Holiday weekends don’t always mean fighting crowds at the mall or scrolling through doorbuster deals from the couch. In Jackson County, North Carolina, the long weekend is better spent gathered around a table with mountain views, followed by a hike to a waterfall. Here’s how to spend a cozy long weekend in the mountains, from where to stay to where to eat and how to spend time outdoors.
Find a Cozy Place to Gather
The right stay sets the tone for the whole weekend, especially with group travel. Jackson County has several historic properties that lend themselves to these kinds of gatherings.
High Hampton in Cashiers sits on 1,400 acres and offers everything from traditional inn rooms to spacious cottages and cabins, making it a great option for large groups. Built in 1922 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the resort recently underwent an extensive renovation, further establishing it as a top-tier property in the Southeast. The property pairs its rustic exterior and wide porches with modern amenities.
Courtesy Baxter Miller
In Balsam, the Balsam Mountain Inn was originally built in 1905 as a railroad hotel. Its 100 guest rooms, wraparound porches and on-site library make it an easy place to spread out with family over the weekend. The inn also features live music and a bar, and it’s the closest hotel to the Blue Ridge Parkway, just a two-minute drive from the entrance.
For an option that’s close to the center of the action, the meticulously restored Jarrett House in Dillsboro dates to 1884 and now offers family-style dining right on-site, along with a courtyard for gathering and a bar for evening drinks.
Skip the Kitchen and Eat Local
Whether visitors are looking for a low-key breakfast, a sit-down dinner or something sweet, Jackson County’s dining options make it easy to eat well all weekend without the cleanup afterwards.
Start slow mornings at White Moon Cafe in Sylva, a coffee and tea spot with a cafe-style food menu. For something more upscale, book a table at Ilda, the project of MICHELIN-trained Chef Santiago Guzzetti and sommelier Crystal Pace. Ilda blends Italian heritage with Southern Appalachian roots, bringing the two influences together on the menu.
Courtesy Baxter Miller
If your group is craving something different, DaLaya Thai Cuisine serves authentic Northern Thai dishes along the riverbank in Sylva. For a retro atmosphere and a menu built around local artists’ work on the walls, Lulu’s on Main offers a varied menu with everything from steaks and seafood to sandwiches and salads, along with bar seating and drinks to unwind after a day outside.
For barbecue, Haywood Smokehouse in Dillsboro serves Southern barbecue cooked low and slow over hickory wood and was recognized on Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants of 2024 list. Pair a plate with a pint at Innovation Brewing, a local favorite known for its craft beer with mountain flair.
Before you leave town, stop by the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory for chocolate and fudge made on-site or a drink from the espresso bar, an easy way to pick up a treat for the road or a gift for someone back home.
Explore the Outdoors and #OptOutside
Around the holiday season, the #OptOutside movement encourages people to make time for the outdoors, an idea that fits naturally into a cozy weekend in Jackson County. From waterfall walks to scenic drives, there are plenty of ways to spend time outside and enjoy the mountains at a slower pace. With more than 30 waterfalls in the county, a short drive can lead to a quiet trail and a scenic view.
Silver Run Falls near Cashiers is one of the easiest waterfall walks in the county, leading to a waterfall surrounded by smooth rock formations. For a more dramatic view, Whitewater Falls drops more than 400 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rockies, and it’s reached by a short, paved half-mile round-trip path.
If your group prefers to stay in the car and let the mountains do the work, a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway offers sweeping overlooks without ever having to leave the road. This is a great option for families with younger children or anyone who’d rather sip on a coffee than lace up their hiking boots. Keep in mind that sections of the Parkway can close due to winter weather, so visitors should check current road conditions before heading out.
A holiday weekend in Jackson County means trading the mall for the mountains and the kitchen for a table that someone else sets. Between the historic inns, local restaurants and waterfalls, there’s plenty to fill a long weekend without feeling rushed. Start planning your stay today at DiscoverJacksonNC.com.