Give Those You Love Handcrafted and Handmade Items from Jackson County, N.C.

Give Those You Love Handcrafted and Handmade Items from Jackson County, N.C.

Elevate your seasonal shopping experience by visiting the mountain towns of Jackson County, N.C.! Here, you’ll find hand-crafted treasures and artisan creations as you merrily make your way down the small-town sidewalks, past the storefront windows adorned for the holidays. We’ve created your perfect Gift Guide for those one-of-a-kind items guaranteed to delight your friends and family members. Make it a complete “gifting getaway” by booking a stay at one of our hotels, cabins, cottages or lodges! And if you can’t decide exactly what to purchase, a gift certificate gives the perfect excuse to make the return trip with them to Jackson County! The Artisan Village of Dillsboro For abundant holiday cheer, one need not look any further than the Village of Dillsboro, recently named one of the “Five North Carolina Towns That Belong in a Christmas Movie,” by Our State magazine. Strolling the village sidewalks, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to simpler days. Listen for the train whistle as the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad delivers passengers to the town as part of its holiday rides. For hand-crafted items that honor Appalachian tradition, don’t miss Dogwood Crafters. A cooperative showcasing mountain arts, crafts and gifts, Dogwood has been a staple in Dillsboro since 1976. Enter the log cabin-style galleries to find handmade treasures created by more than 85 regional artists who keep craft traditions alive. The ever-changing inventory in its 12 rooms includes corn shuck dolls, wooden bowls, handmade quilts, knitted items, stained glass and delightful novelty […]

Walking (or Hiking) in a Winter Wonderland

Walking (or Hiking) in a Winter Wonderland

As the seasons change and the temperature lowers, so do the mountain views which open  up after the leaves fall. Hikes can become winter wonderlands, with frosty mountaintops and icy cascades from area waterfalls. As the temperatures fall, so do the prices of lodges, hotels, cabins and cottages – a bonus during this “Secret Season.” While hiking, always remember the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace®: 1 – Plan ahead and prepare. 2 – Travel and camp on durable surfaces. 3 – Dispose of waste properly. 4 – Leave what you find. 5 – Minimize campfire impacts. 6 – Respect wildlife. 7 – Be considerate of other visitors. The experience of hiking to a frozen fall is not without some risk, so take precautions as you explore. Be aware of slippery rocks and trails. Remember: Take no chances, only photos for memories (from a safe distance, of course). Here are our Top 5 Waterfalls for Winter Wonder! Whitewater Falls – Sapphire, N.C. Our list starts off big and tall – 411 feet, to be exact. Iconic Whitewater Falls nestles in the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers and Sapphire. One of the highest cascades east of the Mississippi River, it embraces its larger portion of winter weather each by creating glorious, large ice sculptures. An easy, quarter-mile hike takes you to the viewing platform. Have your camera ready! Pro Tips: Bring cash for the nominal parking fee and plan to arrive early to enjoy the amazing views without a crowd. For […]

Kick Off the Holiday Season at a Jackson County, N.C. Celebration

Kick Off the Holiday Season at a Jackson County, N.C. Celebration

Experience the spirit of the season in a Jackson County, N.C. mountain town, where the magic comes alive amidst the lights, parades and holiday markets!   Old-fashioned holiday scenes and the joy and laughter of your loved ones will surround you as you celebrate the season in our mountains. Our Holiday Calendar is packed with family-friendly events, and we have all the details here. So, plan your holiday getaway today!   Gobble on the Green   Before you gobble your Thanksgiving meal, get in some exercise in Cashiers at Gobble on the Green!    This 5K run/walk will be held at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, beginning and ending at The Village Green. The course will canvas Frank Allen Road and circle around Cashiers Lake.   Kids can get in on the fun by participating in the Junior Warrior Course, a free, scavenger-hunt type of activity to be held at The Village Green Playground.    The cost is $35 plus a $3.50 sign-up fee. Packets may be picked up early on Wed., Nov. 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Village Green Lewis Hall.  Click here to register!    Christmas Tree Lightings   Jackson County features two festive tree lighting events: Fri., Nov. 24, in Cashiers and Fri., Dec. 1, in Sylva.   In Cashiers, The Gazebo area of The Village Green will light up as part of a lively and heartwarming celebration featuring s’mores and cider and a dramatic entrance by Santa Claus. Festivities begin at 5:45 p.m., with the lighting after sunset. Pro Tip: […]

Give the Gift of Lasting Mountain Memories from Jackson County, N.C.  

Give the Gift of Lasting Mountain Memories from Jackson County, N.C.  

As the seasons change and the temperature lowers, so do the lodging prices and number of visitors to Western North Carolina. Adding to this perk are the mountain views which open after the leaves fall, offering a newness to familiar scenes. This time of year, hikes can turn into journeys into winter wonderlands, with frosty mountaintops and icy cascades. Lodges, hotels, cabins and cottages offer stacked-stone fireplaces and reading nooks, perfect for disappearing into a good book or the friendly competition of a board game. And then there’s the chance of a glistening mountain snowfall.  Known as our “Secret Season,” our winter months are some of the most enjoyable, with plenty of ways to make memories. Why not hibernate – for a while, at least – in the cozy towns and cradling mountains of beautiful Jackson County?    Here are our Top 6 Picks for memory-making this season!   Find Your Frazier Fir   It’s a scene out of a Hallmark movie. With family or friends, you bundle up, grab a cup of hot cocoa and scout the rows of evergreens, lined up like soldiers across an open mountain field. Eventually, “the one” comes into view – and, eventually, into your home to be decked as the centerpiece of your holiday festivities.   Jackson County is home to several tree farms offering fine Fraser Firs that dot our higher elevations. Most are family owned, and all are ready to match you with the perfect Tannenbaum. Consider Chimney Pond Farm or Bear Valley Farm, both […]

Satisfy Your Adventurous Appetite with a Taste of Jackson County, N.C.

Satisfy Your Adventurous Appetite with a Taste of Jackson County, N.C.

Nestled within the mountains of Jackson County, N.C. are amazing restaurants ready to please every palette and price. Its small towns offer big flavors from eateries that have earned loyal followings and impressive accolades. From white linen experiences against spectacular granite backdrops to tucked-away taverns steps off the sidewalks, Jackson County offers tastes that are sure to please even the most discriminating foodie and adventurous appetite. The area is home to award-winning chefs and rising culinary stars offering dishes that are eclectic and intriguing, often making creative use of farm-to-table and locally-sourced ingredients. This is where you may find more than one trout dish on the menu, but each will offer its own, imaginative twist. Plan your culinary journey by starting from the southern end of Jackson County, in Sapphire and Cashiers, and work your way up N.C. 107 to Sylva and Dillsboro. And don’t forget to make your lodging reservations so you can rest and relax after your delicious meals. While almost every locally-owned restaurant in Jackson County is worthy of praise, we’ve selected a few that have recently received rave reviews, critical praise or accolades. Canyon Kitchen: Taking Flavor to Great Heights – Sapphire With clear views of thousand-foot granite cliffs, Canyon Kitchen may offer one of the most dramatic and beautiful restaurant settings in the country – a dining experience sure to stir the soul and senses. It’s easy to see why Food & Wine selected it for its “Most Romantic Restaurant in Every State” list in […]

Reel in an Unforgettable Fall Fly Fishing Adventure in The NC Mountains

Reel in an Unforgettable Fall Fly Fishing Adventure in The NC Mountains

Jackson County, NC, is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail®, the first fly-fishing trail in the county. With over 92,000 trout stocked annually, the rivers that flow through the mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva, serve as a fly fisherman’s paradise year-round. As the leaves change and the temperatures cool, changes are also taking place along our rivers.  October and November are the optimal time of year 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 fly-fishing adventure. Longer Nights = More Bites  Summer’s long warm days are pleasant and bright for many, but the warmer water can have an adverse effect on the fish population. Warmer weather can create stress for the fish, making them conserve energy and spend the majority of the day not actively feeding. According to local guide shop Tuckasegee Fly Shop, autumn provides longer, cooler nights making the season a “sweet spot” for anglers. The benefit of long nights in the fall means more consistent water temperatures. The cooler the water, the more oxygenated it is, meaning more active fish and longer feeding periods throughout the day. Longer Hatches = More Snatches The fly hatches that fish feed on reap the benefit of the cool weather as well. Four main fly hatches can be found along the Fly Fishing Trail® in the fall: Midges, Stone Flies, May Flies, and Caddice […]

“Leaf” It All Behind with an Affordable Road Trip to Jackson County, NC

Fall leaf photo

“Leaf” It All Behind with an Affordable Road Trip to Jackson County, NC

The signs of Fall are everywhere: bright yellow school buses, football games, just a hint of coolness in the air, and – best of all – slight color changes in the leaves. The Jackson County, North Carolina area has one of the longest leaf seasons in the U.S., spanning from early October through mid-November. The area gifts almost two months of nature’s spectacular show, so there’s plenty of time to plan your own Great American Road Trip. Whether you’re traveling on two wheels or four (or more!), taking in the sights and deciding where to stop on your road trip is a big bonus. After all, you can’t do that on a plane. The journey becomes the destination, and it’s all part of the adventure! Budget conscious? Looking for insiders’ tips? We’ve got you. The charming towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva and places in between all have hidden gems that don’t cost a fortune. Here’s your checklist with tips for an affordable Fall adventure in Jackson County, N.C.! Travel During the Week Not only is there less traffic on the roads, but most accommodations also offer lower rates for weekday travel. Leaf peeping is incredibly popular on the weekends, so stand apart from the crowd and book a stay Sunday through Thursday. Take the Roads Less Traveled Jackson County is nestled between two amazing destinations managed by the National Park Service: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Both will take you to some of […]

Made in the Mountains: Appalachian Art Abounds in Jackson County, NC

Made in the Mountains: Appalachian Art Abounds in Jackson County, NC

Jackson County, NC is rich with history and heritage rooted in Cherokee tradition and Appalachian culture. Though replicas may exist, there is no substitute for the handmade craftsmanship that fills our galleries, shops, museums and market stalls.   Plan your trip and follow this Guide to Your Appalachian Art Adventure in Jackson County!   Dogwood Crafters  A cooperative showcasing mountain arts, crafts and gifts, Dogwood Crafters has been a staple in Dillsboro since 1976 when it was founded using leftover bicentennial grant funding. Enter the log cabin-style galleries to find handmade treasures created by regional artisans who keep Appalachian craft traditions alive. Its ever-changing inventory features works from 100 or so artists who create everything from corn shuck dolls to wooden bowls to handmade quilts to stained glass to novelty birdhouses. Its hand-crafted items will surely be treasured and invoke fond memories of your time in the North Carolina Mountains.    Joel Queen Gallery  From traditional Cherokee pieces to North Carolina ceramics, pottery is plenty in Jackson County. Don’t miss Joel Queen Gallery, on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Whittier, where you’ll find imaginative work infused with Cherokee culture. Queen is a ninth-generation potter who traces his lineage through the Bigmeat family in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. His black pottery, the most traditional of styles, is hand built, polished and fired in an open pit using hand-carved tools. You may also discover Queen’s stamped pottery, sculpture and wood carvings in this gallery.   Qualla Arts & Crafts  With more than 3,000 handmade, authentic […]

Stay Cool in a Mountain Lake in Jackson County, NC

Stay Cool in a Mountain Lake in Jackson County, NC

Ah, summertime on a lake! It’s a great way to beat the heat and make memories with family and friends. In Jackson County, NC, the lake life comes with a big bonus: gorgeous mountain vistas that cradle the pristine water.   Whether your favorite activity is boating, paddling, tubing, fishing or swimming, there’s a lake waiting just for you in Jackson County! Need to rent a boat or gear? Local marinas, outfitters and guides can help with that, too. And, before you go, don’t forget to plan for lodging and dining to take full advantage of all the area has to offer.   Here is your list of Jackson County lakes!   Lake Glenville: A Mountain Playground    Perched at 3,494 feet above sea level in southern Jackson County, Lake Glenville is known for being the highest lake east of the Mississippi River. But did you know it also boasts seven islands and four waterfalls?    Nestled among its 26 miles of shoreline (making it the largest in the county), the waterfalls – Hidden, Hurricane Creek, Mill Creek and Norton – gently spill into the glistening lake and are only accessible by boat. Discover them – and the islands – on your own or hop aboard with Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises. Catch them at sunset for an extra-relaxing vibe!   Need a vessel? No problem! Signal Ridge Marina has pontoons, tritoons (which offer extra stability), canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for rent. The marina can even set you up with fishing gear, bait and your NC […]