Our Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are ideal for family vacations and romantic getaways, but they also offer a special kind of haven for those who are looking for some time alone. Whether you’re seeking some R&R, a self-challenge or just some time to take things at your own pace, our mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva offer plenty to those who want to go solo.

Solo Stays

For easy access to the town or village with quaint and comfortable (and even luxe) accommodations, our boutique hotels are perfect for the solo traveler. Consider newly-renovated Hotel Sylva, conveniently located on Main Street with easy walks to restaurants and shops, or Hotel Cashiers, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Cashiers Crossroads area surrounded by boutiques, a barbecue restaurant and a brewery. If you’re looking to collect points at a familiar chain property, try pet-friendly Clarion Pointe of Sylva or the mountain vibes of the Hampton Inn and Suites in the Cashiers/Sapphire area.

Forest Therapy

For a one-of-a-kind meditative experience in nature, don’t miss out on a therapy tour of the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, aka “forest bathing,” led by Dr. Mark Ellison at Pinnacle Park, the first Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the North Carolina. Dr. Ellison has led hundreds of these tours, and each time he guides his participants to spend intentional time in nature through the senses, by listening to the water, smelling the flowers, etc. It’s the perfect opportunity to unplug and be present without life’s everyday worries getting in the way!

Go Fish

Jackson County, N.C. is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail®, the first fly-fishing trail in the county. With thousands of trout stocked annually, the rivers that flow through the mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva serve as a fly fisher’s paradise year-round.

As the leaves change and the temperatures cool, changes are also taking place along our rivers. October and November are an optimal time to angle the Tuckasegee River, known affectionately by locals as ‘the Tuck’. Cooler waters mean more active fish, longer feeding periods, lengthier fly hatches and plentiful stocking for your solo fly-fishing adventure!

Our outfitters and guides have the gear and expertise you need, and don’t forget to check out our WNC Fly Fishing Trail Map® highlighting 15 prime spots to reel in brook, brown, and rainbow trout.

Pamper Yourself

Sometimes the best way to relax is by doing nothing at all. And the best place to do nothing is on the massage or spa treatment table! Let our experts pamper you in the way you deserve with facials, hydration treatments, deep tissue massages and more. Some of our favorite spots include Canyon Spa at Lonesome Valley, housed in a cozy Caretaker’s Cottage in Sapphire, or Fusions Spa & Wellness in Sylva offering salt therapy and relaxation rooms in addition to a variety of spa services.

Sylva recently welcomed a new, locally-owned business with health and wellness in mind. Located on West Main Street in Sylva, Organic BodyWorkx features responsibly-made body products for your hair and skin as well as other natural wellness items, such as cold-pressed juice and easy but healthy meals. Stop by for rejuvenating body care – inside and out – and experience a holistic approach to health and beauty.

If yoga and meditation suit your fancy, check out our top yoga studios such as Yoga Mill or Cashiers Valley Fusion Yoga & Wellness.

Soak in the Sunset

At mile marker 451.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob is known for two things: 1) its stunning, long-range views of the mountains below, and 2) for being an ideal spot to witness golden hour. Sunset is popular at Waterrock, especially during the fall leaf season and on the weekends, so plan to arrive early for a good viewing spot.

At Waterrock, you’ll find a sizeable parking lot along with convenient amenities, including picnic tables, benches and restrooms. If you’re looking to take on a workout, head up Waterrock Knob Trail. Ascending 412 feet in a 1.2-mile round trip, this hike is worth the hype! Dotted with overlooks of the outstretched mountains, the trail comes with a tremendous payoff in the view from the top. Depending on weather conditions, you may even find yourself above the clouds.

Journey Back in Time

The Zachary-Tolbert House – Cashiers

Want to learn about early settlers to the Cashiers Valley? Head to the historic Zachary-Tolbert House, home to the most extensive collection of “plain-style” furniture in the world. Located on 107 S., the house itself is an outstanding example of a vernacular, Greek Revival residential structure and has remained largely unaltered for more than 150 years. Don’t miss the other historic buildings on the manicured grounds: Colonel John’s Cabin, the Old Schoolhouse and a 1920s dependency. For extra insight, take a tour with one of the volunteers!

The Jackson County Historic Courthouse/Public Library – Sylva

One of the most photographed buildings in North Carolina, the Historic Jackson County Courthouse, now the Jackson County Public Library, watches over Sylva’s Main Street. While it’s a great spot for posing on one of its 107 steps, it is also the perfect place to spend a day with less than optimal weather for outdoor adventuring.

Open six days a week, the 26,000-square-foot building underwent an extensive renovation and re-opened in 2011 with modern and classic touches. Now fully ADA-accessible with a two-story library addition, the original courthouse is a testament to classical revival architectural style. Spend the day exploring the two levels of the library, immersing yourself in books and taking in the long-range mountain views through its second-floor windows. Be sure to check into its special programs, documentary screenings and crafting classes. The building is also home to the Jackson County Historical Association and History Museum, the Genealogical Society and the Jackson County Arts Council, which features rotating exhibits in the Rotunda Gallery.

Keep the historical tour going by browsing the antique stores along Main Street, including End of Main, Harry Alter Books and Dixie Mae’s!

Get to Planning!

Do you hear the mountains calling you yet? Use our Trip Planner for more ideas. While you’re here, don’t miss dining at our unique and welcoming restaurants, breweries and coffee shops! We hope to see you soon.

Photo credits: @theswankyswanlkld @riversedgenc @cbcrens