old Edwards Inn, and you’ll wander into Sweet Treats. Half lunch spot, half ice cream parlor, Sweet Treats has undergone a recent renovation on the inside, but it maintains a lot of the same great food. Sweet Treats is great if you’re looking for a quick soup or sandwich for takeout.
Pizza Place of Highlands – On Highlands Main Street, you’ll pass by an old wooden screen door and if you’re in the mood for pizza, this is the place to be! Pizza Place has been around for years in Highlands, and it’s no secret why. Made fresh daily, The Pizza Place is a lunch spot that everyone can agree upon. Guests can choose from specialty pizzas like chicken and white pear or Hawaiian BBQ, or they can customize their own pizza and get exactly what they want. If someone in your party isn’t crazy about pizza, they also offer subs and salads.
The Ugly Dog – The Ugly Dog Pub is a casual American pub that has the bar food you crave, but with thoughtful tweaks to make it more unique. This restaurant has two locations and we’re referring to the one in Highlands. Both locations are awesome, but they do have separate menus, with some similar items, and some different ones. You’ll find a “Rise and Shine” Burger here, which is essentially a breakfast burger, and a guacamole burger, which is as delicious as it sounds!
Bistro on Main – One of the loveliest outdoor seating arrangements in Highlands, this is a great place to go when you want to enjoy the perfect summer weather and the view of downtown Highlands. Mandy times, you can find a live performer here too! Look for the red umbrellas outside of The Main Street Inn, and you’ll know you’ve found it. For lunch, you’ll want to check out their fried butterfly shrimp with aioli, their local mountain trout salad, or their red pepper gouda soup. There are so many delicious choices here. This restaurant is closed for the winter, but if you are visiting during the warmer months, be sure to check their hours.
Highlands Burritos – If you can imagine what a more local, down to earth Chipotle would be like, that’s a good way to imagine Highlands Burritos. This is a great place to walk in on your lunch hour to grab a yummy quesadilla. Outside of Highlands Burritos, if you turn right and look on the other side of the building, you’ll find a small dining area outside where you can bring your dog to sit with you and enjoy the weather. Highlands Burritos is a local favorite for a quick bite.
4118 Kitchen and Bar – 4118 Kitchen and Bar is going to be exactly what you want when looking for New American food. 4118 is aptly named after the towering elevation of Highlands and prides itself on a menu that revolves around seasonally available ingredients. Some of our favorite dishes when we visit are their shrimp and grits and wild mushroom ravioli with duck confit. We recommend you come hungry!
Tug’s Proper – People who have been visiting Highlands for a while will remember Sports Page. Where Sports Page used to be, you’ll find an expanded restaurant called Tug’s Proper. You’ll love the décor right and the blue velvet booth seats with leather barstool chairs and complimentary blue walls with quirky wall décor right away. Tug’s also has some outdoor seating if you like to people watch. For lunch here, we recommend you try the ahi tuna salad or the salmon BLT.
Rosewood Market – Rosewood Market is easy to miss, and trust us, you won’t want to. Right next to Main Street Nursery, in the same location as the local Exxon gas station, you’ll find Rosewood Market. When you walk in, you’ll see a huge selection of wine and a cooler in the back a lot of fresh goodies to choose from. Seasoned green beans, pork roast, twice-baked potatoes and so much more are available for you to choose from a-la-carte, and the selection varies by the day. There is no seating inside, so this place is strictly for on-the-go folks, but it’s absolutely worth a stop!
Dinner in Highlands, NC can be best broken down by the kind of place you want to go. We’ll start with the “fine dining” locations if you’re looking for a dressier night out on the town where you can treat yourself.
Wolfgang’s – Wolfgang’s in Highlands, NC has remained a staple in the community for years. Everyone who has been in Highlands for a while knows Chef Wolfgang Green and his family, and they know how top tier their food and service is. When you first walk into Wolfgang’s, you’ll come across their wine bistro. For a more casual evening with wine and nibbles, you can stay right there! By venturing further inside the restaurant, you’ll get to experience some of the best food on the plateau. We recommend trying the apricot honey chicken or the filet mignon if you want to treat yourself.
Wild Thyme – Wild Thyme is an American/Asian fusion restaurant that has brought a unique flair to the fine dining scene in Highlands for years. Easy to find on Highlands Main Street, you’ll fist spot the cozy outdoor patio with the red umbrellas, but inside you’ll find a beautiful, classic fine dining room equipped with a full bar. Dinner entrees that you’ll love at Wild Thyme include either the bacon wrapped quail or shrimp and tasso linguine.
Meritage Bistro – Meritage has prided itself on bringing Euro-Mediterranean cuisine to the tiny town of Highlands for the past few decades. While you would expect a Euro-Mediterranean atmosphere as well, the interior of Meritage resembles a luxury mountain cabin, bringing both worlds together beautifully. If Meritage is where you choose to dine, we recommend the crispy peekytoe crab cake or even the woodland mushroom risotto.
On the Verandah – On the Verandah is a seasonal restaurant that you’ll see as you enter Highlands from Franklin Road. This fine dining restaurant overlooks beautiful Lake Sequoyah and has unbeatable views. If you don’t feel like sitting outside on the lake, you can always choose to sit in the beautiful dining room and enjoy the views out the windows. If you want to eat here, two great choices for entrees include the Maine lobster piccata with fried capers and lemon-thyme beurre blanc, or if you want more of a “small plate,” you can try Heritage Farms pork belly confit with blueberry chipotle drizzle.
Lakeside – Overlooking Harris Lake in Highlands, NC, Lakeside Restaurant is true to its name. Pulling up to Lakeside, you’ll immediately feel like you’ve come home to your lakefront cottage, but inside, a fine dining experience awaits you. You can sit in the comfort of the dining room or soak in the lake views and dine outside. If you want to dine here on Harris Lake, you could have pecan crusted baked brie as an appetizer and then end the meal with grilled Colorado lamb chops.
Ristorante Paoletti’s – Cozy. Classic. Italian. Those are the main things you should know when considering dining at Ristorante Paoletti’s. This restaurant has been a staple in Highlands for over 35 years, and the quality of the dining experience is why it’s still around. The menus evolve at Ristorante Paoletti’s to make sure guests have the freshest ingredients possible. Reservations here at least 30 days before dining are recommended, but they do accept walk-ins if there is room.
Midpoint – Highlands’ first rooftop restaurant and bar does not disappoint. Newer to the Highlands dining scene, Midpoint has proven itself to have high culinary standards. Head up the iron staircase to find an inside dining room that opens up to the rooftop where you can dine, drink and enjoy a unique view of Highlands Main Street. With an American and Asian inspiration behind dishes, you’ll find some really interesting entrees at Midpoint. Vegetable mei fun stir fry trio tacos, and lemon crisp calamari with saffron aioli are just some of the tasty options for dinner. And don’t even get us started on their unrivaled desserts!
Madison’s – Madison’s Restaurant is a fine dining establishment connected to Old Edwards Inn. Locally sourced ingredients from greenhouses and nearby farms ensure that what you are eating at Madison’s is fresh and of the highest quality. Overlooking the Wine Garden and waterfall, you’ll love the cozy ambiance of Madison’s. Crispy leg of duck confit and the pork saltimbocca are wonderful choices if you dine at Madison’s.
The next restaurants on our list are places where you can dress up if you’d like, but if you come in your casual wear, that’s fine, too!
Bridge at Mill Creek – The Bridge at Mill Creek is one of the newest restaurants in Highlands. Locals watched as extensive renovations were made to create a beautiful restaurant (and of course, a new bridge) overlooking the creek running through Highlands. Though it’s a newer restaurant, it’s taken off in popularity, so you should consider making a reservation. On the menu here, you’ll find familiar entrees like fish and chips. You’ll also find some entrees you may not be so familiar with, like cauliflower couscous.
Fou65 – This is called a woodfire bistro for a reason! The brick ovens set this restaurant a part. As you may have guessed, Four65 has a lot of yummy gourmet pizza dishes that are amazing, including a meatball and ricotta pizza. However, it’s not all pizzas. At Four65 you can choose from a selection of soups, sandwiches, or even a charcuterie board to share with friends. Four65 is located near Old Edwards Inn, which makes it a great stop if you are near this side of town.
Asia House – Asia House is going to be your go-to place in Highlands, NC if you are craving classic Asian dishes. Fusing Chinese, Japanese and Thai foods, you’ll find a delightful range of Asian dishes that everyone in your family will love. And if you’re a sushi lover, they’ve got you covered there, too. Fresh fish are brought in weekly to ensure the sushi is of the freshest quality. For an entree with a kick to it, we recommend their Thai red curry chicken.
El Azteca Rainforest Bar & Grill – Located in Highlands Plaza, El Azteca is Highlands’ premier restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine pulled from the hear of Mexico City. This family-owned and operated restaurant has based its brand off of blending the culture of their food with supporting the culture of Highlands; creating a unique spin on many Mexican restaurants you may be familiar with. And of course, they make a killer margarita. We personally love the carne asada when we visit El Azteca.
Highlands Smokehouse – Though it’s switched ownership a few times and undergone some renovations, Highlands Smokehouse has prevailed over many changes over the past several years. This is the only place in Highlands where you can satisfy your barbecue cravings, and lucky for you, it’s great! All of your favorite North Carolina barbecue dishes are here, from brisket, to pulled pork sandwiches. If you’re vegetarian, they didn’t forget about you. Their cilantro soft shell taco is just as yummy as their barbecue!
If there is a new and up-coming restaurant in Highlands, we are often some of the first to know, since our offices are in the middle of downtown Highlands. We can tell you exactly which restaurant will be perfect for you and your family based on what you’re craving and where you’re staying. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us for our recommendations tailored to you!
