Spring trip planner — where to eat, stay & play
Spring trip planner — where to eat, stay & play
Spring will soon be in full swing! To prepare for this new season ahead, we rounded up our suggestions for where to eat, stay and play in the mountains when the flowers are in bloom and the warm sun is shining. EAT AM – They say the most important meal of the day is breakfast. Rise with the sun and pair a hearty meal or a fresh-baked pastry with with a delicious coffee from one of our several local cafes such as The Coffee Shop, White Moon, City Lights, The Farmhouse Mercantile & Coffee Bar or Buck’s Coffee Café. AFTERNOON Grab something sweet! Discover housemade chocolate of every variety at Baxley’s Chocolates or Dillsboro Chocolate Factory, or if you need an excuse to cool down, order from 24 frozen custard flavors at Crossroads Custard & Coldbrew or treat your tastebuds to a hand-dipped ice cream cone from Jack the Dipper. There’s nothing like a fresh cold beer. Sip on something crafty at one of our seven local breweries throughout Sylva, Dillsboro, Cashiers, Cullowhee and Cherokee. Start with Innovation Station, located in the heart of Dillsboro along the railroad tracks, or Whiteside Brewing, a family-friendly hangout within walking distance of The Wells Cashiers. PM – For a chef-driven sit-down experience, book a reservation at ILDA, The Library Kitchen & Bar or Canyon Kitchen. If you’re wanting something more casual and affordable, we recommend Meatballs, a new pizza joint from the team behind ILDA, or Haywood Smokehouse, The Ugly Dog Public House […]
Sensory-inspired food & drink exploration through Sylva and Dillsboro
Sensory-inspired food & drink exploration through Sylva and Dillsboro
Sometimes the best way to experience a new destination is by letting your palate guide you through it! Here are our recommendations for a sensory-inspired foodie experience in Sylva and Dillsboro, our perfectly paired mountain towns within Jackson County, NC. HEAR| the Tuckasegee River roar as you dine outside on Foragers Canteen’s spacious patio. Set right along the mighty river, which flows almost the entire length of beautiful Jackson County, this local restaurant serves up a fusion of locally sourced, farm to table ingredients. It’s also near the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, so it’s possible you’d also hear the trains as they come by as you dine! SEE| Chef Santiago Guzzetti prepare Italian-Appalachian cuisine in the kitchen at ILDA, the space where his wife’s family opened her own restaurant nearly 40 years ago. ILDA has a growing reputation in the Southeast, and was even named “Mountain Restaurant of the Year” by Eater Carolinas in 2021. Its union of Italian and Southern Appalachian cuisine presents Instagram-worthy plates such as Saffron Paccheri pasta, Taleggio Crostinis to share, and eye-catching cocktail and mocktail creations. See for yourself here. TASTE | the farm fresh flavors at Guadalupe Cafe, like locally grown organic salad greens and regeneratively raised beef from Mountainside Family Farm. You probably wouldn’t think of the tropics when you think of dining in the mountains, but Guadalupe’s incredibly creative tropical fusion cuisine is not to be missed. When its menu was first developed, the intention was to take diners on a trip through Spain, the Middle East and the […]
Top Foodie Favorites in Jackson County
Top Foodie Favorites in Jackson County
A growing trend, food travel is becoming increasingly popular as travelers seek out the tastiest eateries and dishes across the country. In the towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva, which make up Jackson County, you’ll find a true haven for all things delicious, making it the ideal spot for a culinary adventure. From barbecue to fresh farm-to-table cuisine to handmade chocolates, Jackson County has everything needed for a foodie’s perfect getaway.
8 Great Picnic Spots in the NC Mountains
8 Great Picnic Spots in the NC Mountains
Great food, great views, and warm weather go together so well! In the NC Mountains of Jackson County, many of our delicious non-chain restaurants offer numerous takeout options for you to enjoy while soaking up the best of the warm spring mountain air. In our towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva (about an hour west of Asheville), you’ll find the best picnic spots to break out the picnic basket and enjoy quality time with friends and family. Check out ‘8 Great Picnic Spots’ to enjoy in the NC Mountains.
Four Ways to Experience Fall in Western North Carolina
Four Ways to Experience Fall in Western North Carolina
Just a short drive from the Southeast’s major cities, Jackson County, North Carolina is the perfect destination for fall getaways, complete with scenic fall foliage views, seasonal outdoor activities, autumn-themed craft beers and much more. Below are ways to celebrate the fall season in the great outdoors of Jackson County, NC with some breaks for brews along the way.
Get in touch with the sweet side of Jackson County
Get in touch with the sweet side of Jackson County
It seems like nearly everyone has a sweet tooth for chocolate, but not every town has a local chocolatier. The neighboring Jackson County, N.C., towns of Sylva and Dillsboro have not one but two chocolatiers for locals and visitors to choose from: Baxley’s Chocolates and Dillsboro Chocolate Factory. Either will satisfy any sweet craving.
Ring in the New Year in Jackson County
Ring in the New Year in Jackson County
Looking for a way to welcome in the New Year in Jackson County? From family-friendly events to late-night parties, restaurants, shops and breweries are open and ready to ring in the New Year with you.
Winter Recipes to Warm up your Appetite
Winter Recipes to Warm up your Appetite
The weather may be cold outside, but Jackson County’s restaurants are on top of their game, serving up warm, comforting dishes to satisfy any craving. From cocktails to appetizers, dinners to desserts, a few of Jackson County’s restaurants share their favorite winter recipes. Now you can make a dish to impress!
Elevate Your Palate in Jackson County
Elevate Your Palate in Jackson County
Bacon-wrapped filet mignon, fried Apalachicola oysters, maple bourbon-brined pork chops, jerk chicken and homemade berry pie—is your mouth watering yet? Food is one of the best parts of any vacation, and in the mountain towns that make up Jackson County, the restaurants make as much of a lasting impression as the towering mountain landscapes that surround you. Enjoy big flavors with a small-town vibe at some of these buzzworthy dining spots.