Cashiers, North Carolina, Gives the Excellent Summer time Trip—With One of many South’s Finest Resorts

Situated on the best plateau within the Blue Ridge, Cashiers (elevation 3,487 toes) isn’t precisely the simplest vacation spot to succeed in. The roads wind by means of numerous mountain cities—relying on the place you’re coming from, you can cross Highlands, Brevard, or Sylva—and, throughout the peak summer time season, you’ll have to slowly and patiently drive behind different vacationers in search of the delights of this a part of Western North Carolina. The trouble, nevertheless, is price it ultimately while you pull into this historic village, simply eight miles from the South Carolina border.

“Cashiers has lengthy been admired for its pure magnificence, small-town vibes, and a welcoming sense of Southern hospitality,” Daniel Fletcher, co-founder of Outland Hospitality, the group behind Resort Cashiers, tells Journey + Leisure. “It’s the form of distinctive place that actually transports you to a unique frame of mind [from] the second you arrive.” It’s quaint, peaceable, and exceptionally laid-back.

Pronounced “Money-urs,” not “Money-ears,” the roughly 900-person neighborhood sits on the intersection of U.S. Route 64 and NC Freeway 107, and serves as a jumping-off level for all method of out of doors actions, together with fly fishing, climbing, {golfing}, and boating. It additionally boasts barely decrease common temperatures in the summertime, due to a better elevation. (The typical excessive in August is round 81.9 levels Fahrenheit, whereas close by Greenville is 88 levels Fahrenheit.) This mixture has solidified Cashiers’ standing as a resort city, one which’s anchored by Excessive Hampton, a historic inn and repeat World’s Finest Awards winner.

“Consider Cashiers like a seaside city with out the seaside,” says Sarah Jennings, accomplice dealer at Cashiers Valley Actual Property. “Our inhabitants balloons in the summertime and that may be laborious for a few of our eating places and retailers to arrange for, so while you come, particularly in July, be affected person, be variety, and be courteous.” Even should you skip the summer time crowds, opting as an alternative for the quiet shoulder seasons, you gained’t miss a lot. Cashiers’ distinctive model of summer time camp-like magic endures all year long.

Learn on to find tips on how to plan a visit to Cashiers, in accordance with locals.

Finest Resorts & Resorts

Excessive Hampton

Not too long ago named the second-best resort within the South within the 2025 World’s Finest Awards, Excessive Hampton is a vacation spot in and of itself in Cashiers. Though the property has been welcoming friends for the reason that Nineteen Twenties, its newest chapter started within the spring of 2021, following a revitalization helmed by the Blackberry Farm (one other T+L reader favourite) workforce.

Serving as each a personal membership and a resort, Excessive Hampton balances a sure stage of exclusivity with all the trimmings of a welcoming, kid-friendly getaway—albeit one which’s impeccably designed and complemented by a Tom Fazio-designed golf course and an excellent meals and beverage program. Breakfast is served in The Eating Room, overlooking Hampton Lake and out onto Rock Mountain. An informal lunch down at Mitch’s Lakeside (frozen cocktail elective) or The Tavern might be adopted by a return to The Eating Room, the place dinner ought to at all times conclude with a dessert made by chef April Franqueza, a semifinalist within the 2025 James Beard Awards for Excellent Pastry Chef or Baker.

Resort Cashiers

“Personally, I like Resort Cashiers. The house owners have actually reworked the realm right into a walkable and pleasing place the place you’ll find tremendous eating and pleasant areas,” says Ashlie Mitchell, the manager director of The Village Inexperienced—a 13.2-acre space on the crossroads of Freeway 64 and Freeway 107—and a sixth-generation resident of Jackson County. The rooms are a bit retro and Scandinavian-inspired, and so they’re geared up with the entire necessities; you may even pop into the shared pantry for complimentary snacks and low. “Don’t overlook to have dinner of their ‘foyer’ as a result of it’s fabulous,” says Jennings, referring to Kitchen & Bar, the place the seasonal menu options dishes made with farm-to-table substances.

The Wells Resort

The Wells Resort is one other strong, extra reasonably priced possibility in Cashiers. “[It’s] linked to Whiteside Brewing Co. by a brief strolling path, and that’s at all times a enjoyable go to for good brews and eats,” says Mitchell. The rooms are vivid and ethereal and conveniently positioned close to the Elevated Kitchen meals truck, so friends can simply seize a fast breakfast earlier than beginning their day in Cashiers.

Finest Issues to Do

Go for a hike—or stretch your legs on the town.

“Cashiers is understood for its abundance of waterfalls, hikes, and wildlife, and my favourite hike is Whiteside Mountain. It’s a simple hike that provides jaw-dropping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” says Fletcher. Jennings additionally recommends taking “the quick hike to Silver Run Falls.” You’ll be able to even get in some steps with out leaving the city itself. “I at all times take pleasure in exploring the Cashiers Strolling Path and The Village Inexperienced sculpture park and seeing all of the native flowers and artwork,” says Fletcher.

Have a lake day.

Cashiers could also be a mountain city, however it’s additionally shut to 2 beautiful lakes: Lake Glenville and Lake Toxaway. For those who’re within the former, Mitchell suggests stopping by the seaside on the  Pines Recreation Space or renting a ship from Sign Ridge Marina. Lake Toxaway Marine additionally provides boat leases, in addition to kayaks, canoes, water skis, and tubes.

Examine the native occasion calendar.

Mitchell notes that Cashiers additionally has “free occasions all through the week,” and households can at all times discover some reasonably priced enjoyable on the native park and playground at The Village Inexperienced. In 2025, the schedule of occasions consists of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Pageant, a farmers market, an vintage present, and extra.

Plan a fly-fishing journey.

Anglers are drawn to this a part of Western North Carolina, due to its chilly rivers and streams full of trout. Brookings Anglers has guided float and wade journeys that discover the waters of the Tuckasegee, and there are dozens of smaller streams and rivers to fish within the space surrounding Cashiers.

Finest Purchasing

Cashiers Farmers Market

It’s practically inconceivable to go away Cashiers Farmers Market empty-handed. From the native produce and baked items to the jars of jams and the takeout barbecue—picked up on the adjoining, aptly named On the Aspect restaurant—this nostalgia-inducing spot is the right cease while you’re feeling peckish or need to load up on some snacks earlier than heading out on a hike.

Vivace

“Vivace has one thing for everybody, and their choice varies between informal day put on and night [attire],” says Mitchell. “I additionally admire that they’ve footwear for all events. Every bit I’ve from Vivace has served me effectively, and so they have one thing for every season.” For those who’re a fan of manufacturers like Frank & Eileen or Favourite Daughter, it’s a can’t-miss cease whereas in Cashiers.

Victoria’s Closet

“Victoria’s Closet is a staple consignment retailer and has nice stuff year-round. It’s at all times enjoyable to pop in and discover, as a result of who doesn’t love a very good consignment retailer treasure hunt?” says Fletcher. Mitchell agrees, including, “After I’m in a pinch for the right outfit for an occasion or an off-the-cuff evening out, I can at all times discover one right here, together with sneakers.”

Highland Hiker and Brookings Anglers

Mitchell calls Highland Hiker your “go-to store for every little thing you want for outside excursions, whether or not you are snowboarding the slopes in January or climbing Whiteside Mountain in August.” Equally, Brookings Anglers covers your outside wants, and Fletcher provides that it has a “nice location overlooking the lake and provides guided fly-fishing journeys.”

The Cashiers Retailer

“You’ll be able to’t depart the realm with out stopping at The Cashiers Retailer for a memento,” says Jennings. The store has your whole basic trip items—colourful T-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts proudly touting the mountain vacation spot.

Finest Eating places

Native Prime Provisions

For an elevated evening out in Cashiers, Mitchell recommends Native Prime Provisions. “The house owners, Scott Alderson and Tania Duncombe, carry all of the enjoyable and greatest seafood from the East Coast. Their wine menu can be meticulously curated, and I’ve by no means had a foul suggestion. To not point out, it is enjoyable to dine whereas watching everybody work within the kitchen to arrange artfully crafted plates,” she says.

The Orchard

“The Orchard is a Cashiers’ mainstay and at all times fantastic,” says Jennings. Reservations are extremely beneficial, and the atmosphere of the 100-year-old farmhouse is hard to beat. The menu incorporates a vary of hearty favorites, together with fried inexperienced tomatoes, steamed mussels, and crab desserts.

Chile Loco

“For a family-friendly meal, I like Chile Loco, a family-run Mexican restaurant that provides all of the go-to Mexican dishes in addition to some lesser-known household recipes,” says Fletcher. After a protracted day of climbing, waterfall recognizing, or fly fishing on the Tuckasegee River, there’s nothing fairly like a platter of nachos or fajitas, topped off with a refreshing margarita.

Canyon Kitchen

“[Canyon Kitchen] has essentially the most spectacular view of just about any restaurant within the nation, and the meals is phenomenal,” says Jennings. Though it is technically in Sapphire, the quick seven-minute drive from Cashiers is greater than worthwhile, particularly if entrees like North Carolina shrimp and grits or steak and fries are up your alley.

Buck’s Espresso Cafe

“For espresso, I at all times cease by Buck’s Espresso Cafe for an ideal Americano in a dwelling room-style house,” says Fletcher. You’ll know you’ve arrived while you spot the antlers on the entrance of the constructing.

Finest Time to Go to

There isn’t any unhealthy time to go to Cashiers, so the “greatest” time relies on your ideally suited climate and crowd preferences. “My favourite time to be in Cashiers is spring and late summer time. The temperature within the mountains is ideal, and the native blooms are gorgeous—assume daffodils, rhododendrons, and laurels in every single place,” says Fletcher.

Summertime and the height of fall foliage are hottest amongst vacationers—and for good cause. “Summer time is when there’s one thing enjoyable to do with the entire household every single day of the week,” says Mitchell. “Fall is when our Cashiers Valley showcases magnificent reds, oranges, and yellows of the deciduous bushes and brings with it cooler temperatures for cozy nights across the fireplace.” That stated, should you go to in July or October, you’ll need to maintain just a few issues in thoughts. “Site visitors can get unhealthy throughout the weekends, [along with] greater lodging costs and busier trails and eating places,” says Fletcher.

For those who’re excited about Cashiers’ shoulder season, take into account coming in September, which Jennings describes as “essentially the most underrated time to be in Cashiers.” “The temperatures are nonetheless nice, the crowds have died down, and the entire retailers and eating places are nonetheless open,” she says. Or, you may plan your journey for the winter, which Mitchell says brings “quick wait instances and pleasant native faces, together with snowboarding and tubing in Sapphire.”  (Sapphire Valley’s ski space is an eight-minute drive from Cashiers).

How one can Get There

For those who’re flying into the realm, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is your greatest wager. It’s nearly a one-hour drive from Cashiers, relying on the site visitors and the way comfy you’re with navigating mountain roads. Greenville-Spartanburg Worldwide Airport (GSP) is another choice; the South Carolina airport is rather less than two hours away.

How one can Get Round

Regardless that Cashiers is a tiny city—and there’s the partially-completed strolling path, the Cashiers Greenway Ramble—you’ll want a automobile to succeed in climbing trails, some eating places, and different factors of curiosity within the space. Plus, not each a part of the city is linked by a sidewalk.