When temperatures soar across the South, you don't have to travel far to find a welcome respite from the heat. Or to see breathtaking fall foliage as temperatures start to drop, as summer turns to fall. Cashiers, North Carolina, is a town built upon a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its rainforest landscape offers daytime highs in the summer that feel like you're just a few degrees away from pumpkin spice.
This mountain town—and several more that surround it in Jackson County—has a summer camp attitude that is full of nostalgia. There's a rustic elegance to everything there. Abundant flower beds are at home next to bent twig furniture. Locals meet outdoors for laid-back lunches al fresco and cozy fire pit evenings alike, while making sure to show you the latest photo they snapped of a bear strolling by.
From hiking to swimming hole hopping to shopping and eating, there's as much to do in this small town as there is in many twice its size. Need help planning? Here's where we would stay, what we would eat and drink, and what we would do with a visit to Cashiers, North Carolina.
Stay In Cashiers
For a stay that feels both like going back in time to a nostalgic summer camp and also immersing yourself in a curated, relaxing getaway, book a few nights at High Hampton Resort. This classic inn was reimagined in 2021 through the eyes of the Blackberry Farm team, and it has a charm that blends historic memories, vintage elements, and vibrant, colorful textiles. While you're there, take a pickleball lesson, try your hand at canoeing on Hampton Lake, roast s'mores by the fire, or go for a swim in the pool. This is the place to truly embrace that carefree camp attitude—while staying in the comfort of a luxury resort.
; 1525 State Route 107 #1525, Cashiers, NC 28717
Where To Eat And Drink
Bring the whole family for drinks and food at a brewery that's designed for being outside. With plenty of room to run around, Whiteside Brewing Co. is a perfect midday spot on a beautiful afternoon. There's beer, of course, but you'll also find everything from a kale caesar to a wagyu smash burger to wings.
Large windows overlooking Rock Mountain and American Chestnut paneling set the stage for a dining experience that feels a bit like stepping back in time at High Hampton. The Dining Room is a restaurant where people still get dressed up for dinner, and the menu offers upscale Southern-inspired fare. There are different menus on back-to-back nights, so you can always return and expect a different meal.
; 1525 State Route 107 #1525, Cashiers, NC 28717
When you need caffeine, pop into the quaint Buck's Coffee Cafe. This no-frills spot fills up with locals and tourists alike. Get here early or late to avoid the reliable crowd that shows up for their morning cup of joe.
facebook.com/BucksCoffeeCafe; 6 State Route 107, Cashiers, NC 28717
Whether you've been out hiking in the mountains or shopping in town, Slab Town Pizza is an easy spot to grab hand-tossed pizzas and craft beer. There's plenty of outdoor seating for those perfect Cashiers afternoons. While you're in the neighborhood, Crossroads Custard & Cold Brew is just a few doors down. The array of flavors is unbeatable, as is the range of toppings.
; 45 Slab Town Road, Cashiers, NC 28717 crossroadscustard.com; 45 Slab Town Road A6, Cashiers, NC 28717
Sitting out in the gardens behind Canyon Kitchen, you might have one of those moments where you start looking up Zillow, wondering how quickly you can make a move. From the flowers surrounding the tables in the garden to the sweeping views through the valley, the experience of waiting for your table with a cocktail in hand rivals the meal itself. But you'll eventually want to head indoors to eat, and neither the ambiance nor the food will disappoint.
; 94 Lonesome Valley Road, Sapphire, NC 28774
Coruncopia feels like the type of place families have been coming to for generations. It opens up for the season in the spring, beckoning guests onto its classic porch—hence its title as "Cashiers' Favorite Porch." Order classic casual meals, including burgers and sandwiches, but don't miss the buttermilk pie for dessert.
cornucopianc.com; 16 Cashiers School Road, Cashiers, NC 28717
What To Do
The Zachary-Tolbert House stands out amidst the mountain-inspired architecture of Cashiers, and it exists just as it did when it was built 150 years ago. It was intentionally designed to look reminiscent of houses built in South Carolina and Georgia, with the goal of drawing in travelers from those areas. Its builder, Mordecai Zachary, believed the Greek Revival style would feel familiar and more appealing than other possible boarding houses in the area. Today, you walk into the home and are immediately taken aback by how unchanged it is—there's not a drop of paint on the walls.
This house, and several other structures on the property, tell the story of how Cashiers came to be. It was primarily the work of Colonel John Zachary and his children, including Mordecai, who came to the area following a land grant. They set up shop as accountants and cashiers for the North Carolina gold miners, and, thus, the name Cashiers was born.
; 1940 State Route 107, Cashiers, NC 28717
For history that is more specifically tailored to the evolution of Cashiers as a resort town and the "rustic" yet curated escapes of the early 20th century, head back over to High Hampton. Their in-house historian leads daily history tours that not only cover the tales of the families that created High Hampton, but also their relationship to other properties of the time, including the Biltmore. You'll be transported back to Gilded Age grandeur in the mountains as you learn about Dr. William Stewart Halsted and Caroline Hampton Halstead, E. L. and Gertrude McKee, and the others who participated in the evolution of this mountain escape.
; 1525 State Route 107 #1525, Cashiers, NC 28717
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a playground for those who love the outdoors, with trails of varying difficulties and varying payoffs at the end. You can hike a short route to Silver Run Falls, with a 25-foot waterfall and a spot for a refreshing dip at the end. Cashiers Sliding Rock is another favorite with, unsurprisingly, a slick, smooth rock that's perfect for sliding into a shallow pool. The Upper Whitewater Falls Trail is another easy, though slightly longer, trail that offers gorgeous views of the falls at the end.
If your ideal getaway involves pampering, then head over to the Canyon Spa at Lonesome Valley. Housed inside a charming cottage that once belonged to the caretaker of the 800-acre Lonesome Valley property, this serene spa offers multiple treatment rooms and a porch to relax before or after your session.
; 121 Lonesome Valley Road, Sapphire, NC 28774
Cashiers is a hidden gem for antiquing with finds across styles and budgets. Stop by Vivianne Metzger Antiques for 18th and 19th-century English and French antiques. Meanwhile, the Bazaar Barn, a charity shop run by Good Shepherd of Cashiers, has a range of prices. You'll find incredible, ornate antique furniture in one room and affordable glassware and home goods in another.
; 31 Canoe Point, Cashiers, NC 28717goodshepherdcashiers.org/bazaar-barn; 1846 State Highway 107N, Cashiers, NC 28717
For a small town, Cashiers punches above its weight when it comes to shopping. From high-end clothing at TJ Baileys and Vivace to the treasure trove of consignment finds at Victoria's Closet to colorful resort wear at Bella Cotn, you'll have no trouble finding a new outfit for dinner. Want to daydream about your future home in the mountains? Stop by Rusticks.
facebook.com/vivace828, 104 State Rte 107, Cashiers, NC 28717 victoriasclosetnc.com, 29 Marmalade Ln, Cashiers, NC 28717 tjbaileys.com, 95 State Rte 107, Cashiers, NC 28717 rusticks.com, 32 Canoe Pt, Cashiers, NC 28717 bella-cotn.myshopify.com, 236 State Rte 107, Cashiers, NC 28717
828-676-2939
Service Areas
